Official Band Biography
The origins of The Nosferatu lie in the band formed in 1987 by Vlad Janicek called Nosferatu, discover the official true story of the band here.
It is a story of dedication and hard work undone by an untimely demise.
A new chapter has begun, to relaunch and reclaim the legacy created.
2019
After years out of the music business in a self imposed exile, Vlad Janicek feels the time is right to return and makes contact with Louis DeWray.
Under secrecy the two meet to discuss the idea of reforming the band with a view to honouring the original legacy and ethos.
Rob Leydon ex-guitarist and Chris Clark ex-drummer join the band.
To avoid confusion and any legal issues they settle on The Nosferatu as the new band name.
They establish an ethos to put quality first in everything they do. Live shows are planned and work on new songs commences.
2020
After playing their debut show in late 2019 to an enthusiastic and well attended show at The Underworld in London, the band plays in Athens, Greece.
A packed show at Temple Rock Club sees The Nosferatu play to a crazy and enthusiastic crowd, in what proved to be their last show for over a year.
The worldwide pandemic sees all live music halt and the uncertain future sees the band move into hiatus over the coming months.
Work commences on new songs during this hiatus and after many months the band plans for the return of live performance.
2021
The pandemic returns and several shows are either cancelled or rescheduled, resulting in another long period of inactivity.
Two further UK shows in The Underworld, London and Nightrain, Bradford are eventually confirmed for the end of the year.
Chris Clark is replaced on drums by Simon Rippin, a hugely experienced and well travelled musician (Nefilim, NFD, Eden House and October Burns Black and many more).
Discussions are held with numerous promoters for shows in 2022 and 2023, many of which are in final stages or already announced.
The History Of Nosferatu
1987
Vlad Janicek and Sapphire Aurora form Nosferatu, from the ashes of Harrow based act The Dreaming, with a mission to create a no compromise gothic rock band.
Steve Cachman joins as the first guitarist to complete the first lineup and the band writes and records a 3 track demo and plays a handful of shows in and around London.
Steve Cachman leaves to join Rubella Ballet and the search begins to find a suitable guitarist to fit the band.
1988
The ex-singer of The Dreaming, Mark Macabre recommends Damien Deville, mainly for his mode of transport (a hearse), feeling he would fit the band perfectly.
After several months of song-writing, Nosferatu have enough songs to commence more live performances and make their debut with this new lineup at the Rock Garden in Covent Garden.
A second Demo Blood Lust is recorded at Second Sense Studios with BBC Top Of The Pops 2 Sound Engineer Andy Hewitt.
1989
The band hand-deliver demos to selected UK Indie Record Labels in an attempt to secure a record deal.
Nick Jones of Karbon Records is interested, but does not have the financial resources to take them on.
After more song-writing sessions and rehearsals, Nosferatu play concerts at Hastings Crypt, Wimbledon William Morris and New Merlins Cave in Kings Cross.
1990
Nosferatu return to Second Sense Studios to record Symphony Of Shadows – featuring Emma Louise (later reworked as Lucy Is Red).
Gary Clarke (The Cureheads) replaces Sapphire Aurora, who retreats to head up Grimoire the in-house fanzine and gothic bible.
Nightbreed Records release a compilation album New Alternatives. It contains the Nosferatu track Bloodlust. The band's first appearance on vinyl.
The band plays numerous concerts including New Cross The Venue, Harlesden Mean Fiddler, Hampstead Moonlight Club, Islington Powerhaus and Brentford Red Lion.
The band tours the UK for the first time with Every New Dead Ghost, playing shows in Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Bradford and London.
1991
Nosferatu audition for a new vocalist, Louis DeWray joins and the band enter the studio to record their debut EP The Hellhound.
Vlad Janicek and Damien DeVille found Possession Records and a UK distribution deal with York based APT (Red Rhino) is secured.
A 10 date UK tour is arranged to promote it and takes in Hastings, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Cardiff, London and Leicester.
They are joined live by drummer Belle Star, later in Enrapture, Killing Miranda and Bexatron.
Nosferatu support Sex Gang Children for their sellout comeback shows at both New Cross The Venue and Camden Underworld.
1992
Nosferatu release their second EP Vampyres Cry (noticeably reviewed in both Melody Maker and NME).
A 10 date UK tour is arranged taking in Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, London, Sheffield, Swansea, Cardiff, Southampton and Leeds.
They are contacted by US magazine Propaganda for an interview, edited by Brian Warner (later to become known as Marilyn Manson).
Nosferatu release their third EP Diva and the first 500 copies are pressed in limited edition red vinyl.
A 10 date UK tour visits Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, Stafford, Cardiff, Southampton, Exeter and London.
The band receives its first known Radio One airplay from renowned DJs Steve Wright and John Peel.
1993
The band releases their next EP Inside The Devil and debut studio album Rise, which is also released in the US, Benelux and Germany.
A 13 date UK tour visits Brighton, Stoke, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, Southend, Bristol, Cardiff, Southampton and London.
Despite increasing success vocalist Louis DeWray regrettably leaves the band at the height of their powers.
New vocalist Niall Murphy joins and the band release Savage Kiss, which becomes their highest charting single in the UK Indie Charts.
A 14 date UK promotional tour takes in Newcastle, Nottingham, Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Exeter, Cardiff, Southampton and London.
1994
This becomes their biggest and busiest year, the band plays across Europe taking in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany including headlining Wave Gothic Treffen.
Cleopatra Records releases a compilation of Nosferatu's early EPs as an album called Legend.
The band release their second studio album The Prophecy and embark on a large UK tour to promote it.
A Spinal Tap style incident causes a split mid tour and despite attempts to carry on dates are then cancelled by the departing guitarist.
Damien Deville then creates an unauthorised new band around him, using the Nosferatu name. Despite legal action, flaws in copyright law prevent an injunction being served.
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