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Featured Band archive A
Alley Sin
February 16-22, 2009
All photos used with permission courtesy of Alley Sin
This week, our Spotlight Band is most definitely among my top favorite up and coming bands. Their name is Alley Sin. If you are a fan of bands like The Dogs D'amour, The Quireboys, Hanoi Rocks, the New York Dolls, etc. then you'll love this band and their special brand of sleaze and glam. They have only been together for a very short time, but I see great things for their future, unless the world of music is in worse shape than I think it is. I hope to see them signed to a label soon. I know if I owned a record company I'd be jumping at the chance to sign them! The following is a bio of the band, plus don't miss my interview with them. Their self-released EP is now available, too. Be sure to check out my review of it!
Vicious Bastart and Nikki Riot
Alley Sin was formed by Vicious Bastard and Nikki Riot in 2008. First, a little background on these two talented performers. Vicious Bastard, born Emiliyan Shterev, age 37, is one of the bands guitarists. He began his career back in the 80s as a drummer for numerous bands within the Bulgarian punk scene. In the early 90s he was a primary member in the post-punk band, Vtoro Nacionalno Nishto, which means "Second National Nothing". This band gained a cult following in Bulgaria. Afterwards, he passed over several bands as he looked for just the right fit. His search led him out of Bulgaria to the Netherlands. There, he formed the punk 'n' roll band, The Vicious Bastards, and switched from the drums to the guitar. They performed many shows and eventually released an album, "Rawk 'n' Roll". Unfortunately, in 2006 Vicious was forced to stop playing music after several injuries and an operation on his left hand. After returning to Bulgaria, and recovering, he formed the '77 punk tribute band, Blank Generation, along with other musicians from the local punk scene. That was in 2007, and he continues to perform with that band to this day. In 2008, however, he met Nikki Riot and together they formed Alley Sin.
Nikki Riot, born Nikola Stoyanov, age 21, is the lead vocalist and also plays guitar for Alley Sin. He started his first band, Wanted, in Targovishte, Bulgaria. Then in 2007 he moved to Duesseldorf, Germany. There he joined the glam band, Switchblade Romance, as lead guitarist. That band's other members
had connections to other
bands such as Devils Inn, Happy Revolvers, Corner Boys, and German punk rock legends, Public Toys, who had released seven albums and whose bass player held a prominent position with the German division of Roadrunner Records. Nikki later returned to Bulgaria and decided to start a glam band. That was when he met Vicious.
As stated earlier, Alley Sin was formed in 2008 by Nikki and Vicious. Their philosophy was to have a band where they could do things their own way, with their own rock 'n' roll attitude. With that, they began writing their music, which is influenced by early glam rock from the 70s era, late 70s punk rock, and 80s glam and sleaze rock 'n' roll. Their major influences include the New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders, The Ramones, Hanoi Rocks, The Dogs D'amour, Motley Crue, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, the Misfits, The Damned, Faster Pussycat, Cinderella, Peter Blast, Alleycat Scratch, Alice Cooper, Backyard Babies, Motorhead, Hardcore Superstar, the Hellacopters, the Dead Boys, The Boys, Joneses, Star Star, Glamour Punks, and many others. In addition, they are inspired by Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams III, numerous blues musicians, and other "outlaw" country artists. Nikki and Vicious are the primary songwriters for the band, with Nikki writing all of the lyrics.
Vicious Bastard
After performing a number of shows in local clubs, and undergoing several personnel changes, Alley Sin recorded its first EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts", featuring Nikki on vocals and guitar, Vicious on guitar and backing vocals, Bob on bass, and Zhelyaz on drums.
More member changes came along with Emil Tassev joining Alley Sin as their new drummer. He was only with the band a short time and left on January 20, 2009 due to other prior commitments. Their bassist, Bob, was replaced by Boby for a number of shows because of his other commitments, as well. As of this writing, the band's current lineup consists of Nikki, Vicious, Alexy on drums, and Stefan on bass.
The band has been looking for a record label, but has had no luck at this point. As a result, they decided to release their EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts", themselves in Bulgaria, although they are still looking for a publisher abroad (fans outside of Bulgaria can get the EP by writing to the band through their MySpace page). At the end of January 2009 the band recorded an acoustic version of their song, "Down on the Road", and are continuing to write new material for their first album. Nikki Riot
Of Alley Sin's EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts", Peter Blast writes, "I think this new EP of Alley Sin could be a real winner. It ain't like all that other crap I seem to hear. Alley Sin seems to know you don't have to jump on every train that comes by. Sounds like Real Rock 'n' Roll! Remember those words....Rock 'n' Roll! 'Sweet Candy' to my ears, that could drive ya 'Crazy Baby'. Turn it up!"
I completely agree with Peter Blast's assessment of Alley Sin's music! The Dogs D'amour and The Quireboys are two of my favorite bands, and Alley Sin's music falls into the same genre of sleaze and glam as those two bands, with some New York Dolls influence mixed in, too. With Nikki's whiskey drenched vocals, both Nikki's and Vicious's awesome guitar work, and superb songwriting, I would be very surprised if they aren't soon snapped up by a record label.
For more info about this amazing band, I remind you to read my interview with Nikki and Vicious, and check them out on their MySpace page. Also, don't miss my review of their EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts".
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February 16-22, 2009
All photos used with permission courtesy of Alley Sin
This week, our Spotlight Band is most definitely among my top favorite up and coming bands. Their name is Alley Sin. If you are a fan of bands like The Dogs D'amour, The Quireboys, Hanoi Rocks, the New York Dolls, etc. then you'll love this band and their special brand of sleaze and glam. They have only been together for a very short time, but I see great things for their future, unless the world of music is in worse shape than I think it is. I hope to see them signed to a label soon. I know if I owned a record company I'd be jumping at the chance to sign them! The following is a bio of the band, plus don't miss my interview with them. Their self-released EP is now available, too. Be sure to check out my review of it!
Vicious Bastart and Nikki Riot
Alley Sin was formed by Vicious Bastard and Nikki Riot in 2008. First, a little background on these two talented performers. Vicious Bastard, born Emiliyan Shterev, age 37, is one of the bands guitarists. He began his career back in the 80s as a drummer for numerous bands within the Bulgarian punk scene. In the early 90s he was a primary member in the post-punk band, Vtoro Nacionalno Nishto, which means "Second National Nothing". This band gained a cult following in Bulgaria. Afterwards, he passed over several bands as he looked for just the right fit. His search led him out of Bulgaria to the Netherlands. There, he formed the punk 'n' roll band, The Vicious Bastards, and switched from the drums to the guitar. They performed many shows and eventually released an album, "Rawk 'n' Roll". Unfortunately, in 2006 Vicious was forced to stop playing music after several injuries and an operation on his left hand. After returning to Bulgaria, and recovering, he formed the '77 punk tribute band, Blank Generation, along with other musicians from the local punk scene. That was in 2007, and he continues to perform with that band to this day. In 2008, however, he met Nikki Riot and together they formed Alley Sin.Nikki Riot, born Nikola Stoyanov, age 21, is the lead vocalist and also plays guitar for Alley Sin. He started his first band, Wanted, in Targovishte, Bulgaria. Then in 2007 he moved to Duesseldorf, Germany. There he joined the glam band, Switchblade Romance, as lead guitarist. That band's other members
had connections to other bands such as Devils Inn, Happy Revolvers, Corner Boys, and German punk rock legends, Public Toys, who had released seven albums and whose bass player held a prominent position with the German division of Roadrunner Records. Nikki later returned to Bulgaria and decided to start a glam band. That was when he met Vicious.
As stated earlier, Alley Sin was formed in 2008 by Nikki and Vicious. Their philosophy was to have a band where they could do things their own way, with their own rock 'n' roll attitude. With that, they began writing their music, which is influenced by early glam rock from the 70s era, late 70s punk rock, and 80s glam and sleaze rock 'n' roll. Their major influences include the New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders, The Ramones, Hanoi Rocks, The Dogs D'amour, Motley Crue, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, the Misfits, The Damned, Faster Pussycat, Cinderella, Peter Blast, Alleycat Scratch, Alice Cooper, Backyard Babies, Motorhead, Hardcore Superstar, the Hellacopters, the Dead Boys, The Boys, Joneses, Star Star, Glamour Punks, and many others. In addition, they are inspired by Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams III, numerous blues musicians, and other "outlaw" country artists. Nikki and Vicious are the primary songwriters for the band, with Nikki writing all of the lyrics.
Vicious Bastard
After performing a number of shows in local clubs, and undergoing several personnel changes, Alley Sin recorded its first EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts", featuring Nikki on vocals and guitar, Vicious on guitar and backing vocals, Bob on bass, and Zhelyaz on drums.More member changes came along with Emil Tassev joining Alley Sin as their new drummer. He was only with the band a short time and left on January 20, 2009 due to other prior commitments. Their bassist, Bob, was replaced by Boby for a number of shows because of his other commitments, as well. As of this writing, the band's current lineup consists of Nikki, Vicious, Alexy on drums, and Stefan on bass.
The band has been looking for a record label, but has had no luck at this point. As a result, they decided to release their EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts", themselves in Bulgaria, although they are still looking for a publisher abroad (fans outside of Bulgaria can get the EP by writing to the band through their MySpace page). At the end of January 2009 the band recorded an acoustic version of their song, "Down on the Road", and are continuing to write new material for their first album. Nikki Riot
Of Alley Sin's EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts", Peter Blast writes, "I think this new EP of Alley Sin could be a real winner. It ain't like all that other crap I seem to hear. Alley Sin seems to know you don't have to jump on every train that comes by. Sounds like Real Rock 'n' Roll! Remember those words....Rock 'n' Roll! 'Sweet Candy' to my ears, that could drive ya 'Crazy Baby'. Turn it up!"
I completely agree with Peter Blast's assessment of Alley Sin's music! The Dogs D'amour and The Quireboys are two of my favorite bands, and Alley Sin's music falls into the same genre of sleaze and glam as those two bands, with some New York Dolls influence mixed in, too. With Nikki's whiskey drenched vocals, both Nikki's and Vicious's awesome guitar work, and superb songwriting, I would be very surprised if they aren't soon snapped up by a record label.
For more info about this amazing band, I remind you to read my interview with Nikki and Vicious, and check them out on their MySpace page. Also, don't miss my review of their EP, "Rock 'n' Roll Sluts".
Back to top of page
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Axident Avenue
April 7-13, 2009
This week we brought you the February "Favorite New Band" contest winner, Axident Avenue, which worked out great because we'd been wanting to profile this awesome band for some time now. This Norwegian band produces killer sleaze rock sprinkled with just the right amount of glam. The members of Axident Avenue are influenced by some of the great 80s "hair bands", as well as some of the other new fantastic glam/sleaze bands out there. However, although you hear those influences in their music, you can't quite put your finger on any one single band their sound resembles. Their sound is like an amalgamation of all of their influences. That's a great thing, because their music will appeal to anyone who loves the glam/sleaze genre, but they have their own unique style and sound that sets them apart.
The same can be said of Axident Avenue's vocalist, Stazii Violet. He has the perfect glam/sleaze voice, and yet it's hard to pinpoint who he sounds like. It's as if his voice is a blend of all the best sleaze vocalists all rolled into one.
These are qualities we love to see in new young bands in the glam and sleaze rock genre. One of the reasons we started this publication is to showcase great up-and-coming bands, since the mainstream music industry is doing such a poor job of bringing kick-ass rock to the rock 'n' roll audience. Those of us who grew up through the 70s and 80s miss great rock 'n' roll, and there is a growing movement among a new generation of rockers who want to hear that kind of rock, too. Unfortunately, the mainstream music industry hasn't figured that out yet. It's our job to help bring to light the fact that a lot of people are sick and tired of the depressing "rock" music that permeates the airwaves, and want a return to glam, sleaze, and straight-forward rock 'n' roll. Just look how well AC/DC's recent release has done, as an example.
That being said, we look for originality. To make it big a band must have its own unique sound. There is only one Guns N' Roses or Motley Crue. To try to be a clone of one of these bands is a recipe for failure. Therefore, a band like Axident Avenue that manages to capture the feel of great 80s rock while at the same time injecting their music with a modern sound is just the kind of band we love to find. For example, one of our favorite Axident Avenue tunes, "2nd 2 0", is a very cool head-bangin' sleaze song with guitar riffs that could easily fit into a Velvet Revolver album. But, another of our favorite tracks, which is a new one just released by the band, "Dirty With You", is a bit more glam with a danceable beat you can't resist moving to, yet the band still maintains its own unique sound with this tune. We also love the outstanding job they did when covering, "It's My Life". With such an original style, it's no wonder Axident Avenue won a spot to perform at this years Sweden Rock Festival.
Now for info about the band's background.
Axident Avenue formed in 2006 after Violet and Valentine's previous band broke up. With a desire to form a sleazy glam rock band, the pair began to seek out other like-minded musicians. Violet, the band's vocalist, and Valentine, the band's bassist, now needed to find a guitarist and drummer.
Within three weeks they had found their guitarist, their drinking buddy Ricky Holmes. But, finding a drummer proved to be a more difficult challenge. They worked with several different drummers, but none were the right fit for the fledgling band. Finally, Ricky brought in his good friend Lucky DeVille to try out for the band. Lucky's hard hitting style turned out to be just what the band needed. The lineup was now complete and the band was ready to roll.
The group of sleazy rockers then started writing songs, rehearsing, and spreading the news about their new band. After only a few months, Axident Avenue released its first demo entitled "First Fucking Tape". The demand was so high for the demo, the band had a difficult time producing enough of them for all the fans that wanted a copy.
The next accomplishment for the band came when their song "Holiday" was included on one of Glamnation's compilation releases. This helped Axident Avenue gain exposure to glam/sleaze rock fans all around the globe. During all this time they continued to perform shows throughout eastern Norway, gaining a large following and establishing themselves as one of the best glam/sleaze bands in the country.
In the spring of 2008, Axident Avenue released their second demo, "Another Disease". It contains four tracks featuring their signature rebellious, in-your-face sound. This brought more success for the band as they were signed with Live Wire Booking and Management in fall 2008. With Live Wire's help, the band hopes to make a name for themselves globally.
Currently, Axident Avenue is working on a new EP. In addition, the band will embark on an Italian tour beginning this weekend on April 10th. And, perhaps the biggest coup for the band is their inclusion in the Sweden Rock Festival. They won out against all other Norwegian bands of their genre to get that coveted spot to play the festival. In regards to the way things are going for these sleaze rockers, there's an apt saying, "The future's so bright, they gotta wear shades!"
For more information about Axident Avenue, including show dates, please visit their MySpace page. You can also find their show dates listed on our Events page, and don't miss our Axident Avenue interview.
Back to top of page
April 7-13, 2009
This week we brought you the February "Favorite New Band" contest winner, Axident Avenue, which worked out great because we'd been wanting to profile this awesome band for some time now. This Norwegian band produces killer sleaze rock sprinkled with just the right amount of glam. The members of Axident Avenue are influenced by some of the great 80s "hair bands", as well as some of the other new fantastic glam/sleaze bands out there. However, although you hear those influences in their music, you can't quite put your finger on any one single band their sound resembles. Their sound is like an amalgamation of all of their influences. That's a great thing, because their music will appeal to anyone who loves the glam/sleaze genre, but they have their own unique style and sound that sets them apart.
The same can be said of Axident Avenue's vocalist, Stazii Violet. He has the perfect glam/sleaze voice, and yet it's hard to pinpoint who he sounds like. It's as if his voice is a blend of all the best sleaze vocalists all rolled into one.
These are qualities we love to see in new young bands in the glam and sleaze rock genre. One of the reasons we started this publication is to showcase great up-and-coming bands, since the mainstream music industry is doing such a poor job of bringing kick-ass rock to the rock 'n' roll audience. Those of us who grew up through the 70s and 80s miss great rock 'n' roll, and there is a growing movement among a new generation of rockers who want to hear that kind of rock, too. Unfortunately, the mainstream music industry hasn't figured that out yet. It's our job to help bring to light the fact that a lot of people are sick and tired of the depressing "rock" music that permeates the airwaves, and want a return to glam, sleaze, and straight-forward rock 'n' roll. Just look how well AC/DC's recent release has done, as an example.
That being said, we look for originality. To make it big a band must have its own unique sound. There is only one Guns N' Roses or Motley Crue. To try to be a clone of one of these bands is a recipe for failure. Therefore, a band like Axident Avenue that manages to capture the feel of great 80s rock while at the same time injecting their music with a modern sound is just the kind of band we love to find. For example, one of our favorite Axident Avenue tunes, "2nd 2 0", is a very cool head-bangin' sleaze song with guitar riffs that could easily fit into a Velvet Revolver album. But, another of our favorite tracks, which is a new one just released by the band, "Dirty With You", is a bit more glam with a danceable beat you can't resist moving to, yet the band still maintains its own unique sound with this tune. We also love the outstanding job they did when covering, "It's My Life". With such an original style, it's no wonder Axident Avenue won a spot to perform at this years Sweden Rock Festival.
Now for info about the band's background.
Axident Avenue formed in 2006 after Violet and Valentine's previous band broke up. With a desire to form a sleazy glam rock band, the pair began to seek out other like-minded musicians. Violet, the band's vocalist, and Valentine, the band's bassist, now needed to find a guitarist and drummer.
Within three weeks they had found their guitarist, their drinking buddy Ricky Holmes. But, finding a drummer proved to be a more difficult challenge. They worked with several different drummers, but none were the right fit for the fledgling band. Finally, Ricky brought in his good friend Lucky DeVille to try out for the band. Lucky's hard hitting style turned out to be just what the band needed. The lineup was now complete and the band was ready to roll.
The group of sleazy rockers then started writing songs, rehearsing, and spreading the news about their new band. After only a few months, Axident Avenue released its first demo entitled "First Fucking Tape". The demand was so high for the demo, the band had a difficult time producing enough of them for all the fans that wanted a copy.
The next accomplishment for the band came when their song "Holiday" was included on one of Glamnation's compilation releases. This helped Axident Avenue gain exposure to glam/sleaze rock fans all around the globe. During all this time they continued to perform shows throughout eastern Norway, gaining a large following and establishing themselves as one of the best glam/sleaze bands in the country.
In the spring of 2008, Axident Avenue released their second demo, "Another Disease". It contains four tracks featuring their signature rebellious, in-your-face sound. This brought more success for the band as they were signed with Live Wire Booking and Management in fall 2008. With Live Wire's help, the band hopes to make a name for themselves globally.
Currently, Axident Avenue is working on a new EP. In addition, the band will embark on an Italian tour beginning this weekend on April 10th. And, perhaps the biggest coup for the band is their inclusion in the Sweden Rock Festival. They won out against all other Norwegian bands of their genre to get that coveted spot to play the festival. In regards to the way things are going for these sleaze rockers, there's an apt saying, "The future's so bright, they gotta wear shades!"
For more information about Axident Avenue, including show dates, please visit their MySpace page. You can also find their show dates listed on our Events page, and don't miss our Axident Avenue interview.
Back to top of page
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