VAUGHAN

We are VAUGHAN a new original Australian / French hard rock band based in Marseille. We released two self financed EPs « Nowhere Fast » in January 2024. and « Closest-All Lies » in November 2025

VAUGHAN’s music draws heavily from the heyday of melodic glam metal and hard rock from the late 80’s. With tracks laden with catchy melodies and slick hooks contrasting with lyrics and themes of empowerment, justice, and triumph over oppression. These songs are brimming with heavy 80's rock influenced riffs, over the top guitar solos, and thumping drums.

Vaughan have formed a strong local live support in Marseille and in January 2026 joined the Motocultor Across Europe Festival. 2027 is looking bright as they hit the road again supporting Mongolian folk metal giants Uuhai on their European tour across France Spain and Portugal.

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Sam Vaughan - Vocals / Guitar

Australian singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer moved to Marseille in 2012 after many years on the Sydney music scene. Loves writing high energy melodic hard rock songs. Influenced by 80's hard rock like Poison, Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi and Whitesnake

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Manu Arktop - Lead Guitar

Guitarist originally from Paris now in Marseille has played in many bands over the years. He has been influenced by the hard rock father's : Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin. His favourite bands are Scorpions (early years), Rush, Thin Lizzy and Queen for those famous harmonised guitars licks.

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Samir "Arms" Embarek - Drums

Plays rock but draws from a variety of styles from indie, progressive, and motown to neo-metal. Main influences Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, Arctic Monkeys, System of a Down, Korn and Snarky Puppy. He wants to help Vaughan on the local, national and even international scene. "The band's songwriting is of the highest quality and deserves to be heard by a wider audience."

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Hugo Duval - Bass

Bassist from the south who has played all over France—notably at Les Vents Contraire in Lille. Inspired by all kinds of music, from disco to extreme metal, he joined Vaughan to set the stadiums on fire!

“VAUGHAN is a melodic hard rock band lead by Sam Vaughan, an Australian songwriter and composer. The group exchange biting riffs and volcanic solos supported by a solid bass and drums. The songs are carried by melodic choruses with Sam’s voice carving through. The harmonised guitars of Manu and Sam are reminiscent of Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy. Drawing on by the best of the 80’s, the original songs are inspired by the biggest names in hard rock, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, AC/DC, Extreme, Mötley Crüe and of course Bon Jovi.” - Chrisitian Imperato - Cherrydon