Prima Donna (American band)
| Prima Donna | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Rock and roll, alternative rock, glam punk |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Website | primadonnarocks.com |
| Members |
Kevin Preston Aaron Minton David S. Field Adam "Lights Out" Levine |
| Past members |
Erik Arcane Daniel Nyby |
Prima Donna is an American rock and roll band from Los Angeles, featuring singer/guitarist Kevin Preston (formerly of The Skulls), saxophonist/keyboardist Aaron Minton, drummer David S. Field, and bassist "Lights Out" Levine. Although formed in 2003, the band did not release its first album until 2008.
History
Their sound features a unique blend of saxophone, piano and organ, along with a guitar sound which has been described as "the best damn glampunkrock'n'roll ... Prima Donna goes for that timeless Dolls/Heartbreakers/Mott the Hoople sound and they pull it off perfectly".[1]
In May/June 2005, the band went on their first international tour to Europe with Texas Terri with the quickly produced album Kiss Kiss, only sold at live shows, which was party remade into After Hours in 2008. In December 2005, the band played part of original Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock and the Philistines American tour.[2]
In a video interview with Eric Blair backstage at the premiere of Punk's Not Dead on May 30, 2007, Prima Donna talks about how they were formed, what they are currently doing, and their future.[3]
As of May 2008, Kevin Preston is also playing guitar in the Green Day side project Foxboro Hot Tubs.
Rodney Bingenheimer put the Prima Donna song "Demoted" into his KROQ-FM radio show rotation on July 27, 2008.[4]
Prima Donna released their true debut album, After Hours, on September 2, 2008 on Acetate Records.
In the spring of 2009, Prima Donna toured the U.S. with Eddie and the Hot Rods and later with Duane Peters Gunfight.
In 2009, they supported Green Day throughout its European leg of the 21st Century Breakdown World Tour.
In 2010, they returned to support Green Day, throughout Asia in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya.
In 2011, the band started recording the follow-up album to After Hours with producer Chris Dugan at Jingletown Recording Studios in Oakland, California.[5]
In late 2013, the band toured the U.S. and Canada supporting Adam Ant.
Steven Van Zandt has featured three Prima Donna songs as the 'Coolest Song in the World This Week' on his Sirius radio channel, the Underground Garage.[6]
Associated acts
Prima Donna has shared the stage with such notable acts as The Dollyrots, Green Day, Duff (gruppo musicale), Turbonegro, the Sonics, the Zeros, the Boys, the Weirdos, Angry Samoans, Backyard Babies, Steel Panther, the Skulls, Duane Peters, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Glen Matlock, the Vibrators, the Phenomenauts, the Joneses, Josie Cotton, Anti-Nowhere League, Texas Terri, the Undertones, the Muffs, the Stranglers, MU330, the Subhumans, Sham 69, UK Subs, Charged GBH, the Rezillos, TV Smith, the Avengers, the Business, The Libertines, 20/20, Chelsea, the Briefs, the Exploited, Toyah, 999, the Pointed Sticks, Demented Are Go, Stza Crack, the Polecats, the Electric Prunes, Nikki Corvette,Mystic Knights Of The Cobra, Rikk Agnew, the Gears, Razor Dolls, Girl in a Coma, the Stitches, and the Bellrays.[7]
Members
- Kevin Preston - vocals, guitar
- Aaron Minton - saxophone, keyboards
- David S. Field - drums, percussion
- "Lights Out" Levine - bass guitar
Discography - albums
After Hours
2008 album on Acetate Records. Produced by Messiaz & Prima Donna. Tracked at Reef Recorders by Josh Achziger. Overdubbed and mixed at Toneduff Studio by Bruce Duff and Frank Meyer. Mastered at Little Red Book by Mark Chalecki. Photography by Sawa. CD design & layout by Victor Dawahare/Dynolux Design.
Track listing
All music and lyrics were written by Kevin Preston, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Soul Stripper" | 3:55 | |
| 2. | "Demoted" | 2:16 | |
| 3. | "I Don't Want You To Love Me" | 2:10 | |
| 4. | "Stray Doll" | 2:39 | |
| 5. | "Double Crosser" | 2:34 | |
| 6. | "Lady Strange" | Music & Lyrics by Preston & Arcane. | 3:17 |
| 7. | "Doll Face Baby" | 3:08 | |
| 8. | "Everything's Wrong" | Music by Minton. Lyrics by Preston. | 2:46 |
| 9. | "Crucify" | 3:33 | |
| 10. | "Dummy Luv" | 3:35 | |
| Total length: | 28:48 | ||
Personnel
- Kevin Preston – Vocals, Guitar
- Aaron Minton – Keyboards, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones, Backing Vocals
- David S. Field – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
- Erik Arcane – Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Daniel Nyby – Bass, Backing Vocals
Kiss Kiss
2005 album on Brunette Records. (Out of print) Released through internet stores such as iTunes and CDbaby.com. Contains the songs Eat Your Heart Out, Double Crosser, Stray Doll, Miss Avenue, Dummy Love, Crucify, Demoted, Teenage Mannequin, Everything's Wrong, Doll Face Baby, and Feel My Heat.[8] Several of these songs were reworked on the 2008 album After Hours.
Bless this Mess
New album released in February 2012[9] to positive reviews.[10] While retaining a largely glam rock sound, this album also contains British invasion, new wave and surf rock influences.[11]
All music and lyrics were written by Kevin Preston, except where noted.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sociopath" | Music by Preston. Lyric by Preston and Field | 2:51 |
| 2. | "Maxine" | 2:48 | |
| 3. | "Feral Children" | 4:49 | |
| 4. | "Broken" | 4:52 | |
| 5. | "Let The Games Begin" | Music by Levine, Arcane, Preston. Lyric by Preston, Levine, Field, Arcane, Minton. | 3:04 |
| 6. | "Bless This Mess" | 4:23 | |
| 7. | "Miss Avenue" | Music by Preston and Minton. Lyric by Preston. | 3:34 |
| 8. | "Starging Daggers" | 2:33 | |
| 9. | "Crismon Lust" | 4:09 | |
| 10. | "Tryin'" | Music by Minton. Lyric by Preston and Minton | 4:01 |
| 11. | "Puta, Te Amo" | Music by Preston. Lyric by Preston, Field, Arcane, Minton, Levine | 2:56 |
| 12. | "She Says" | Music by Minton, Arcane, Field, Levine. Lyric by Preston, Minton, Field, Levine | 5:59 |
Personnel
- Kevin Preston – Vocals, Guitar
- Aaron Minton – Keyboards, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones, Backing Vocals
- David S. Field – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
- Erik Arcane – Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Adam 'Lights Out' Levine – Bass, Backing Vocals
Discography - singles
- "Eat Your Heart Out" - (2007), Puke N Vomit Records.
This single is a heart-shaped, see-through red vinyl single, limited to 500 press, and hand-numbered.
References
- ↑ "lowcut.dk". lowcut.dk. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "Jonesy's Jukebox Transcription Page Glen Matlock and the Philistines 19th December '05". Cookandjones.co.uk. 2005-12-19. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "Featured Content on Myspace". Vids.myspace.com. 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "Myspace". Myspace. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "Prima Donna Studio A Pics | Jingletown Recording Studios San Francisco Bay Area". Jtrecording.com. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "Welcome to the Frontpage". Undergroundgarage.com. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ Archived January 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Prima Donna | Kiss Kiss | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ Archived February 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Prima Donna - "Bless This Mess" CD Review (Acetate Records) ~ BrooklynRocks: NYC Music Blog". Brooklynrocks.blogspot.co.uk. 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "Music Review: Prima Donna – Bless This Mess". Blogcritics. 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2014-07-24.