February 2nd, 2012 
James Shotwell 
UTG has just learned that Evan Pharmakis (guitarist/vocalist)and Chris Campbell (drummer) have left Boston post-hardcore act Vanna.
The new broke on two fronts this afternoon, first with an email containing statement from both Pharmakis and Campbell, then moments later with a video statement from the remaining members. You can view all three statements after the jump.
Vanna are set to begin a European tour tomorrow with the new guitarist/vocalist, Joel Pastuszak, tomorrow.
Pharmakis recently spoke with UTG regarding his new solo project, Wind In Sails. Look for our exclusive interview to run on the site this weekend.
Statement from Evan Pharmakis (guitarist/vocals):
“I’m sad to say that as of now I will no longer be a part of Vanna. I’ve decided that due to my current situation and not being able to fully support myself after seven years of hard work, it’s time to start taking responsibility for my life, and move on. This band has grown a lot over the years and with growth comes change. When we started Vanna it was because we loved playing music, and once it developed it was this balance of writing what we loved while still creating music that all our fans would enjoy. Mixing business into that equation is a difficult task, and with five completely different personalities it’s a hard act to balance. I’ve been struggling for the last two years trying to make it work for me and my life, and as much as I love it, I have to let it go.
The lyrics I wrote and sang in Vanna were about real life situations I went through and will always mean a lot to me. I hope they continue to help anyone who listens to them, through their life problems and difficult times. I hold no grudges towards the band and hope they hold none against me, and I wish the guys the best of luck with their decision to move on. I also hope that the fans we have won’t take this too hard. The most special part of being in this band, for me, was seeing how much it meant to so many people. I pushed through the loneliness, anxiety and difficulty I have of traveling just to be there for everyone our music meant something to.
I love you all, every person with a Vanna tattoo, every person that felt a connection to the music, every person I stayed up late chatting on Facebook with about different problems they were going through. I couldn’t possibly explain how much you all have meant to me. If you still want to hear me play music, you can check out my band “wind in sails” and I promise I’ll keep writing honest music that I put my all into. Thank you all again so much for everything. The last seven years have been an experience I will never forget. To all my friends around the world, thank you for all your help, love and friendship. It means more than you know. Thank you all again very much. You are the white light, don’t forget that.”
Statement from Chris Campbell (drummer):
After two full length records, an EP, countless US tours, 3 incredible European tours I will no longer be playing drums in Vanna. I absolutely love playing music, and will continue to play but, it’s time for me to move forward with my life. Vanna fans are some of the most die-hard music fans I’ve ever had the privilege of being involved with. Everything has been for you guys. Thanks to everyone who came to a show, bought a cd, or just hung out. It was rad.
Statement from Vanna:
In the world of music members in bands make choices every day to move onto other things, be it new projects, start families, or begin a different career path. The internet is abound with drama and opinions when this happens, but the fact is that this is a part of everyday life in the music industry. These hard choices usually affect the band members’ left behind as well as the label, management and most importantly the fans. Most rise up and charge on. This is the case with Boston’s own Vanna. Evan Pharmakis (guitarist/vocalist)and Chris Campbell (drummer) have chosen to part ways with the band and move forward. They have decided that the touring life isn’t for them any longer and do not wish to continue doing so. This doesn’t come as a surprise to the band or those close to us. Evan has been dealing with this choice for almost a year now, and Chris has missed a few tours the past few months as well in order to work and focus on home. They both have family obligations as well as financial reasons for leaving their spots behind and everyone in our camp stands behind and supports them in making these very hard decisions. They feel that staying home and no longer touring with the band is the best possible decision for them as well as us. We are happy that they have been honest and have given us the opportunity to find people that want it too. We want to be on the road and playing music with people who are in it 100% and love this with all their heart. We never want to hold anyone back and wish them both the best in their future endeavors. With that being said, we will be moving forward on the best year of touring this band has ever seen or done. We’ve added new Guitarist/Vocalist Joel Pastuszak to the fold and couldn’t be happier with him. Joel has played and toured in many New England based bands . We’ve actually been working with Joel for quite a while, knowing Evan’s situation, and can’t wait for all of you to meet and hear/see him on the road with us. He’s already very much a part of the family. As far as drummers, we have fill-ins lined up and we are ready to get out on the road to see all of you and keep this non-stop train moving, as there is no way we’ll be slowing down. We are currently headlining Europe and the United Kingdom, followed by the Artery Sick Tour in the U.S., then right into Vans Warped Tour this summer with writing and recording plans in the future as well. We know this will come as a surprise to a lot of you, but just understand this, Vanna is an idea, a passion, a movement – it’s not about the people, it’s about the music and love for what we do, and believe us, we have more passion and love for this now than we ever have. If you believe in the music, if it means something to you, and always has, don’t stop the support, keep it up. We need you now more than ever. Come out to a show, meet Joel, hang with us and let’s keep this community alive and well. We love you guys with our whole hearts! This is a big year, be a part of it with us.
EUROPEAN 2012 TOUR DATES
Feb 3 – Stuffgart, Germany – Juha West
Feb 4 – Köln, Germany – MTC
Feb 5 – Wiesbaden, Germany – Schlachthof
Feb 6 – Dessau, Germany – Beat Club
Feb 7 – Krakow, Poland – TBA
Feb 8 – Wien, Austria – Arena
Feb 9 – Graz, Austria – Explosiv
Feb 10 – Rome, Italy – Traffic Club
Feb 11 – Cesena, Italy – Vidia Club
Feb 12 – Zürich, Switzerland – Planet 5
Feb 13 – München, Germany – Feirwerk
Feb 14 – Berlin, Germany – Comet
Feb 15 – Hamburg, Germany – Hafenklang
Feb 16 – Prague, Czech Republic – 007
Feb 17 – Braunschweig, Germany – B 58
Feb 18 – Hasselt, Belgium – Muziek-o-drome
Feb 19 – London, UK – Underworld
Feb 20 – Leeds, UK – The Well
Feb 21 – Glasgow, UK – Ivory Blacks
Feb 22 – UK Manchester Moho Live
Feb 23 – UK Reading Face Bar
Feb 24 – Netherlands Dordrecht Popcentrale
Feb 25 – Germany Trier Ex-Haus
US Tour w/ Chelsea Grin, Attila, For The Fallen Dreams, Chunk No Captain Chunk, The Crimson Armada, and Volumes!
3/3 Ogden, UT @ The Basement
3/4 Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Cafe
3/6 Tempe, AZ @ Underground
3/7 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
3/8 San Diego, CA @ Soma
3/9 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
3/10 Simi Valley, CA @ 118 West
3/11 Tucson, AZ @ Skrappy’s
3/12 El Paso, TX @ Tricky Falls
3/14 Mission, TX @ Never Say Never Fest
3/15 Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/16 Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/17 Dallas, TX @ South By So What Fest
3/18 Houston, TX @ Houston We Have A Problem Fest
3/19 Memphis, TN @ Newby’s
3/20 St Louis, MO @ Fubar
3/21 Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
3/22 St Paul, MN @ Station 4
3/24 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theatre
3/25 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
3/26 Pittsburgh, PA @ The Hideout
3/27 Toronto, ON @ Wreckroom
3/28 Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe
3/29 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
3/30 Richmond, VA @ Kingdom
3/31 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
4/1 Springfield, VA @ Empire
4/3 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
4/4 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
4/7 Ft Lauderdale. FL @ The Speakeasy
4/8 St Petersburg, FL @ The State Theatre
4/22 Worcester, MA – The New England Metal And Hardcore Festival
Also catch Vanna all summer long on this years’ VANS WARPED TOUR!!!
June 16 – Salt Lake City, UT
June 17 – Denver, CO
June 20 – Las Vegas, NV
June 21 – Irvine, CA
June 22 – Pomona, CA
June 23 – San Francisco, CA
June 24 – Ventura, CA
June 27 – San Diego, CA
June 28 – Phoenix, AZ
June 29 – Las Cruces, NM
June 30 – San Antonio, TX
July 1 – Houston, TX
July 3 – Dallas, TX
July 5 – St. Louis, MO
July 6 – Detroit, MI
July 7 – Chicago, IL
July 8 – Minneapolis, MN
July 9 – Kansas City, KS
July 10 – Indianapolis, IN
July 11 – Cleveland, OH
July 12 – Pittsburgh, PA
July 13 – Toronto, ON
July 14 – Montreal, QC
July 15 – Hartford, CT
July 17 – Buffalo, NY
July 18 – Scranton, PA
July 19 – Boston, MA
July 20 – Philadelphia, PA
July 21 – New York, NY
July 22 – Oceanport, NJ
July 24 – Washington, DC
July 25 – Virginia Beach, VA
July 26 – Atlanta, GA
July 27 – Orlando, FL
July 28 – Miami, FL
July 29 – Tampa, FL
July 30 – Charlotte, NC
July 31 – Cincinnati, OH
Aug. 1 – Milwaukee, WI
Aug. 4 – Seattle, WA
Aug. 5 – Portland, OR
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