Vain formed in San Francisco by Davy Vain (vocals), Danny West and Dylana Nova Scott (guitars), Ashley Mitchell (bass) and Tommy Rickard (drums). The band began to create a buzz in California, as they released a couple demos in hopes for a major label deal. Davy Vain would also moonlight as a producer for such up and coming Bay Area thrashers as Death Angel. Even though they were losing money, the band refused to locate to Los Angeles, and finally got a deal with Island records. The debut album was an absolute sleaze masterpiece, and the band had minor success in the U.K. where they had a successful tour with Skid Row.
The follow-up album never got a chance, as Island shelved the album after a few cassette promos were released in a management/ownership change, and the band was promptly dropped, killing any momentum they had. In late 1991 both West (who joined the band Shine) and Rickard (who would later form Loaded) left the band. Guitarist Shawn Rorie and ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler were recruited and the band changed their name to Roadcrew. This band quickly fell apart after releasing a demo as Adler's drug problem scared away the record companies, and the band went their separate ways.
In 1993 Vain was resurrected with West back on guitar, and new drummer Danny Fury. Move On It was only released in Japan and included some of the Roadcrew songs. Band members would come and go following this release, including drummer Louie Senor. For a short time the band name was changed to Dragonfly. West released a Japanese only solo album, and Davy Vain's solo attempt appeared in 2000 (including Scott, Mitchell and Senor). In 2005 the majority of the classic line-up (with Senor on drums) reformed for another album that once again got rave reviews but went largely unnoticed. Vain was another great band that was killed due to lack of label support.
2) Vanni "Vain" Casagrande: An metalstep musician from Italy, known for his "Invaders From Space EP"
https://soundcloud.com/vannivaincasagrande
3) VAIN are an alt-rock band from Swansea, Wales.
Breakdown
Vain Lyrics
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Now come on can't you see
It's printed in black and white
That the news today
Is that some poor boy lies dead
The papers gloat and tell
They live in Bitch City
The one that has no soul
It makes me breakdown breakdown
It makes me breakdown
Breakdown and cry
It makes me breakdown breakdown
So read all about it today
Do you see all us as fools
Suckered by your lies
Yeah you point the finger
Like some power crazy dude
Sensation pushers hound
To feed their addictions
See the jackals at your door
It makes me breakdown breakdown
It makes me breakdown
Breakdown and cry
Breakdown breakdown
So read all about it today
Read all about it
Every day
That ain't news
It makes me breakdown breakdown
It makes me breakdown
Breakdown and cry
Breakdown breakdown yeah
Read all about it today
Might be a breakdown
I know you know I know we know
Could be a breakdown
I know you know I know we know
Might be a breakdown
I know you know I know we know
Could be a breakdown
You can't believe that stuff
I know you know I know we know
Might be a breakdown
The song "Breakdown" by Vain is a critique of sensationalist media and their tendency to exploit tragedies for their own benefit. The lyrics start off by addressing the listener, asking them to take notice of the news that is "printed in black and white" about a dead boy. The newspapers are depicted as heartless, "gloating" about the tragedy and portraying the city as "Bitch City" which is devoid of any humanity. The chorus of the song is a reflection of the singer's emotional state, as he is overwhelmed by the negativity of the news and can't help but "breakdown and cry".
The second verse is about media manipulation and propaganda. The media is portrayed as pointing fingers at "us" - the common people - and treating them as fools who are easily influenced by their lies. The media is also depicted as being "power crazy" pushing sensationalism to feed their own addiction. The media is shown to be like "jackals" at the door, waiting to pounce on the next tragedy to sell more papers. The song ends with the repeated line "might be a breakdown" which can be interpreted as a warning about the impact of media on our mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
Now come on
The singer is urging the listener to pay attention.
Now come on can't you see
The singer wants the listener to see the truth.
It's printed in black and white
The fact is clear and undeniable.
That the news today
Something significant happened recently and made headlines.
Is that some poor boy lies dead
A young man lost his life.
The papers gloat and tell
Journalists are celebrating their latest scoop.
They live in Bitch City
These people are cruel and heartless.
The one that has no soul
The place where the incident happened is devoid of compassion.
It makes me breakdown breakdown
The emotions are overwhelming and cause the singer to crumble.
It makes me breakdown
The news is too much to handle.
Breakdown and cry
The singer is inconsolable and deeply affected by the tragedy.
So read all about it today
The singer is sarcastic and suggests that the media is exploiting the event.
Do you see all us as fools
The singer challenges the idea of the media being the authority on the event.
Suckered by your lies
The media manipulates facts to create sensation.
Yeah you point the finger
The media assigns blame without considering the facts.
Like some power crazy dude
The media has too much influence and abuses its power.
Sensation pushers hound
The media creates hype unnecessarily.
To feed their addictions
The media outlets need to chase ratings and sales to survive.
See the jackals at your door
The media will stop at nothing to get their story.
Breakdown breakdown
The singer is still overwhelmed by the impact of the tragedy.
So read all about it today
The singer is being ironic and suggesting that the media is exploiting a tragedy.
Read all about it
The singer sarcastically challenges the media's credibility.
Every day
The media is constantly producing sensational stories to boost ratings and sales.
That ain't news
The media's stories are not necessarily genuine news.
Might be a breakdown
The situation is so stressful that it could cause a breakdown.
I know you know I know we know
The singer is emphasizing that everyone is aware of the media's practices.
Could be a breakdown
The stress levels are very high and could have severe consequences.
You can't believe that stuff
The singer does not trust the media's reported facts.
Might be a breakdown
The singer is convinced that the situation could lead to a mental breakdown
Writer(s): Suzani Summer S. Rain, David Tromboli, Jaime Alfonso Jimenez, Andrew John Furze
Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.