Das erste Album der Band „Vended“ soll einschlagen wie eine Bombe und die Fans noch mehr abholen – wir sprachen mit Griffin Taylor, dem Sänger der Band, über Inspiration zum Album, die Entstehung, aber auch über Einflüsse und Änderungen in dieser Welt!
Frontstage Magazine: What was the biggest inspiration for the new album, and how did it influence the creation of the songs?
Griffin: Honestly, the biggest inspiration was simply us. We wanted to write an album that truly represented who we are. Touring Europe played a big role in that, and we poured those experiences into the music, especially with songs like “Downfall,” which was directly influenced by our time on the road. We’ve got such a wide range of influences—everything from Bon Jovi and Cannibal Corpse to slam-core. I’m also a big Gojira fan, and we’ve got listeners who love completely different styles. Personally, I love to weave poetry into our songs, which you can feel throughout the album.
Frontstage Magazine: There seems to be a perception in the music industry that aggression and raw emotion are being dialed down. Why do you think that is, and what do you hope to convey with this album?
Griffin: We wanted to use this album to really give ourselves a voice. You know, there’s a lot of talk about “family” in this industry, but sometimes people don’t realize what’s really going on behind the scenes. For Griffin and Simon, this album is a way of letting out what they’ve been through. They’re processing a lot—life can hit you hard, and you just have to do your best. Personally, I had a lot of panic attacks during our European tour. The album was an outlet for all of that—it’s about opening your eyes, finding clarity, and dealing with childhood issues. It’s cathartic.
Frontstage Magazine: Can you emphasize one song on the new album that is very close to your heart and explain why?
Griffin: “Serenity” is the one that’s closest to my heart. It’s just so twisted and thorny, especially the ending. The lyrics really came straight from my heart. It was a real struggle to get them out in a way that felt therapeutic. This song represents my journey—coming out of my shell, having fun with the group, and growing together. It all takes time, and this song captures that.
Frontstage Magazine: What expectations does the band have regarding fan reactions to the album?
Griffin: We just want to show the world what we’re capable of! We’ve grown older and our sound has evolved, and we can’t wait to see how people react to that. The one thing we really ask from our fans is to come to our shows! We want to see you out there dancing, crowdsurfing, wearing costumes—whatever makes you happy. It’s all about community and having fun together, and that’s what makes us happy.
Frontstage Magazine: A personal question—if you could change anything on the planet right now, what would it be?
Griffin: Screentime! So many people are living their lives through screens, and it’s really concerning. I mean, what’s real anymore? It wasn’t like this before—ADHD, toy guns, all of that. We used to go outside and enjoy life, and I just want to see people doing that again. Put down the phone, go out, and tell people what you love. We’ve really messed up with these screens!
Fotocredit: Ras Visual