Taipei Metal

Interview: Vains of Jenna

It's been quite a ride for Swedish rockers Vains of Jenna. On the strength of nothing more than a four-song demo, the Falkenberg four-piece was offered a spot on the bill of the Motley Crue-headlined Cruefest in Hollywood in January of 2005.  It was at that gig, at the infamous Whisky a Go-Go club on the even more infamous hive of scum, villainy, and depravity, the Sunset Strip, that the band caught the attention of former Tuff front man and current Metal Sludge proprietor Stevie Rachelle, who would become the band's manager. At the time, the band's two youngest members were just 18 years old, not even of legal age to set foot in the Whisky.

After a tour of the U.K., the band returned to California, not on tour, but to relocate permanently and hone their chops where countless rock and glam bands had done the same since the hairspray and Quaalude haze also known as the eighties. Recording with guitarist Gilby Clarke, one of the original hired guns to join Guns n' Roses during its slow but inevitable dismantling, getting signed to Jackass star Bam Margera's record label, and releasing the first full length record, Lit Up/Let Down were to follow, along with a constant cycle of touring and further recording. Dubbed sleaze rock, glam, and plain old rock n' roll, Vains of Jenna have since put out a second full length, The Art of Telling Lies, and last year put out an EP, We Can Never Die, the band's first recording with new singer Jesse Forte, who took over vocal duties following the departure of original member Lizzy DeVine.

Now, the band is back on the road again in support of a unique album of cover songs, Reverse Tripped, an eclectic collection of interpretations of some iconic rock and pop songs that even includes a rendition of the viral Cee Lo Green hit, “Fuck You.” Guitarist Nicki Kin corresponded with Taipei Metal to discuss the new album, touring, and the future of Vains of Jenna.

Taipei Metal: Vains of Jenna has just released a covers album, Reverse Tripped. What made you guys want to do a covers album?

Nicki Kin: We got asked by Cleopatra/Deadline records to do it, and we had nothing better to do at the moment. We did it in two weeks and it's pretty cool i think.

Taipei Metal: How did you go about selecting the songs that would be on Reverse Tripped?

Nicki Kin: We all picked songs that we like, and starting jamming. There was about 100 of 'em from the start and we ended up with 14 really good ones.

Taipei Metal: The Cee Lo Green cover is an interesting choice. Whose idea was it to do that one, and how difficult was it to get everyone in the band to agree to do it?

Nicki Kin: I don't remember whose idea it was, but it is a fun song to play. We weren't too serious about it, just a fun song.

Taipei Metal: Reverse Tripped is Vains of Jenna's first full album with singer Jesse Forte. How has he settled into the band's dynamic thus far?

Nicki Kin: I think it's going great. We're one month into the tour now and people seem to like him as well. The band really sounds fuckin' good right now.

Taipei Metal: Vains of Jenna is currently in the midst of a full U.S. tour. How is that going so far?

Nicki Kin: It's going really good. We've just done Boston, New York, Baltimore etc. and thats kinda my favorite area in the states. It's all been really good though. It's good to see that some people still like rock n' roll.

Taipei Metal: How many of the cover songs are you working into the nightly set list and how did you choose which ones to include?

Nicki Kin: It's different from night to night. I like to do a few every night. “Smoke on the Water and “Fuck You” is two good ones to do for sure.

Taipei Metal: Over the years Vains of Jenna have toured with a wide variety of bands, from Cradle of Filth, GWAR, and CKY to Ratt and Poison. What sort of band do you prefer going on the road with and why?

Nicki Kin: Almost every band we've toured with has been different music and image wise from us, which is cool I think, but I would love to go out with Foo Fighters 'cuz there one of the rock bands that still rocks.

Taipei Metal: How tired are you of answering questions about how young you guys were when you first came to the states?

Nicki Kin: He he, I don't have any sleepless nights about it. I was 19 thats all I know.

Taipei Metal: Vains of Jenna has a strong visual image with influences from the glam and hair metal era. How much thought goes into maintaining and developing that visual aspect for you guys?

Nicki Kin: That whole glam thing was more in the first couple of years i think. We don't really think of it. I put on whatever clothes I can find on the floor, and usually it looks cool.

Taipei Metal: After the U.S. tour wraps up, you'll be heading to Europe, reportedly until the Christmas holidays. What are your feelings on basically touring non-stop from now until the end of 2011?

Nicki Kin: It's a lot of fun. It's good to keep busy!

Taipei Metal: What are Vains of Jenna's plans for 2012?

Nicki Kin: Record a new album and put it out. Write some more and tour some more.

Taipei Metal: When will fans see a new Vains of Jenna album of original material?

Nicki Kin: As soon as we're able to get in the studio. We have a lot of demos recorded, probably about 15 new songs, so I'm excited about getting into the studio.