Resting on the cusp of rock and roll and darkness are the resilient pop alliance The Vanished. Their sound reflects intricate melodies and climactic tones, complimented with a melancholy vocal styling. Each song’s lyrical allegory declares handsome misfortunes while honoring the integrity of rock music.
The Vanished formed in 2003 when vocalist Kevin Kirkwood and guitarist Dallas Perry joined childhood friends Justin Young (bass) and Phil Helms (drums) to start a long-talked about musical vagrancy. The lineup was complete in 2006 with the addition of Chance Ivey on guitar. The five-some conduct a live performance true to arena rock standards while capturing the individual artistic influences of its diverse band members. Each member brings an original spark to the band’s style from glam rock to indie-alternative obscurities. Vocalist Kirkwood attributes a majority of his artistic inspirations from the world of film, namely visionary Tim Burton’s sickly sweet pairings of the grotesque with fairy-tale endings. This unexpected combination of interests builds an eclectic foundation for the band to capture an exclusive sound and create a lasting style of rock n roll pleasing to fans of any genre.
In 2005 the band released their debut full-length album Favorite Scar and received an immediate reaction across the southwest. Quickly climbing the charts at KDGE in Dallas/Ft. Worth, The Vanished’s lead title track “Favorite Scar” achieved 1300 spins on the station prompting the song to reach 1100 spins on KLAQ in El Paso. These overwhelming successes led the band to 18 months of tours and concert events where they shared the stage with Bowling For Soup, Blue October, Daughtry, Flyleaf, The Exies and Simple Plan. Along with these tours The Vanished performed at numerous radio festivals and events with My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, Velvet Revolver, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and several dates on the Warped Tour (2005).
The Vanished realized another triumph in November of 2006 with the release of Act 1: Captives the first in a trio of EP’s to be revealed by the band. The three-part series reflects the theatrical behavior the band captures in each live performance – sharing not just live music with the audience but a three-act play of passion, despair and tragedy. Produced by Zac Maloy (formerly of the Nixons) and recorded at Rosewater Studios in Tulsa, OK, this first imprint of the impending trilogy features five power-house tracks showcasing The Vanished’s vivid story telling.
The EP’s first single “The Longest Goodbye” has reached 1 in airplay at KDGE in Dallas and the top 10 at KLAQ in El Paso, KDJE in Little Rock and KMYZ in Tulsa. The single is collectively being played at over 13 stations across the southwest including KTCL in Denver. This progression of accomplishments welcomed The Vanished to perform at the grand opening of Dallas’ Palladium Ballroom music venue in 2007 and was a springboard to a series of concert events including the band’s third appearance at KDGE’s Edgefest in Dallas at Pizza Hut Park and second appearance at KTBZ’s Buzzfest in Houston at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
The Vanished continue to perform across the nation as they prepare for the 2007 Family Values Tour in August. The band will be releasing their follow-up single from Act 1: Captives titled “I Love Your Blood” in early summer. “Act 1: Captives” is available online via the band’s website and may be found on iTunes.
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