Vent 414

Vent 414 will perform at The Fleece on 28 May 2026 at 6:00 pm.

In its original format, Vent 414 was the short-lived (1995-1996) project of Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff), Morgan Nicholls (Senseless Things) and Pete Howard (The Clash, EAT). Existing for only two years, the band made one self-titled album with Steve Albini at London's Abbey Road Studios, released by Polydor Records.

Hailing from the UK, the band was originally named simply "Vent" but added the "414" moniker after being contacted by another band also using the name. It is reported that the number 414 was the collective weight, in lb, of the three members, were they at their ideal fighting weight. Performing mainly in the UK in 1996, the band also played in France, Germany, Belgium and the East Coast of the USA.

After parting ways in late 1996, Morgan Nicholls went on to perform with The Streets, Gorillaz, Muse and The Who, as well as releasing one solo album, "Organised". Pete Howard went on to join Queenadreena with former Daisy Chainsaw members KatieJane Garside and Crispin Gray, as well as recording with Paul Weller on his "22 Dreams" album, later joining The Wonder Stuff in 2018. Miles Hunt eventually reformed The Wonder Stuff in 2000; the band remains active.

The three original members of Vent 414 were persuaded to reform in 2024 by record producer Matt Terry (The Enemy, The Clause, Pastel). Hunt says: "As kind as it was of Matt to suggest Vent 414 make another album, I was in no mood to write any new songs. So he invited the three of us to have a knock-around session at his studio for a couple of days, just to see what might happen. On the first day we came up with six separate song frameworks, five of which have made it onto the new album." Over a period of eighteen months the band has recorded fifteen new songs, produced by Matt Terry and mixed by George Perks (Skindred, Kid Kapichi, The Enemy). The album will be released in May 2026, accompanied by a short UK tour.