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Kate Clover brings her unqiue style and energy to Loco Club Valencia. A photo review. Photos by: Rhyan Paul

The Picturebooks returned to Valencia on 21st February, performing at Loco Club. Performing old classics and new material to a sellout crowd. Photos by: Rhyan Paul

Nine Questions with The Chameleons frontman – Mark Burgess.   Formed in 1981, The Chameleons are over 40 deeps into the game and are still selling out venues worldwide. I managed to catch up with Mark in Valencia last week for a 5 minute interview, which became an in-depth 30 minute chat.   As a band, you have inspired and influenced many notable bands over the years, and they give credit to you for that inspiration. Back in 1981, when you first formed who were your influences and inspiration?   When we first started out, we were inspired by the giants:  Me personally, The Beatles, The Doors, T Rex, David Bowie and Sparks. Then in the 70’s, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, purely for the theatrics of it and that was about as Prog Rock as I got.  Then I fell in love with Kate Bush and punk.   Reg and I shared a love for the original Alex Cooper Band, David Bowie and then we got into the Fall.   Dave bought something completely different – he had an older brother who got him into Crosby, Stills & Nash and Bob Dylan and the more progressive sound like Mike Oldfield.   When John joined, he was a prog rock guy and was into Genesis and Peter Gabriel.   All of this came to the mix, but the only real influence of any significance in 1981 was The Edge, because no one had heard a guitar played like that and we were fortunate to play them early on.   But really, we shunned influences – we didn’t want to sound like anyone else. We wanted to find our own sound.   Bob Dylan always said, no matter how much of a giant you are, you are just a link in a chain. And The Chameleons are a link in that chain.     If you hadn’t followed music as a career, what would you have done instead?   My plan was to do drama at Manchester Polytechnic. My last year at school wasn’t great and soon as I could legally leave, I did. I got a job and soon as I got some money together, I went to college to sit the exams I missed at school.   When we did the Peel Sessions our lives changed overnight. Literally the following day, the phones started ringing and that w3as it. I had to make a choice as to what to do. I was making music with friends and wasn’t really taking it seriously. Dave was career driven, I was just along for the ride and was pushed into being the singer. So, when it took off it was a complete surprise and I had to make a choice – so I chose to stick with my mates and play music.     What is your favorite song to perform and why?   It depends and changes. It depends on my mood, where we are and what’s going on.   From a lyrical point of view “Is It any Wonder” is one of my favourites, because I kind of stunned myself when I wrote it. I work very much with my stream of consciousness, and I don’t always know where something comes from or what it means – I write instinctively, something aligns. Then I can look back on it and I know exactly what the song is saying.   Second Skin is one I am proud of because the way it evolved, and it did evolve. I love it as a piece of music anyway, it started out talking about immortality that exists in celluloid, in films. James Deans, for example. Then it morphed into something much more metaphysical, about the Bardo – which is a state you pass through before you die. It’s a complete re-evaluation of your life and you see your impact from other people’s perspective and it’s an evolution for your reincarnation.  So, the song talks about Bardo and how time is an illusion. I was very proud of that for a 21-year-old it was very mature, the same goes for Tears.   It really does depend – right now for example one of my favourites to perform is “In Answer” because it’s about the huge, exciting love that comes from nowhere and Finally at the age of 63 I have finally met the love of my life - It’s taken that long!   I like playing them all though – if I didn’t, I wouldn’t!!   It’s been 40 years since “Script Of The Bridge” was first released. If you could go back and give your younger self some advice, what would it have been?   Get a manger! Don’t do anything until you have a good manager – someone you trust, someone who has their head screwed on, who loves the members of the band and can be your representative to get your music to the right people and get the right deals.   A band shouldn’t have to be thinking about publishing, accounts, royalties, advances - these were the things that got in the way of me making music before we had a manager.   I would tell myself “You are making a record here that people are going to want to hear and be performed 40 or 50 years down the line. So, make sure you are taken care of because you will avoid years of struggle” Because that was it was, we had to really fight to make music. Financially we were on our arses, we did sell out tours of America and never got paid for them! It not about wanting wealth, it’s about having the breathing space and freedom to make the best music you can.     There are some incredible picture discs and coloured vinyl on The Chameleons webstore. Why is releasing vinyl still so important to you?   Because that’s what made me want to be in a band in the first place, buying records. Before all these hi-tec formats came in, it was vinyl records. Going through the ritual of flicking through album sleeves and seeing something interesting that you might not have heard of. The whole fetish of it. It’s not a sexual fetish, but it is a fetish – the size of the sleeve, the information sheet that you read whilst you are listening to the record, putting in the turntable – having a side one and a side two, and structuring the music so that’s a journey from A to B.   So even now, my turntable isn’t plugged in, but I am still buying vinyl, because I love them. I love the medium – you get a tactile and aesthetic experience from a record that you don’t get with any other format. Records have a special “thing” that you can’t really define, its not about the best quality sound, yeah it must sound good, but its more about the overall vinyl experience for me.     Out of all the venues you have performed at over the last 40 years, is there a standout favourite?   The Loft in Berlin, before the wall came down – it was run by a lady called Monica. She was a punk lady in her 40’s and she was very cool. It’s my all-time favourite venue ever.     You finished an epic North America tour in October, are currently halfway through a sell-out Spain and Portugal tour and have UK dates in Manchester and Liverpool later in the month. What’s in store for 2024?   The thing that set this year apart was the tour the tour we did this yar with the Mission was supposed to happen in 2021 – so that’s one of the reasons we have been so busy this year. This year we have done 86 shows – it’s been great because we have had loads of work, but the flipside is you get very tired.   Next year is going to be a lot calmer. We have things planned for the summer and September and we are going into the studio to work on new material starting in January. We have a 3-vinyl set coming out, remastered by Guy Massey – of Strange Times. So, I would like to do some gigs around that, and we will probably return the States again next year.      When you are not touring, how do you like to spend your downtime?   I tend to shut the door, I don’t want to do anything other than reading books, playing my guitar in the garden, listening to music and taking my dog for a walk. Touring is full on – so it’s all about re-energising yourself.   Next year, my life is going to change again as I am moving to Berlin, but the same will still apply. I am very deeply in love with someone, and I want to spend as much time as possible with my girlfriend and not spend months away touring.  I want to keep playing and keep touring but more of a balance. Less gigs and bigger venues at weekend. So, the fans might have to travel a little further to see us.     What advice would you give to up-and-coming bands who dream of following in The Chameleons footsteps? Don’t listen to people like me! Don’t listen to old people telling you how to do it. The world you are trying to make it in is very different to the one we were trying to make it in.  The whole industry has changed, so 60-year-old people like me have no idea! It was hard for us, but it’s a lot harder for the new generation of artists. Back then you had one avenue – get John Peel on your side, because you only have one national radio station playing alternative music. The only way you could hear underground music was by listening to the Peel Sessions.   Now you have YouTube, Spotify and all these other platforms. My advice would be, think about your music and your style. Please yourselves, you don’t want to sound like anyone else. Back in Manchester in 78 we had the two giants “Joy Division” and “The Fall” - then you had 150 variations of those two bands.  That’s not what you want, you want to sound different. Don’t let anyone tell you how to do it – do it your way.   The other bit of advice I would give you is the advice I would have given myself – get a manager. Someone who loves you and the band and can help you move on.    Words and photos: Rhyan Paul

Every year, the SanSan Festival brings together thousands of people and the best selection of artists ready to enjoy three days of concerts, food, beaches and friends. It is a national indie music festival that backs both promising young artists and those who are already established. The festival will be held from 17th to 19th April 2025.   Find out more information on the website:  SanSan Festival "The Sansan Festival, the first major festival of the year and the event that marks the beginning of the festival season in Spain, has unveiled the schedules of its long-awaited 2025 edition. From April 17 to 19, Benicàssim will once again become the epicenter of live music, bringing together thousands of attendees in an unparalleled environment. Always linked to the Easter holidays, the SanSan is more than consolidated as a festival reference and has become one of the favorite plans for indie music lovers in our country. A perfect plan to enjoy a varied musical offer in Benicàssim, where you can also enjoy the beach, the rich gastronomy of the area and the Mediterranean climate. Consolidated as the first major festival of the year and after the success of past editions, in which it brought together up to 60,000 people, the Sansan Festival 2025 promises to exceed all expectations and reaffirm Benicàssim as an essential destination for lovers of live music."

Originally formed in 1967 by Edgar Froese, Tangerine Dream have released over 170 albums, composed music scores for more than 20 films, composed 35 hours of music for the game “Grand Theft Auto V”, are still touring strong and have just released a 50th Anniversary Box set.  Famed for their ambient and electronic sound, they have been profoundly influential in the development of Electronic Dance Music since the early 1970’s. The current members of the band featuring Thorsten Quaeschning (who was Froese’s chosen successor and took over the leadership of the band after his death in 2015), Hoshiki Yamane and Paul Frick recently performed at La Rambleta in Valencia. It’s been six years since the band last performed here and they did not disappoint the capacity crowd! As with all Tangerine Dream events, the stage visuals and creative set up complemented the music perfectly. Kicking off with the stunningly ambient “Sorcerer Theme” from 1974, they performed a time spanning set which finished with “No Happy Ending” from 2013.  The following encore was pure musical genius – the band having used physics to work out the resonant note of the room and performing a live session in that musical key! Tangerine Dream are one of those band that have crossed generations, remained true to their musical beliefs and are seemingly unstoppable!   5 Minutes with Thorsten Quaeschning Welcome to Valencia, it’s been a while since you were last here. How is it all going? It feels great to be honest. The band has a long history – 57 years and it’s an honour to be part of the progress of Tangerine Dream. I have been part of this for 22 years now, it feels longer!  We are very happy to tour the world and happy that people want to come and see us. This is our second concert this year – last year we toured a little and the year we played our biggest tour ever with 67 concerts in one year! Its great to be back in Valencia, last time we played here was 2019, so six years ago. It’s great to play Spain, the Spanish audience are always very active and interested in music and what we do. To have fans from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and because of us producing the tracks for “Grand Theft Auto 5” we now have a new younger audience as well.  Also, with Netflix series like “Stranger Things” and “Black Mirror” using the music it is really exciting to reach new and old fans and still be part of the game.   I have seen the setlist for tonight and it looks fantastic. I also understand you have something a little special planned for the encore. A normal concert these days is that we play a main set with existing tracks from across the albums from 1974 onwards. Tracks from before then were not meant to be recreated, it was more music from the moment and very ambient. We stop in 1986 and skips the 90´s for personal taste reasons and then finish with music from the last albums. After that we play the music band game, where we leave the stage and get people to clap before we come back out! The we come back out and play a session. I don’t like the term improv session – it’s too jazz music related and makes me think of scale playing. So, this is more music of the moment, and it’s based on physics. We work out the distance to the back wall and the ceiling and then which tempo the bass drum is pumping the room, and we are also looking for the resonant note of the room, to make the room shake. So, if the concert hall resonates in F, we will play the session in F. We like to play around with this and have some metal shaking in the room! The only constraint on how long we play for is dependent on the curfew of the venue! Words and photo: Rhyan Paul

On the 3rd May Beach Riot Fest will be taking over 16 Toneladas in Valencia. With perofmances from the legendary UK punk act 999 , PPM (who are celebrating 30 years), Discipulos De Dionisos and Los Polipos . This is going to be a capacity event and limited tickets are still available. If you fancy a night of punk mayhem, get your tickets now! For more information and tickets: 16 Toneladas

Tomavistas 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best editions yet! And not only is half of the line up starring bands led by women, but it has no less than five headliners such as Romy, Amaia, Mala Rodríguez, Judeline and María José Llergo. Thus, on Thursday, May 29, Amaia, Mala Rodríguez (with the 25th anniversary of "Lujo Ibérico"), Judeline, María José Llergo, Barry B, Jimena Amarillo, Pablopablo, Trashi, Ganges and Xenia open the festival. The next day, Friday 30, the soundtrack will be with the live performances of Caribou, Bombay Biclycle Club, Love of Lesbian, Doves, Carlos Ares, Maika Makovski, Karavana, Carlangas, Parquesvr, Viva Belgrado and Las Dianas. And the finishing touch will be put on Saturday, May 31 by Romy, Mogwai, Kiasmos, Kelly Lee Owens, Yard Act, Depresión Sonora, Biznaga, La Élite, Camellos, Frente Abierto and La Milagrosa. Day tickets, two-day subscriptions and full subscriptions are on sale at www.tomavistasfestival.com .

1977 was a special year. It was the year that punk was truly born and simultaneously took over the UK and USA. Bands including The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned shaped the UK punk scene. Over in America the Ramones were the pioneers of the punk movement.   Stiv Bators, Johnny Blitz, Jeff Magnum and Cheetah Chrome formed Dead Boys in 1975. Joey Ramone saw them perform in Ohio, convinced them to move to New York and helped them get on stage at the legendary CBGB club.   Before long this unknown band from Ohio gained notoriety for their outrageous live performances, lewd behaviour and soon became known as one of the most violent live acts in America.   In 1977 they released their debut album – Young, Loud and Snotty. The Track “Sonic Reducer” is regarded as one of the classics of punk genre and it often referred to as one of punk’s greatest anthems.   There second album, released in 1979 – We Have Come For Children – was met with mixed reviews. Sire Records pressured the group to change their look and become more mainstream, which lead to the band breaking up in 1979.   Bator and Chrome both had successful careers after the break-up of the band and the Dead Boys reformed for several gigs until Stiv Bators death in 1990. in 2017 “Still Snotty: Young, Loud and Snotty at 40” was released - a re-recording of the original album and the first studio album by the band in 39 years. Since then the band have toured and performed with various line ups. The current band members – Cheetah Chrome, Mark Thron, Monk Burris, Sam Hariss and Scott Churilla are keeping the legacy alive and filling music rooms worldwide.   They released an archive album “Live in San Francisco” in 2024 and have a new album in the works for 2025.   The band recently played at 16 Toneladas, Valenica as part of their current European tour. Having previously hosted bands including The Ramones and The Undertones, it was the perfect music room for the Dead Boys to perform in. The club was sold out and a packed room eagerly awaited for the band to appear on stage – when they did the crowd erupted! Even a fifteen minute delay (due to a blown amp) did not dampen the mood.   Launching straight into “Sonic Reducer” the band took control of the stage. New vocalist Mark Thorn (previously of  “Neon Animal”) energetically tore through the Bands most famous songs, Cheetah Chrome snarling and smiling at his side with Sam Hariss on bass throwing himself around in true punk style.   I hung out with Cheetah Chrome after the concert, this is what he had to say:     Welcome to Valencia, it’s the fourth day of the tour – how is it going so far?   Yeah, you know, it’s good – up and down – we didn’t have a whole lot of rehearsal time, we are all tired and jetlagged still but it’s going good.  we are all getting older – I am 70 now!   Tonight, you had a little problem with the guitar amp on stage and it held things up a little, you guys held it together and got things sorted. Has there been any other dramas so far on the tour?   Well, its day four and we want to beat the shit out of each other! Seriously though it’s all going well, we get along ok, and the gigs have been good so far. Yeah, the amp, shit happens - but it got sorted and we kept the crowd amused whilst it was changed!   How does it feel to still be touring after 49 years?   It fucking hurts! I’ve got old man problems, I broke my back last year, I broke my pelvis 2 years ago. It’s time to stop fucking breaking things! Touring is one of the few things I still enjoy, it’s important to me.   So many bands have sold out and when they tour you can see they are just playing for the money. With you guys it’s obvious the passion and desire is still there.   Yeah man, it’s what we fucking do, we are the real deal. We do it for the fans and because we love it!   1977 was the halcyon years for punk, how do you compare the scene now to back then?   All the bands from that era were cool. Now days it’s not even fucking close. It’s all bullshit corporate bands who look very well fed. Punk now is more of fashion. For example, in 1996 I moved to Nashville and remember trying to find a pair of black jeans to buy – I couldn’t find a pair anywhere and ended up having to go to New Year to buy some.  Today you try and fucking blue jeans!!!! You know, back then it was a bigger movement than the 60’s. 60’s music hasn’t lasted 60 years, but punk has. Punk was the biggest cultural revolution of the 20th Century.  Look at the Uk bands, the USA bands – The Ramones, Sex Pistols, Clash, Dead Boys, Damned – it was fucking big. I am quite closed musically, because a lot of bands fucking suck – but I look back now at bands I hated in 1975, 1976 with their synthesizers and now I am like – yeah, those guys were cool.   What is punk to you?   Its what’s in your heart, it’s an energy, its political, it’s taking your dream and making it happen and having the balls to do that. It’s about a way of life and I am still fucking broke because of it!   It’s hard to believe next year is 50 years of the Dead Boys – what’s next?   Yeah, its fucking impossible to get your head around that! I don’t know, you know we recently changed vocalist, so we have been working around that. We will keep playing and touring and doing our thing. I see no reason to quit until it stops being fun. Tonight was fun, I live for that.   If you could go back to 1976 and give yourself a piece of advice, what would it be?   Be a fucking lawyer and make good money man! Interview & photo: Rhyan Paul This article originally appeared in the Spanish publication: RockBottom Magazine

“Deaf Devils are a Death punk - Action rock band led by a 'She-Devil' that arrived from Spain to prove that new blood is here and that Punk is not dead.”   It’s always great to catch up with Pipe, Eric, Cuba and Lucyfer – AKA the Deaf Devils, a band who’s insane 30 minute full on sensory assault performances leave their fans in a state of dizzying delirium and begging for more.     Having taken their hometown of Valencia by storm, they are in regular demand in UK venues and across Europe. From humble beginnings at 16 Toneladas, the Deaf Devils are on the verge of making it big time and yet they remain grounded, relaxed and always up for a few beers and a chat.      It has been an amazing start to 2024 for you, touring the UK and Spain, playing here in your hometown of Valencia and you have been back in the studio recording new material. Is there a release due this year?   We are hoping to release an EP on vinyl – we have re-recorded it 3 times and it’s hard to say when it’s coming out. We have been saying this for two years now but now feels like the right time. So, before the summer, maybe in May we will release 3 songs. It’s going to include a song that will only be released on vinyl, not for digital. It’s a cover version of a song, we are keeping it secret – you will have to wait and see when we release it!     Where did the name “Deaf Devils” come from?   We really like all the Satanic stuff and all the symbols associated with it. We love playing loud music and as a result we are kind of deaf! So, we may not be demons yet, but we are halfway there. Sorry, what did you say?     Who are your biggest influences?   We all have our individual influences which we bring together, all of them from Rock & Roll of course.  Eric and Lucyfer were bought up around the punk rock scene, Pipe was more into the 90’s Scandinavian punk bands and Cuba is more of metal guy.     You have the chance to perform with anyone (dead or alive) – who is it going to be?   What a question – that’s so difficult. We don’t want to shoot ourselves in the foot with this! Defiantly the opening band for the Dead Boys at CBGB’s in 1997 – that would be incredible or the Sex Pistols last show at the Winterland Ballroom. There are so many, it’s an impossible question! It’s like saying do you prefer your Mom or dad!     If I say the word “Rebellion” to you – does it have any meaning?   Of course – We cannot believe it! We are playing at Rebellion Festival in the UK – its incredible! We were talking about playing here in the future and suddenly its happening this year.  It will not seem real until we are actually there!     I discovered “Deaf Devils” on YouTube and them came to photograph you at 16 Toneladas, here in Valencia. For the people out there who haven’t heard you play, how would you describe your sound?    Loud music, Satanic with an attitude. It’s like taking a blender and adding some Dead Boys, Sex Pistols, Damned, Pantera, Kiss, mix it up and this is what comes out! We are about danger, we fucking love danger! When you see us play, you don’t know what is going to happen – then it fucking happens.     You have teased us with news on the vinyl release, any plans to get back in the studio again this year?   Yeah, we will try and get back in there as fast as possible. We have some new ideas and are writing new material. You will have to wait and see.     What are your favourite venues to play?   16 Toneladas, it’s our home! Outside of Spain Don’t Panic in Germany and The Dev in Camden - that place is incredible! But 16 Toneladas is special, nowhere is like it.     A few words for your fans.   We perform at 666% for you, non-stop, jumping, screaming, bleeding, we play like we are fucking possessed.  Please buy our merchandise and fucking support us. We love you and are here for you, but we have an album to pay for. So many bands are struggling right now and without fans support bands cannot go on.     Words and Photos: Rhyan Paul

I managed to catch up with the Poison Boys in Valencia and we hung out before their gig at 16 Toneladas.  After sound check (which defiantly set the vibe for their unique Rock & Roll vibe set to come later that evening) we chatted over beers and tapas.   Welcome to Valencia! Diving straight in, 2014 – 2024 marks ten years of the Poison Boys – is this a ten-year anniversary tour and how’s the tour going for you guys so far?   Yeah – I guess it is ten years! We hadn’t really thought of it that way – but I suppose it is. The tour is going awesome – we are having a lot of fun. It’s our second year back touring Spain and we love it here. We kicked off on the 23rd of Feb in Porto. Porto is fucking cool and now we are here in Spain, which we love!   What sets Spain apart from America as far as touring, gigs and fans goes?   The food is much better! Generally, the culture and hospitality is much better, the people are cool and they like Rock & Roll. It feels like in the States they only like Rock & Roll if its ACDC. Here people come out and they are genuinely interested in music and there is mutual respect between the band and the crowd.   Do you think that Spain is a little like the “Pre-Digital / internet” days? Remember when someone would tell you there is a great band playing and you must go and see them to find out or buy some vinyl, rather than diving into YouTube or listening on Spotify?   Yeah definitely! The experience we have of that is here in Spain people come out to the gigs and buy merchandise and vinyl at the end. There is more old school promotion as well with physical flyers, poster and real paper ticket tickets from record stores, rather than just a Facebook invite.  We walk around town we are performing in and see flyers and posters for the gig – people see them and then recognise us! Like “Hey, you are the Poisons Boys! We’ve got tickets for the show tonight!”   How did the name “Poison Boys” come about?   So the “The Riffs” are really awesome late 90’s Rock & Roll punk band had a track called “Poison Boys”.  I’d been listening to them for years and when we formed the band it felt like a fitting name for the sub-genre, we kind of play. It’s also a tribute to them, because they rule!   2024 has kicked off with a 16 date Spanish tour, which you are half was through – what are the plans for the rest of the year?   We got load happening – we are going back in the studio to finish our next album. A France tour in June and loads of USA gigs booked in.   A new album? Is it all new material or any remastered old tracks on there?   Yeah, it’s all new except one song – which has been previously released. But we are going to keep that a secret! We have been playing some of them live for a while, and they have been getting excellent feedback.   When are you not touring or in the studio - how you like to relax?   Matt D - I watch a lot of Hammer Horror movies from the 1960's and 1970's   Matt C – I have a collection of nearly 1000 old movies on VHS Cassette   Nico - I have a dog and I like to stay home with him and chill while these two freaks out over old movies!   There are so many cool bands out there that have never made it out of their parents’ garage. What advice would you give them to take things to the next level?   Find out what you want to sound like and really get down into the nitty-gritty of how you make yourselves sound that way. You must know your art, know the history of your music and really know where it all came from. Once, you know everything repeat all time. You must know you are committed to it 24/7. It’s not a hobby it’s a lifestyle. The Horror movies, VHS tapes and dogs don’t come until you’ve made it!   You are stranded on a desert Island with a record deck (it could happen!) and you all have one record. What are those going be?   Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed T Rex – Electric Warrior Flamin’ Groovies – Teenage Head   You’ve recently had a new EP come out – can you tell me about that?   The new EP “Split” we have just put out, which came out on the first day of our tour – 23rd February. Its released-on Ghost Highway Records.    A couple of months ago we also released a compilation of stuff from our early days, so I guess that could be our ten-year anniversary release in some way. It’s got stuff from our first demo in 2014, tracks from 2016 and 2018 – so yeah it covers the ten years of Poison Boys!   And finally, its ten years now – where do you see yourselves in 2034?   Hopefully we will be a lot bigger! Regardless we will still be kicking it with gigs and releases. We want to release an Album a year, tour to loads of places we have been yet – Japan, the UK and Scandinavia, Germany, we just want to keep it Rock & Roll!     You can follow the Poison Boys here:  https://www.facebook.com/poisonboys/   And check out 16 Toneladas club here:  https://www.16toneladas.com   Words & photos: Rhyan Paul

Kate Clover is one of a special breed of musician, talented, driven, performs incredible live shows and is still humble, friendly and super cool.  I caught up with her at Loco Club in Valencia, had a sneak listen to sound check and then had a chat over a couple of cold Spanish cervezas.   Kate, it’s great to finally catch up with you. How is the tour going?   It’s been fun – this is like the second month of touring; it’s been great and we love playing in Spain. I think the whole band would move to Spain if we could because it’s a total rock and roll country. When we play it feels good to be appreciate.  Here we are in Valencia tonight and then a long drive tomorrow – we have to wake up at 8am and get straight on the road to Bordeaux, it’s like a 9-hour drive, but that’s rock n roll!     You have a new album out now “The Apocalypse Dream” – tell me about it, the inspiration behind it and where it all started.   Well, it started during the pandemic when there was nothing else to do except write. So basically, I would wake up every day and go for a long walk, listen to music and then go home and write. Which now looking back it feels like what an ideal way to spend that time. I feel like I got to get back in my head a little bit – which was good!   I wrote 30 songs, and they got whittled down to 10. Then last year after the European tour, I was back for 2 days and we went straight into the studio with a producer named Jonah Falco (The Drummer from “Fucked Up”) and he has worked with a lot of bands, he is very punk but at the same time he is also very musical. I wanted to work with him because I knew he had a good ear and it was a great experience to work with him.     The album is out now on digital download, but also on pre-order as a vinyl release. Why was it important for you to release on vinyl?   I DJ a lot and if I wasn’t a musician, I am and still would be a big music fan. Because I DJ I think it’s nice to have something tangible and I like the culture of vinyl and I feel it’s a visual representation of an artist’s statement to their music. I feel a visual component is very important to any piece of music. Now with social media everything is digitized, but when you have a physical product, it makes you appreciate the music more, well for me at least!     I snook into your soundcheck – which was awesome and I am really looking forward to tonight. Have you guys played Valencia before?   We played the outskirts, but I don’t exactly know where. We love Spain! We just lover being here and playing – so I guess tonight is our first gig in downtown Valencia.   (To all the fans out there we are going to start as petition to get Kate and the band to move to Spain)      Your tour schedule is insane! When you are not touring, writing, recording, performing and generally being a rock star, how do you kick back?   I still very regimented. I like to wake up, have coffee and go for a run. Running is my vice. I get to listen to a lot of music when I run and I guess I’m addicted to the endorphins. That is how I relax.  I also record shop a lot. I’m trying to learn to relax!     For new fans out there and people who haven’t discovered you yet – how would you describe your sound?   Punk! Its punk but it touches on a lot of moments in Rock and Roll and I think that’s important to me because from a young age I connect to Rock and Roll, then as I grew up, I found different scenes.  The foundations are Rock and Roll, but when you say that to people it turns them off a bit. I don’t want to label it as just punk, but it kind of fetishizes all the fun, artistic scenes of Rock and Rock.  It’s not just balls to the wall Punk Rock, its musical and fun.     Who are your biggest influences?   I love “The Pretenders” for sure. Oh and Ray Davies – I’m really inspired by the Kinks song writing, I feel like they couldn’t write a bad song, they are leading the charge right now!     So, what Next?   Well after this tour we go back to the USA and are playing “Punk Rock Bowling” in May and in fact I need to announce we have a second European tour in June. We are playing the UK, France, Germany and Italy.  Then go back and write in July, a festival in Mexico city and then we have a support tour - which I can’s announce just yet!     Possibly the most important question – Pizza, pineapple, or no pineapple?   Ok! Our tour manager is from Italy and he cannot understand how people put pineapple on Pizza! But you know, I’m going say “Why not!”  put it on there! Live your life, eat the pizza that you want! Live the pizza dream!     Do you have a message for all you fans out there – Pineapple pizza lovers and haters.   Come to a show, buy the music, have fun and buy some merchandise. You guys are what keeps musicians going.     And finally….. “Rick Perez” (Founder of Reckless Magazine)   I met Rick because we did the same thing – he came to my residency in Los Angeles, and he came early and we went to go eat dinner together and immediately we just clicked. He is from San Diego; my husband is from San Diego - his energy is contagious and he has become a really close friend. He is so driven and really talented. The older I get I collect people like Rick and he is one of the best. I was on the cover of the first edition of Reckless magazine, because Ricks amazing!   Interview and Photo: Rhyan Paul Article originally published in Reckless Magazine: https://www.recklessmagazine.com/home/The%20apocalypse%20dream

On Wednesday 29th May, Valencia received a musical gift in the form on the Hellcopters. The much awaited and anticipated gig took place at the legendary Sala Canal venue, which is situated on the famous Ruta Destroy. Organised to perfection by Hey Tonight promotions the event was a sell-out success with the Hellacopters taking the crowd on a journey through both classics and newer material. The stripped back venue, devoid of lasers, pyrotechnics and LED lighting was the perfect backdrop for the purists. Nothing to distract from the bands on stage.   The capacity crowd was warmed up by veteran Italian band – The Peawees – a classic Rock & Rock quartet whom have been together for 25 years and were a perfect complement to the Hellacopters.   By the time the Swedes took control, the room was already close to a meltdown!   The Hellacopters exploded onto stage the classic sound of incoming helicopters before launching into “Action De Grace” With barely time to take a breath they followed on with “The Devil Stole The Beat From The Lord.”   Nicke Anderson owned the room from start to finish with his trademark hat, guitar riffs and Rock & Roll strut – at times almost melting into the crowd, teasing those at the front who were desperate to be even closer!   The lighting was dark and moody, but the energy was the opposite – the fans moving and singing in unison and becoming one with the music.    Anthems including “So Sorry”, “Rainy Days” and “Soulseller” were stand out tracks, but the entire setlist was delivered with such energy and perfection, It would be hard to choose any that were better or worse than the rest.   Finishing on “By The Grace Of God” the band left the stage to screams of oncore! And One More!!!   The didn’t disappoint and retuned with a encore of four tracks, finally ending what can only be described as an epic night with “(Gotta Get Some Action) Now!”   As always, it was over too soon, the stage empty but fans still sipping on beers and reminiscing on what had just been moments before.     Words and photos: Rhyan Paul