Vision Video officially releases their double-single titled ‘In My Side’ & ‘Inked in Red’. If you like the age of Joy Division/New Order, The Smiths, Bauhaus, and that era in general, then you are going to look at Vision Video as a breath of fresh air from the lungs of that genre.
‘In My Side’ gives that classic-style bassline underneath the glistening chime of the guitars with that disclaiming and bellowing style of vocals that needs to come back in earnest.
‘Inked in Red’ gives a different take, or side of the same coin, in that the stylistic percussion in concert with the synth and guitars is blistering in appeal and captivating in attention. These two tracks combined give bookends to that certain feeling you get when you hear the classic bands you love. Savor that.
About Vision Video
Having served in war-torn Afghanistan as an Army Infantry Officer, an experience that left an indelible mark on his psyche, Gannon returned home to serve on a new frontline as paramedic and firefighter. These experiences inform Vision Video’s songwriting, resulting in a serious look at the dark side of humanity processed through a retro-goth filter.
“Lyrically, ‘In My Side’ is about trying to find normalcy in relationships that are inherently toxic or detrimental. I think it’s easy to conceptually understand that someone isn’t right or healthy for you, but the reality is often so much more complicated because we don’t choose who we love. I likened this to being hunted down by a serial killer in the song. It’s also sort of my homage to 80’s horror and slasher flicks. The idea is that you can try all you might to get away from this person, but sometimes there’s no denying it, no running from those feelings, despite the red flags,” says Dusty Gannon.
“B-side ‘Inked in Red’ is a song I wrote about trying to find meaning in post-war life. I was trained to be a soldier, whose job it is to kill, for such a long time. Once that experience ended, I had a lot of difficulties seeing myself fitting into civil society. This is a song about feeling like you’re just in the wrong place and time, and that it’s just not ever going to change, even though you’re doing everything you can to find new meaning and contentment.”
Vision Video formed in March 2018, named for a now-defunct local video rental store out of nostalgia for a fave Friday night ritual of renting horror movies, thereby keeping a piece of Athens history alive through the band’s name. Their music is influenced by Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, The Smiths, Type O Negative, The Clash, Washed Out, and New Order.
Dusty Gannon explains how things came together: “I worked with Jason at the Georgia Theatre bar and told him about some goth-rock and post-punk songs I had been working on. He was quick to offer to play some drums. Eventually we had quickly written 3 or 4 songs very organically and effortlessly. Dan heard about us through mutual friends. He had sworn to never play in another band, but we brought him out of retirement, so to speak.”
Emily soon joined and everything came full circle. “I used to sneak into Go Bar to see Dan DJ parties and play with his synthpop band ‘I Am the World Trade Center’. I was fascinated by how well they got a crowd going. It had a huge impact on my desire to play music. Little did I know I’d be close friends and in a band with him 12 years later,” says Gannon.
“I met Tom Ashton at a Goth Night that I DJed a few years ago. I have been a big fan of The March Violets since I was a teenager. Pretty bad-ass to record with someone who wrote music that helped shape your musical taste.”
Featured image by Jaysen Michael.
