Vanilla Pod
Encyclopedia
Vanilla Pod are a melodic punk rock
band, originally formed in King's Lynn
, Norfolk
in 1995
.
Shortly thereafter, the band was signed to Corby
-based label Them's Good and released their début album
Trigger in 1997 as well as partaking in a full tour of the UK.
The band returned to the studio in 1998 to record their second full-length Faster Disco, also released on Them's Good as well as undertaking more touring of the UK and Ireland.
In 2000 Vanilla Pod completed a four-week tour of Australia and Hong Kong. Also in this year, original bassist Steve Campion left the band, to be replaced by Leon Muncaster who was with the band in time to record third full-length Third Time Lucky in 2001, which was released on UK punk rock
label Deck Cheese, and was the label's first non-compilation release.
In May 2001 the band released Dead End Town, from Third Time Lucky, as a single which garnered some radio airplay on BBC Radio 1
amongst other stations. During this time, Vanilla Pod played gigs alongside bands such as Less Than Jake
.
Deciding to become a five-piece, Steve Campion temporarily rejoined the band (with current bassist Leon moving over to second guitar) before ultimately being replaced by Tom Wicks.
October 2002 saw the band complete a full UK tour alongside Capdown
and Twofold.
Early 2003 saw Tom Wicks leave the band to be replaced by Goober Patrol bassist Tom Blyth, who joined the band for a European tour supporting MU330
. Later in the year the band - and their new bassist and five-person line-up - recorded their fourth full-length Surrounded By Idiots which would come out that year on Deck Cheese.
Drummer Gary Colman too decided to leave the band, to be replaced by John Waterfield who has remained with the band since.
In 2008 Vanilla Pod, alongside many other bands, contributed two newly recorded tracks to a charity compilation CD called Gangsta's Corner. These would be the first Vanilla Pod recordings since 2003. Later that year, Vanilla Pod line-up returned, yet again, to the studio to record their fifth full-length album - entitled Poets on Payday - which would see release in October 2009 on Boss Tuneage
.
At the end of 2010 Tom decided to leave the band unfortunately due to moving out of the country to live in Germany.
He was replaced by long standing friend Matt Clarke.
At the moment and Vanilla Pod are playing as much as they want to and still enjoying the ride. They are writing now for their 6th full length album and plan to return overseas to Europe to tour again later in the year.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band, originally formed in King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
in 1995
1995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
.
History
Vanilla Pod were originally formed in February 1995 in King's Lynn, Norfolk with original vocalist Paul Davis. Having recorded their initial demo, Paul left the band to be replaced by then-15 year old Rob Bunting. A short while later - with the new line-up - the band released their début single Rebound on local record label Off-Shoot.Shortly thereafter, the band was signed to Corby
Corby
Corby Town is a town and borough located in the county of Northamptonshire. Corby Town is 23 miles north-east of the county town, Northampton. The borough had a population of 53,174 at the 2001 Census; the town on its own accounted for 49,222 of this figure...
-based label Them's Good and released their début album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Trigger in 1997 as well as partaking in a full tour of the UK.
The band returned to the studio in 1998 to record their second full-length Faster Disco, also released on Them's Good as well as undertaking more touring of the UK and Ireland.
In 2000 Vanilla Pod completed a four-week tour of Australia and Hong Kong. Also in this year, original bassist Steve Campion left the band, to be replaced by Leon Muncaster who was with the band in time to record third full-length Third Time Lucky in 2001, which was released on UK punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
label Deck Cheese, and was the label's first non-compilation release.
In May 2001 the band released Dead End Town, from Third Time Lucky, as a single which garnered some radio airplay on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
amongst other stations. During this time, Vanilla Pod played gigs alongside bands such as Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge, heavy metal, alternative...
.
Deciding to become a five-piece, Steve Campion temporarily rejoined the band (with current bassist Leon moving over to second guitar) before ultimately being replaced by Tom Wicks.
October 2002 saw the band complete a full UK tour alongside Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
and Twofold.
Early 2003 saw Tom Wicks leave the band to be replaced by Goober Patrol bassist Tom Blyth, who joined the band for a European tour supporting MU330
MU330
MU330 are a ska punk band from St. Louis, Missouri.Formed by students of St. Louis University High School in 1988, MU330 played a self-described brand of music called "Psycho Ska", high energy ska punk marked by manic performances and humorous, often strange lyricism...
. Later in the year the band - and their new bassist and five-person line-up - recorded their fourth full-length Surrounded By Idiots which would come out that year on Deck Cheese.
Drummer Gary Colman too decided to leave the band, to be replaced by John Waterfield who has remained with the band since.
In 2008 Vanilla Pod, alongside many other bands, contributed two newly recorded tracks to a charity compilation CD called Gangsta's Corner. These would be the first Vanilla Pod recordings since 2003. Later that year, Vanilla Pod line-up returned, yet again, to the studio to record their fifth full-length album - entitled Poets on Payday - which would see release in October 2009 on Boss Tuneage
Boss Tuneage
Boss Tuneage is an independent record label based in the UK started in 1990 by Aston Stephens. The label became dormant in 1995 before being started up again in 1999. Over 150 record releases took place before a second hiatus being taken in 2005...
.
At the end of 2010 Tom decided to leave the band unfortunately due to moving out of the country to live in Germany.
He was replaced by long standing friend Matt Clarke.
At the moment and Vanilla Pod are playing as much as they want to and still enjoying the ride. They are writing now for their 6th full length album and plan to return overseas to Europe to tour again later in the year.
Members
- Rob Bunting: Vocals
- Steve Pitcher: Guitar/Vocals
- Leon Muncaster: Guitar
- Matt Clarke: Bass/Vocals
- Robin Tow: Drums
Former Members
- Paul Davis: Vocals
- Steve Campion: Bass
- Thom Wickes: Bass
- Gary Colman: Drums
- Tom Blyth: Bass
- John Waterfield: Drums
Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Trigger | Them's Good |
| 1999 | Faster Disco | Them's Good |
| 2001 | Third Time Lucky | Deck Cheese |
| 2003 | Surrounded By Idiots | Deck Cheese |
| 2009 | Poets on Payday | Boss Tuneage |
Singles
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Rebound | Off-Shoot |
| 1999 | Once Was Home | Them's Good |
| 2001 | Dead End Town | Deck Cheese |