Amy Gore and Her Valentines
One-Eyed Betty's, 175 W. Troy Street, Ferndale
Showtime 9pm
FREE, 21+
after 9pm
Amy
Gore and her Valentines have pure Detroit
pedigrees in spades – their musical backgrounds
give them the chops they need to rock, but it’s
the on stage synchronicity that drives the band.
After spending the spring putting the finishing
touches on their first full length, they will play
a string of midwestern dates including One Eyed
Bettys in Ferndale June 23rd.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist
Amy Gore has been the heart and soul of bands like
Gore Gore Girls and Gorevette, producing
critically acclaimed albums and performing with
icons like The Cramps and Blondie. In early 2011,
she’d written a batch of new songs and booked a
one-off show at Detroit’s Blow Out festival to
perform them. Originally named Amy Gore and the
Squires, Gore assembled Jackson Smith (T-Bone
Burnett’s Speaking Clock Revue, Electric Six) on
guitar, Leann Banks (the Von Bondies) on bass and
Joe Leone (Grayling, Fletcher Pratt) hitting the
skins. It became obvious on stage that the band’s
chemistry was too potent to walk away from. "We
had no expectations beyond that first show, but
the chemistry on stage was instant and powerful.
It was as if everyone in the room knew something
special was happening. Afterwards, Jackson called
me to say they wanted to continue as a real band,
he and Joe were really impressed with my songs and
the vibe on stage. I couldn’t ask for better band
mates, so we decided to move
forward.”
A
name change followed (they dubbed it the
Valentines following a particularly prolific
songwriting session Gore had over that weekend in
February) and the band began recording and playing
high profile shows. In April of 2011, the band
entered the studio with Al Sutton (Kid Rock) at
Rustbelt Studios. Gore and the band have
stylistically evolved from her roots in the
punk/garage world, the Valentine’s sound is pure
rock n’ roll with power pop touches; the songs are
unbelievably infectious. Smith’s guitar work gives
these songs their edge – his bluesy solo on “So
Lost Now” rips through the pretty vocals and
wouldn’t be out of place on a T Rex
album.
Amy
Gore and Her Valentines came together organically
and quickly gelled into a band that sounds like
they’ve spent years together. Their dramatic stage
presence demands attention – great song craft and
unforgettable melodies will keep audiences in
thrall long after that first
glance.
