Five lads, one studio, an E.P. and a hangover. We brought the cameras. And the tees.
Two limited-edition AAA+ tees. Pre-sale. Dispatched from 26 October. Free next-day delivery & returns.
No Strings
I don't believe I'm imagining this world, I don't believe I'd imagine such a world · All I hear is silence, what does it mean? · It's madness. Running away. Running away with all our dreams · Lyrics by The Crooks from the song Madness · Hypercell out now ·
AAA+ collab · Limited edition
Two tees. One session.
Two tees. One session.
Made because we were there.
£60. Pre-sale, dispatched from 26 October. Next-day delivery and returns on us. Code CROOKS10 at the till. The band said so, not us.
Free next-day delivery & returnsDispatched from 26 OctoberLimited edition
Editor's Note
According to our research (we googled it), a session is "a period of time used to do a specific activity." So let's go with that definition as the internet is never ever wrong. In our experience, most sessions tend to be followed by a period of reflection called a hangover, but in this session with The Crooks, we ended up with an E.P. and a hangover. The hangover is now gone, but the E.P. will stay with us forever. This issue is a celebration of that 'period of time used to do a specific activity.'
We hope you like it.
Voice_Of Defiance
The live room, take oneHypercell session
03 / 08Voice_Of Defiance · The Crooks issue
Writing at the keys
We got invited to hang in the recording studio with our friends, The Crooks, to witness their latest creation come to life as they recorded their E.P.
We love studio life at VoD. We love the equipment, the instruments, the pedals, the room, the smell of the studio (not so much at the end of a session, of course), and most of all, we love the music.
Being there while these fleeting musical moments were captured, the magic of first take energy, seeing the work put in when things aren't falling into place, and that magical moment when it does is very special to us.
No manufactured collaboration. No fixed schedule. Just the right people, the right place and the right moment. Never conform, always evolve.
Nothing pays off more than individuality”Jacko, The Underscore_
05 / 08 · Photographs from the Hypercell sessionNever conform, always evolve.
The other thing that came out of the room
Hypercell.
Hypercell.
Out now.
First takes, no strings attached. Listen while you wait for the post.
VoD Sessions · On the road
Live
Live- 18 Sep Birmingham / Dead WaxDone
- 19 Sep London / 229 V2Done
- 25 Sep Glasgow / AudioDone
- 09 Oct Manchester / Night & DayDone
- 24 Oct Leeds / Lending RoomDone
Wear it in Leeds.Pre-order
The Underscore_
Formed in 2019, The Crooks are an anthemic indie rock 'n' roll band from Chesterfield, UK. The band consists of Jacko (vocals), Chris Stones (guitar), Duncan Couch (guitar), Aiden Morris (bass), and Conor Fletcher (drums).
Their early singles "She Walks Alone", "Nevermind" and "Frankie" announced a knack for big choruses and 90s-leaning swagger. After a two-year pause, they stormed back in 2024 with "In the Meantime", "Wide Awake" and a sold-out spring tour, signalling a fresh chapter that's already packing out larger rooms.
Q: What does "Never conform, always evolve" mean for you?
For us it means don't fall into the same old structure most people do. Take the harder option, be brave and be yourself. Nothing pays off more than individuality.
Q: Why are you a Voice of Defiance?
Because I don't follow a script. I work at what I enjoy, say what I mean, and don't follow any trodden roads.
Q: What's one way you have defied the odds?
In a world like today? Standing up for your own personal beliefs is defying odds. Too often are we following narratives and behaving like such and such told us to. If more people were defiant, what a colourful world we'd have.
Q: What's the hardest choice you've had to make?
Which shoes to wear. Life shouldn't be full of hard choices. It should be full of strong decisions. If you're thinking too much about it, it ain't worth it. Unless it's shoes.
Q: What lesson do you live by?
Rain feeds the flowers, not thunder. There's no need to be a scapegoat and channel loud noises from other sources. Be you, be true, be happy.
Q: Who or what shaped your approach?
It should be a 'what', and I think life shapes us all. Although it's an easy answer to give, it's the honest one. I reckon everyone is shaped by their surroundings and what they see. I'm no different.
10% off the tees with the code from the magazine. Pre-order →
Never conform.
Always evolve.
Occasionally pre-order.
Two limited-edition tees to mark the session. Pre-order now, dispatched from 26 October. Leeds, 24 October, Lending Room. Wear it there.
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