Originally formed in autumn of 2022 between Jeffrey Thunders and TJ Cabot to pass the time during the doldrums of the lockdown, the project N.E. Vains was originally called simply “The Vains” but expanded their name to avoid confusion with other groups. For the band’s four Americans, the N.E. stands for New England, and for the sole Canadian in the band, it means North Eastern.

With the additional efforts of Shandy Lawnson (lead guitar), Bill Bates (bass) and Elvis Belushi (drums), Jeffrey Thunders (rhythm guitar), the collaboration put together a collection of 14 songs, three of which ended up on a split 7″ with Chinese Junk in 2023 on Big Neck Records (Buffalo N.Y.) and Brassneck Records (U.K). Tragically, Bates passed in 2023 and the split was dedicated to his incredible memory. With New Haven area rock musician and engineer, Scott Fitch, taking over on bass, the band have compiled their latest 11-track LP Running Down Pylons, which is out November 7 on Big Neck Records.