Vegan Llamas is an experiment.

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In the winter of 2015, five musicians, Nick Henretty, Jacob Tallent, Noah Felten, Connor Denton, and Zach Moore, got together and decided to do something different and unexpected. The gig was a college talent showcase for the entire student body in the school arena. The theme was Christmas. And the idea was a fusion unlike any the school had heard. No one quite knew how it would turn out. In a town not known for its hard rock scene, it was difficult to tell how a cross between "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "The Beautiful People" by Marylin Manson would be received. The night of the show came and brought with it an audience reaching capacity at close to 10,000 attendees. Around 11:50pm, a very motley crew of musicians calling themselves Vegan Llamas took the stage. 

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And the response was overwhelming. 

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The response to this in-your-face, heavy, mashup version of "The Grinch" was entirely unexpected in a town known for its coffeeshop vibe and indie style music. And it became the thrust and inspiration which ignited the idea that this haphazard troupe just might have something the world would be interested in. 

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After taking the next year to finish their studies in school and welcoming the addition of a new Drummer, Alex Kenny, in February of 2017 Vegan Llamas went into the studio with producer Chuck Alkazian to record a debut EP. Pressed for time with only two days to get the whole thing done, arrangements and all, the result was a project called Weak At The Knees. 

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Weak At The Knees represented the foundation from which the Llamas would launch into the musical marketplace, 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. 

 

After the release of this EP, the decision was made to relocate the band to Richmond, VA. This would essentially mean building a new following from scratch, so the goal was to gig whenever and wherever possible. Since then, the Llamas have landed shows with widely varying groups such as Welshly Arms, The Native Howl, Uncle Kracker, and Crobot, and have been on festival lineups with names such as P.O.D., Alien Ant Farm, Disciple, and Fireflight. 

 

Since the EP release, Vegan Llamas have released three 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 “Better In the Nightmare” sets the stage for the next phase of the band’s evolution with heavier riffs, varying times and tempos, and the addition of the newest member of the Llamas, drummer Wyatt Blakely. And since the release of these singles, more new songs have continued to be added to the list with the promise of a new project in the works. 

 

Vegan Llamas has not long been on the music market, but where they have been, they have left an impact and a fanbase. And with collective decades of musical experience undergirding their songwriting and performance, they are well poised to present themselves on the national and world stage. 

 

Vegan Llamas is:

 

Nick Henretty (lead vocals/guitar)

Jacob Tallent (guitar/banjo)

Connor Denton (keys/programming/vocals)

Noah Felten (bass/vocals)

Wyatt Blakely (drums/cowbell)

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Past Members:

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Zach Moore (drums)

Alex Kenny (drums)