Vanilla Pod

Vanilla Pod

Vanilla Pod are a punk group from King’s Lynn, United Kingdom, formed in February 1995. They begin with original vocalist Paul Davis, who leaves after the band records its first demo. He is replaced by Rob Bunting, who is 15 at the time.

Early releases and label history

The band releases its debut single, Rebound, on local label Off-Shoot. It then signs to Corby-based label Them’s Good and issues its debut album, Trigger, in 1997. The band follows this with Faster Disco in 1998, also on Them’s Good, while touring across the UK and Ireland.

Line-up changes and later albums

By 2000, Vanilla Pod completes a four-week tour of Australia and Hong Kong. In the same year, original bassist Steve Campion leaves and is replaced by Leon Muncaster, who joins in time to record the third full-length album, Third Time Lucky. That album appears in 2001 on Deck Cheese, a UK punk rock label, and is the label’s first non-compilation release. The single Dead End Town, taken from the album and released in May 2001, receives radio play on BBC Radio 1 and other stations.

The band later changes to a five-piece line-up, with Steve Campion briefly returning, Leon Muncaster moving to second guitar, and Tom Wicks joining on bass before he leaves in 2003. He is replaced by Tom Blyth, known for work with Goober Patrol and the Toy Dolls. With this line-up, Vanilla Pod records Surrounded By Idiots, released in 2003 on Deck Cheese and later issued in Japan on Pyropit Records. Drummer Gary Colman also leaves, and John Waterfield joins, remaining with the band afterwards.

Touring and later activity

Vanilla Pod tours the UK with Capdown and Twofold in 2002, and later tours Europe supporting MU330. In 2008 the band contributes two newly recorded tracks to the charity compilation Gangsta's Corner; these are its first recordings since 2003. The band then records its fifth full-length album, Poets on Payday, which is released by Boss Tuneage in 2009.

At the end of 2010, Tom leaves after moving out of the country and is replaced by long-time friend Matt Clarke. Later, Robin Tow of One Car Pile Up joins on drums after John Waterfield decides to leave. The band then records a mini-LP and plans live dates around its anniversary period.