The Vandebilts

The Vandebilts were originally formed as the house band for a seedy Medway drinking club. They honed their melodic but gritty pop sounds in front of that most demanding of audiences - the one that isn’t listening. Soon their musical ambitions grew beyond merely providing a soundtrack for the dubious activities of former policemen, embittered divorcees and alcoholics. In 2007 they quit and emerged blinking into the hazy Medway sunshine, determined to find a deserving audience.

The Medway area has long been associated with Garage rock’n’roll, and individually The Vandebilts have a chequered history. Johnny Barker started with the Daggermen and went on to play with Billy Childish in the Buff Medways.  Allan Crockford was in The Prisoners and JTQ amongst others. Johnny and Allan are indeed a couple of cults.  Darryl Hartley and Chris Hearsey, on the other hand, are a couple of talented but previously lazy good-for-nothings who have finally decided to make something of themselves for once.

Tha Vandebilts have decided to steer clear of the easy garage rock route that their dodgy background might indicate. The rough rock’n’roll edges will always remain, but this is fresh, original piano-driven pop with strong harmonies. Imagine the Beatles covering XTC songs in 1968 and you might get the idea… or you could just listen to the band.  The are currently working on an album for release later this year.

Band Members:

Johnny Barker - Vocals Organ Piano 
Darryl Hartley - Vocals Guitar
 Allan Crockford - Bass Vocals 
Chris Hearsey - Drums Vocals.