So as everyone heard the white stripes have announced they are no longer a band. I first heard/saw the white stripes on the MTV music video awards in 2001 when I was 16.
It was absolutely astounding.
They played a medley of 'Fell in love with a Girl', 'Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground' and 'I think I smell a Rat'. I spent weeks on Napster downloading those songs, and it wasn't until the following year that I got the album White Blood Cells.
Never had rock and roll grabbed me in this way before. I started realising my old friends that listened to hip hop were dicks, and the weird chicks who hung out at the bottom of the school were awesome.
I dyed my hair black to be more like Jack White. I started really listening to music and trying to find more that grabbed me in such a powerful and sincere way. My life became devoted to rock and roll.
I followed the White Stripes devoutly, discovering their earlier albums 'The White Stripes' and 'De Stijl' were equally powerful, and loved everything they did after with 'Elephant', 'Get Behind Me Satan', and 'Icky Thump' (though enjoying each release less and less). I bought live dvds and biographies, any magazine with their picture on it, b-sides and vinyls. I was smitten.
Now the evolution onto The Vignettes.
Shortly after leaving school, and the release of Elephant, I came to another realisation; I didn't just want to listen to rock and roll, I wanted to make it. I went to my musician uncle Stuey, who gave me my first guitar and guitar lesson at 19. By then I was uncovering everything from Led Zeppelin to the Von Bondies (who i saw live and met that same year) and started my very first band 'The Vinettes', named after our mutual love of The Vines, who also instigated my love of rock and roll. The Vinettes only played 1 gig (which we have on film), and then disbanded. We were a three piece with all of us rotating instruments, and the line up always one guitar, drums and vocals. 2 girls and a guy. That format seems to have stuck with me ever since. When I moved to Sydney I managed to get my friend Nay to move with me to start the band again with my girl Katie on drums, and the new name, 'The Vignettes'. I got the name from a NIN interview about the film clip 'closer' where trent said, "The vignettes in the video made me enjoy the song again". Amazing.
Nay ended up leaving and we were stuck with gigs booked as a 2 piece. We followed through and had a reasonable career, getting played on Triple J with 3 songs, Wild, The Rich and Could've Been from our 1st EP, getting to play Come Together and Playground Weekender festivals, and building a reasonable fan base around sydney. We released 2 EPs (Out of Home, On our Own) and 1 album (DIY/FU - vinyl only)
As a 2 piece though, we never escaped the stigma of being a cheap version of The White Stripes. Similarities came from our simple playing styles (which came from having barely learned our instruments), having a guy guitarist and female drummer; and our song writing structure, which was just generic rock style. Really our intent was to imitate bands like DFA 1979, Wolfmother, Muse and numerous others, but that never really broke through. Eventually we came to loath the white stripes for the constant comparisons and jokes about our playing styles when we never even tried to sound like them.
Finally, realising we could take this format no further with the equipment we had and the song styles we loved, we left The Vignettes behind to indulge in new endeavors; going back to the line up of 2 girls, 1 guy with Bang! Bang! Rock n Roll.
The White Stripes musical journey has ended along with The Vignettes, and somehow that seems very appropriate.
Goodbye White Stripes, you will always have a place in my heart, and my record collection.
Goodbye The Vignettes, and for everyone who ever saw or heard us, FUCK YOU IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE IT!
February 3, 2011
October 18, 2010
Future
The Future! Flying cars and shit... or something.
Actually, I mean the near future. So the record is out and about and got us a little bit more attention, but we're still climbing the ladder of music success (I think we're on the 2nd rung of about 2million) so we're looking at what's happening next. We've increased our sound by adding extra vocals from Katie B, we're getting new gadgets for different sounds, and we've written some new songs that we think will make everyone stand up and say..."what's that band called again?"
Which brings me to my next possible change. The Vignettes. It seems about 2% of the population know the word and what it means, and even less can pronounce or spell it. We're considering a name change to something easier, more memorable and more powerful. Sex Revenge? Max Power? The flying dildos? Horace's amazing flight generating power cycle?
None of these are under consideration, but you know what I mean.
We've got some sweet shows coming up, and contacts for future rad shows, so maybe in the new year we'll come out with a new release, a new sound, and a new name.
Actually, I mean the near future. So the record is out and about and got us a little bit more attention, but we're still climbing the ladder of music success (I think we're on the 2nd rung of about 2million) so we're looking at what's happening next. We've increased our sound by adding extra vocals from Katie B, we're getting new gadgets for different sounds, and we've written some new songs that we think will make everyone stand up and say..."what's that band called again?"
Which brings me to my next possible change. The Vignettes. It seems about 2% of the population know the word and what it means, and even less can pronounce or spell it. We're considering a name change to something easier, more memorable and more powerful. Sex Revenge? Max Power? The flying dildos? Horace's amazing flight generating power cycle?
None of these are under consideration, but you know what I mean.
We've got some sweet shows coming up, and contacts for future rad shows, so maybe in the new year we'll come out with a new release, a new sound, and a new name.
September 19, 2010
Summer?
Summer. Partying with friends, hanging out on the beach, being completely care free, listening to music;
BULLSHIT.
In case everyone in this country has forgotten, summer is almost UNBEARABLY HOT, making everything sticky and horrible and making everyone shitty. The beach (and pretty much everywhere) is packed full of tourist retards, and you can party with friends all year round and it's pretty much the same. Also, your job and bills and problems don't just disappear because the weather is hotter.
I don't think anything has as much undeserved hype as the season of summer (except maybe the band circle pit).
Autumn and Spring are much better. You can still have barbecues and get drunk in the sun and you wont wake up sun burnt and dehydrated as all death.
And fuck I hate escapist innocent summery music.
Dear god I'm a miserable bastard. But you'll see, you'll all see.
BULLSHIT.
In case everyone in this country has forgotten, summer is almost UNBEARABLY HOT, making everything sticky and horrible and making everyone shitty. The beach (and pretty much everywhere) is packed full of tourist retards, and you can party with friends all year round and it's pretty much the same. Also, your job and bills and problems don't just disappear because the weather is hotter.
I don't think anything has as much undeserved hype as the season of summer (except maybe the band circle pit).
Autumn and Spring are much better. You can still have barbecues and get drunk in the sun and you wont wake up sun burnt and dehydrated as all death.
And fuck I hate escapist innocent summery music.
Dear god I'm a miserable bastard. But you'll see, you'll all see.
July 11, 2010
July 2, 2010
The Vinyl part II
Okay, turns out it was our record player that made it sound so bad. We just used a different turntable, and the record sounds fine! No echo, no weird phaser noises. So, uh, ignore that previous post, and enjoy our shithouse record!
Also, everyone tell your friends, relatives, acquaintances and enemies about us, as we struggle with socialising and hence it takes us a long time to find new people to get into our music, hence making our progress through this industry quite slow. SPREAD THE WORD OF THE VIGNETTES. FUCK THE FUCKING FUCKERS!
seriously...
X
Also, everyone tell your friends, relatives, acquaintances and enemies about us, as we struggle with socialising and hence it takes us a long time to find new people to get into our music, hence making our progress through this industry quite slow. SPREAD THE WORD OF THE VIGNETTES. FUCK THE FUCKING FUCKERS!
seriously...
X
June 29, 2010
The Vinyl
So it's back and been sent out and all. As it turns out, the quality is even lower than we expected. It sounds like a 2nd hand record made in 1972 that's been sitting in a hot room full of dust. So we've gone through and hand cleaned them all to clear up the sound a bit, but they're still pretty weak. There's also a weird echo on the tracks that is not there on the master recordings. Luckily we've uploaded the masters to mp3 for download with the vinyl so you can still hear the (relatively) clear originals. As crummy as it's turned out, and despite all the delays, we're still pretty happy. We hope you are too. Hopefully, like always, these records will lead to something bigger and better. Thanks to all of you for your support, and enjoy DIY/FU in all it's shithouse glory!
June 26, 2010
Awesome
Back in 2005, before The Vignettes, I saw Wolfmother play at the Gaelic club launching their first big EP. The room was pretty full, and they were pretty freaking good (despite my french friend walking out because they were 'crep') and not long after they were the biggest band in the world. I remember thinking "That's my dream. To be in a band, and headline at a place like this, to hundreds of adoring fans".
Last night we realised that dream.
Despite being a week and a half out of hospital, having the flu, having the record we were launching lost in NZ somewhere, and having my guitar start to fuck up at our rehearsals in the lead up, we still fucking DID IT!
Thank you to everyone who supported us, and helped us to realise our dream of being wanker rock stars.
It was fucking amazing.
The Vignettes
Last night we realised that dream.
Despite being a week and a half out of hospital, having the flu, having the record we were launching lost in NZ somewhere, and having my guitar start to fuck up at our rehearsals in the lead up, we still fucking DID IT!
Thank you to everyone who supported us, and helped us to realise our dream of being wanker rock stars.
It was fucking amazing.
The Vignettes
June 20, 2010
Album Launch!
June 6, 2010
Muse Interview
Muse are on the way to the country and I thought I'd get in a quick
interview.
Joel - So boys welcome back to Australia.
Muse - Cheers.
J - So do you enjoy it here?
M - Yeah, we love playing smaller venues like Acer arena and Rod Laver
Arena. It's very quaint. We can barely fit the whole stage show
there!
J - Barely? Did you leave anything out?
M - There were going to be some lions and elephants marching around in
futuristic space outfits while pyrotechnics go off constantly from
their backs, but apparently your smaller stadiums couldn't quite
fit it all in. Back home we were even thinking of expanding it.
oh well...
J - Indeed. Well I wanted to congratulate you on what might be the
comedy album of the year The Resistance.
M - ...comedy album?
J - Well, yes. I mean, there's no way that's a serious album.
It's clearly a spinal tap inspired joke on a massive scale to see
how gullible the public is.
M - No it isn't. It's our finest hour. Our masterwork. The highest
selling muse album yet.
J - But how can you be serious with that camp production? Film clips
where you play keytars while covered in flouro cabling? Cheesy songs
with lyrics like "It's time the fat cats had a heart attack" and
"love is our resistance"? The new stuff is clearly a piss take on
your earlier work, full of cliches and lame references to space love
and future rebellion.
M - No, we're just pushing it to new limits. Reaching new audiences.
We've made more money than ever before! How can THAT be a joke?
J - But you sound like late Queen meets Pseudo Echo in a gay bar.
In 10 years time, music lovers will remember you for your early
work, not for the pompous, ridiculous, overblown, sappy, camp
stadium popstars you became.
M - Well we sleep on a large pile of money surrounded by many
beautiful ladies. So stuff you. I need a money bath.
J - So do I.
interview.
Joel - So boys welcome back to Australia.
Muse - Cheers.
J - So do you enjoy it here?
M - Yeah, we love playing smaller venues like Acer arena and Rod Laver
Arena. It's very quaint. We can barely fit the whole stage show
there!
J - Barely? Did you leave anything out?
M - There were going to be some lions and elephants marching around in
futuristic space outfits while pyrotechnics go off constantly from
their backs, but apparently your smaller stadiums couldn't quite
fit it all in. Back home we were even thinking of expanding it.
oh well...
J - Indeed. Well I wanted to congratulate you on what might be the
comedy album of the year The Resistance.
M - ...comedy album?
J - Well, yes. I mean, there's no way that's a serious album.
It's clearly a spinal tap inspired joke on a massive scale to see
how gullible the public is.
M - No it isn't. It's our finest hour. Our masterwork. The highest
selling muse album yet.
J - But how can you be serious with that camp production? Film clips
where you play keytars while covered in flouro cabling? Cheesy songs
with lyrics like "It's time the fat cats had a heart attack" and
"love is our resistance"? The new stuff is clearly a piss take on
your earlier work, full of cliches and lame references to space love
and future rebellion.
M - No, we're just pushing it to new limits. Reaching new audiences.
We've made more money than ever before! How can THAT be a joke?
J - But you sound like late Queen meets Pseudo Echo in a gay bar.
In 10 years time, music lovers will remember you for your early
work, not for the pompous, ridiculous, overblown, sappy, camp
stadium popstars you became.
M - Well we sleep on a large pile of money surrounded by many
beautiful ladies. So stuff you. I need a money bath.
J - So do I.
May 9, 2010
April 18, 2010
Previewing tracks from the album on myspace
We're putting up a new track every week, and we want your opinion!
Leave us some comments and tell us what you reckon.
http://www.myspace.com/lesvingettes
Remember, this is raw as fuck, self made, rock and roll!
Pre order it now!
Leave us some comments and tell us what you reckon.
http://www.myspace.com/lesvingettes
Remember, this is raw as fuck, self made, rock and roll!
Pre order it now!
April 16, 2010
Hype!
"This sounds like the f**king bastard child of the Datsuns and Death From Above 1979! You always want to know how the Datsuns, DFA 1979 and YYY's would sound like if they were in the same studio at the same time, check this amazing new Australian (Sydney) band. The Vignettes are: Joel (guitar) and Katy B ( drums), yeah I know, another male guitarist/singer and female drummer, but this duo sounds quite sensational, this is a damn catchy, though raw and energetic band, you have to check 'em out here. I hope they will release a full-lenght soon, this needs/deserves much more attention!"
from http://pascalitolb6.blogspot.com/
Awesome.
from http://pascalitolb6.blogspot.com/
Awesome.
April 4, 2010
D.I.Y/F.U. Ltd Ed 12" Vinyl Album
This is now available to pre-order! Order now and get it sent directly to your door, with a free mp3 download key. Only 100 are available, and this is easily the greatest thing we've ever done. Here's an idea of what to expect:
This record is our response to the over-the-top, shallow pop of Ke$a and Lady GaGa.
This record is our response to twee indie folk becoming the mainsteam alternative.
This record is our response to overblown, self indulgent and pompous stadium albums.
This record is our response to every auto-tune, super slick electro album.
This record is an artistic statement;
Rough, raw, heavy and unpolished.
Recorded in 6 hours, in single takes, no post production.
Mistakes included, lyrics ad-libbed.
Black Sabbath meets the Stooges.
Sex Pistols meets Led Zeppelin.
We are The Vignettes, and fuck you if you don't like it.
PRE-ORDER HERE!
This record is our response to the over-the-top, shallow pop of Ke$a and Lady GaGa.
This record is our response to twee indie folk becoming the mainsteam alternative.
This record is our response to overblown, self indulgent and pompous stadium albums.
This record is our response to every auto-tune, super slick electro album.
This record is an artistic statement;
Rough, raw, heavy and unpolished.
Recorded in 6 hours, in single takes, no post production.
Mistakes included, lyrics ad-libbed.
Black Sabbath meets the Stooges.
Sex Pistols meets Led Zeppelin.
We are The Vignettes, and fuck you if you don't like it.
PRE-ORDER HERE!
March 28, 2010
Nick Oliveri
Heading to rehearsal this morning, we saw a group of loud mouths hanging out the front drinking at 11am. Wander past them to head into the studio, and realise the group is centralised around one man. Nick Oliveri is hanging out at Troy Horse Rehearsals. Spontaneous Ejaculation followed. After I cleaned off I wandered past, grabbed a trolley, said "hi" and ejaculated again. Then later as we'd loaded in, I heard him and his band playing 'Quick and to the Pointless' from the album Rated R.
I simaltaneously shat my pants, splooged and vomited in appreciation. AMAZING!
We then went on record some demo's, feeling super pumped that we were in the same studio as Nick Oliveri, of Queens of the Stone Age, the bass player and part singer for two of the greatest albums of all time (rated R, Songs for the Deaf).
My balls hurt.
Joel
I simaltaneously shat my pants, splooged and vomited in appreciation. AMAZING!
We then went on record some demo's, feeling super pumped that we were in the same studio as Nick Oliveri, of Queens of the Stone Age, the bass player and part singer for two of the greatest albums of all time (rated R, Songs for the Deaf).
My balls hurt.
Joel
March 15, 2010
Crap
Megan Washington, Lisa Mitchell, Angus and Julia Stone, Meaghan Smith, Regina Spektor, Joanna Newsom, Sarah Blasko, blah blah blah.
They all sound the same! Soft music accompanied by baby talk vocals with a complete lack of proper enunciation and pronounciation to make it cuter. It's infuriating!
I feel like they live in some fantasy world we're everything is cutesy and lovely and quirky and the worst thing that ever happens is the occasional heartbreak. There's no war, poverty, famine, or any other problem that could evoke more emotion that would have them sing above a whisper. And what's with pronouncing 's' as "sh"? And I'm sick of xylophones, glockenspiels, bells, marimba's and all similar instruments used in said songs! This shit just drives me crazy! What the FUCK!
I'm sure this will piss a lot of people off, and as my friends say we can't always play guitar driven rock 24/7, but fuck you anyway. Just had to get that off my chest in the way all self indulgent egomaniacs rant about the world.
They all sound the same! Soft music accompanied by baby talk vocals with a complete lack of proper enunciation and pronounciation to make it cuter. It's infuriating!
I feel like they live in some fantasy world we're everything is cutesy and lovely and quirky and the worst thing that ever happens is the occasional heartbreak. There's no war, poverty, famine, or any other problem that could evoke more emotion that would have them sing above a whisper. And what's with pronouncing 's' as "sh"? And I'm sick of xylophones, glockenspiels, bells, marimba's and all similar instruments used in said songs! This shit just drives me crazy! What the FUCK!
I'm sure this will piss a lot of people off, and as my friends say we can't always play guitar driven rock 24/7, but fuck you anyway. Just had to get that off my chest in the way all self indulgent egomaniacs rant about the world.
March 12, 2010
Name-checked by Aussie Hip Hop master Snob Scrilla!
This is taken from an interview from MTV. M. T. V. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You opened for Faker on their massive tour last year. If the time comes, what kind of act would you like opening for your headline shows?
Wow, you know what - this is a question I'm already thinking about and if I could put all the acts that I would want on, my shows would turn into festivals because my taste in music is so varied - just like my music. But some of the rad kids who I would love to have headline would have to be The Bagraiders, The Cassette Kids, Catcall, Chaingang, The Vignettes....
Fucking sweeeeet!
source: http://www.mtv.com.au/news/interview-with-snob-scrilla/
You opened for Faker on their massive tour last year. If the time comes, what kind of act would you like opening for your headline shows?
Wow, you know what - this is a question I'm already thinking about and if I could put all the acts that I would want on, my shows would turn into festivals because my taste in music is so varied - just like my music. But some of the rad kids who I would love to have headline would have to be The Bagraiders, The Cassette Kids, Catcall, Chaingang, The Vignettes....
Fucking sweeeeet!
source: http://www.mtv.com.au/news/interview-with-snob-scrilla/
March 10, 2010
official website.
I (Katie) have been working on this the past few days, it's nothing fancy, but it does the job.
THE VIGNETTES.
Enjoy!
x
THE VIGNETTES.
Enjoy!
x
March 7, 2010
Newcastle + potential all ages show.
Epic drive, followed by 2 hours of waiting around, followed by 30 minutes of destruction, followed by another epic drive. Tired.
Played with possibly the best on stage sound we've ever had, and the best up and coming headliner we've ever seen, The Owls. They're like radiohead meets Queens of the Stone Age from newcastle. Really great. But enough about them. The crowd there was really great, but far removed as there was a gap and a barrier in front of the stage, and the hundred or so people there were dancing somewhere in the middle of the room. The applause sounded apathetic, but the response when we got off the stage and back into the audience was a resounding "Awesome!". Dear god I'm tired.
Today though we started our new lo-fi recordings of our newest tracks. They sound Freaking. Amazing. Over the next three weeks they'll be finished, and you'll all get to experience them on wax (vinyl). We're hoping to do a launch for it at the Red Rattler at the end of May, and it's potentially going to be an ALL AGES SHOW. I freaking love our under 18's fans and it's about time we did something especially for them, so if all goes to plan, this one's for them.
I've run out of steam, and I just spilled wine all over myself, so I'm going to sign off. so tired...
Played with possibly the best on stage sound we've ever had, and the best up and coming headliner we've ever seen, The Owls. They're like radiohead meets Queens of the Stone Age from newcastle. Really great. But enough about them. The crowd there was really great, but far removed as there was a gap and a barrier in front of the stage, and the hundred or so people there were dancing somewhere in the middle of the room. The applause sounded apathetic, but the response when we got off the stage and back into the audience was a resounding "Awesome!". Dear god I'm tired.
Today though we started our new lo-fi recordings of our newest tracks. They sound Freaking. Amazing. Over the next three weeks they'll be finished, and you'll all get to experience them on wax (vinyl). We're hoping to do a launch for it at the Red Rattler at the end of May, and it's potentially going to be an ALL AGES SHOW. I freaking love our under 18's fans and it's about time we did something especially for them, so if all goes to plan, this one's for them.
I've run out of steam, and I just spilled wine all over myself, so I'm going to sign off. so tired...
February 16, 2010
Reviews for Violence Solves Everything
"Two piece rock band from Sydney that have been impressing audiences over the course of 2008 and 2009 with their energetic, simple rock show.
Taking a page from the The White Stripes with a female drummer and male guitarist/singer, the comparison to the The White Stripes stop there.
With sound more similar to old The Vines (back when they were drunk and good) this 4 track Ep really packs a punch.
Short, punchy, in your face songs to get the head banging and the toes tapping. For me the highlight is 'Bring Me Down'."
- deathtoyourspeakers.com
"With up to 30 singles arriving each week, sometimes the decisions to review certain titles comes down to unjustifiable logic. Cool artwork, a snappy press release and smart images might be all it takes to catch the eye of a frantic reviewer looking for the next disc to spin. The reason The Vignettes were picked out of the pile was the most erroneous ever: I used to have a crush on their PR rep back when I was seven and she was dancing about in sequins and spandex on iconic ‘80s program Young Talent Time. As for The Vignettes, the male/female Sydney duo hark back to Eddie Cochran basics with their frantic garage rock sound. Some great NYC howls and low-end basslines ensure they evade too many White Stripes comparisons, with the rough and dirty result being about as far removed from a squeaky clean 1988 YTT recording of The Miracle Of Love as you can get."
- Rip It Up (Adelaide Street Press)
Taking a page from the The White Stripes with a female drummer and male guitarist/singer, the comparison to the The White Stripes stop there.
With sound more similar to old The Vines (back when they were drunk and good) this 4 track Ep really packs a punch.
Short, punchy, in your face songs to get the head banging and the toes tapping. For me the highlight is 'Bring Me Down'."
- deathtoyourspeakers.com
"With up to 30 singles arriving each week, sometimes the decisions to review certain titles comes down to unjustifiable logic. Cool artwork, a snappy press release and smart images might be all it takes to catch the eye of a frantic reviewer looking for the next disc to spin. The reason The Vignettes were picked out of the pile was the most erroneous ever: I used to have a crush on their PR rep back when I was seven and she was dancing about in sequins and spandex on iconic ‘80s program Young Talent Time. As for The Vignettes, the male/female Sydney duo hark back to Eddie Cochran basics with their frantic garage rock sound. Some great NYC howls and low-end basslines ensure they evade too many White Stripes comparisons, with the rough and dirty result being about as far removed from a squeaky clean 1988 YTT recording of The Miracle Of Love as you can get."
- Rip It Up (Adelaide Street Press)
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