Vended Knotfest Sideshow | Stay Gold
The past week and a half have been a non-stop ride up and down Australia’s east coast for Knotfest, and on March 6th, Vended stormed Stay Gold in Naarm/Melbourne. Backing them up were local heavyweights Starve and Diploid—both proudly representing Melbourne.
Griffin Taylor (Vended) / Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
Before the bands even hit the stage, the venue was already filling up, with hip-hop legends Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, and Del The Funky Homosapien setting the vibe. Diploid kicked things off with an Acknowledgement of Country, honoring the stolen land we stand on, before launching into “One-Minute Cure.” Their three-piece lineup packed an insane punch, each member mic’d up, their chaotic yet controlled vocals forming an intense wall of sound.
With only a few shows left before heading to the U.S. in mid-April to support Trophy Hunt, Diploid’s future looks bright—best of luck to them!
The last time I caught Starve was at Thornhill’s Christmas show in December, and once again, they blew me away. Jordan Dunbar commanded the stage like he owned it, and the band’s self-proclaimed “Metal Mosh Metal” lived up to the hype. If you’re keen to dive in, “starve2death” delivers a brutal breakdown, while “Deadly Weapons” offers filthy riffs and guttural vocals—perfect for a heavy fix.
Judging by the chaos in the pit, the crowd was definitely getting what they came for. I love small gigs, but when Stay Gold gets that dark, dodging stray limbs becomes a survival skill. With some absolute units in that pit, I kept a safe distance.
Jordan Dunbar (Starve) / Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
Regardless, Starve put on a phenomenal set. With their stage and studio production levelling up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them headlining 170 Russell or Max Watt’s before long. Keep at it boys!
Taking the stage next was Vended. Now, as much as they probably hate hearing it, it’s worth mentioning for those unaware—Griffin Taylor (vocals) and Simon Crahan (drums) are the sons of Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Shawn “Clown” Crahan.
Josh Clinch (The Gloom In The Corner / Vended Fill In) / Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
Due to a family emergency, Simon had to sit out the Knotfest shows, but stepping in on short notice was none other than Josh Clinch from The Gloom In The Corner. Taking over on drums—one of the most crucial roles in a band—is no easy task, but Clinchy absolutely nailed it. Big ups, mate—you smashed it!
Vended came in swinging with “Nihilism” and kept the chaos going with “Ded to Me” and “Overall.” The pit had doubled in size since Starve’s set, and once again, I made sure to steer clear. As the night wore on, the heat inside Stay Gold became brutal—you could see it as Griffin’s blue and white face paint melted away with sweat. Packed bodies made it a battle of endurance, but at least the bar was stocked for those needing a breather.
They wrapped up the night with “Asylum,” their most-streamed track—an absolute heater and a perfect send-off before the crowd finally spilled outside for some fresh air.
Overall, an insane night—Diploid gearing up for their U.S. run, Starve building their rep, and Vended proving why they’re a force to be reckoned with. Massive respect to Josh Clinch for stepping up and keeping the show rolling, and best wishes to Clown and Simon. Vended couldn’t have done it without you, legend!
Griffin Taylor (Vended) / Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
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