The Vampires are excited to be back in oz after a forced hiatus in 2020, with band members split across the world. With their return they debut a collaboration with renowned pianist Chris Abrahams. No stranger to Venue 505 audiences, Chris is one-third of the great Australian cult band, ‘The Necks’. Arguably one of our most influential pianists Chris makes a great match for The Vampires, who recently have taken an expansive approach to their compositions. Not to be missed.
The Vampires have released six albums and toured relentlessly around Australia and Europe. With a distinctive sound that is undoubtedly their own, the band has garnered praise from US Downbeat (“phenomenal”), Guardian UK (“seductive genre hopping creativity”), and All About Jazz (“gold all over”). The Vampires have received nominations for Australia’s ARIA awards, Bell Awards, AIR Awards, and were the first instrumental act to be short-listed for the Australian Music Prize.
“In a head-bopping nod to the obvious, The Vampires play vamps. Yet, these are no ordinary vamps. Written and improvised melodies are beautiful and flawless, and the harmonies between the three voices (woodwinds, brass, bass) ring with pitch-perfect sonority. There is a sublime pacing to each of the tunes here, with strategic shifts in texture, tonality, tonality, rhythm or intensity twisting the narrative of each hypnotic groove into an ever-unfolding and irresistible arc.” **** Gary Fukushima, Downbeat