The Hellion: vocals/guitar LoWreck: drums Smokey: lead guitar Ivahna Rock: bass
Influences
Razors in the Night, The Stooges, Turbonegro, the Runaways, the Acro-brats, Tenefly Vipers, MC5, Stiff Little Fingers, Motherfucker Superior, Artillery, Amazing Crowns, AC/DC, Fast Actin’ Fuses, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Deterrents, Husker Du, Dead Boys, the Explosion, the Descendants, the Konks, the Misfits, the Real Kids, Monkey Steals the Peach, the Germs, Motorhead, the Plasmastics, the Ramones, Circle Jerks, Joni Mitchell, Sex Pistols, Minor Threat, Bikini Kill, Count Zero, Agnostic Front, the Distillers, Guns n Roses, the Pixies, Damone, the Rezillos, Social Distortion, God Forbid that Handsome Devil, Plural, L7, Anarchy Club, the Replacements, Black Flag, Lita Ford, Random Road Mother, Rock City Crimewave, the Slits, Bang Camaro, the Clash, Slayer, Lamont, New York Dolls, Rolling Stones, Pilot to Gunner, the Adolescents, and Hellion likes Jon Bon while the rest of the band likes Journey.
CLICK HERE to buy VAGIANT tees or CDs or to find our album on iTunes!!
NEWS:
Fill out the form below to sign up for the Vagiant mailing list!!
Vagiant's recent appearance on CCTV (Cambridge, MA) - November edition:
(Check out THIS LINK to see when and where this is airing on TV!
Video made for VIMBY.com by Phil Santoro:
BIO:
Vagiant was founded in 2005 when co-workers Leeanne, Hellion, and Heather ("Scrotch") realized their shared appreciation for loud, shitty music. We picked up Elena a few weeks later when we discovered she doesn't suck that bad. Heather quit because she has important shit to do, and Leeanne tracked down the lovely LoWreck.
For almost 2 years we got drunk together and played songs about hating stuff. Recently, Elena moved back to sucky, uh... I mean sunny California and Leeanne has decided to move to a farm in New Mexico to milk cows and pull weeds. We then replaced these 2 lovely ladies with the menacing Ivahna Rock on bass and Smokey on lead guitar. Most recently, the lovely and talented Ivahna Rock has decided to abandon us because she is sick of losing all the VAGIANT fart contests. We will miss her tremendously and wish her the best of luck in all her super-rockin' adventures. In her stead, we have managed to acquire the very sexy Julie TwoTimes!
We still get together and play songs about hating stuff.
"The band’s sound is pure attitude-fueled punk. Urban art specialist Scott Burnham once expalined the appeal of early Guns N’ Roses to an audience raised on pre-packaged 80’s pop rock. “It’s like their music is a tin can on the ground, and they’re saying ‘here’s our music…f**k it and you, too.’ At first it’s startling, until you realize it’s exactly what you’ve been wanting.” That appeal holds true to Vagiant’s 2007 debut, “Public Display of Infection.” Clocking in at a lean, occasionally mean (if you’re a fan of Allston night spot the Kells) seven songs, plus the cleaned-up version of “F--k the Kells” that appeared in “Guitar Hero 2,” the band’s first album cuts a lasting impression in just over 25 minutes. At first listen, it’s easy to write them off as 90% enthusiasm and 10% ability, but it’s the writing that takes you by surprise. It’s not easy to write songs that are uncompromisingly punk while also being irresistibly catchy. The Ramones could do it, Joan Jett still does it, and without question, Vagiant can do it. The songs are heavy on speed, attitude, choruses and riffs that get stuck in your head, and the occasional f-bomb. Correction: lots and lots of f-bombs."
- by Stephen Coldwell at examiner.com. Read the whole article HERE!!
"Every now and again, I’ll do a search on MySpace music for Punk music. What I usually find, and have to sort through, is a lot of recycled crap (most of which isn’t even close to being “Punk”, but anyway…) and a few really good bands. During one of these searches, I happily stumbled across Vagiant.
Vagiant is an all girl, all punk rock band hailing from Allston, Massachusetts (USA). All of the songs on their MySpace profile come from their debut album, Public Display of Infection. The entire album is everything that Punk Rock should be. It is loud, it is unapologetic, and it kicks ass. If this album got into a fight with you, it would probably walk away with your shoes and your lunch money.
The five songs on the band’s MySpace page all give you an excellent idea of this band’s talent. By far, “Fuck the Kells” is probably the best of the lot. The song is all about The Kells Bar, a semi-famous bar/nightclub in Allston. As you can tell from the name of the song, Vagiant are not fans of the place and they pull no punches in their song as they explain their reasoning. The lyrics are incredibly raw and yet catchy at the same time, a feat that other, less talented musicians would be left struggling with. When you combine crashing guitars, raging drums, and lyrics like, “You can take this bar and shove it up your fucking ass!”, it’s hard to loose.
You should listen to Vagiant. You should also buy their album, “Public Display of Infection” (available on iTunes and through their website). Any fans of Punk Rock (and really, who isn’t…), will be fans of Vagiant. It really is that simple, folks. All for now."
- Posted at spfh.wordpress.com by CHEek - March 18th, 2008
"I’m only 3 songs into Vagiant’s album Public Display of Infection and it’s wooping ass. There are plenty of chick bands, and plenty that sound like ass, but very few that can actually play (and write) well enough to carry themselves beyond the initial all-girl novelty.Vagiant - Public Display of Infection Vagiant does a great job all around. They’re punk through and through, with distinct Joan Jett sounds a’la The Runaways and some undeniable comparisons to (what used to be) The Distillers, with loads of sing-along choruses that stick with you. Vocals are great, drums are great, guitar is great… They do a cover of Angel of the Morning that’s fantastic, followed by a great oi-punk’ish tune, Fuck The Kells, that’s catchy as hell. Later on, it’s lyrics like “I like tattooed women and those fucked up catholic boys” in Tattooed Women, and then another holy-shit-this-is-great moment with a song called Manhattan.
It’s really rare these days for me to hear a CD and like it, front to back, on the first listen. I’ve been through it once and haven’t heard one bad or even mediocre song out of all 8 tracks. Granted, 8 songs is a bit short for a punk disc, but I’d much rather have 5 or 8 solid, kickass tunes than a 15 or 20 track disc with only a handful that are actually worth listening to. It’s a great album. More proof that punk is most certainly not dead (really, how fucking asleep do you have to be to think otherwise?)
I just read that Vagiant is on Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and I’ve played neither so this is all new shit to me. Might be old news to everyone else… Either way, I like it and am glad I didn’t have to hear it first in a video game."
- Posted in Music by Decavolt (SCREAMING AT A WALL) - December 27th, 2007
"Vagiant - Public Display Of Infection
Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Galaxy Park Studios in Allston by Richard Marr
Vagiant's debut release, Public Display Of Infection, is beaming with punk-rock attitude and catchy buzzing guitar hooks. As the album begins with "Cocktease," we're introduced to the aggressive and edgy vocals of frontwoman Hellion, whose vocals are remiscent of Courtney Love. The band sports the same kind of "fuck you" attitude that Love displayed her entire career. Refreshing in its vintage, no-bullshit tone, the record bears a "don't worry, just party" attitude best exemplified by epic sing-alongs like "Fuck The Kells" and "Angel Of The Morning."
Compositionally, Vagiant relies heavily on basic three-chord jams with lyrics about how little of a shit the band could really give about anything outside of drinking, sex, and a mangled sense of honor. The most exciting aspect of Vagiant's sound is their deliberateness and sense of clarity. They know what they want and they aren't afraid to blurt it out loud and clear. Take "Seven," for example. With sincere conviction, Hellion belts out: "I've got your back until I die / I won't let nobody hurt you again / I'll fuck up your next girlfriend if she breaks your heart." As a closer, Vagiant offers a reprise of "Fuck The Kells" with some amazing guitar shredding, which actually spices up the song quite nicely.
Despite the band's rough edges, the record's production is actually on the slick side. Vagiant's sound would be much better paired with a gritty low-fi recording - similar to the way The Exploding Hearts recorded Guitar Romantic. Aside from this aesthetic issue, though, Vagiant have something special going. With their tenacious and scrappy attitude, Vagiant will continue to cast their perverted punk-rock net throughout the Northeast." (Self-released)
www.myspace.com/vagiantboston
-Michael Aceto
"Two longhaired voluptuous gals are on guitars—the blond (Hellion) jubilant lead singer plays an old vintage crap guitar, the brunette (Elena) bangs a heavy metal axe. Then you’ve got the stylish flop-topped Cleopatra-like (Leeanne) on bass and the spike-haired and tats rockabilly drummer (LoWreck). They’ve perfected a sloppy punk/pop style and engage the audience constantly... This band is as funny as they are fun." - TMax, The Noise
"After yet another round of the idiocy and aggravation that is parking in Somerville, I finally arrive at the Abbey a few songs into Vagiant’s set. The first thing I notice is that the place is PACKED. Those who can’t fit into the main room are trying to peer around to the stage from the bar area and Helen is singing at them with a huge grin on her face. Vagiant finishes the song while the crowd is still yelling lays into 'Fuck the Kells,' which just might be the best song of 2006. During 'TNT,' the audience does its duty by yelling the chorus as loudly as possible, and LoWreck puts some extra muscle into her drumming. A few songs later, the set ends despite demands from the back of the room for one more. I’m hoping the next band keeps the club’s energy level up this high." - Seth Cohen, The Noise
"You’ve been warned: This town will soon belong to Vagiant. Don’t believe us? Consider this: Once 'Vagiant' shirts and stickers hit the streets, you won’t be able to go anywhere without Vagiant in your face. Though still in their pre-merch stage, the four ladies of Vagiant are slowly swallowing the scene by playing sloppy, sweaty, four-chord punk that recalls the whole riot-grrl thing minus that vegan, man-hating element. We get the impression that Vagiant just wants to get drunk and get down—and the blistering snarl of 'Fuck The Kells' confirms this. ('Fuck you / Fuck your mom / Fuck your whole entire clientele!')" - Weekly Dig, "Boss Ten - The 10 locals we'll be keeping an eyes on in '07"
"Vagiant (rhymes with 'The Bryant') played a blend of grrrl punk and metal that harked back to the days when L7 and Babes in Toyland were alt-nation mainstagers. By the time they had blown through a set that included a guest appearance by Guitar Hero II programmer James Fleming during a cover of Danzig’s 'Mother,' they’d established themselves as one of the breakout stars of the evening." - Boston Phoenix
"...They didn’t care a toss and just played through rough and raw, true to the punk roots that grew into the riot grrl performance. Vagiant was able to... start really ramming music down our ears... The band decided to sing the uncensored version of 'FTK' from GH2. The actual lyrics are a bit too raw for Netjak, but the song isn’t just a broadside at people messing with you. No, it’s actually a musical slam on The Kells, a particularly odious bar/venue/pit of iniquity in the Boston’s Allston neighborhood. My wife and I lived in that area for a couple years – trust me, there’s plenty of reason to write a song complaining about The Kells, and 'FTK' is much more fun to hear when you know them." - NetJak.com - "While My Guitar Hero Gently Weeps"
"Helen McWilliams is cool as tits. Or cool as, um, you know." - Weekly Dig - "Defend Yourself - Helen McWilliams of Vagiant"
Wrong Side of the Tracks and Labor Power at the same show!
Socialist Alternative invites you to a fundraiser this Saturday, July 11th. In the great tradition of Boston working class punk rock, there will be at least two performances from local bands.
It is also noteworthy that this will be one of the last social events at the movement-building space we've all appreciated over the years, the Democracy Center at 45 Mt. Auburn Street in Harvard Square. All Ages and no booze.
Labor Power and Wrong Side of the Tracks will be playing alongside a possible musical guest.
Doors open at 7pm.
There is a five dollar cover charge. Any more that you can donate would be appreciated. This is part of Socialist Alternative's national July fundraising drive (socialistalternative.org)
If you ever have an album you need mastered, check us out. We have skilled engineers, great rooms, and the best equipment available. All at a price any independent musician can afford!
We have a last minute addition to the " What do you think it means?" line up. It's a song called "Epiphany" and it's the perfect end to the story of the first four songs. Check it out on our page.
Online Now!
