Vestal Vermin

The concept for Vestal Vermin was formed on New Year’s Eve 2000 after the world did not come to an end at a bar in South Baltimore called Mum’s. At 4 o’clock in the morning, forming an all-female rock band seemed like a good idea to Vestal Vermin’s three original founders, Kate Tallent, Hannah Feldman and Tracy Deemer. It didn’t matter that none of them had ever played their respective instruments of guitar, lead singer or drums before. However, they needed a bass player and enlisted Kate’s long time friend Kathie Lee into playing the bass for the band. After the group’s first show, another friend of theirs, Colleen Pelser, was asked to join the group and play more of a lead guitar role. The chemistry worked and the band was with this line-up for several years.

The group recorded their first CD, “Picking Outfits for the Apocalypse” in 2002. Most of the songs are fast and aggressive with themes of love, lousy boyfriends, Elvis obsessions and Kate’s favorite waitress. Their signature song “Sensible Shoes”, tells the tale of how not to ruin one’s love life. After another year, Kate left the band to pursue other artistic interests. “Picking Outfits for the Apocalypse” highlights the band’s punk beginnings. The current Vestal Vermin are working on new songs with an expansion of musical format and they are playing these songs in their live shows. A new CD is being planned for Fall 2004. In the meantime, Vestal Vermin has been busy playing live shows at the Ottobar, the Mojo Room, Frazier’s on the Avenue and their first venue, Mum’s. Vestal Vermin has also been featured twice on local radio station, WRNR and has been the main force behind a local fundraiser for the House of Ruth called Estrofest.