xfortunex is a brand-new vegan straight edge band from Portland, Oregon that features members of various other bands from the state. Their debut EP, The Blueprint, was released on November 1st, otherwise known as World Vegan Day.
I spoke with xfortunex singer Kieran Harden answered some questions about the band’s origins and what they’ve got coming up.
How did the band get started?
I had been wanting to do a vegan straight edge band for years and when I found out Erik (drums) had been a drummer previously, I knew that we had to do a band together. It was one of those situations where it was a band in name only until I started learning guitar in late 2023.
Around that time, Davis (bass) moved to Portland. I was aware of him from other bands he was in (Vanguard, Life Force) and knew he was the right man for the job.
Once we started jamming with some intention, we asked our longtime friend Natty to join as the primary guitarist with me writing some of the guitar parts and him refining them.
At that point, we asked all around for anyone interested in playing second guitar, which we had the toughest time with, but eventually we asked Alex, who we weren’t sure would be down since they live in Eugene. After one practice with them, though, we knew that we had the right person.
In case it isn’t obvious, what are y’all going for sonically?
I’ll be the first to admit I’m going for full '90s vegan straight edge worship in my writing. Getting back to the basics of what makes some of the earlier vegan edge bands so iconic: bouncy metallic riffs and in-your-face lyrics.
We’re all huge Earth Crisis fans and I think that comes through pretty clearly. We’re also taking a lot of influence from bands like Canon, Green Rage, and Excessive Force.
Tell us a bit about The Blueprint.
We put out The Blueprint a little over a month ago on World Vegan Day. We wanted to release it that day because while straight edge is important to all of us, we want to emphasize veganism as a core, driving force for our band.
The lyrics on “Virus” and “Decadence" are meant to highlight our collective commitment to veganism and Animal Liberation.
What’s coming up for the band?
Right now, we’re working on a couple of new songs for an upcoming split that we’re not quite ready to announce details on. That being said, the first song we wrote for it is probably my favorite we’ve written so far and we should have it ready to play by our EP release show in a few days
We’re stoked to be playing with SPURR from Washington, Ceramik from California, and locals Anubi and Found Out. We’re also in the early stages of planning for some touring, which will be around the same time as the split release, hopefully in springtime.
What other Portland bands should people check out?
Keep an eye out for a demo from a new Portland straight edge band called Rise Up sometime soon.
Most of us are also in other bands:
- I’m in Words of Scáthach
- Natty plays guitar in Sacrament and bass in xcaliberx
- Alex is in CÜLPRIT
- Davis is in Reflex, What it Meant, and Legendary Weapons
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xfortunex on social media: Instagram
Tagged: xfortunex
