Pretty Vultures: Finding Their Wings

Young N’ Loud article by Katie Sears

Origin & Identity

Every band has a story about how it all began, and for Pretty Vultures, it started in the most unexpected way.

In 2024, bassist Canyon Howard met guitarist Luke Hacker during a fishing trip through a mutual friend. As conversations shifted from everyday life to music, it quickly became clear they shared many of the same influences and ambitions. It wasn’t long before the two arranged a jam session, spending hours playing everything from disco classics to thrash metal. By the end of that first session, they knew they had something worth pursuing.

Music had already been a part of the bassist’s life for years. At the age of 13, he dreamed of becoming a drummer, but limited space at home meant a drum kit wasn’t practical. His father suggested bass instead, explaining that talented bass players were always in demand. Taking that advice to heart, he immersed himself in the playing styles of Cliff Burton, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris and Lemmy, developing a passion for an instrument that would eventually help shape Pretty Vultures.

The band continued to grow with the addition of drummer Cade Mitchell and guitarist Zach, creating a lineup that combines different musical backgrounds while sharing the same goal—to create honest rock music that connects with listeners.

Their name came about almost as naturally as the band itself. After hearing the song Pretty Vultures by Ten Inch Men, Luke commented that it would make a great band name. The idea immediately clicked, and from that moment on, Pretty Vultures was born.

Today, the Kentucky rock outfit is preparing for the next chapter of its journey, bringing together years of musical influences with a determination to leave its mark on modern rock.

Style, Sound & Influences

Trying to place Pretty Vultures into a single musical category isn’t easy—and that’s exactly how they like it.

Describing their sound as “eclectic rock,” the band blends elements of classic rock, hard rock and heavy metal while refusing to be limited by any one style. Their music reflects the personalities of the musicians themselves, creating songs that are energetic, emotional and unpredictable.

The band’s influences stretch across generations. Artists such as AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath helped shape their appreciation for powerful riffs and memorable songwriting, while legendary bassists like Cliff Burton, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris and Lemmy inspired a playing style built on both melody and aggression.

Outside of music, inspiration often comes from unexpected places. Horror films, the novels of Stephen King and everyday life all contribute to the band’s creative process, helping spark ideas that eventually become songs. Rather than writing about fictional stories, Pretty Vultures prefers to draw from real experiences, exploring themes such as heartbreak, relationships, personal struggles and perseverance.

For the band, authenticity is more important than following trends. Every song begins with the simple goal of writing music that feels honest, allowing listeners to connect with the emotions behind every lyric and every note.

The Journey So Far

Like many independent bands, Pretty Vultures has built its reputation one opportunity at a time.

From local performances to connecting with audiences online, every step has helped the band grow both musically and personally. Social media, particularly TikTok, has introduced their music to listeners well beyond Kentucky, creating new opportunities to engage with fans and fellow musicians around the world.

Coming from Manchester, Kentucky, the members understood that pursuing rock music would require determination and a willingness to think beyond their hometown. That ambition has led them toward Nashville, where they plan to record new material and continue developing their sound in one of America’s most respected music cities.

The journey hasn’t always been easy. Like many emerging artists, balancing everyday responsibilities with the demands of a growing band has required sacrifice and persistence. Despite those challenges, Pretty Vultures has remained focused on its long-term vision, believing that every rehearsal, every performance and every song brings them one step closer to achieving their goals.

With new music on the horizon and momentum continuing to build, the band is embracing each opportunity while remaining true to the passion that brought them together in the first place.

Personality & Behind the Music

If there’s one thing that defines Pretty Vultures away from the stage, it’s authenticity. While each member brings a different personality to the band, they all share the same drive to create music they’re proud of and to keep pushing themselves further. Whether they’re the dreamer, perfectionist or peacemaker depends on the day, but one thing remains constant—their commitment to making the best music possible.

The band has never been interested in following expectations or fitting into what others think they should be. Instead, they’ve embraced being different, believing originality is one of their greatest strengths. That same mindset carries over into their everyday lives, where inspiration often comes from discovering new music, exploring nature or simply staying busy. For Canyon Howard, hard work away from music—whether it’s landscaping, cutting trees or spending time outdoors—is just another way to stay creative and motivated.

Before performances, everyone has their own way of settling into the moment. Canyon admits his routine usually includes a few beers, a cigarette and a coffee to help him relax while keeping his energy up. While he’s quick to point out he isn’t promoting those habits, he says finding that balance helps him perform at his best.

Asked to describe Pretty Vultures in just one sentence, the band doesn’t hesitate.

“Exciting, good-time rockers with a deep edge.”

That description perfectly captures the band’s identity. Their music is raw, gritty and unapologetically classic—something they compare to the colors denim blue and black. In an era where polished production dominates much of modern rock, Pretty Vultures prefers to keep things honest, energetic and unmistakably authentic.

Impact & Message

For Pretty Vultures, success has never been measured by fame alone. More than anything, they hope listeners walk away inspired.

Whether it’s encouraging someone to pick up an instrument, discover classic rock or simply believe that bigger dreams are possible, the band wants their story to remind people that where you come from doesn’t have to determine where you end up.

Much of their songwriting comes directly from personal experience. Themes of heartbreak, frustration and perseverance run throughout their music, transforming difficult moments into songs filled with emotion and honesty. Rather than hiding life’s struggles, Pretty Vultures embraces them, hoping listeners facing similar challenges realize they aren’t alone.

Their greatest goal is to create music that genuinely connects with people. If someone listens to one of their songs and feels understood—or decides to chase a dream because of it—the band considers that a success.

Looking toward the future, Pretty Vultures hopes to leave behind a legacy of resilience. Growing up in a small Kentucky town where many doubted they could succeed has only fueled their determination to prove otherwise. They want to be remembered as musicians who refused to quit, stayed true to themselves and kept classic rock alive for another generation.

Looking Forward

The future looks busy for Pretty Vultures.

The band is preparing to enter the studio to record approximately eight original songs for what they hope will become their debut album. With songwriting flowing naturally and new opportunities beginning to emerge, they’re focused on building momentum while continuing to evolve creatively.

When asked about dream collaborations, the answers reflect the artists who inspired them from the beginning. Sharing a stage or studio with Iron Maiden, Whitesnake or AC/DC would be the ultimate achievement—bands whose influence can still be heard throughout Pretty Vultures’ music today.

Despite those ambitious goals, the band has a simple definition of success. It’s seeing people connect with their songs, filling venues with fans who genuinely enjoy what they’ve created and watching audiences react to music that comes from the heart.

Above all, the fire that keeps Pretty Vultures moving forward is their relentless passion for music. Whether they’re writing, rehearsing, performing or simply talking about their favorite records, rock and roll remains at the center of their lives.

And while they’re serious about their craft, they haven’t lost their sense of humor. Asked what song they’d send into space as Earth’s musical calling card, the answer came with a laugh: Ozzy Osbourne’s “Party with the Animals.” As the band put it, “We wanna party with the aliens—because who wouldn’t?”

It’s that combination of ambition, authenticity and personality that makes Pretty Vultures a band worth keeping an eye on as they continue proving that even musicians from a small Kentucky town can make plenty of noise.