Vended Are Just Doing What They Can

The Iowa nu metal band talk their first Knotfest, their debut album and what lies beyond

I’m not going to lie, Vended were a bit late to the interview. As I waited for the Zoom call to connect, I found myself wondering what kind of band I was about to speak to. Would it be a bunch of cocky young upstarts, full of swagger and with their heads already too big for their own good? Or would this be another moment of a band stuck in the chaos of their early years, trying to stay afloat?

Finally, the screen flickered to life, revealing a slightly frazzled but good-natured bunch.

“First Australian interview, and you guys are late,” the publicist teased, only half-joking.

“We just fucking got here, alright? I just got out of the shower!” Griffin Taylor, the band’s frontman, grinned. “Sorry, we’re going through a lot of shit right now. We’re very much scrambling.”

Jeremiah Pugh, the bassist, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s been hectic. But we made it.”

And just like that, any hint of frustration vanished. As they began to unravel the tale of how they’d made it to Melbourne, it was clear they were in the thick of it. Caught in the whirlwind of their first-ever tour down under, and yet, there was a palpable energy in their voices.

“We jumped on a flight from Iowa to Denver, then Denver to LA, LA to Sydney, and finally Sydney to Melbourne,” Pugh said, rattling off the exhausting journey like a well-rehearsed itinerary.

But, as is often the case with bands on the rise, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. They had arrived in Australia minus one very important member.

“Our drummer Simon [Crahan] is dealing with some family stuff back home, so he won’t be here for these shows,” Pugh said, the frustration creeping in despite his usual calm. “We’ve got a fill-in, though. His name’s Josh Clinch. He had two days to rehearse our entire catalogue for Knotfest. Which, you know, is… a lot.”

The stress in his voice was clear, but there was also a sense of optimism. “I talked to him earlier, and he says he’s ready to kill it.”

And that, I realised, was the story of Vended—scrappy, resilient, and never backing down from a challenge. Despite the chaos swirling around them, they weren’t about to let anything get in the way of their first Knotfest.

Formed in 2018, Vended had risen from Iowa’s underground scene—a place that hadn’t always been known for its metal influence, but was quickly catching up.

“The scene’s growing, especially with hardcore,” Pugh explained. “False Providence, Source of Fire… there’s a lot of really good people around here now.”

And yet, as they sat thousands of kilometres from home, it felt as if everything they had done had led them to this moment.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Pugh admitted, a laugh in his voice. “But we saw kangaroos by the side of the highway. They were in a gang, and it was dope.”

While most bands might dream of hitting the beach or visiting a koala sanctuary in Australia, Vended’s thoughts were a little more… carnivorous.

“There’s this place I want to go to,” Taylor said, eyes lighting up. “My dad’s friend told him about it. They do a really nice tomahawk steak. I fucking love steak!”

A brief moment of levity, a little comic relief in the middle of their chaotic first Knotfest. For Vended, it was a dream realised, even if it still felt like something they were only just beginning to fully comprehend.

“It’s really cool, especially now that we’re here,” Taylor said. “We’ve always seen messages from fans wanting us to come to Australia. So, now that we’re actually here—it’s crazy.”

Not only were they in Australia for Knotfest, but they were also promoting their debut album, Vended. This was a milestone, a full-circle moment for a band still trying to find its footing. And even with the storm of their drummer’s absence, they were determined to make it work.

“The whole thing’s been flipped upside down,” Pugh admitted, exhaling deeply. “The drummer holds the wheel of the ship, you know? But we’re just going to go out there and do what we can. To the pavement, to the curb—we’ll be there, and we’ll be ready.”

As Taylor began packing his bags while still chatting, his words rang with determination. “We have this motto: if in doubt, you just have to do what you can.”

And just like that, our conversation wrapped up. It felt like a glimpse into the very essence of Vended—scrappy, determined, and unshaken by the chaos around them. They might not have everything figured out, but they were sure as hell going to push forward, one step at a time.

Vended’s debut album Vended can be streamed here. They will be touring across America throughout April and May. Tickets can be purchased here.