Live-Metal.Net - Interviews: Vains of Jenna 2009

Vains of Jenna: Let's 'get it on'

July 23, 2009


	Vains of Jenna 2009

In 2007, Live-Metal.net helped introduce the rock world to the potential new kings of sleaze, Vains of Jenna. Even though the band hails from Sweden, their sound hearkens back to rock's good old days, when bad boys reigned supreme and it was all about the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Their debut album, Lit Up/Let Down, was only the beginning. After its release, the boys ended up on some high-profile tours, like Poison's summer tour with Ratt, and Bam Margera's Viva La Bands, headlined by Cradle of Filth. Along the way, Vains of Jenna befriended Live-Metal.net, and we got to hang backstage with the band after they opened for Poison in Bristow, Va. Read the hijinks that ensued here.

In 2009, Vains of Jenna is back in the United States with a new single, “Get It On,” and a new, yet-to-be-titled album recorded, currently awaiting release. Vains of Jenna drummer Jacki Stone recently checked in with Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki. He teases us about the new album and lets fans know what the band has been up to since we last left saw them few years ago.

It's been a while since we last talked with you guys. The last time we talked you were in the midst of a summer tour with Poison and Ratt back in 2007. What has Vains of Jenna been up to since then?

Jacki Stone: Yeah, it’s been a while! Just two weeks after that tour was finished we went out on the Viva La Bands tour--put together by Bam Margera--for about two months. We played with Cradle of Filth, Gwar and CKY. It was a cool tour, a weird combination of bands, but the shows where great. A lot of stuff happened on that tour, though. It would have been a great reality show.

After that, we played around the West Coast and started to record our new album. In October last year, we went back to Sweden. We toured with Viking Skull in the U.K in December and toured with Crucified Barbara in Sweden during March. We did shows in Scotland, Italy and Denmark, as well. Now we are back in the States playing shows and just released our new single, “Get It On,” on iTunes.

You have a new album recorded? What's it called and when will it be released?

The album has not got a title yet, but it will soon. The album should be out later this year, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Tell us about "Get It On." Is this song a good representation of how the new album will sound?

It’s a straight up rock 'n' roll song. We started working on that one already before the Poison tour in 2007. The finished product of the song came out as a great rock song! The album is a good mix of different songs. Some are old-school rock 'n' roll like “Get It On,” but there are also songs with a nice touch of pop and funk.

Do you feel the style of the new album is similar to what you've been doing or is this a new direction for the band?

Compared to Lit Up/ Let Down and The Demos this one definitely has bigger-sounding songs. We put more work into the new album and we have all developed as musicians and songwriters. It's still a feeling of raw rock 'n' roll, but the songs are catchier and also a bit darker then previous albums. It’s a new direction for the band that I really like.

With the economy a mess, records sales at an all-time low and all the other various obstacles standing in the way of bands these days, how will you go about promoting the new album? Will the band be trying anything different?

iTunes is great for bands to put out songs, just like we've now done with “Get It On.” And we’ve done that with “Enemy in Me” and the old albums. The Internet is the way to promote right now and I guess that’s what we gotta do.

Overall, were you satisfied with Lit Up/Let Down? Either way, is it good to have that behind you now and moving on to new things?

For that to have been recorded in a cabin in Sweden by ourselves, in a week, I’m very happy about it! It took us a long way and that is amazing. But yeah, it feels good to have something brand new to play and show the fans. I have an overall good feeling about this new album, and with the right push and luck on the way I hope it will take the band to a new level.

The debut album was released on Bam Margera's label, Filthy Note. Is the label still active? He's been under the radar for quite some time now. Are you guys still on the label, and if not, then where are you now?

We are looking for a new label right now. Bam has been great to work with and he is a big supporter of the band. He will still be involved in some way, which is great, but we might be on another label.

What are the touring plans for the band? Will we see you in the U.S. in 2009 and 2010?

Yeah, we’ve already played a couple of shows since we got back here in June. We have a show at the Whiskey A Go Go on July 24th that I think will kick ass! We are doing West Coast shows almost every weekend right now, so go check that out on out MySpace page www.myspace.com/vainsofjenna and get updated on our shows.

What's it like over in Sweden this time of year?

Sweden is warm and nice this time of year. But I prefer being in the States.

Does the band have any comments on the recent death of Michael Jackson?

We can’t believe it happened! I’m still shocked. For all the musicians over the world he was huge influence. Without his songs, the music today wouldn’t be the same. Michael Jackson was an amazing artist, the best performer ever, a superstar! His music will live on forever.

Anything else you want to say?

Check us out on MySpace, Twitter and Facebook. Follow the band and get the latest updates on shows. Go to iTunes and by our new single, “Get It On”! Also available there is “Enemy in Me,” our debut album, Lit Up/Let Down and The Demos. Thanks everyone for all the support--our fans rock! Come out and bang your head when we come to a city near you!