Barcelona, a city known for its vibrant arts scene, has birthed a new powerhouse of alternative rock: The Vil Veins. The trio, comprised of Max Campos (Brazil), Dylan Cloud (New Zealand/Philippines) and Toni Capó (Mallorca), has already made a mark in the city’s underground music scene with their energetic stoner sound. Despite being together for less than a year, they have quickly found their groove and are poised to take the rock world by storm.

Max recalls the unanticipated way the band came together. “I used to date a girl who always said I had to meet her friend Dylan. She thought we’d get along because we both talked about weird stoner bands all the time,” he explains. A fateful night at a local bar brought Max and Dylan face to face, and the musical sparks flew immediately. “By the end of the night, I was like, ‘Bro, we need to jam!’”

In a strange twist of fate, Max soon realized that Dylan was the brother of Liam Cloud, a musician he’d jammed with in Barcelona years prior. The duo hit it off, and it wasn’t long before they found their perfect drummer in Toni Capó, a neuroscientist who, according to Max, transforms behind the kit. “He’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Max says, noting Toni’s ability to combine friendly charm with raw, primal energy on the drums.

A Melting Pot of Musical Influences

The Vil Veins’ sound is a collision of diverse backgrounds and influences, which they embrace with pride. Max’s Brazilian roots, Dylan’s New Zealand and Filipino heritage and Toni’s Mallorcan upbringing come together to form a unique musical identity. “We’re all immigrants, all mixed race”, Max explains, reflecting on the band’s name. The term “Vil” (which sounds like ‘devil’ and also means ‘vile’ in many Latin languages) combined with “Veins” reflects their shared feeling of being outsiders with “dirty blood” and the name itself evokes the raw, gritty vibe of old-school horror films.

Musically, they draw inspiration from bands like Reignwolf and Tigercub, as well as heavier hitters like Queens of the Stone Age and Royal Blood. “Dylan and I bonded over our shared love for stoner rock and blues”, Max explains, “but now, we’re diving deep into fuzzier, dirtier sounds”.

When it comes to crafting their sound, The Vil Veins take a democratic approach. “It’s definitely a joint project”, Max says. “We start with a jam, and when someone does something unexpected, we latch onto it. From there, the melody and structure just evolve naturally”. Dylan, with his bluesy background and knack for storytelling, handles most of the lyrics, while Max takes charge of refining the arrangements, adding riffs, and ensuring each song feels true to their identity. “Then we practice until our fingers bleed”, he adds with a grin.

Their first single, “Paradise”, was born from their very first jam session. They chose it because it’s almost like a CV of their style, combining blues, fuzz and punk rock with catchy melodies that make audiences sing and jump. Their second release, “Straight On”, is a reimagined version of a song Dylan had already written, showcasing their knack for blending individual influences into a cohesive whole.

Their latest single, “R U Satisfied?” is another example of their collaborative magic. The song, which began as a joke during a rehearsal, quickly morphed into a crowd favorite. “The first time we played it live, people were jumping, clapping, and singing along”, Max recalls. “That was the moment we knew we had something special.”

Despite forming just this year, on Valentine’s Day no less, The Vil Veins have already accomplished a lot. With more than 10 songs under their belt and several sold-out shows, the band’s standout moment came during a public festival at Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf, where they performed in front of over a thousand people. “That gig wasn’t just for our friends – it was a real audience”, Max says. “We played something fuzzy and energetic that night, and the crowd loved it.”

Meanwhile, Max continues to work with his side project Jenny Drama Queen, an indie-grunge outfit releasing new singles, while Dylan keeps exploring his solo folk and blues work. But for both of them, The Vil Veins feels like the main event.

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

As 2024 winds down, The Vil Veins are looking ahead to a potentially big 2025. “Touring is the dream”, Max admits. They’re already making contacts and studying how to take their sound beyond Barcelona. “We’re open to anything. Hey bookers, clubs, agencies – call me, baby!”

The band is also focused on helping Barcelona’s rock scenes break free from their fragmented state. “There’s an alternative rock scene in Spanish and then there’s another in English. Stoner rock has its divisions too”, Max explains. The Vil Veins make a conscious effort to unite these sub-scenes by playing as many gigs as possible and supporting other local bands. “Our producer, Adria Marva, who works with the band Gyoza, has been instrumental in helping us navigate this scene. I’ve even suggested creating a festival to bring everyone together. It’s not impossible to make it happen.”

In the meantime, The Vil Veins continue to push borders. And as for the future? Max keeps it simple: “Don’t stop believin’!”

For fans of gritty fuzz rock and high-octane performances, be sure to check out The Vil Veins’ new single “R U Satisfied?” streaming now.