Vains Of Jenna

Last Tuesday, Camden’s Barfly played host to one of sleaze rocks’ most awesome bands: Vains Of Jenna came to town to rock the venue to the ground and to introduce new frontman Jesse Forte – a rock n’ roll dervish made of raw energy, raw talent and raw sex appeal.

Right from the outset, the band whipped up a storm with the turbo-charged 'Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead’ and it was clear from the first number that their fans much preferred them alive – and kicking! Taking over from Lizzy DeVine might not be the easiest task there is, but Jesse immediately wowed the crowd with his gyrating moves and charismatic personality, inter-acting with the audience as if each and every one of them were long standing friends. Sporting some fake-fur coat, there was little doubt that it was meant for shedding and indeed; during the second number, the fast-hitting 'Get It On’, fake fur was replaced with bare skin (while the crowd cheered on).

The other 'Jennas’ sure had a riot with the way things were going, and with the exception of some whacked-out dumb ass trying to get up n’ close with lead guitarist Nicki Kin – almost knocking over his mic – things were getting hotter by the minute.

After 'Mind Pollution’ – which was particularly well received and during which Jesse bounced about stage pulling frivolous tongue-in-cheek antics (or should I say butt cheek antics?) – the female of the species (including yours truly) went wild. The next number 'Hard To Be Vain’ was from the band’s debut album 'Lit Up/Let Down’ and once again proved that the guys had a blast playing the venue.

Which brings us to the first cover version of the evening, namely 'Red House’ by Jimi Hendrix. What can be said, other than the band did it justice, yet managed to make it their own. It sounded as bluesy as it should sound but at the same time it rocked in true Vains Of Jenna fashion. The song was the perfect vehicle for Jesse to demonstrate his amazing vocal range, while the version was complimented by Nicki’s killer guitar solo. The band was rewarded with roaring applause, and rightly so.

Things turned hard n’ heavy again during 'Enemy In Me’, with Jesse belting 'So you’re looking for an enemy, you found an enemy in me, you spit the venom but your rattle couldn’t make it bleed'. The track is a prime example of the band’s typical sound: fast, furious, dirty and dominated by killer riffs – much in the vein of Guns N’ Roses or Mötley Crüe.

The current album’s title track 'The Art Of Telling Lies’ once again delivered lashes of ace rhythms, courtesy of drummer Jacki Stone, while Nicki and JP respectively worked their guitar and bass to the point when it almost must have hurt.

By then, the venue had turned into a little madhouse. A slam-dancing crowd went gaga over Jesse co-mingling and letting them sing along – handing the mic around and handing himself around. Another number from the band’s first album followed swiftly, 'No One’s Gonna Do It For You’. Wow, oh yeah!

The final number of the night was yet another cover version, and yet another Jimi Hendrix classic – 'Fire’. 'I have only one burning desire, let me stand next to your fire' demanded Jesse, when female fans took it very literally indeed and stage-rushed, dancing and flirting with the singer while the rest of the band played on both in bewilderment and amusement. After the last chord, some more people took to the stage to express their admiration for the Jesse as well as the entire band.

The set might have predominantly featured tracks from their current album, but with the choice of cover versions and a gifted new lead singer in tow, the band proved that they have the skill to move on to the next level. That level can be anything they want it to be - incorporating more r&b and even funk elements into future compositions. It’s a new dawn for the 'new’ Vains Of Jenna, so show me that horizon!

(Please read my interview with VOJ Jesse Forte and Nicki Kin in the 'Interviews' section)