Kenny Kweens

Kenny Kweens

Kweens performing
Background information
Origin New Orleans, Louisiana, US[1]
Genres Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Bass, guitar, vocals
Years active 1994–present
Labels Warner Bros., JVC, Spitfire, Sire, Alpha, Burnet, Hi/Fi, Perris
Associated acts Beautiful Creatures, L.A. Guns, Villains of Vaudeville, Shake the Faith, No. 9, Diamond Star Halo, Melody Black
Notable instruments
Dean Stylist "Cabbie" Bass[2]
Mudd Signature "Electro-Star" Bass[3]
Gibson "Thunderbird"

Kenny Kweens is an American musician who is best known for his nine-year tenure as bassist in the hard rock band Beautiful Creatures.[4] In 2009, Kweens left the group and joined L.A. Guns (fronted by Phil Lewis), replacing previous bassist Scott Griffin.[5][6] However, in 2011, Kweens departed, replaced by Griffin.[7] On September 22, 2014, it was announced that Griffin had once again departed the band, and Kweens rejoined the band.[8]

Prior to joining Beautiful Creatures, Kweens was a member of Shake the Faith,[2] No. 9,[2] Diamond Star Halo[2] and Melody Black[2] while in 2008 he formed his own solo project titled Villains of Vaudeville.[1][9]

History

Shake the Faith, No. 9 (1994)

Kweens joined the group Shake the Faith,[2] formed in Los Angeles, California by singer David Aragon in 1994, which featured former Black 'n Blue and current Kiss guitarist Tommy Thayer.[10] They released one album, America the Violent in 1994. The group changed their name to No. 9 and recorded a CD for Hi/Fi/Sire Records[2] titled Greatest Hits which was bought out by Geffen, however the group disbanded before its release.

Both groups had music featured on television shows such as The Real World, Road Rules, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Mad About You.[2]

Beautiful Creatures (2000–2009)

In 1999, BulletBoys guitarist DJ Ashba and Bang Tango singer Joe Lesté formed Beautiful Creatures adding Kweens, guitarist Anthony Focx and drummer Glen Sobel.[4] The group released Beautiful Creatures in 2001 through Warner Bros.,[2][4] and, after some lineup changes, Deuce in 2005 through JVC/Spitfire Records.[4][11] In 2009, Beautiful Creatures disbanded.

Beautiful Creatures also toured and supported and number of acts such as Kiss,[4][12] Genitorturers,[13] Stephen Pearcy of Ratt,[14] Faster Pussycat[15] while they have also performed at festivals such as Ozzfest[2][4] and Rocklahoma.[16]

A number of songs by the group have featured on soundtracks for films such as Valentine,[17] Rollerball,[17] The Proposal[18] and also television series such as Smallville[17] and Sons of Anarchy.[19]

Villains of Vaudeville (2008–present)

In 2008, Kenny Kweens moved to center mic as a vocalist to front his own project titled, Villains of Vaudeville. In 2013 Villains of Vaudeville released Villains De Vaudeville a full length CD produced by Tracy Swider, (Hate Times Nine). Villains Of Vaudeville released 3 videos from the CD "The Devil Is Waiting", "Demolition Baby" and "Black Heart Saints".

L.A. Guns (2009–2011, 2014–present)

Kweens performing in 2011
Main article: L.A. Guns

In July 2009, Kweens was announced as the replacement for the departed Scott Griffin in the Phil Lewis fronted L.A. Guns.[5][6] In January 2011, Kweens departed the band, with Griffin returning to the lineup.[7]

On September 22, 2014, it was announced that Griffin had once again departed the band, and Kweens rejoined the band.[20]

Discography

Shake the Faith
Beautiful Creatures

Songs

Villains of Vaudeville
  1. The Devil is Waiting (3:44)
  2. Plastic Jesus (3:13)
  3. Demolition Baby (2:59)

References

  1. 1 2 "Interview with Kenny Kweens". Hot in Hollywood. May 29, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Dean Artists "Kenny Kweens" Check |url= value (help). Dean Guitars. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  3. ↑ "ElectroStar Bass : Mudd Guitars". Mudd Guitars. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Loftus, Johnny. "Beautiful Creatures Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  5. 1 2 Rockitt, Rob. "Kenny Kweens Joins L.A. Guns". Hard Rock Hideout. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  6. 1 2 "L.A. GUNS Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. July 5, 2009.
  7. 1 2 "L.A. GUNS Rejoined By Bassist SCOTTY GRIFFIN". Blabbermouth.net. January 10, 2011.
  8. ↑ "L.A. Guns Split with Bassist, Reunite with Bassist". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ Red. "Kenny Kweens – Villains of Vaudeville". Noizefront.net. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Jamie St. James Hardrock80 Interview". Hardrock 80. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Sign With SPITFIRE RECORDS". Blabbermouth.net. June 12, 2005.
  12. ↑ "Interview with Kenny, Anthony, DJ and Joe from Beautiful Creatures". Rock Circus TV. Summer 2001.
  13. ↑ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES To Team Up With THE GENITORTURERS For U.S. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. August 10, 2005.
  14. ↑ "STEPHEN PEARCY To Team Up With BEAUTIFUL CREATURES For U.K. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. March 7, 2006.
  15. ↑ "FASTER PUSSYCAT, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES To Team Up For Valentine's Day Concert in L.A.". Blabbermouth.net. January 24, 2008.
  16. ↑ "DOKKEN Confirmed For ROCKLAHOMA Festival". Blabbermouth.net. April 19, 2008.
  17. 1 2 3 "Beautiful Creatures". IMDb. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  18. ↑ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Song To Be Featured in Upcoming SANDRA BULLOCK Comedy". Blabbermouth.net. March 24, 2009.
  19. ↑ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Song To Appear In 'Sons of Anarchy' Episode". Blabbermouth.net. September 22, 2008.
  20. ↑ "L.A. Guns Split with Bassist, Reunite with Bassist". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 22, 2014.

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