Vampirates started in early 2003 with original members Pat Mayfield (bass), Chris Fox (guitar), Eddie Condon (vocals), and Geoff Huber (drums). From the begining we have been very ambitious towards creating the music we love. Staying true to our DIY roots, we played our first show in Pat's dorm room, and continued to play as much as possible over the next few months. Roughly five months after we started, we recorded "Shitpanzimps" with A2K as engineer at our practice studio, which also doubled as a Tofu Factory during normal business hours.
Shortly thereafter, we took a break for summer. During that break Eddie decided that punk rock wasn't for him (or something...), so we enlisted Dave Masud (of Reno, Nevada's Painting Gala/Twice) to take over the vocal duties. This line-up lasted for two shows, until Geoff left the band to move to Eugene where he currently resides and rides his bike.
In 2004 Eddie decided that punk rock was again right for him, and became our singer once more. Dave, being the multi-talented bad-ass that he is, took over the drumming duties, and this line-up lasted for one and a half shows (Chris Tufino played half of a set...).
Dave was busy with Twice and school, so we enlisted Chris Tufino (of Reno's Twelve Gauge Facelift) as our full-time drummer. Our one year anniversary show in Yreka, California, was one of three shows we played with this line-up. Then, Eddie again decided that he needed to pursue something else. In turn, Dave rejoined Vampirates as vocalist.
In the Summer of 2004, the Ashland half (Chris/Pat) moved to Reno so we could write and function as a normal band. What resulted was the self-recorded "Summer Ale EP" and a handful of shows around the area. After summer, Pat and Chris moved back to Ashland for schooling, and we played as many shows as possible throughout the school year.
In Summer of 2005 Pat and Chris moved back to Reno to write a new record, "Muffstache," which finally was demoed and released in 2007.
During 2006, the band remained half in Reno, and half in Ashland. The last of a few original line-up reunion shows in Ashland was recorded and released as our first live record titled "Oh Anal! Live at the LFAG." This was a limited split release with two Vampirates side projects, Edepit and Butthak.
In the spring of 2007, we embarked on the Punish Your Body Tour with Reno's Painting Gala, covering Oregon, Northern Nevada, and Northern California.
In the summer/fall of 2007, we began to write some new material for a new full-length. We also with many great bands including the Adolescents and the Duane Peters Gunfight.
On July 6th, 2008, we entered Pus Cavern Studios in Sacramento record "Muffstache" with engineer Joe Johnston (Deftones, Cake, Cobra Skulls). The CD was officially released on December 13, 2008.
In 2008, we played shows with notable bands such as the Circle Jerks, the Murder Junkies, and Larry And His Flask.
In May of 2009, we embarked on the Punish Your Buick Tour, covering the Southern US. Busy with school and work, Chris Tufino was not able to tour, so Dave filled in on drums. Throughout the rest of the year, we played regionally with noteworthy bands like the Murder Junkies, Static Thought, MDC, Citizen Fish, and Star Fucking Hipsters. Demoing for a new record continued, as well, resulting in the "Here Ya Go EP" (limited to 50 copies) which featured two new songs and four live songs.
In spring/summer of 2010, we ventured out on a four-month US Tour spanning eighteen states, totaling seventy-eight shows. Chris Tufino was again busy with school and work, so, as a result, Dave played drums for the majority of the tour. In mid-june we recorded in Asheville, NC in a basement for a very limited (6 copies) tape-only release titled "2010 Tape," our only release featuring Dave on drums.
In 2010, we have played with famed bands such as Against Me!, Grabass Charlestons, Death By Stereo, Shat, and Static Thought.
For the remainder of 2010, we plan to continue work on new material, and play shows regionally. New releases coming up include the Corruption Of American Youth Volume 2 (Crash Assailant Records), a couple of split releases, and a new full-length.
For 2011, we plan to enter the studio, release a new full-length record, and tour in the spring/summer, again covering the entire US.
