Vines - A Profile of the Vines

The Vines were one of the bands both blessed and cursed to be dubbed “the next Nirvana.” The hype brought them much attention when their debut album came out in 2002, but when they failed to live up to expectations – particularly on the commercial side – the Australian quartet quickly had to contend with a nasty public backlash. Added to this was frontman Craig Nicholls being diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2004, a condition that severely limited the Vines’ chances to tour. But despite these obstacles and disappointments, the Vines have quietly evolved into a dependable garage-rock outfit.

The Vines formed in the late 1990s in Sydney, Australia, led by guitarist/singer Craig Nicholls and bassist Patrick Matthews. Adding drummer David Oliffe to the lineup, the trio set about writing short, catchy rock songs. Their break came when a Sydney radio station played one of their demos on the air, which sparked label interest. Before the Vines’ debut album even came out, the British press was pronouncing them the saviors of rock ‘n’ roll at a time when rap-rock and nu-metal were the predominant genres and ‘90s grunge was no longer in fashion.

The Vines’ first record, 2002’s Highly Evolved, was equally adored and mocked for its grunge sound. The scorching title track owed a huge debt to Nirvana’s distortion-heavy guitars, and Nicholls’ screamed vocals evoked the dearly departed Kurt Cobain’s. Because of the advance hype, the Vines had to endure criticism that they were merely a well-polished rip-off of Nirvana and the Beatles (especially on the McCartney-esque “Factory”), and the band failed to enjoy the huge American breakthrough that many were expecting, although the album did go gold in the States.

By the time of 2004’s Winning Days, the Vines had lost much of their luster, not to mention their drummer, who was replaced by Hamish Rosser. (The group had also added a second guitarist, Ryan Griffiths.) Possibly chastened by the blowback after their much-hyped debut, Winning Days was a more melodic, less angst-filled affair. The Vines still sounded like the Beatles and Nirvana, but Nicholls’ songs had developed a vulnerability that made their familiarity more palatable. Still, audiences had cooled to this once-hot band. But more pressing concerns were about to present themselves.

In May 2004, while promoting Winning Days, Craig Nicholls went on an angry tirade from the stage during a show for winners of a radio contest. The outburst prompted bassist Patrick Matthews to walk off during the set, and he quit the Vines soon after. Then in July of that year, Nicholls was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder that hinders proper social interactions. Because of the diagnosis, the Vines had to stop touring so Nicholls could seek treatment for the disorder, casting the band’s future in doubt.

The Vines returned two years later with Vision Valley. Down to a trio now, the band seemed shaken, still reeling from the lineup changes and Nicholls’ recently diagnosed condition. Still, Vision Valley proved to be their most successful collection to that point, merging the band’s penchant for garage-rock with hypnotic ballads that had an eerie back-porch vibe to them. Despite its artistic merits, Vision Valley quickly disappeared from the American charts, and their record label subsequently dropped them.

Armed with new bassist Brad Heald, the Vines signed with Ivy League Records for their next album, Melodia, which was released in 2008 internationally but didn’t make its American debut until March 2009. Reviews were mixed, and the band failed to win back many of their old fans, but Melodia was a winning amalgam of ‘60s-style British pop and garage-rock. As a songwriter, Nicholls had long since abandoned the grunge sounds that had marked Highly Evolved.

Ryan Griffiths – guitar
Brad Heald – bass
Craig Nicholls – vocals, guitar
Hamish Rosser – drums

Essential Vines Songs:

“Highly Evolved” (Purchase/Download)
“Get Free” (Purchase/Download)
“Ride” (Purchase/Download)
“Vision Valley” (Purchase/Download)

Vines Discography:

Highly Evolved (2002)
Winning Days (2004)
Vision Valley (2006)
The Best of the Vines (greatest hits) (2008)
Melodia (2008)

Craig Nicholls, on the Vines’ early days.
“It was the most exciting time of my life. We’d play to 15 people. We felt like we could do anything. The band grew from isolation and desperation. That sounds dramatic, but it’s the truth.”

Craig Nicholls, talking about his own worries that there might have been something wrong with him from an early age.
“I remember when I was maybe 15, I spoke to a couple of psychologists. But I don’t think they diagnosed me with anything. So. Maybe it grew. Maybe it became more intense when I started in the band. But I’m not really sure.”

Vines Trivia:

Craig Nicholls and Patrick Matthews were both working at McDonald’s when they formed the Vines.

After leaving the Vines, Patrick Matthews went on to become a member of another band, Youth Group.

The Vines did a cover of the Beatles’ “I’m Only Sleeping” for the I Am Sam soundtrack.