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USA hard sleaze rockers Kickin Valentina return to UK shores in May for a run of 7 shows, taking in some of the finest club venues across the land. Bassist Chris Taylor spills the beans on what to expect from this full-pelt romp through the UK.
The UK tour is edging ever closer. Seven shows in 8 days, from Newcastle to London. How have you been preparing for such a punishing schedule?
Chris: That’s pretty standard for us to be honest! Normally, we will take a day off about 8-9 days into a tour. We don’t really like taking days off, but we do need a day to chill. DK [D.K. Revelle, Kickin Valentina vocalist] needs a day to rest his voice, and then we’re back at it. We don’t really do anything to prepare for it. It’s just what we do, and we hit the ground running.
The costs involved for an American band to tour the UK must be staggering; that 90 minutes onstage must make it worthwhile, though, so what can the fans who have bought a ticket expect on the night?
Chris: Yes, the costs to tour have gotten ridiculous over the past few years. Fans in the UK have been so welcoming to us that we love going over there. They can expect a loud, sweaty rock n roll show and to do a lot of singing with us.
What can you tell us about your special guests, Sisters Doll? What makes them a great fit for Kickin Valentina?
Chris: I haven’t met the guys in Sisters Doll yet, but I’m looking forward to hanging out and playing with them. When we were first booking the tour, our agent came to us and asked if we’d be OK with them doing the tour. I had heard of them before, but didn’t know much about them. I checked them out and thought the songs were great, and they looked like a great live band. When you’re picking an opening band, you want someone that’s going to grab the crowd and entertain them, not bore them to tears. I think they are a great addition to the tour and will bring it every night.
After the London show, you have a handful of dates booked in Europe, WildFest in Belgium being just one. Who are you looking forward to catching at the festival, or will you need to leave straight after your set to make the next gig?
Chris: We are only going to be there the night we are playing, but I’m looking forward to seeing The Treatment. We’ve done some festivals with them before in the UK and in Denmark. I think they are a great band.
‘The Gotaways’ features on the new album “Raw Trax, B-Sides, and Bootlegs”, it’s such a strong, hooky song that begs the question: why has it been hidden away until now?!
Chris: When we recorded “Star Spangled Fist Fight” we knew we’d only want to put 10 songs on it. Going into the studio, we had 13 that we wanted to record and would narrow it down after everything was done. That song was really, really close to making it on the record, but it just didn’t. We loved the song, but at the time, it just didn’t feel like it fit the vibe of the rest of the record. We knew we wanted to release these songs eventually, so we thought it would be fun to package it up with some live tracks and demos.
Will you be road testing any new material?
Chris: Yes, The Gotaways is going to be in the set.
In what ways do you feel that the band has developed in the 10 years since the debut album ‘Super Atomic’ was released?
Chris: When the band first started, we didn’t really know each other that well. Over the years, we’ve become really close, and writing together has become easier. I think our records have become more cohesive and not as scattered-sounding as some of the early stuff. Since DK has been in the band, we’ve started doing more vocal harmonies, and the songwriting has stepped up a few notches.
What frustrates you about the music business?
Chris: What doesn’t frustrate me about the music business, haha! In all seriousness, I hate the politics of it all. This guy doesn’t like that guy…so don’t work with him, I don’t want to work with you. Stupid shit like that is asinine to me. I don’t care about people’s dick measuring and egos with each other. I just want to play shows, but you so often have to navigate the stupid shit.
Diamond David Lee Roth has just returned to the live stage after a lengthy break; what do you feel is the quintessential DLR/Van Halen track?
Chris: Oh man, hmmm, I’ll have to go with “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love.” Great song.
On a personal level, what would be the ultimate act for Kickin Valentina to open for?
Chris: There are so many bands I’d love to play with. Dream come true band would be to open for Guns N’ Roses. That band is everything rock n roll should be.
And…what’s next to come?
Chris: We are currently booking dates for the US in the fall. Hopefully, this summer we will start writing again for another record.
KICKIN VALENTINA & SPECIAL GUESTS
TOUR DATES
May 14th – Trillians, Newcastle
May 15th – Bannermans, Edinburgh
May 16th – The Waterloo, Blackpool
May 17th – Corporation, Sheffield
May 18th – Yardbirds, Grimsby
May 20th – The Tivoli, Buckley
May 21st – Cart and Horses, London
Tickets are on sale now HERE.
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