Veins are a band that doesn’t do things by halves. Since their debut in 2017, they’ve crafted a sound that’s epic, atmospheric, and deeply emotional, earning recognition from BBC Introducing and Radio 1 along the way. They’ve shared stages with the likes of Holding Absence, InMe, and As Everything Unfolds, and now they’re returning stronger, sharper, and more focused than ever.
Veins drop their brand-new single, Reign Down, TODAY! It’s a song that marks a turning point for the band, both musically and personally, capturing their biggest sound yet while also carrying an intensely personal meaning for frontman Stevie Rees.
A Sound That’s Bigger Than the Sum of Its Parts
From the start, Veins set out to create something cinematic – a sound that feels like it belongs in a movie. But being a three-piece and trying to balance layers of synths, strings, and intricate melodies presented a challenge.
Bassist Scott Warner explains that the band’s evolution was less about finding their sound and more about figuring out how to bring that huge vision to life. “We actually found our sound pretty quickly, but the problem was that our sound involved multiple guitars, multiple vocals, synths, and an orchestra… except there were only three of us.”
Most of their songs start with Stevie, who brings in the initial ideas before they develop them as a group. “He’ll usually have a rough idea, then we work on it together in the practice room, adding drums and bass parts. Sometimes me or Dan will come up with a riff or something that sparks a vocal melody, and then Stevie builds on that.”
For drummer Dan Appleyard, the process is a mix of live energy and studio layering. “We play everything together first and record it, then we add those extra elements – the strings, synths, all the atmospheric stuff. Live, I play to a click track, and we run those extra parts on a backing track so we can get that full sound.”
A Long-Awaited Comeback
After a string of successful gigs and releases, Veins were picking up momentum. Then, like so many independent bands, life got in the way. The pandemic, personal setbacks, and day-to-day responsibilities meant that the band had to take a backseat for a while.
Scott is quick to clarify that it wasn’t a deliberate break. “It wasn’t like we stopped; we just weren’t as active. We still played gigs here and there, but we’re a lot more focused now.”
That renewed focus has brought about a big change in the band’s setup, with the addition of a second guitarist, Luke Smith. Stevie says Luke has already made a huge impact on their sound. “The biggest difference is that we now have Luke, which means we’re less reliant on the backing track. He handles the extra guitar parts and backing vocals. We’ve only played one gig with him so far, but the feedback was amazing, and we all really enjoyed it.”
Veins: Dan, Stevie & Scott
The Veins Sound: A Dark, Cinematic Universe
Trying to pin down Veins’ genre isn’t easy. Their music is big, brooding, and immersive, sitting somewhere between alternative rock, shoegaze, and post-rock. Scott says they’ve always described it as soundtrack music. “It’s always been big and epic-sounding. Stevie has a really distinct way of writing – his chord changes and vocal melodies don’t sound like anyone else. And then there’s Dan… who just makes everything sound massive.”
Stevie’s atmospheric guitar work is shaped by bands like Sigur Rós, early Smashing Pumpkins, and Swervedriver. Scott’s basslines are influenced by Paul McCartney’s melodic approach, Peter Hook’s moody intensity, and Simon Gallup’s dark, driving energy. Dan’s influences bring in a mix of heavy and cinematic sounds, from Misery Signals and The Dillinger Escape Plan to Hans Zimmer and Anohni & The Johnsons.
Fighting for Grassroots Music in Corby
As much as Veins have made a name for themselves, they’ve done so in a challenging and shrinking local scene. Northamptonshire has always produced great bands, but venues are disappearing, making it harder for new artists to get started.
“Over the years, we’ve lost some really important venues like Sawyers in Kettering and The Zombie Hut in Corby,” says Scott. “There are still places like The Black Prince and Roadmender in Northampton, but we don’t have many dedicated venues left locally.”
Dan adds that there are still some people pushing to keep the scene alive, mentioning Sour Promotions, Jam Knights at The Ex in Corby, and Friday Connection in Kettering. “It’s just harder now for bands to meet, play together, and build something.”
For Veins, those early music spaces were crucial. Scott remembers how the local scene shaped the band’s origins. “That’s how we all met. Back in the day, we used to hang out at places like The Market Inn, Prince of Wales, and Sawyers in Kettering – venues that all had bands on. Now they’re gone. Without those venues, we probably wouldn’t all know each other.”
‘Reign Down’ – A Song About Refusing to Give Up
Veins’ new single, Reign Down, is more than just a return, it’s a deeply personal track for Stevie. Inspired by his sister’s diagnosis with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), the song is about defying the odds and searching for hope in the face of uncertainty.
“NF2 is a chromosome disorder that causes tumours to scatter on the central nervous system,” says Stevie. “Every few years, one decides to grow. Reign Down is about looking for hope and positivity against the odds. A second chance in life – whether that’s a miracle cure or something else.”
For Stevie, the track was a turning point in the band’s sound. “It really set the tone for the album – its feel, its emotion. It was one of the moments where everything clicked into place.”
An Album on the Horizon & What’s Next
After years of anticipation, Veins are finally ready to release their debut album. Work started back in 2020, but with delays, re-recordings, and fine-tuning, it’s only now coming together. “We’ve been playing a lot of these songs live for a while,” says Stevie. “So people who’ve seen us before might recognise some of them.”
Scott admits he slowed things down by re-recording all the bass parts, but he’s glad he did. Dan, who’s handling mixing and mastering, says it’s sounding better than ever. “We recorded the drums at Parlour Studio, but everything else has been done ourselves. We’re really excited to finally put it out.”
With more gigs in the works, including a show at the legendary The Water Rats in London with Fourmarks on Wednesday, May 7th, Veins are looking to reconnect with fans and find new ones. Their next big show is headlining the IMP Stage at WeldonFest on May 25th, and more live dates are coming soon.
As for the future? Scott just wants the band to keep growing and get their music to the right audience. “I’m proud of what we do. I just want people to hear it.”
…and here at Fleckies we couldn’t agree more. Listen to Reign Down NOW and follow Veins on all platforms HERE.
