Blitz Vega
Blitz Vega are a Rock band based between New York City and Los Angeles featuring Andy Rourke bassist of The Smiths alongside frontman and guitarist Kav Sandhu of the Happy Mondays.
History
[edit]Blitz Vega was formed by Sandhu and Rourke in Los Angeles on Christmas Day 2017.[1]
The band debuted their first single "Hey Christo"[2] on April 16, 2019. It was described as 'a rager that springs from the Primal Scream/Kasabian/Black Rebel Motorcycle Club family tree' by Buzz Bands LA.[3]
In April 2019 they recorded a live EP at Abbey Road Studios[4] and featured on Red Stripe Presents: This Feeling TV presented by Laura Whitmore and Gordon Smart.[5]
The band played their debut live show on July 24, 2019, at The House Of Machines in L.A.'s Arts District.[6] They followed up with the release of their second single "Lost & Found"[7] on September 20, 2019, and a single for Halloween on October 30, 2019, "LA Vampire".[8]
The band released the single "Strong Forever"[9] on November 17, 2022. This song not only featured the band members, but their guest guitarist was Johnny Marr, the guitarist of The Smiths, with the first reunion of any ex-members of The Smiths. The release of this new single brought with it a Rolling Stones Magazine publication of a new article[10] on the band.
Throughout the band's existence, Rourke had been privately battling pancreatic cancer.[11]
In April 2023, approximately three weeks before his death, Rourke asked Sandhu to promise that he would complete their debut album and tour the music.[11]
Rourke died on May 19, 2023.[12]
Following Rourke's death, Sandhu worked with engineer Will Kennedy to finalise the production of the album based on notes and track listings Rourke had approved. [11]
The band's debut album, Northern Gentleman, was released on September 27, 2024.[11]
It features 10 tracks selected by Rourke from the 17 songs the band had recorded over an eight-year period.[11]
The band released a subsequent single, "Superbrain", on August 20, 2025.[1]
Sandhu has stated that a documentary covering the band's seven-year recording history is also in production.[11]
Band Members
[edit]- Andy Rourke, Bassist
- Kav Sandhu, Guitarist and Main Vocalist
- Craig Eriksson,[13] Drummer
- Greg Gent, Guitarist and Backing Vocals
- Asa Brown, Keyboardist and Backing Vocals
- Tom Arizmendi, Guitarist and Backing Vocals
Live Performances
[edit]To date, the band's appearance at The House Of Machines in L.A.'s Arts District stands as their sole live performance with Rourke.
All subsequent tour dates were put on indefinite hold due to Andy Rourke's struggle with pancreatic cancer.[11]
Since Rourke's passing, the band has played a number of live locations as of February 2025, such as La Scala in London.[11]
Discography
[edit]| Title | Type | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| "Hey Christo"[2] | Single | April 16, 2019 |
| "Lost & Found"[7] | Single | September 20, 2019 |
| "LA Vampire"[8] | Single | October 30, 2019 |
| "Strong Forever"[9] | Single | November 17, 2022 |
| "Disconnected"[14] | Single | March 8, 2024 |
| "Northern Gentleman"[15] | Album | September 27, 2024 |
| "Superbrain"[1] | Single | August 20, 2025 |
Social Media
[edit]The band can be found on most social media platforms:
References
[edit]- ^ a b c MUSIC, SPILL NEW (August 21, 2025). "SPILL NEW MUSIC: KAV SANDHU AND THE LATE ANDY ROURKE'S BAND SHARE THE NEW BLITZ VEGA SINGLE "SUPERBRAIN"". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b Blitz Vega - Hey Christo, retrieved December 11, 2022
- ^ "Ears Wide Open: Blitz Vega". Buzz Bands LA. July 18, 2019.
- ^ "The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke lanches new band Blitz Vega". Music-News.com.
- ^ "Check Out The Episode Nine Of 'This Feeling' TV featuring The Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke's New Band 'Blitz Vega' And More". stopcryingyourheartout.co.uk.
- ^ "Blitz Vega At The House Of Machines, Wednesday July 24th 2019". rock nyc. August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "PREMIERE: Blitz Vega Get Really Real with "Lost & Found"". FLOOD.
- ^ a b "Blitz Vega Releases New Single 'LA Vampire'". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ a b Blitz Vega - Strong Forever, retrieved December 11, 2022
- ^ Grow, Kory (November 17, 2022). "Hear the Smiths' Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke Reunite for First New Song in 35 Years". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Parker, Lyndsey. "Lyndsanity | Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu on honoring late bandmate Andy Rourke's final wish: 'After he passed, I knew what I had to do'". Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "Andy Rourke: The Smiths bassist dies aged 59". BBC News. May 19, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "Drum Tutor in the North East of England". Craig Eriksson. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ Disconnected, March 8, 2024, retrieved November 29, 2025
- ^ Crowley, Taryn (September 24, 2024). "Blitz Vega – Northern Gentleman | Album review". The Upcoming. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "Blitz Vega - Instagram". Instagram.
- ^ "Blitz Vega". www.facebook.com. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ "Blitz Vega - Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
 | This article on a United States rock music band is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |