Vain formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1986, at the last wave of the Glam Metal era, and in a time when the city's main musical export was thrash metal slowly changing to Punk. The band were formed by vocalist Davy Vain, and were signed to Island Records in 1989 upon the release of their debut album No Respect that same year. The band also embarked on a European Tour in support of Skid Row.

In 1991, things were to take a turn for the worse for Vain, and it would be finances rather than grunge which claimed this glam metal casualty, as their label collapsed before the band could release their second studio album All Those Strangers.

West and Rickard left the band in late 1991. Guitarist Shawn Rorie and former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler joined the band, which was re-named Roadcrew. The band quickly fell apart due to Adler's drug habit(s), but many of the Roadcrew songs can be found on later Vain releases.

In 1993, the classic Vain lineup, minus Rickard, got back together to release Move On It, a Japan-only release. Louie Senor joined the band as its drummer for the album, and the band released Fade. Both albums showed maturity and growth from the debut, and were critically well-received.

In 2005 had something of a revival when Gott Discs re-released the band's first album No Respect worldwide in January of that year. The band also recorded a new album, entitled On the Line which received critical acclaim. A UK tour in 2005 (supported by New Generation Superstars) proved immensely successful, and one show was awarded the maximum KKKKK rating by Steve Beebee from British metal magazine Kerrang!. The band toured again in 2006 (again with New Generation Superstars). In summer 2008 Vain will play at the 2nd annual 80's rock festival, Rocklahoma.