Kenny Kweens

Kenny Kweens

Kweens performing
Background information
Origin New Orleans, Louisiana, USA[1]
Genres Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal
Occupations 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]

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][8]

Contents

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.[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[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)

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.[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][10] In 2009, Kweens departed the group.

Beautiful Creatures also toured and supported and number of acts such as Kiss,[4][11] Genitorturers,[12] Stephen Pearcy of Ratt,[13] Faster Pussycat[14] while they have also performed at festivals such as Ozzfest[2][4] 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 early 2008, bassist Kenny Kweens started his own project titled Villains of Vaudeville with 3 songs posted on the official myspace produced by Tracy Swider, of Hate Times Nine, and mixed and mastered by BC bandmate Anthony Focx. An EP or album was planned for release at the end of 2008 but failed to materialise.[1][8] With his involvement with L.A. Guns, it is unknown if there will be any new material released in the near future.

L.A. Guns (2009–2011)

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]

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. ^ a b c "Interview with Kenny Kweens". Hot in Hollywood. May 29, 2008. http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=5876459&blogId=400610025. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Dean Artists "Kenny Kweens". Dean Guitars. http://www.deanguitars.com/kenny_kweens.php Dean Artists. Retrieved August 25, 2010. 
  3. ^ "ElectroStar Bass : Mudd Guitars". Mudd Guitars. http://www.muddguitars.com/?page_id=597. Retrieved August 25, 2010. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f Loftus, Johnny. "Beautiful Creatures Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p483976/biography. Retrieved April 27, 2010. 
  5. ^ a b Rockitt, Rob. "Kenny Kweens Joins L.A. Guns". Hard Rock Hideout. http://hardrockhideout.com/2009/07/05/kenny-kweens-joins-l-a-guns/. Retrieved July 5, 2009. 
  6. ^ a b "L.A. GUNS Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. July 5, 2009. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=123108. 
  7. ^ a b "L.A. GUNS Rejoined By Bassist SCOTTY GRIFFIN". Blabbermouth.net. Jan.uary 10, 2011. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152129. 
  8. ^ a b Red. "Kenny Kweens - Villains of Vaudeville". Noizefront.net. http://www.noizefront.net/kennykweens.html. Retrieved July 12, 2010. 
  9. ^ "Jamie St. James Hardrock80 Interview". Hardrock 80. http://www.hardrock80.com/PAGEinterview/Jamie_St_JAMES_English.htm. Retrieved July 12, 2010. 
  10. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Sign With SPITFIRE RECORDS". Blabbermouth.net. June 12, 2005. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=37973. 
  11. ^ "Interview with Kenny, Anthony, DJ and Joe from Beautiful Creatures". Rock Circus TV. Summer 2001. http://rockcircustv.com/rcpages/bcreatint.html. 
  12. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES To Team Up With THE GENITORTURERS For U.S. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Aug. 10, 2005. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=40318. 
  13. ^ "STEPHEN PEARCY To Team Up With BEAUTIFUL CREATURES For U.K. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Mar. 7, 2006. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=49240. 
  14. ^ "FASTER PUSSYCAT, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES To Team Up For Valentine's Day Concert In L.A.". Blabbermouth.net. Jan. 24, 2008. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89168. 
  15. ^ "DOKKEN Confirmed For ROCKLAHOMA Festival". Blabbermouth.net. Apr. 19, 2008. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95264. 
  16. ^ a b c "Beautiful Creatures". IMDb. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3046694/. Retrieved July 12, 2010. 
  17. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Song To Be Featured In Upcoming SANDRA BULLOCK Comedy". Blabbermouth.net. Mar. 24, 2009. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116759. 
  18. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Song To Appear In 'Sons Of Anarchy' Episode". Blabbermouth.net. Sep. 22, 2008. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105330. 
Preceded by
Scott Griffin		 L.A. Guns Bass guitarist
2009–2011		 Succeeded by
Scott Griffin

External links

Beautiful Creatures
Studio Albums
Related Groups
L.A. Guns
Current Phil Lewis lineup : Phil Lewis · Stacey Blades · Scott Griffin · Steve Riley
Current Tracii Guns lineup : Tony West · Tracii Guns · Eric Grossman · Doni Grey
Past members : Click here for past lineups
Studio albums
EPs
Live albums
Compilation
albums
Singles
"The Ballad of Jayne" · "Kiss My Love Goodbye" · "Some Lie for Love" · "It's Over Now"
Related groups