Dressed in black with guitar cases at their side, the four-piece were, however, without the rock-star attitude and lovely to chat with about their east coast tour kicking off this week.

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Jimmy Vann and Lachlan Jones started the group around five years ago, with today’s lineup also including Cam Little and Tom Switlek.

They’ve just released their new EP Shake the Hand that Picks the Fight! though it almost didn’t get finished thanks to the Northern District Tigers.

“I was trying to take a mark and just landed wrong,” drummer (and Australian Rules enthusiast) Jones said of his now healed broken wrist.

“I used to play a lot of sport until I started playing music and realised I needed my fingers,” added bassist Switlek.

As the recording studio was already booked it’s lucky the guys had some friends who could help out.

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Meantime The VANNS are happy to say they’ve “finally” found their sound, but don’t ask them “who” they sound like.

All agreed it was a common yet weird question often thrown at them as they think they sound like The VANNS .

Once this tour is over they’re hoping to write enough songs to record a full length album then crack overseas, or at least New Zealand.

The VANNS play at Wollongong Uni Bar, April 12. Tickets via: www.thevannsband.com