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Vogue In The Movement
Ain’t no stoppin’ them now…


By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor

Vogue In The Movement ignore the paralysis of analysis at all costs.           

After all this is rock n’ roll - not philosophy class.

If you’ve managed to catch one of the Vogue's hugely popular live shows over the past two years, you’re sure to have witnessed their rising popularity as one of Bakersfield’s best young bands.

Arriving one ungodly early morning (10 am is insane for musicians, right?) during a Tuesday rehearsal at a “secret” local location, the members of VITM are running through a tight set of tunes as they do faithfully - 5 days a week from 9-11am.


Above: Vogue's daily rehearsal

It’s loud, and I’m standing behind the drummer. As I peak through the curtain, I’m spotted, prompting the band to stop, but not for long.

“Please don’t give out this address?” jokes VITM guitarist / vocalist Connor Crawford, after a quick greeting before jumping back into rehearsal.


Above: Connor Crawford

Standing among four walls of amps, drums, and assorted band memorabilia collected from fans - fellow bandmates: Chris Puckett - lead vocals, Bryce Nichols - bass, Seth McConnell - drums, and Ryan Sanders - guitar, are preparing for another round of promotion. As they have since their inception, it’s in the form of a mid-July tour to promote a new single, “Fire on The Dancefloor”. After their return, they’ll take a break then its back on the road again.


Above: Chris Puckett

“Touring allows us to get feedback from the fans,” explained Crawford, 21, taking a couch break with the band to catch up on morning texting. The band then politely reminds me they need to speed off to their next appointment - an unplugged recording session with KRAB radio’s Danny Spanks.

Without any sort of band manager present, the band is surprisingly well-disciplined.


Above: Bryce Nichols

Could it be a facade for the media?

“We’re very stubborn, but know what’s best for the band,” chimed Nichols, 22, referring to the importance of being close to their fans. “We have the best fans ever. We even get fan comments on MySpace from Brazil. That’s pretty cool”.



Not to be outdone, drummer Seth McConnell, 24, throws a personal fan experience into the ring.

“I once Tweeted not having sunglasses, and a fan brought some to my work,” he smiled, referring to his busy Twitter account.

Touché…


Above: Seth McConnell

For the band, it’s the fans support that helped them share the stage with some of alternative and pop music's biggest bands like - Fall Out Boy and Plain White T’s. With a sound that easily rivals major label heavies of the genre, it’s no wonder Vogue's radar buzz is becoming deafening.


Above: Vogue at KRAB Free For All 2, 5-30-09. Photo By Joseph Gomez.

This past passed May 30, fans came out in force to show their “allegiance to the Vogue” during KRAB’s “Free For All 2” concert held at the Brighthouse Amphitheater. Wedged between nationally touring acts; The Higher, Single File, among others - the real stars were the hometown boys, who ignited a fan frenzy in the aisles.


Above: Vogue at KRAB Free For All 2, 5-30-09. Photo By Joseph Gomez.

So how did ‘Vogue Mania’ begin? Let’s give you the quick version - these busy lads don’t have all day.

With original beginnings back in ‘06 that included Sanders, McConnell, and Crawford (who also handled vocals,) plus two other former members, it started with the typical “band meeting”.

“It was like, alright, what’s our name and what do we wanna accomplish and…?”, said Sanders, 20.


Above: Ryan Sanders

After a shaky start, things didn't quite click. This led to changes and a fateful round of movements - exit their old bassist and keyboardist and make way to new bassist Nichols, and vocalist Chris Puckett, 20.

Crawford knew Puckett, 20, through the local theater scene, and after making introductions and agreements - the official Vogue In The Movement was born.

Next up - songwriting.

Sanders, who handles primary songwriting duties always manages to keep it democratic through the creative process after ideas hit. Suffice to say, ideas happen pretty often.


Above: VITM, photo by Megan Thompson

“I’ll get ideas while I'm driving, sleeping, working,” he said. “I have computer software to workout arrangements. I’ll put together a demo and send it to Chris for lyrics. Those change at practice and get fine tuned. We've written over 100 songs over the past two years. We cut it from 25-30, to 12, then down to 8 or 9 songs for a set.”


Above: Band fan art

Energetic and entertaining onstage, their studio recordings don’t fall short of the live experience. This band has solid talent to back up the hype and aren’t afraid to show it off.

Drummer Seth McConnell whose musical roots owe as much to punk as they do to hip-hop keeps it tight while bassist Nichols handles the other end of the rhythm section with precision. Crawford’s strong guitar and vocals teamed with Sanders create a wall of sound enveloping the strong lead vocals of Puckett, who can radically shift emotions melodically and effectively.


Above: opening for Fall Out Boy

But could that be too much talent for one band to handle?

“Opinionated people get friction,” said Sanders. “But everyone supports each other”.

As time draws closer to noon, Crawford looks at his iPhone reminding the band of the KRAB recording session.

“The hardest part of being in a band that wants to achieve and push to succeed like us, is all the planning and preparing … the tuning,” he said. “And then measure that success as we go along.”

Releasing their instantly popular 4-song ep in ‘08, their songs became instant hits on MySpace getting 1,000s of listens everyday. But would we ever hear them on the radio?


Above: Vogue's popular 2008 4-song EP.

For an unsigned band, getting airplay is often impossible. Continuing to work on their craft, the band got a much needed break.

Their song, “Get It,” came to the attention of KRAB's Danny Spanks during a visit to the web site, Purevolume.com, where the band had uploaded music.

Spanks visited the site after  catching a glimpse of Vogue's performance at a show at The Dome opening for National Product. Spanks was instantly hooked on the song, gave a few spins during the “Spank It or Crank It” show, and radio listeners and fans helped get it into regular rotation.


Above: Jammin' at The Roxy, Hollywood, CA.

Now entering the Clearchannel studio, Puckett and Crawford are still fresh from rehearsal and ready to perform as a duo for a segment to be aired later in the week. KRAB radio jock Spanks preps the band, while band photog Jeremiah Johnson snaps photos.


Above: Inside the KRAB studios on 7-7-09.

After the session is over, the band gathers itself together and we’re off to our final destination - the photoshoot in downtown.

“You guys are up there with everybody else,” said Spanks as the band prepared to leave.


Above from left: KRAB's Danny Spanks and photographer Jeremiah Johnson inside KRAB studio.

Visibly showing a little fatigue in ‘90 degree downtown heat, all five members take brotherly jabs at each other, and share short stories from the road … some good, some raunchy.



“In San Diego, we pulled up to the venue for an acoustic show, and all these kids just ran up and started jumping on our RV really excited,” remembered Crawford.

Apprehensive to share the next story, the rest of the band give Sanders the green light.



“After a festival we did in Anaheim, we stumbled upon a couple who decided to have sex in the back of our open trailer,” he laughed. “Chris went in and told them to get out, then they asked if they could finish.”

Not feeling the rest of the story, they cut straight to the punchline.

“Next day, we learned they did use protection,” Crawford pointed out with a grossed out expression.

All joking aside, the members of Vogue don’t know what the future holds, but as focused as they are, it’s a safe bet you'll be hearing more from them.


Above: Zach, your autograph is on the way!

Down the line, the band has more projects on the horizon to keep them busy - an upcoming project with MTV, and more new music. Plus, vocalist Chris Puckett just finished recording a remake of McFadden and Whitehead's disco classic, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” for an upcoming, as of yet untitled Paramount film.

After five hours of rehearsal and interviews, the band decides to abort the photo mission and try for another day. Reassuring they’d deliver their cover shots by deadline with the help of photographer Johnson, bassist Nichols knows everything is an investment in the future.

“We just hope to be doing the same, but for a lot more people,” he said.

*Vogue In The Movement's self-titled 4-song EP, featuring “Get It,” is now available at World Records and Going Underground Records in downtown Bakersfield, and at iTunes.

www.inthemovement.com

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 59, 7-23-09