Vegan Llamas
Richmond, VA | Established. Jan 01, 2015 | SELF
Music
Press
Only something loved enough by the inner student community at Liberty University could draw support for an unsung group like Students Behind Our Veterans. And when club vice president Rachel Flickinger saw the student band Vegan Llamas perform at Coffeehouse one year, she knew she had found an act that stood out from the rest. - Liberty Champion
I was a little worried when the clock struck 1 AM and I still hadn't seen The Vegan Llamas. Coffeehouse just wouldn't be the same without them. But Student Activities saved them for last and they killed it with their Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute. At first, it just sounded like a cover and I wasn't all that impressed. But then the band made it their own and then a fantastic human (I don't know his name) played his guitar behind his head and they rocked so hard, which earned them the standing ovation they deserved. - McKayla Dyk
A new and unusual band called Vegan Llamas is taking Liberty University by storm, performing solo heavy, keytar shredding versions of classic songs for Coffeehouse talent shows. - Jack Panyard
"I have had the pleasure of seeing these fine young guys perform live. They command your attention and are true musicians and you'll hear how well each of them have mastered their craft. The instrumental "Noodles" is a great example with whirling keyboards floating in the background combined with strong guitar riffs throughout as well as deep basslines. Holt to Heaven is maybe the best track here. Songwriter Nick Henretty is on his game in this tune as well as No Mind. An excellent debut from [5] excellent guys, I am certain the "llamas" are going places, to that I have no doubt." - Al Stewart
"The Vegan Llamas are some of the most talented musicians I've ever heard. From changing time signatures just for fun, to trying out new sounds because "hey why not", these guys are brilliant. In concert, they rival some of the best bands out there in energy and passion. And on top of that, they're great guys. This is money well spent, and well invested because this band is definitely going places." - cwdar
"These guys are awesome!!! I've seen them perform multiple times, and they only get better! Really hope the Llamas keep making music. Totally worth the money to buy the album. Keep it up boys!!!" - Xenoreviewer
"A special shout out goes to one of our campus favorites, the Vegan Llamas, who released their first EP on streaming sites on May 15th! We're so pumped for you guys!" - Liberty University Student Activities
Discography
Weak At The Knees (EP) - 2017
"Treehouse" (single) - 2018
"Red Rivers" (single) - 2018
Photos
Bio
Richmond based rock band Vegan Llamas is taking on the genre of rock music and infusing it with something unique. Having found their start and subsequent success making original, heavy handed arrangements of iconic songs, the Llamas are venturing out to let their original lyrics, riffs, and melodies stand on their own.
Having begun in Lynchburg, VA, the founding members, Nick, Jacob, Noah, and Connor noticed a distinct lack of any sort of rock music scene in the Lynchburg area. Thus inspired, they set out to build Lynchburg's best original progressive rock band. Given a platform to perform variations on crowd favorites, the Llamas made their splash with a Marilyn Manson-esque arrangement of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response and demand for more, an original project was set in the works, culminating in Weak At The Knees, a brief showcase of original material and a promise of music to come. Now, having relocated to the Richmond suburbs, they are poised to fully integrate into the mainstream rock scene of the surrounding area and let their music reach across the nation.
Weak At The Knees represents everything that makes the Llamas stand out from the rest, with unconventional yet memorable melodies led by a bass-baritone lead vocalist, rhythms and leads that showcase virtuoso capabilities, arrangements that wander outside of traditional four-chord structure, and a banjo where not many dare to put one. Opening track "Hold to Heaven" immediately grabs the listener with an intriguing and slightly atonal opening riff before completely letting loose with screaming guitar and soul-grabbing organ. "Wake Up Dreamer" slams in with what may be the most seemingly out-of-place banjo riff you've ever heard, but once it takes you, you realize it makes the song. "No Mind" is the first single off the EP, and carries the listener on a roller coaster ride of dynamic rises and falls and capitalizes with a banging chorus. "Noodles" is an experiment in stretching the limits. It uses every note in the most unique and head-banging of ways and will leave you exhausted but begging for more.
Since the EP release, Vegan Llamas have released two singles showcasing the variety of styles from which they draw inspiration. "Treehouse" is an extended venture into the more epic and even orchestral side of their songwriting, while "Red Rivers" delves into ballads with a heightened awareness of the issues that are currently affecting the world around us. And since the release of these single, more new songs have continued to be added to the list with he promise of a new project in the works.
While they may just be starting out, Vegan Llamas is the result of collective decades of musical performance, each member honing in their craft and ready to present to the world.
Band Members
Links
