Vundabar

Vundabar was formed by Brandon Hagen (vocals, guitar) and Drew McDonald (drums, synthesizer) in Boston, Massachusetts. The band’s early days saw fluctuating bassists before Zack Abramo joined as the main bassist. Prior to Vundabar, Hagen and McDonald were part of a band called No Nada from approximately 2009 to 2012. After the disbandment of No Nada due to members leaving for college, Vundabar emerged. In 2013, the trio released their debut full-length album, “Antics,” which was notably recorded in McDonald’s room and mixed using Garageband.

The band’s career progressed with their first tour in France in 2014. In 2015, they released their second album, “Gawk,” which introduced a grittier tone and incorporated post-punk sounds. The album’s track “Alien Blues” later gained significant recognition in 2021 after going viral on TikTok. In 2018, Vundabar released their third album, “Smell Smoke.” Their approach to songwriting evolved for their fourth album, “Either Light” (2020), where many songs were written on piano or synthesizer, resulting in a softer and quieter sound. This demonstrated their willingness to experiment with their musical style. They continued to release new music, including “Devil for the Fire” in 2022.

Vundabar has consistently released music and embarked on tours, building a discography that includes several studio albums, compilation albums, EPs, and singles. Beyond their musical releases, they also established Gawk Records, a cassette label intended to provide an alternative to traditional label pressures and foster a community of artists. This initiative allowed them to release their own music and support other bands. The band announced a U.S. and Europe tour for Spring and Summer 2026 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of their album “Gawk”, showcasing their enduring presence in the indie rock scene.