Exclusive Interview: 20 Questions with Megan Targett from Vexed!

The wait for Progressive Deathcore titans Vexed seems to be an endless one as things have been happening outside of their control that have meant that despite their signing to Napalm Records and unleashing one of the strongest albums in the genre, they are still yet to be able to hit the road with it. Fortunately for both us and them, that is something that is about to come to an end as they hit the road on arguably their biggest tour to date in March with Swedish Melodic Death Metal pioneers In Flames! So between now and then, while they’re sweating heard in the rehearsal space, here’s a 20 random as you like questions with frontwoman Megan Targett to tide you over…

1. What’s your poison? “Monster Energy or Dr Peppa Cherry & Vanilla. I don’t really drink drink that often”

2. What’s your habit? “Bad habit? Probably that I swear way too much”

3. As a band what was your highlight of 2021? “Playing Bloodstock Open Air. It was the only show we got to play in nearly 2 years and was the only real connection we had had with our fans in all that time. It was a real cathartic moment for us”

4. What are you looking forward to most in 2022? “Touring. We haven’t seen our own fans, performed our album or travelled for 2 years now and it’s in unbearable”

5. What would be the ultimate dream for Vexed? How big is your ambition? “I want to write a number one album and tour the world”

6. What does a non-band rehearsal band get together day look like? Are you paintballing, go karting, chilling out in front of a movie or slamming down the shots and singing campfire songs? “Chilling at Al’s place, drinking coffee and watching stupid YouTube videos that make us laugh till we can’t breathe. As well as having NERF wars”

7. Did you make any and have you broken any new year’s resolutions as yet? “I didn’t make any New Years resolutions this year. Just putting all my focus on writing an album that we’re all really proud of”

8. When times get rough, what are you screaming along to on your headset? “It depends on my mood. But if I need some motivation or just some fuel to get through a hard time I usually turn to Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion, Lights or Ashnikko”

9. If you could do one reality show and the choice was a return of Big Brother or I’m a celebrity get me out of here, which are you going on and why? “I’d have to say big brother. I’m a celeb does look like way more fun but I am so scared of spiders there is no way the camp would survive. If I had to do any trials with spiders I’d be out of there before it even started”

10. If life is a box of chocolates, which one are you eating first? “Anything White chocolate or filled with caramel”

11. Forget pre-gig rituals, do you have any post-gig rituals? “No post gig rituals I’m afraid! Just a warm down and then get straight into the crowd to talk to everyone”

12. What has been the strangest moment Vexed have experienced? “The first VEXED show we were ever supposed to play was a sold out headliner at The Black Heart in Camden. We were so pumped and excited, however before the second band on could even get through their second song, the venue was raided by the MID and the whole thing was cancelled. Turns out someone high up in the government had died there the night before and they thought it had been a murder”

13. What has been your favorite moment in your Vexed life so far? “Travelling across Europe in our van, blasting music and making each other cry with laughter. The shows are amazing, but honestly the in-between moments with each other are some of my favourites”

14. If you could go back 5 years and give a nugget of knowledge to your younger self, what would you say? “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great. And don’t be afraid to tell some people to just fuck off”

15. Pizza and beer is a sensational award winning combination so what are your favorites? “A large margarita with stuffed crust and a Bud Light”

16. You famously collaborated with Chris “CJ” McMahon from Thy Art Is Murder on “Elite“, a track which put you firmly on the map. We think it’s safe to say that we’re all hoping that the bands can share stages one day, which begs the question; if they could take you out to support them anywhere in the World, where would you like to go? “That’d be a dream come true! Either America or Australia would be insane. But we’d support them in Bognor Regis if we could haha”

17. As a band who knows the United Kingdom scene and has played with a lot of other bands in all genres of Metal, who would you predict a bright future for? “There’s loads of rising talent in the UK right now. Pupil Slicer, Graphic Nature and The Human Veil are a few that are equipped with everything to blow up”

18. What’s your favorite venue to play? “Ebullition – Switzerland. It was the first “big” venue we ever played and it was an incredible experience”

19. What would mean more to you as a band, a huge one off festival appearance at Bloodstock (United Kingdom), Wacken (Germany) or Hellfest (France) or a 20 date European tour supporting opening for a band like Rings Of Saturn or Emmure? “Definitely a tour. Although we do have dreams of performing at certain festivals, a tour is different. Getting to travel, perform every night and really connecting with people at the shows, that’s what means the most”

20. Who would you thank in your Grammy Award winning speech? “Hmmm…. well we keep our circle very small, so it wouldn’t be a very long speech. But definitely our manager Tom Bellhouse and our families. They’ve never doubted us even when we’ve been at our lowest”

Catch Vexed on tour this March as they join Defects in supporting In Flames!

18th – Brighton, Concorde 2
19th – Bristol, Thekla
20th – Southampton, Engine Rooms
21st – Stoke, Sugarmill
22nd – Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill
24th – Edinburgh, Liquid Room
25th – Sheffield, Leadmill
26th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
27th – London, Scala