Local Coeur d’ Alene rockers The Vagabonds aren’t your run-of-the mill metal band. They are the creators of an off-the-wall sound, mixing southern influence with punk metal. The band is a breath of fresh air for the current Cd’A rock scene.
NIC students Dakota Koerner, guitars, and Conner Schneberger, bass, create the complicated yet heavy rhythms and melodies that progress the band’s sound forward.
Vocalist Ryan Spilker creates the band’s strong lyrics that express their concerns and disagreements with the government and current times. Drummer Cody Paulson is an animal on his kit, throwing arms everywhere, creating complicated and fast beats.
“Metal used to be a joke around here about four years ago,” said bassist Conner Schneberger. ”Now it’s a big deal and we are finding our place in all of it.”
The four headbangers formed in Coeur d’Alene with the help of Koerner and Schneberger who recruited Spilker and Paulson while they were working at their day jobs.
Their character and unique music styles make them an upcoming band to beat. They are an energetic and laid back group of young rockers that have a strong chemistry that allows them to craft very original and good music.
The Vagabonds plan on making a name for themselves in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area, competing against many generic metal bands.
The band takes on an identity of “southern fried” punk metal, reflecting bands such as Vanna and Every Time I Die.
“Those were some of the bands that really influenced us,” said Koerner, “we had them and other bands in mind during the writing process of some of our songs.”
The band spends its time in the outskirts of Cd’A practicing in Dakota’s garage preparing for shows and possible recording opportunities. They have been in contact with many local independent recording companies
During their practice sessions, a sense of showmanship comes over the band as they jump around and headbang to their songs, showing their intense and energetic stage presence. Their overall character and performance shows the band’s love for music.
The band plans on expanding in the next few years, hoping to draw a much larger following. The rockers dream about traveling to Portland or Seattle and eventually look to permanently base themselves in Texas.
The Vagabonds are currently spreading their name by playing locally. They have played five live shows at the Grail and various house parties, including a recent show that they played on October 21st at the Hop.