Bad Veins
American indie pop project known for theatrical live shows.
Bad Veins is an indie pop project from Cincinnati, Ohio, started by Benjamin Davis. The act is recognized for unusual live shows: Davis wears vintage military gear, sings into a telephone, and relies on a reel-to-reel tape machine called Irene to supply backing tracks. The visual theme of army green and red roses, matching the debut album cover, appears regularly onstage.
In 2008, Bad Veins won the first Target Music Maker Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. The self-titled debut album came out on July 21, 2009. Its first single, “Gold and Warm,” aired on *Good Morning America*’s “Your Three Words” segment in February 2010. ABC News correspondent Dan Harris ranked the album the seventh best of 2009 on ABC’s Amplified blog, calling it “criminally overlooked” and “utterly fantastic.” *USA Today*’s Pop Candy blog named the closing track, “Go Home,” one of the top 20 songs of 2009.
The project earned attention from music blogs. A Radio Free Chicago post about the EP *Outliers* (released June 15, 2010) described the duo’s stage dynamic, noting the drummer’s passion and energy and Davis’s skill as a composer and singer. The writer observed that the slight vocal distortion Davis uses is a deliberate choice, not a cover for weakness, and that without the stage tricks, Davis could be a strong folk musician—a quality evident on *Outliers*.
Bad Veins has toured or played frequently with acts including Two Door Cinema Club, Walk the Moon, Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks, The Dig, Local H, As Tall As Lions, We Are Scientists, LoveLikeFire, The Subjects, Kevin Devine, Lightning Love, Maps & Atlases, Thrice, and You, You’re Awesome.
On January 24, 2012, the project announced a new release, *The Mess We’ve Made*, on Austin label Modern Outsider. It came out April 24, 2012.
Current members: Benjamin Davis (2007–present). Former members: Jake Bonta (2013–2016), Sebastien Schultz (2007–2013).
Discography: *Falling Tide* (2007), *Bad Veins* (2009), *Outliers* EP (2010), *The Mess We’ve Made* (2012), *The Mess Remade* (2015), *Imposter* (2023).
- formed
- Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- field
- Indie pop
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Vintage military clothing, telephone singing, reel-to-reel backing tracks, red roses visual staple
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Genre
- Indie rock
- Years Active
- 2007–present
- Current Members
- Benjamin Davis
- Past Members
- Sebastien Schultz / Jake Bonta
- Label
- Dovecote · Dangerboat · Modern Outsider · Dynamite
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Bad Veins won the first ever Target Music Maker Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008. Their self-titled debut album was released on July 21, 2009, with the single 'Gold and Warm' used on Good Morning America’s 'Your Three Words' segment on February 27, 2010. ABC News correspondent Dan Harris named the debut the 7th best album of 2009 on ABC's Amplified blog, calling it 'criminally overlooked' and 'utterly fantastic.' The USA Today blog Pop Candy named the last track, 'Go Home,' one of the Top 20 Songs of 2009.
The project released an EP titled Outliers on June 15, 2010. A post on Radio Free Chicago described the duo's stage dynamic, noting Davis's deliberate vocal distortion and the drummer's passionate energy. Bad Veins has frequently played or toured with acts including Two Door Cinema Club, Walk the Moon, Frightened Rabbit, and Thrice. On January 24, 2012, Bad Veins announced a new release, The Mess We've Made, via Modern Outsider, released on April 24, 2012.
Reader's Guide
Bad Veins, primarily the project of Benjamin Davis, carved a niche in the indie pop landscape through a combination of distinctive visual and sonic elements. Their live shows, featuring vintage military attire, a telephone as a vocal instrument, and the reel-to-reel machine Irene, created a memorable experience that set them apart from contemporaries. The project's early recognition, including the Target Music Maker Award at the Tribeca Film Festival and critical praise from outlets like ABC News and USA Today, highlighted their potential. While not achieving mainstream commercial breakthrough, their music and performances earned a dedicated following and respect within the indie scene, as evidenced by tours with notable acts. The release of The Mess We've Made in 2012 continued their trajectory, and their discography, spanning from 2007 to 2023, shows sustained creative output. Their legacy lies in their commitment to a theatrical, DIY aesthetic that prioritized atmosphere and originality.
Did You Know?
- Bad Veins won the first ever Target Music Maker Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008.
- The debut album's last track, 'Go Home,' was named one of the Top 20 Songs of 2009 by USA Today's Pop Candy blog.
- The project uses an old reel-to-reel machine named Irene for backing tracks during performances.
- ABC News correspondent Dan Harris called the debut album 'criminally overlooked' and 'utterly fantastic.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bad Veins?
Bad Veins is an American indie pop project out of Cincinnati, Ohio, created and fronted by musician Benjamin Davis. The act pairs songwriting with a deliberately theatrical, visually driven performance style.
What makes Bad Veins live shows so distinctive?
Davis performs in vintage military gear while singing directly into a telephone, with every backing track fed through a reel-to-reel tape machine. The stage is dressed in army green and red roses, echoing the cover art of the debut record.
What is Irene in the Bad Veins setup?
Irene is the name Davis gives to the reel-to-reel tape machine that supplies all backing tracks during concerts. Instead of a conventional playback rig, the tape machine functions as a central, almost character-like element of the show.
What award did Bad Veins win in 2008?
Bad Veins took home the inaugural Target Music Maker Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008. It marked the very first time that particular prize was handed out.
When was Bad Veins's debut album released and what was the first single?
The self-titled album *Bad Veins* came out on July 21, 2009. Its lead single, 'Gold and Warm,' gained national TV exposure when it aired on Good Morning America.
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