An experimental rock group which was active from
late 1993 until early 1995 with a few lineup changes. Naturally, as the members came and went, the sound changed accordingly.

One former member seems to have disappeared, while another is rumored to be working as an undercover agent.

There are certain recurring themes. For example their penchant for covering early Pink Floyd as well as panning sweeps and reversed audio during mixdowns.

What we have available now are the groups first two releases, though it is unclear in exactly what kind of volume the tapes were distributed. My guess is that not many people heard this material.

One track cannot do this team justice, so we're offering all of their completed recordings for download. Some of these tracks are pretty monstrous, hence the track names like, 'Mammoth', which will be coming shortly. For now enjoy these.

In a recent interview with two of the former members of Vacum (not the undercover agent) they recall a triumphant show at a festival in the spring of 1994.

(Names have been changed to protect
the identities of all parties involved.)

Gunter: We played in that tent
Olaf was sauced

Sven: I think that was the last time Olaf played with us

Gunter: We played like 60 minutes of straight music,
then just stopped at the end

Sven: it was total chaos, wasn't it? or was it good?

Gunter: It was a little chaotic now and then
But we always ended up getting somewhere else with it
Like another song

Sven: and there were actually people there too

Gunter: Yep, They loved it

Sven: no one recorded that?

Gunter: Nope

Sven: shit.

Gunter: I remember being pretty fucked up at the time also...
Olaf was loaded

Sven: he took painkillers too, didn't he?

Gunter: Yeah That was a lot of fun...

What was really surprising
Was when we finally stopped
It wasn't like a fizzle out
It was a chaotic thing and Niccolai
was blowing into the mic as loud as he could
Suddenly we all stopped, except Niccolai.
Total chaos, then nothing except a sax playing one note
Then total chaos
Then everyone cheered

Sven: total chaos

Gunter: And like 20 minutes into our set,
I had totally forgotten there were people listening
And when we stopped,
there was like 2 or 3 seconds of nothing
before everyone started cheering and whistling
I didn't expect the people there to get that into
what we were doing
I was really surprised
Compared to the other bands there,
we were totally off the wall
I remember going into that situation
Thinking, man, we're not ready to play
Sven had hooked us up with that gig.

Sven: I did?

Gunter:
You had talked to that guy
Guy from the first band, that also did sound

Sven: ...

Gunter: Don't remember name but I know what he looks like Like you had run into the guy or maybe he was advertising for bands to play Anyways, he was the one that setup the tent and equipment and what not Dunno what the circumstances was that you got us on that list

Sven: me either

Gunter: I just remember you telling me that we were going to play at that festival. And me thinking, uuhhh, I don't think we're ready... I kept pushing for practice time But someone was busy with something and we never managed to get a practice in We had like a couple of hours of practice before the day of the show

Sven: But Olaf showed up to play!

Gunter: Yeah At THE VERY LAST SECOND We were like getting on stage when he showed up

Sven: Did he play my guitar at the show too?

Gunter: Yes Pink ibanez... Which was fortunate Because you brought it, as opposed to him bringing it So he just had to show up and play it ... Was a really good show

Sven: I was the manager, roadie AND bass player!

Vacum

One and a Half for Two

The Potato Cooking Sessions

Flatfinger