Venaculas
Encyclopedia
Venaculas was a metal
band from Omaha
, Nebraska
. The name of the band is derived from a movie with the Three Stooges
when a judge orders Curly
"to stop the vernacular". The band has grown from basement performances to shows in large concert halls.
Formed in 2000 by guitarists Jay Hynek and Chad Riche (lead guitar), along with lead vocalist Phil Anson and bassist Pat Lovette; Venaculas is now one of the leading hard rock bands in the state of Nebraska.
In 1999, Jay and Chad at the ages of 14 and 15 respectively found themselves jamming with Phil on a regular basis. One day when Phil was late, Jay asked his father Dave to step in and play the drums. As they were playing, Phil showed up picked up a microphone and he laid down an impressive, rhythmic and loud style that caught everyone by surprise. It was something that fit perfectly with the other members' styles. After about a 10 minute jam, they stopped, and someone said "we may have something here."
In 2000, the band released their self-titled debut EP. And since then has seen their fan base and critical acclaim grow. Venaculas has twice been highlighted in the national magazine, Album Network as the Midwest regional "Breakout Band". They had three consecutive CDs become top selling CDs of 2001 through 2006 for the Homers Record Store chain (3rd in 2001, 2nd in 2002, 2nd in 2003, 1st in 2004, 1st in 2005 and 1st in 2006). They appeared regularly on the CIMS and Aggro national charts, and has had seven songs added to the radios stations throughout the Midwest, such as KIWR 89.7 (Council Bluffs, IA/Omaha, NE), KAZR (Des Moines, IA), and KSEZ (Souix City, IA). The band also had two songs placed in the feature film "Treasure of the Seven Mummies" (Summer 2005 release), and had five songs placed in the motorcycle documentary, "Ride on the Edge." All the while, Venaculas' fan base has been spreading beyond the Midwest (they were highlighted and reviewed in magazines located in France, Germany and Italy) as the band continues to perform to sold-out concerts and share the stage with bands such as Saliva
, Sevendust
, Puddle of Mudd
, 10 Years
, Powerman 5000
, Primer 55
, The Urge
, Jackyl
, Kottonmouth Kings
, Soil, (həd) p.e., Phunk Junkeez
and more.
In 2002, Eric Whitney replaced Pat Lovette as bassist and vocals. He added his own distinct melodic vocals to the music and added a whole new dimension to the music.
In 2005, Dave Hynek stepped out from behind the drums to follow his own business ventures and his son Davey, the former drummer of the band Dielated, filled in for him seamlessly.
Less than a year after their first live performance, the band went into the studio and in one day, recorded what was to be their five-song demo. The band gave an advanced copy to Capone, a disc jockey for KIWR
. Capone was so impressed with the bands energetic, positive vibe performance, that one week after receiving the CD, he began spinning the band's anthem-oriented "Shut-Up" on his popular primetime radio program and asked his listeners to call in and express their opinions. The station's telephone lines lit up with mass approval, prompting the DJ to add "Shut Up" along with the bands equally infectious "Jump" to his daily play list.
The band's latest release, "Therapy" had two songs in heavy rotation at KIWR with "Decisions" and "Fly." After that "Out of Time" received airplay throughout stations in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa and it became the #1 selling CD for the Homers Record Store chain and earned a #19 position on the national CIMS chart since its 1/31/05 release.
Venaculas’ music, when playing full blast in their dynamic live shows, can only be described as raw, explosive energy that showcases the band’s youth, honesty, gut-wrenching vocals and memorable guitar riffs. With a combination of hard rock
, aggro metal and hip-hop the band appeals to many different fans all ranging from 10 years of age to 69.
Venaculas' unique sound has made them Nebraska's #1 CD selling/tour grossing hard rock band the past four years. Their new CD/DVD titled "Therapy" has remained the #1 selling CD for the Homers record store chain, earned a #19 spot on the CIMS chart, and a #82 position on the CMJ Retail 100 chart.
Except for the father-son switch and replacing the bass player, the original composition of the band hasn't changed. In January 2007 they won the Omaha Entertainment Award for Hard Rock/Metal. They repeated winning this award in 2008, although it was renamed "Hard Rock/Metal/Punk."
Venaculas disbanded in June of 2008. Chad & Eric have since started a new band "Against the Artificial" with Ian Waters taking over the drum duties, Pat Kirchbaum taking over lead guitar duties and Chris, from Stigmata fame, taking over bass duites. Chad has taken over the vocal duties while Eric has taken over rhythm guitar duties. As for Phil, Davey and Jason there is no word yet on if they have started a new project.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Omaha
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. The name of the band is derived from a movie with the Three Stooges
Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
when a judge orders Curly
Curly Howard
Jerome Lester "Jerry" Horwitz , better known by his stage name Curly Howard, was an American comedian and vaudevillian. He is best known as a member of the American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges, along with his older brothers Moe Howard and Shemp Howard, and actor Larry Fine...
"to stop the vernacular". The band has grown from basement performances to shows in large concert halls.
Formed in 2000 by guitarists Jay Hynek and Chad Riche (lead guitar), along with lead vocalist Phil Anson and bassist Pat Lovette; Venaculas is now one of the leading hard rock bands in the state of Nebraska.
In 1999, Jay and Chad at the ages of 14 and 15 respectively found themselves jamming with Phil on a regular basis. One day when Phil was late, Jay asked his father Dave to step in and play the drums. As they were playing, Phil showed up picked up a microphone and he laid down an impressive, rhythmic and loud style that caught everyone by surprise. It was something that fit perfectly with the other members' styles. After about a 10 minute jam, they stopped, and someone said "we may have something here."
In 2000, the band released their self-titled debut EP. And since then has seen their fan base and critical acclaim grow. Venaculas has twice been highlighted in the national magazine, Album Network as the Midwest regional "Breakout Band". They had three consecutive CDs become top selling CDs of 2001 through 2006 for the Homers Record Store chain (3rd in 2001, 2nd in 2002, 2nd in 2003, 1st in 2004, 1st in 2005 and 1st in 2006). They appeared regularly on the CIMS and Aggro national charts, and has had seven songs added to the radios stations throughout the Midwest, such as KIWR 89.7 (Council Bluffs, IA/Omaha, NE), KAZR (Des Moines, IA), and KSEZ (Souix City, IA). The band also had two songs placed in the feature film "Treasure of the Seven Mummies" (Summer 2005 release), and had five songs placed in the motorcycle documentary, "Ride on the Edge." All the while, Venaculas' fan base has been spreading beyond the Midwest (they were highlighted and reviewed in magazines located in France, Germany and Italy) as the band continues to perform to sold-out concerts and share the stage with bands such as Saliva
Saliva
Saliva , referred to in various contexts as spit, spittle, drivel, drool, or slobber, is the watery substance produced in the mouths of humans and most other animals. Saliva is a component of oral fluid. In mammals, saliva is produced in and secreted from the three pairs of major salivary glands,...
, Sevendust
Sevendust
Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...
, Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd
Puddle Of Mudd is an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. To date the band has sold over 7 million albums, and have had a string of #1 mainstream rock singles in the United States. Their major-label debut Come Clean has sold over 5 million copies...
, 10 Years
10 Years
10 Years is an American alternative metal band, formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999.-Early Years, Into the Half Moon :10 Years was initially formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999 with singer Mike Underdown, drummer Brian Vodinh, bassist Lewis Cosby, and guitarists Ryan "Tater" Johnson and Matt...
, Powerman 5000
Powerman 5000
Powerman 5000 is an American Metal band formed in 1991. Through the span of over two decades, the group has released several albums and gained their highest commercial success with 1999's science fiction themed Tonight the Stars Revolt!...
, Primer 55
Primer 55
-History:The band was formed in 1997 by guitarist Bobby Burns, who was influenced by heavy metal music and vocalist J-Sin, who was influenced by hip hop. Burns and J-Sin enlisted the help of bassist Mike "Jr." Christopher and drummer Josh McLane...
, The Urge
The Urge
The Urge is a St. Louis rock band formed in 1987 by drummer Jeff Herschel, bassist Karl Grable, guitarist Pat Malecek, and singer Steve Ewing...
, Jackyl
Jackyl
Jackyl is an American rock band formed in 1990. Their sound has been described as hard rock, heavy metal and Southern metal.The band is probably best-known for its song "The Lumberjack", which features a chainsaw solo by lead singer Jesse James Dupree. On the recording, Dupree alternately revs the...
, Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings is an American rap rock group from Placentia, Orange County, California. Kottonmouth Kings officially formed in 1994, and describe themselves as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock"...
, Soil, (həd) p.e., Phunk Junkeez
Phunk Junkeez
The Phunk Junkeez are an American rap rock band from Phoenix, Arizona that formed in 1991 and have established a strong underground following. The band regularly tours the United States and Japan....
and more.
In 2002, Eric Whitney replaced Pat Lovette as bassist and vocals. He added his own distinct melodic vocals to the music and added a whole new dimension to the music.
In 2005, Dave Hynek stepped out from behind the drums to follow his own business ventures and his son Davey, the former drummer of the band Dielated, filled in for him seamlessly.
Less than a year after their first live performance, the band went into the studio and in one day, recorded what was to be their five-song demo. The band gave an advanced copy to Capone, a disc jockey for KIWR
KIWR
KIWR is a radio station broadcasting an Alternative format. Based in Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA, the station serves the Omaha Metro area. The station is licensed to Iowa Western Community College. The station has broadcast alternative rock since January 1, 1996...
. Capone was so impressed with the bands energetic, positive vibe performance, that one week after receiving the CD, he began spinning the band's anthem-oriented "Shut-Up" on his popular primetime radio program and asked his listeners to call in and express their opinions. The station's telephone lines lit up with mass approval, prompting the DJ to add "Shut Up" along with the bands equally infectious "Jump" to his daily play list.
The band's latest release, "Therapy" had two songs in heavy rotation at KIWR with "Decisions" and "Fly." After that "Out of Time" received airplay throughout stations in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa and it became the #1 selling CD for the Homers Record Store chain and earned a #19 position on the national CIMS chart since its 1/31/05 release.
Venaculas’ music, when playing full blast in their dynamic live shows, can only be described as raw, explosive energy that showcases the band’s youth, honesty, gut-wrenching vocals and memorable guitar riffs. With a combination of hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, aggro metal and hip-hop the band appeals to many different fans all ranging from 10 years of age to 69.
Venaculas' unique sound has made them Nebraska's #1 CD selling/tour grossing hard rock band the past four years. Their new CD/DVD titled "Therapy" has remained the #1 selling CD for the Homers record store chain, earned a #19 spot on the CIMS chart, and a #82 position on the CMJ Retail 100 chart.
Except for the father-son switch and replacing the bass player, the original composition of the band hasn't changed. In January 2007 they won the Omaha Entertainment Award for Hard Rock/Metal. They repeated winning this award in 2008, although it was renamed "Hard Rock/Metal/Punk."
Venaculas disbanded in June of 2008. Chad & Eric have since started a new band "Against the Artificial" with Ian Waters taking over the drum duties, Pat Kirchbaum taking over lead guitar duties and Chris, from Stigmata fame, taking over bass duites. Chad has taken over the vocal duties while Eric has taken over rhythm guitar duties. As for Phil, Davey and Jason there is no word yet on if they have started a new project.
- UPDATE* Davey has reunited with DIELATED. They are currently in the writing process and are planning on releasing an album soon. Stay Tuned for more detals. Eric has decided to leave A.T.A for personal reasons. Phil Anson is now a member of the Omaha Police Department, while Jason is in school to become a Chef. Eric has joined another band called "The Rising." He has taken over the lead singer duties.
- UPDATE 2* DIELATED disbanded. AGAINST THE ARTIFICIAL is still going strong. THE RISING have decided to wrap it up, but Eric is working on another project with Mark from EYES CATCH FIRE fame. Jason works at Lansky's. Phil is still a cop.
- UPDATE 3* VENACULAS is back in business!
Discography
- 2001 Self Titled EP
- 2002 "Who We Are" EP
- 2003 "Listen Up" LP
- 2005 "Therapy" LP/DVD
- 2006 "Archives" LP
- 2006 "Fly" Single
- 2007 "2 Songs" featuring "Open Your Eyes" & "By The Way"