The Vans Brothers

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The Vans Brothers
Origin Waitakere, Auckland, NZ
Genre(s) Blues, Comedy, Pop
Years active 2005 - 2007
Label(s) Insurance Good Records (2005-2007)
Associated acts Sesame, Elig Milton and the Blues Conspiracy, Agapanther
Website www.myspace.com/thevansbrothers
Members
Ben Middleton (Ben Milton)
Elijah Middleton (Elig Milton)
Ivan Segedin
Corey Walden

The Vans Brothers was a New Zealand Blues band that formed in Auckland, in 2005. The band's original line-up consisted of Elig Milton (vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums) and Corey Walden (vocals, guitar, bass).

In late 2006 to early 2007 The Vans Brothers (the collaboration of Elig Milton and Corey Walden) added two additional musicians to fill out the bands sound. These additional two musicians were Ivan Segedin on bass and Ben Middleton on drums.

Formed after the demise of the duo's previous band Agapanther, The Vans Brothers played in many underground gigs often to promote their debut album/ep The Vans brothers: The Story of your Soul. The Vans Brother, also sometimes known simply as TVB, were possibly best known for their simple pop-like tunes, and the outrageous antics of their front-man Elig Milton.

Contents

[edit] History

During high school Ben Middleton and Corey Walden (who were already friends) were introduced to Genevieve Wilson by a mutual friend. Ben Middleton was a keen drummer, and Corey Walden had already gained a reputation for performing acoustic sets of a pop song he had once heard at Wendy's called 'Sarah'. Corey would often perform this song while intoxicated at parties, or whenever requested by friends. The song would often be of a comic nature, and the lyrics constantly changed. Corey and Ben had also spent many weekends in Ben's father's garage 'jamming'. In 2003 and 2004 Ben, Genevieve, and Corey decided to collaborate and form a band with Ivan Segedin and Elijah Middleton. Shortly following their debut gig at which it was announced that the band would be called 'Agapanther', the group disbanded citing "...creative differences" as the primary reason for the split.

[edit] Formation

Directly following the break up of Agapanther, Corey Walden and Elijah Middleton spent a large proportion of their time jamming together and writing songs. Eventually the duo began performing gigs at birthday parties and small venues. The name 'The Vans Brothers' was coined because both Corey and Elijah both wore shoes made by the popular skate shoe company Vans.

[edit] The Story of Your Soul, the blues explosion, and the B-Sides: 2005-2007

In early 2006, after a handful of gigs The Vans Brothers recorded their only album 'The Story of Your Soul'. This album was completely recorded and produced by The Vans Brothers on Corey Walden's computer, and used excerpts of an interview that Elijah conducted with Bogan legend Graham Satherly. One of the noteworthy achievements of this album, was that four songs off the album were released as singles. These singles include 'Sarah', 'Conservatory', 'Clothing World Blues' and 'I Wish I Had A Girlfriend'. After the release of 'The Story of Your Soul' The Vans Brothers enjoyed a small fanbase of fanatic fans who had either purchased the album or seen TVB enough times to know the lyrics by heart. During this time it was decided to add Ivan Segedin (bass) and Ben Middleton (drums) who were both in Agapanther before its demise in late 2005. This decision was based on the idea that by adding two additional members the duo could enjoy a higher level of tightness to their music, and more dynamics when playing live. While TVB only had one album they performed many songs that were not on their debut album. These B-sides included but was not limited to:

  • Pain and Agony
  • Now It's Time to Say Goodbye
  • I Take Drugs
  • Captain of Love (only performed in studio practices and private shows)
  • My Beer

Many of these B-sides enjoyed much of the popularity among fans that the singles enjoyed, especially 'I take Drugs'.

In early 2007 Corey stated to the surprised band members that he would be leaving The Vans Brothers due to other commitments in church bands he had joined.

After Corey's departure the band decided to keep performing but under the name 'Elig Milton and The Blues Conspiracy'. They are still together as of January 2008, although are currently on an "indefinite hiatus".

In is interesting to note that while Corey Walden left in early 2007, 'I Take Drugs' was released as a single in May 2007 under 'Elig Milton', and that Corey Walden is credited with performing the bass and guitar parts. The song was recorded by producer Josef Richardson at Leviathan Studios in Glen Eden Auckland.

[edit] Musical style

The Vans Brothers sound was derived mainly from blues influenced pop. The songs were highly structured songs with the typical verse, chorus, bridge layout. TVB is also known for their lengthy solo breaks in which either Corey Walden or Elig Milton (aka Elig II) would often indulge to excess. The Vans Brothers undoubtedly had increased infamy due to the stage acts that Elig II would perform on stage. Elig would often crowd surf in small rugby clubs, and even in a bedroom during a birthday party performance. Elig was also seen on several occasions air guitaring on an inflatable purple guitar, which he would then pop and throw into the audience. Elig was also noted to wear unusual costumes on stage, often wearing women's clothing which he would purchase from opportunity shops whenever he had spare money. Elig identifies as dressing indie , although many costumes donned during TVB performances would stretch the indie image a little too far.

[edit] Discography

Main article: The Vans Brothers discography

[edit] Studio albums

  • The Story of Your Soul (2006)

[edit] Singles

  • Sarah (2006)
  • Clothing World Blues (2006)
  • I Wish I Had A Girlfriend (2006)
  • Conservatory (2006)
  • I Take Drugs (2007)

[edit] See also

  • Elig Milton And The Blues Conspiracy
  • Sesame

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] External links

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