Taking influence from bands like
As I Lay Dying,
Norma Jean, and
Every Time I Die, Boston metalcore outfit
Vanna was barely together a year before signing with Epitaph Records in fall 2005. Comprised of
Joe Bragel (vocals),
Nick Lambert (guitar/vocals),
Evan Pharmakis (guitar/vocals),
Brandon Davis (drums), and
Shawn Marquis (bass), their music often alternated between melodic singing and visceral growling. The band parted ways with
Bragel for personal reasons in February 2006, and a new vocalist,
Chris Preece, eventually replaced him.
Vanna's debut EP,
The Search Party Never Came, appeared in June 2006.
Vanna spent the summer touring nationwide, including various dates with labelmates
Escape the Fate, before retiring to a Seattle studio with producer
Matt Bayles (
Mastodon,
Norma Jean) that fall. The resulting full-length,
Curses, surfaced in April 2007 and was supported with spring shows alongside
Lovehatehero. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide