Interview with JP from Vains Of Jenna by Ove

When was the band Vains of Jenna formed? What is the story behind the name?

JP: Vains Of Jenna was formed early 2005 in Falkenberg Sweden. The name doesn’t really have much of a meaning to it, I had a bunch of ideas on a paper and we all looked at it and thought that Vains Of Jenna stood out from the rest of the bunch so we picked that one.

If I´ve done my homework you released your first 4 track EP in 2005 called “Baby's Got A Secret” and your first album was released 2006 named “Lit Up/Let Down” How did that come about?

JP: My memory is a bit fucked, but yeah I think that’s correct hehe. The “Baby’s got a secret” EP was released in 2005 and was only available on the web for download. The “Lit Up/ Let Down” album is basically a rough demo recording that we did ourselves in one week back in Sweden before we went to the states the 2nd time. The songs were made just to show people in the states how we sounded at that time. When Bam wanted to release the record, we only had the songs that we recorded in Sweden witch was about 7 songs. We Re-recorded “Hard To Be Vain” and added the song “Lit Up/ Let Down” in a studio located in Burbank CA. We also added 2 acoustic songs that we recorded live in Italy spring 2006. Now we had 10 songs and we released the album in October 2006.

Baby's got a secret(2005)Lit up/Let Down (2006)

Rumor has it 2005 was a great year for Vains of Jenna. Do you feel that you were lucky? Everything happened pretty quick right?

JP: Yeah stuff happened really fast and it was mostly because of ourselves at that time, cause we couldn’t stand being in our home town. We promoted the band pretty hard at the web and got a lot of attention fast, we also twisted our lives pretty much upside down and basically quit everything we had jobs, girlfriends and apartments. We took a lot of chances. I mean everything could have gone wrong, but we also had a bit of luck as well. We met the right people at the right time that believed in us and that has really helped the bands career so far and we are really thankful for that. When I think about it, I am a lucky bastard........ haha!

How many albums have Vains of Jenna released?

JP: We have 2 albums out. We have our debut “Lit Up/ Let Down” wich is released on Bam Margeras record label “Filthy Note”. Then we released a CD on our own called “The Demos”, this CD includes our early demo recordings and 2 songs recorded live 2005 in Gilby Clarkes studio.

Where can we find the albums, where could we buy the music from Vains of Jenna?

JP: Lit Up/Let Down is only released in the states and I think that some major record stores around the US, still has a copy but I would suggest to visit our website www.vainsofjenna.com to buy the CDs.

The last album was released in 2007 called “Viva la Bands, Volume 2” Where Vains Of Jenna had their song “Enemy in me” Other bands at the album was bands like “Dimmu Borgir” and “In flames” This ended up with a tour, is this correct? How was it?

JP: Well Viva La Bands Vol. 2 is a compilation CD that Bam put out witch includes some of his favourite bands. And we happen to be one of the bands he liked along with bands like In Flames & Dimmu Borgir. He wanted us to record something new for that CD so we went into the “Stakehouse Studio” in North Hollywood and recorded “Enemy In Me”.

Yeah the tour was called the “Viva La Bands” Tour and it was Vains Of Jenna, CKY, Gwar & Cradle Of Filth on the bill. As you might see it was a pretty fucked line up and it was doomed to be a trouble tour and it was for sure. But except for some problems along the way, we had a blast and killed it every single night. This tour would be the best reality show ever!! *Hahahaha*

Viva La bands Volume Two

Doesn`t Vains of Jenna have enough material to create their own record?

JP: Of course we do, we have actually just finished the recording of our new album that will be out later this year and “Enemy In Me” will be one of the tracks.

Do you have any idea of why Vains of Jenna just took off? Became stars within a year or so. We are talking about some Swedish guys from
Falkenberg.

JP: We took some chances, played a lot of shows, we are a great live band and meet the right people at the right time.

Would you describe Vains of Jenna as glam rock band?

JP: No. We are a pure rock n roll band, we might have bleached and teased our hair a lot in the beginning but we never sounded like a glam band.

I have spoken to a lot of Lead singers, but you JP are the bass player in the band. Do you think lead singers get to much publicity? *Laughing*

JP: haha no, I get my fair share.

So the new album will be the opening for a tour?

JP: There is nothing 100% planned yet but hopefully we can release the album later this year and then be out on tour for a longer time.

Any bands or artists you would love to have with you on your tour?

JP: I would love to tour with Avenged Sevenfold.

Avenged Sevenfold

You said in a interview 2007 that you all kicked out your chicks and sold everything you had and headed for the US. Do you regret any of this?

JP: Not at all!!

I never really get a good answer to this question. Why is it so many good Swedish bands? Bands that I remember back in the 80;s was band like
Treat, Shotgun Messiah, John Norum, Swedish Erotica and Europe. What inspired you to play the bass?

JP: I don’t know man, I really don’t have a good answer to this one. I was a grunge kid and were more into the Seattle scene. I decided to try out the bass after head banging to “Negative Creep” by Nirvana at my cousins house.

If there was one place in the wide world that you could play JP where would that be?

JP: It would be nice to play in front of a packed Yankee stadium.

Yankee Stadium

Do you feel that Vains of Jenna got their own style?

JP: Yes, no doubt what so ever!!!

Whats your opinion about the Rock & roll coming back?

JP: I think it’s great!! Bands like Avenged Sevenfold & Buckcherry are playing arenas nowadays and it’s just showing that the rock scene is getting big again. It’s also giving a positive vibe to other bands with similar music, that there is still a chance to make it in the music business as a rock band and not just as a Britney spears product.

What sort of age group are you attracting with your music?

JP: Everything from 5 year old kids to 60 year old bikers.

If you got the chance to have a concert in Norway, what could we expect from Vains of Jenna?

JP: A kick ass, tight, raw rock n roll show with a lot of energy!!

Any instruments you would love to learn how to play, that you dont?

JP: I would like to be a killer Banjo player

Is there a funny story you could share with us?

JP: At a show in 2005, I decided to play the show naked. I still worked at my old storage job at the time and only a couple of people at work did know about me being in a band.

Apparently it was more than just a few knowing about the band and It was kind of a surprise when I walked onstage and saw the whole work crew including my boss standing right in front of me in the front row… It was fucking great, a great show and nobody left their seats. *hahahahaha*

If you could turn back the time and choose a new date to start a band, when would that be? And why this year/decade?

JP: I would like to start a rock band in the 50s, and go on tour with Johnny Cash, Elvis and all the other rock legends. That seemed to be an amazing time when rock n roll was fresh and new. Or maybe the late 60s?? yeah, that would be fucking awesome too.

What is the highlight of your career as rock musician?

JP: There is a couple of highlights. When the band lived in a Volvo for a month in London, Playing the Whisky A Go Go for the first time 2005, getting signed 2006, releasing the album 2006, being on a major Amphitheatre tour in a tour bus all summer long 2007. Good times!!

Anyone you would love to meet, that you have not met yet?

JP: I would like to have a chat with Kurt Cobain.

Kurt Cobain (RIP)

What is your opinion about Blizz Of Rock? (www.blizzofrock.com)

JP: Good shit dude!

Thank you so much JP and Vains of Jenna for using time to answer these questions.

JP: Thank you, Ove for this opportunity

Blizz of rock wishes Vains of Jenna all the best, take care JP and Good luck in the US