Rock n' rollers Vanity Blvd released their follow-up to their debut full-length "Rock n Roll Overdose" called "Wicked Temptation". Since the album's release the band has plans of doing nothing but playing shows and touring all over the place. Frontwomen vocalist Anna Savage discusses the latest album and what else these guys have in-store.
1. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography? Why did you want this band to be a female fronted as opposed to male fronted?
Anna: Me and Roxxy, (the first bass player) started Vanity Blvd together in 2005. Roxxys brother Traci played guitar in a metal band with a drummer named Frecko . We stole this guys from that metalband and we became Vanity Blvd. We played together for a while and released two Ep's and our first full length album "Rock'nRoll Overdose". When Rock'n'Roll Overdose was recorded, Roxxy quit the band. The search of a new bass player started, we change bass players three times during two years. The drummer moved to Scotland and where less available.Vanity Blvd was falling apart. Me and Traci tried to hold together the frames of the band the best we could , but eventually you give up. Then like a gift from above we finally found the two given members of Vanity Blvd, Pete Ash and Gebb. Now we are stronger than ever and I love them and respect them almost as much as my own family. They are my rock´n´roll family! We are a female fronted band because I am a female lead singer and I started the band. It was just to expensive with the operation to become a male.
2. How did you guys come up with your band name? What does this name symbolize and represent for you guys?
Anna: We had our first show in 2005 and we realized that we didn't have a band name. We decided that we would call ourselves Vanity Blvd for that show and then change the name after the show. We ended up not changing the name. And here we are.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Anna: I guess we have alot of punk/rock and rock/sleaze bands here in Stockholm. If you´re into power metal check out Twins Crew.
4. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Anna: I am inspired by so many different bands but if I am about to choose just a few, I would say Lita Ford, David Coverdale and Jeff Keith. I know Traci is inspired by Kiss, Kix, Jimi Hendrix and so on. Pete Ash is influenced by Skidrow and Bon Jovi (early years) and Mr. Drummer, Gebb is inspired by Iron Maiden and Korn.
5. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Anna: I write from my heart about things that occur in life. If we want to send out any message, It would be:
follow your dreams, do what makes you happy and don't take shit from no one.
6. Your worked with Nicko Di Marino and Jonas Kjellgren and worked at the Deep Blue Studios/Black Lounge Studios what was that experience like and working alongside these guys?Anna: It was great! The cooperation worked fine together and we understand each other and how we wanted this album to sound. We sat along with Nicko DiMarino during almost the whole process. He is a talented guy with an perfect ear for audio. Jonas Kjellgren did the master from his studio so we didnt work alongside with him on the master. We had contact via email, he´s really talented, as we already knew so it was beautifully mastered.
7. Did you get the album you wanted? Is everything on there or were there some things that were just impossible to pull off?
Anna: Wicked Temptation is completed in every way. Its everything we wanted the album to be and even more. Its got it all, and we are very proud of it. We have worked really hard to get it the way we wanted it to be.
8. How has the band’s sound evolved from Rock N Roll Overdose to Wicked Temptation?
Anna: It has been 5-6 years since we released our first album Rock´n´Roll Overdose and alot of things have changed. We have a new bass player, Pete Ash and a new drummer Gebb. They 're both incredibly dedicated, inspirational and talented musicians. We are so incredibly happy with this record . Its the album of 2014, no doubt about it! The last album was very controlled by the producer even though everything was written by the band we didn't quite get the sound that we wanted. And we were younger and more naive back then. On the recording of Wicked Temptation we had alot to say and we got it just the way we wanted it, in every way. Rock n Roll Overdose is a great album, It really is and I love it. But Wicked Temptation is something extraordinary. We are really proud of the album and just cant wait until the release date .
9. Was your songwriting and recording process any different than usual for this CD?
Anna: It was alot different. We´re still Vanity Blvd and we will always be, but we have taken everything to another level and we don't play it safe. We have 2 new members on this album that are really talented musicians and me and Traci have developed alot in 6 years. I was only 22 when our first album was released so alot have happened since then.
10. What are your expectations for the CD?
Anna: We want as many people as possible to hear it, because its too damn good not to be heard.
We want to do as many shows on this album as possible, all around Europe and hopefully USA.
11. What are your upcoming touring/show plans?
Anna: The plan for 2014 is to book as many dates as possible in Sweden as well as in the rest of Europe.
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Anna: You can listen to our albums on Spotify or buy on iTunes. If you´re interested in the Vanity BLVD merchandice, you can send us a email on Facebook and we will hook you up. We are working on a shop on the website www.vanityblvd.com and hopefully it will be up and running soon.
13. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?Anna: We don't want them to remember, we want them to get blown away, forget themselves and everything and just get into the music, and get crazy! Give in for the Wicked Temptation.
14. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
Anna: Alot! We have just began! There's so much yet to come! There will be a music video on one of the songs and more surprises. So stay updated by our Facebook and homepage.
15. Any final words of wisdom?
Anna: Long Live Rock´N Roll!
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