From packed house shows to beloved local clubs, the power of independent music has electrified VCUarts’ campus for decades. Richmond has long nurtured a thriving creative community for local musicians in every genre, but some truly iconic independent acts have come straight out of VCUarts. And students have been essential to their early success—both onstage and in the crowd.
Here are just a few of our favorite alumni indie artists:
The theatrical thrash metal band GWAR has been a cult favorite since they emerged in the mid-’80s. Dave Brockie (BFA ’86) teamed up with fellow VCU students Hunter Jackson (BFA ’82) and Chuck Varga to develop a costumed sci-fi band with a morbid sense of humor. By the ’90s, GWAR’s underground fame spilled over into mainstream popularity when they appeared on Beavis and Butt-Head and landed two Grammy nominations: Best Long Form Music Video in 1993, and Best Metal Performance in 1995. Though Brockie passed away in 2014, GWAR lives on through its stage show, annual GWAR-B-Q festival and the popular GWARbar restaurant.
Folk rock artist Iron & Wine also originated from VCUarts. The singer-songwriter behind the stage name, Sam Beam (BFA ’96), graduated from the Communication Arts & Design program and began his artistic career as a painter. Though he would later pursue his MFA in film before striking a deal with Sub Pop Records, his love of painting led him to create the cover art for most Iron & Wine albums. Beam’s also a two-time Grammy nominee, with nods for Best Americana Album in 2017 and Best Folk Album in 2018.
A still from the Hunter Brumfield-directed music video for the Lucy Dacus song “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore.”
Local favorite No BS! Brass Band is packed with music alumni and even some faculty members, such as Bryan Hooten (MM ’06), Sam Koff (BM ’12), David Hood (BM ’13) and assistant professor of music Taylor Barnett (MM ’04). Band co-founder Reggie Pace, who also attended VCUarts, has performed with Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens, and appeared on Saturday Night Live, Ellen, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The list goes on. Singer-songwriter Matthew E. White (BM ’05) founded Spacebomb Records in Richmond, which released his critically acclaimed debut album Big Inner in 2012. Photography + Film alumnus Hunter Brumfield (BFA ’15) directed the music video for “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore,” by fellow photo major Lucy Dacus. And muralist Ed Trask (BFA ’92) was the drummer for Avail, a local punk band once signed to venerated indie label Lookout! Records.
As Richmond’s independent music scene continues to flourish, we hope to see more VCUarts alumni out there supporting local bands or starting something new.
2018 marks 90 years of creative daring at VCU School of the Arts. To mark this occasion, VCUarts is spending this school year reflecting on our shared history and envisioning how we can continue to pave the way for creative practice in the 21st century and beyond. Visit the VCUarts 90th Anniversary website to learn more about the many stories that have shaped our school, and to share memories of your own.
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