Vanna (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Vanna is a music group originating from Boston, USA, established in 2004. Their musical style transitioned from metalcore to post-hardcore, integrating influences from emo and melodic metalcore. The band ceased activity in 2017 but reunited with its original lineup of five members in February 2025.
Formation and initial phase (2004–2005)
The band was created in December 2004 by guitarists Nicholas Lambert and Evan Pharmakis. Their first demo was recorded in Lambert's dormitory using Reason software to simulate drum tracks. Shortly thereafter, drummer Brandon Davis, bassist Shawn Marquis, and vocalist Joe Bragel joined the lineup. Although Chris Preece was initially considered for the vocalist position, Bragel assumed the role and helped independently release their first EP, This Will Be Our Little Secret, which garnered a dedicated local audience. This momentum led to a contract with Epitaph Records on November 15, 2005.
Period with Epitaph Records (2005–2009)
In March 2006, the band issued a limited split 7-inch vinyl alongside Therefore I Am before recording their debut EP for Epitaph, The Search Party Never Came. During these sessions, original singer Bragel departed, prompting Nick Lambert to take over vocal duties for the release. After the EP's June 2006 launch, Chris Preece joined as the new lead vocalist.
Following extensive touring in late 2006, they recorded their first full-length album titled Curses with producer Matt Bayles in Seattle; it was released on April 24, 2007. Drummer Brandon Davis exited during a February 2008 tour; Ryan Seaman temporarily replaced him until Chris Campbell became the permanent drummer, making his live debut on March 22, 2008.
Their sophomore album, A New Hope, arrived on March 24, 2009, achieving No. 31 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Critics highlighted its fusion of hardcore energy with melodic heaviness.
In July 2009, Chris Preece left due to personal matters and was succeeded by Davey Muise from Seeker Destroyer after the summer tour concluded. Muise's first official performance occurred on July 25, 2009, at Worcester's Palladium.
Artery Recordings era and Pharmakis' exit (2010–2013)
Following their departure from Epitaph, Vanna signed with Artery Recordings in August 2010. Their initial release under this label was the EP The Honest Hearts, produced by Jay Maas and released October 12, 2010. Singles such as "Passerby," a re-recorded "Trashmouth," and "Dead Language For A Dying Lady" featuring Muise were launched subsequently. On January 2, 2011, they commenced recording their full-length album And They Came Baring Bones at Glow in the Dark Studios with producer Matt Goldman; it was released June 21, 2011. According to AllMusic, this album preserved their melodic metalcore approach with alternating harsh and clean vocals, including lead vocal contributions from guitarist Evan Pharmakis.
On February 2, 2012, founding guitarist and vocalist Evan Pharmakis along with drummer Chris Campbell left the band citing family commitments and financial concerns. Pharmakis initiated a solo endeavor named Wind in Sails. The group recruited guitarist Joel Pastuszak and took part in Warped Tour 2012.
After utilizing several temporary drummers, Eric Gross joined as a permanent drummer to record their next album with Jay Maas. The Few and the Far Between was released on March 19, 2013; extensive touring followed throughout 2013 and into 2014. Promotion included releasing video content on YouTube between August and October of that year.
In November 2013, Vanna recorded additional material and independently issued a 7-inch titled Preying/Purging on December 17.
Pure Noise Records era and disbandment (2014–2017)
In February 2014, Vanna inked a deal with Pure Noise Records and participated in the 2014 Vans Warped Tour. They commenced work on a new album alongside producer Will Putney, recognized for his collaborations with Like Moths to Flames, Texas in July, and Stray from the Path. On April 18, 2014, the band revealed their fifth studio album, Void, which was released on June 16, 2014, through Pure Noise Records. This release marked a stylistic transition from screamo to metalcore, incorporating Patuszak’s clean singing combined with Muise’s screaming vocals. AllMusic characterized Void as a "punk-metal fusion" delivering an intense and aggressive sound. In August of that year, Vanna supported Beartooth on their inaugural North American tour in October, alongside Sirens & Sailors, Sylar, and Alive Like Me.
On October 2, 2015, the band issued the EP ALT, featuring five cover tracks.
The lead single "Pretty Grim" was unveiled on May 19, 2016, ahead of their LP All Hell, which was set for release on July 8, 2016. Subsequent singles included "Mutter" released on June 9 and "Leather Feather" on June 23. AllMusic commended All Hell for its emotionally charged post-hardcore style.
On April 28, 2017, Vanna declared their final tour titled 'All Good Things Must Come To An End', confirming their decision to part ways. Patuszak chose not to participate in the concluding shows. The summer farewell tour featured support acts such as Eighteen Visions, Knocked Loose, Bad Rabbits (later substituted by END), On Broken Wings, Like Pacific, Kublai Khan, Lions Lions, Old Wounds, Sharptooth, and Roseview. Their concluding concert took place on December 15, 2017, at Worcester Palladium in Massachusetts, with former members Joe Bragel, Evan Pharmakis, Chris Preece, Brandon Davis, and Eric Gross joining them on stage.
Reunion phase (2025–present)
On October 1, 2020, Nicholas Lambert announced through Reddit and Instagram that five founding members—Nicholas, Brandon, Shawn, Evan, and Chris—had reunited under the moniker INSPIRIT. Lambert described this project as revisiting their original 2006 sound but with improved production quality.
Then on February 28, 2025, the band shared via Instagram that they would resume performing as Vanna again, presenting INSPIRIT as a transitional stage within their ongoing journey.
Band members
Current
- Chris Preece – unclean vocals (2005, 2006–2009, live shows in 2017 only, 2025–present)
- Evan Pharmakis – guitar, clean vocals, keyboards, programming (2004–2012, 2025–present)
- Nicholas Lambert – guitar, backing vocals (2004–2017, 2025–present)
- Brandon Davis – drums (2005–2008, 2025–present)
- Shawn Marquis – bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–2017, 2025–present)
Touring
- Casey Aylward – guitar and vocals (2017)
- Nick Casaletto – vocals (2006–2007)
Former
- Joe Bragel – unclean vocals (2005–2006; guest appearances during live shows in 2017)
- Joel Pastuszak – guitar, programming, keyboards, vocals (2012–2017)
- Chris Campbell – drums (2008–2012)
- Eric Gross – drums (2012–2015)
- Davey Muise – lead vocals (2009–2017)
- Seamus Menihane – drums and percussion (2015–2017)
Timeline
Studio albums
| Release date | Album title | Label | Billboard rankings |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2007 | Curses | Epitaph Records | |
| March 21, 2009 | A New Hope | #31 (Heatseekers) | |
| June 21, 2011 | And They Came Baring Bones | Artery Recordings | #42 (Independent), #22 (Hard Rock), #8 (Heatseekers) |
| March 19, 2013 | The Few and the Far Between | #39 (Independent), #16 (Hard Rock), #12 (Heatseekers) | |
| June 17, 2014 | Void | Pure Noise Records | #157 (Top 200) |
| July 8, 2016 | All Hell | #2 (Heatseekers) |
EPs
| Release date | Title | Label | Billboard position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Demo | Self-released | |
| August 2005 | This Will Be Our Little Secret | ||
| March 10, 2006 | Therefore I Am / Vanna | Robotica Records | |
| June 6, 2006 | The Search Party Never Came | Epitaph Records | |
| October 12, 2010 | The Honest Hearts | Artery Recordings | #18 (Heatseekers) |
| December 17, 2013 | Preying/Purging | Self-released | |
| October 2, 2015 | ALT | Pure Noise Records |
Compilation albums appearances
| Release date | Compilation title | Track included | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2006 | Epitaph Sampler | "That Champagne Feeling" (Demo) | Epitaph Records |
| Winter 2006 (Europe) | Epitaph Sampler | "A Dead Language for a Dying Lady" | Hellcat Records |
| June 6, 2006 | Warped Tour 2006 Compilation (Disc 2) | "A Dead Language for a Dying Lady" | Epitaph Records & SideOneDummy Records |
| June 6, 2006 | Unsound Volume 1 | "I Am the Wind" | Epitaph Records |
| June 20, 2006 | Purevolume Epitaph Digital Summer Sampler | "The Search Party Never Came" | |
| Summer 2006 | Epitaph Sampler | "The Search Party Never Came" |
External links
- Official website
- AllMusic profile
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups from Boston
- Heavy metal musical groups from Massachusetts
- Metalcore musical groups from Massachusetts
- Epitaph Records artists
- Musical groups established in 2004
- Musical groups disestablished in 2017
- American post-hardcore musical groups
- Pure Noise Records artists
- American melodic hardcore musical groups