Kenny Kweens

Kenny Kweens
Kweens performing
Kweens performing
Background information
OriginNew Orleans, LA, US[1]
GenresHard rock, heavy metal, glam metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass, guitar, vocals
Years active1994–present
LabelsWarner Bros., JVC, Spitfire, Sire, Alfa-Brunette, Hi/Fi, Perris

Kenny Kweens is an American musician. He is best known as the bassist in the hard rock band Beautiful Creatures.[2] In 2009, Kweens also joined L.A. Guns (fronted by Phil Lewis), replacing previous bassist Scott Griffin.[3][4] However, in 2011, Kweens departed, replaced by Griffin.[5] On September 22, 2014, it was announced that Griffin had once again departed the band, and Kweens rejoined the band.[6]

Prior to joining Beautiful Creatures, Kweens was a member of Shake the Faith,[7] No. 9,[7] Diamond Star Halo[7] and Melody Black[7] while in 2008 he formed his own solo project titled Villains of Vaudeville.[1][8]

History

Shake the Faith, No. 9 (1994–1996)

Kweens joined the group Shake the Faith,[7] formed in Los Angeles, California by singer David Aragon in 1994, which featured former Black 'n Blue and current Kiss guitarist Tommy Thayer.[9] 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[7] 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.[7]

Beautiful Creatures (2000–present)

Main article: Beautiful Creatures (band)

In 1999, BulletBoys guitarist DJ Ashba and Bang Tango singer Joe Lesté formed Beautiful Creatures adding Kweens, guitarist Anthony Focx and drummer Glen Sobel.[2] The group released Beautiful Creatures in 2001 through Warner Bros.,[7][2] and, after some lineup changes, Deuce in 2005 through JVC/Spitfire Records.[2][10] In 2017, Beautiful Creatures released Deuce Deluxe, a remixed record that included a new song "Get You High" along with all the imported songs released on the European and Asian versions of Deuce.

Beautiful Creatures also toured and supported and number of acts such as Kiss,[2][11] Genitorturers,[12] Stephen Pearcy of Ratt,[13] Faster Pussycat[14] while they have also performed at festivals such as Ozzfest[7][2] and Rocklahoma.[15]

A number of songs by the group have featured on soundtracks for films such as Valentine,[16] Rollerball,[16] The Proposal[17] and also television series such as Smallville[16] and Sons of Anarchy.[18]

Villains of Vaudeville (2008–present)

In 2008, Kenny Kweens moved to center mic as a vocalist to front his own project, Villains of Vaudeville. In 2013, Villains of Vaudeville released Villains De Vaudeville a 10-song full-length record produced by Tracy Swider, (Hate Times Nine). Villains Of Vaudeville released 3 videos from that record "The Devil Is Waiting", "Demolition Baby" and "Black Heart Saints". On New Year's Eve December 31, 2021 Villains of Vaudeville released a 4-song EP titled, Sex, Drugs & The Devil's Music the tracks were produced and mixed by Lonny Paul and mastered by Anthony Focx (Beautiful Creatures).

L.A. Guns (2009–2011, 2014–2017)

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.[3][4] In January 2011, Kweens departed the band, with Griffin returning to the lineup.[5]

On September 22, 2014, it was announced that Griffin had once again departed the band, and Kweens rejoined the band.[6]

On October 13, 2017, L.A. Guns releases The Missing Peace record, the song 'The Devil Made Me Do It' is co-written by Kweens.

Discography

Shake the Faith
  • America the Violent (1994)
Beautiful Creatures
Villains of Vaudeville
  • Villains De Vaudeville (2013)
  • Sex, Drugs & The Devil's Music (2021)

References

  1. ^ a b "Interview with Kenny Kweens". Hot in Hollywood. May 29, 2008. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Loftus, Johnny. "Beautiful Creatures Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Rockitt, Rob. "Kenny Kweens Joins L.A. Guns". Hard Rock Hideout. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "L.A. GUNS Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. July 5, 2009. Archived from the original on July 8, 2009.
  5. ^ a b "L.A. GUNS Rejoined By Bassist SCOTTY GRIFFIN". Blabbermouth.net. January 10, 2011. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "L.A. Guns Split with Bassist, Reunite with Bassist". MetalSucks. September 22, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Kenny Kweens". Dean Guitars. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  8. ^ Red. "Kenny Kweens – Villains of Vaudeville". Noizefront.net. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  9. ^ "Jamie St. James Hardrock80 Interview". Hardrock 80. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  10. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Sign With SPITFIRE RECORDS". Blabbermouth.net. June 12, 2005. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012.
  11. ^ "Interview with Kenny, Anthony, DJ and Joe from Beautiful Creatures". Rock Circus TV. Summer 2001. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.
  12. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES To Team Up With THE GENITORTURERS For U.S. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. August 10, 2005. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012.
  13. ^ "STEPHEN PEARCY To Team Up With BEAUTIFUL CREATURES For U.K. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. March 7, 2006. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012.
  14. ^ "FASTER PUSSYCAT, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES To Team Up For Valentine's Day Concert in L.A." Blabbermouth.net. January 24, 2008. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012.
  15. ^ "DOKKEN Confirmed For ROCKLAHOMA Festival". Blabbermouth.net. April 19, 2008. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008.
  16. ^ a b c "Beautiful Creatures". IMDb. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  17. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Song To Be Featured in Upcoming SANDRA BULLOCK Comedy". Blabbermouth.net. March 24, 2009. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012.
  18. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Song To Appear In 'Sons of Anarchy' Episode". Blabbermouth.net. September 22, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012.
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