Fearless Vampire Killers (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Remember When |
| Founded | 2008 in Beccles, England |
| Founder | Laurence Beveridge, Kier Kemp, Shane Sumner, Luke Fairhead (as Remember When) |
| Defunct | 4 July 2016 (initial split) |
| Fate | Reformed March 2022 |
| Successor | After the Flames (alias project) |
| Headquarters | London , England |
Area served | United Kingdom, Europe, North America |
Key people | Laurence Beveridge, Kier Kemp, Drew Woolnough, Shane Sumner (Cyrus Barrone), Luke Illingworth (Pilnahn) |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Number of employees | 5 (band members) (2008–2016, 2022–present) |
Fearless Vampire Killers (FVK) is an English alternative rock ensemble with theatrical elements, composed of five members and established in Beccles in 2008. The group features dual vocalists and rhythm guitarists Laurence Beveridge and Kier Kemp, bassist Drew Woolnough, lead guitarist Shane Sumner (also known as Cyrus Barrone), and drummer Luke Illingworth (Pilnahn). Their name pays homage to the 1967 comedy horror film The Fearless Vampire Killers directed by Roman Polanski.
Their initial full-length album, Militia of the Lost, was digitally launched on 7 May 2012 via Goremount Records, with the physical edition released a week later on 14 May 2012. A special deluxe CD edition, including unique artwork, was issued concurrently. In 2014, FVK toured as support for Black Veil Brides and followed up with a mini-album titled Bruises in 2015.
On 4 July 2016, the band declared their dissolution after Kier Kemp chose to depart. They briefly reunited for a single tribute show in May 2021 to honor their late tour manager Stevie D. Officially reforming in March 2022, FVK introduced new songs "Delicate" and "Something Terminal" in April following a covert performance under an alias.
Biography
The band's roots date back to 2007 when they performed as Remember When, comprising Laurence Beveridge, Kier Kemp, Shane Sumner, and drummer Luke Fairhead. All members originated from Waveney Valley, Suffolk. After moving to London, Remember When disbanded, paving the way for Fearless Vampire Killers (FVK) to form in 2008. Drew Woolnough joined soon after on bass, having previously collaborated with Laurence in Self-Titled. The lineup was finalized in 2011 with drummer Luke Illingworth joining.
FVK took a DIY approach, with Shane Sumner responsible for all visual artwork and merchandise design. Laurence Beveridge authored a 334-page novel entitled Ruple & Evelyn, which served as a narrative companion to their EP In Grandomina..., creating a fictional world set centuries before the events depicted in their music.
Their aesthetic drew heavily from steampunk themes blended with late-19th century French bohemian fashion, particularly evident in Shane Sumner’s stage costumes.
The debut album Militia of the Lost is a concept work addressing topics such as love, loss, addiction, and societal conflict. It tells the story surrounding a royal palace fire involving five men caught between monsters and revolutionaries. Their sophomore album was recorded during summer 2013 under the production of William Control.
Following Kier Kemp's exit on July 4, 2016, the band announced their split, explaining that continuing without him would not feel right. Despite disbanding, they intended to continue making music individually and sustain The Obsidian Bond community platform.
After several years of silence, a January 2022 update on The Obsidian Bond’s Facebook page hinted at renewed activity. Soon after, a project named After the Flames surfaced, linked to FVK members and sharing promotional similarities. On March 11, 2022, After the Flames disclosed it was actually a secret Fearless Vampire Killers reunion gig, marking their official return.
Musical style and influences
They acknowledge a diverse range of inspirations including David Bowie, Queen, Green Day, Weezer, Danny Elfman, Iron Maiden, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, and The Kinks.[1][2]
Rock Sound reviewed their debut EP, In Grandomina, characterizing the songs as "pop-rock with gothic undertones," featuring "catchy hooks" and a distinct new romantic vibe.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content The response to their follow-up EP, ... The Blood Never Dries, was more varied, with most critics assigning an average score near 3 out of 5. Comparisons have been drawn between them and American rock groups such as My Chemical Romance,Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Black Veil Brides,Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content AidenCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content as well as the British rock band Muse.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Bizarre Magazine remarked that if My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco had a musical offspring, it might resemble Fearless Vampire Killers, describing them as an "exceptionally promising act."Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content The band has humorously described their music in interviews as akin to "Danny Elfman Diarrhoea" and "Halloween served at a roast dinner."
Press
Early in their career, the band gained considerable media attention, being listed among Kerrang!'s '10 Best Unsigned Bands in Britain' in September 2011. They were spotlighted as Band of the Day by the Guardian Newspaper and chosen as Rocksound.tv's Band of the Week in March 2012. Prior to releasing their album, Altsounds featured them in an "In Pictures" segment.
Their presence in print media included coverage by prominent music magazines such as Big Cheese, Rock Sound—which praised them as "an immediate antidote to all things predictable and dull"—Artrocker, and Kerrang!. In early 2012, Kerrang! included them in their Shots of 2011 - The New Breed feature and awarded their EP launch show four Ks out of five, labeling them "future stars in the making." Subsequently, Kerrang! referred to them as "the new band of [their] dreams."
In May 2012, the band earned a significant industry nod with a nomination for "Best British Newcomer" at the Kerrang! Awards. Co-frontman Kier Kemp was ranked twentieth in Kerrang!'s list of '50 Greatest Rockstars in the World Today.' Kemp also appeared on Channel Four News in April 2013 to discuss hate crimes targeting alternative subcultures.
The group received a second nomination for "Best British Newcomer" at the 2013 edition of the Kerrang! Awards.
Tours and appearances
Fearless Vampire Killers frequently performed at intimate venues throughout England. In December 2010, they supported rock outfit Aiden on multiple UK tour dates. They participated in August 2011's Rebellion Festival, recognized as the largest punk festival worldwide, and played at the O2 Academy Islington in October that year. June 2011 saw them join Rockstar Energy Drink's The Harder They Fall Tour across Scotland alongside Hopeless Heroic, Drive By Audio, Stanley Odd, and Excellent Cadaver.
In April 2012, FVK supported William Control—Wil Francis from Aiden's side project—during the UK leg of his The New Faith tour. Their presence was notable at Download Festival 2012 where they performed on two occasions. October 2012 featured their co-headlining role on the UK "Killing Is Dead Tour" alongside fellow Kerrang! Best British Newcomer nominees The Dead Lay Waiting, culminating with a Halloween support slot for Wednesday 13 in London.
They joined Black Veil Brides for the 11-date Kerrang! Tour in 2013 with Tonight Alive and Chiodos. In April that year, they toured England and Glasgow with Fort Hope on the "Diamonds and Disgrace" tour. At Download Festival 2013, they headlined the Red Bull stage and later supported Madina Lake during their September UK farewell tour.
August 2013 saw FVK accompany William Control on his North American "Revel Without A Cause Tour." In March 2014, they announced their UK "Cabin Fever Tour," starting April 13 with support from Dead! among others. On May 31, 2014, they delivered both acoustic and electric performances at Camden Rocks Festival.
FVK again supported Black Veil Brides on their UK leg of the "Black Mass" tour in October 2014 and continued on the EU leg in March 2015 alongside Like A Storm. Early 2015 included support slots with In This Moment during their Europe and UK tour. Their own headlining "Unbreakable Hearts" UK tour was postponed to later that year.
Between 2014 and 2016, Fearless Vampire Killers broadened their touring reach across Europe and North America. After first touring Europe with Black Veil Brides in 2014, they joined Annisokay for an October 2015 run and supported Escape The Fate's 'Hate Me' tour in January 2016. Their inaugural headline European tour took place in May 2016.
In June 2016, FVK rejoined Escape The Fate for a UK tour. They had been slated to perform at Leeds and Reading Festivals for the first time in August 2016 as well as Butserfest in September; however, following their split these appearances were removed from lineups.
The Obsidian Bond
On 17 July 2014, FVK introduced The Obsidian Bond, a dedicated social networking platform for fans that included guitar and drum tablatures, song lyrics, exclusive footage such as their documentary At War With The Thirst, podcasts, acoustic tracks, and videos created by the band.
Created to bring together FVK enthusiasts, the platform allowed users to create friends lists, share messages, images, and videos, and engage in various groups and forums focused on topics like artwork, cosplay, photography, and more. Additionally, fans had access to a collection of stories authored by Laurence Beveridge.
This website also functioned as a streaming venue for FVK’s album Unbreakable Hearts ahead of its official launch, revealing one song each week paired with a narrative that detailed the inspiration behind each track and deepened the album’s thematic framework.
Albums
- Bruises (2015)
- Unbreakable Hearts (2014)
- Militia of the Lost (2012)
EPs
- In Grandomina... (2010)
- ... The Blood Never Dries (2011)
- Exposition: The Five Before The Flames (2013)
Singles
| Release Date | Song Title | Producer(s) | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2009 | "I Am Gonna Leave You" | Paul Tipler | Self Released |
| 26 March 2012 | "Bow Ties on Dead Guys" | Ben Humphreys, James Billinge, John Mitchell | Goremount Records |
| 11 June 2012 | "Could We Burn, Darling?" | Ben Humphreys, James Billinge, John Mitchell | Goremount Records |
| 5 November 2012 | "Exploding Heart Disorder" / "Palace in Flames" | Ben Humphreys, James Billinge, John Mitchell | Goremount Records |
| 25 January 2013 | "Diamond Dust and Crimson Reign" | Ben Humphreys, James Billinge, John Mitchell | Goremount Records |
| 28 September 2013 | "All Hallows Evil" | Ben Humphreys, James Billinge, John Mitchell | Goremount Records |
Compilation albums
| Release Date | Compilation Title | Producer(s) | Track Featured |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2010 | Big Cheese Mix Tape | Josh Friend | "Palace in Flames" |
| March 2012 | Rock Sound 100% Volume: 159 | — | "Fetish for the Finite" |
| April 2013 | Rock Sound 100% Volume: 172 | — | "Diamond Dust and Crimson Reign" |