Vains of Jenna Announce New Singer

This didn't take long: Vains of Jenna have a new singer and his name is Jesse Forte. He's a graduate of Musicians Institute and has been in a lot of California bands. Yes, he's American - which will be an interesting dichotomy to the Swedish act.

From a press statement:

"We first saw Jesse in 2009 when his band opened for us at the ‘Cat Club’ and he blew us away," says Vains of Jenna co-founder and bassist JP White. "Jesse is unique for sure. Imagine Steven Tyler’s charisma, Chris Cornell’s powerful voice, a charming smile; then mix it all in a blender with a pair of nunchakus and you get Jesse Forte."

We'll see I suppose. Forte's picture is plastered all over the band's Myspace. All the promo shots sure look like this singer change was in the works while Lizzy DeVine was still in the band, but maybe not (the logo looks a little different too). I still can't imagine VOJ without Lizzy, but I'm keeping an open mind about this. I just hope the rest of VOJ didn't screw Lizzy over and push him out or something. That would be uber lame, considering how much work Lizzy put into the band. (Is it me, or does the photo suggest an entirely new movement for the band? Like, maybe VOJ doesn't want to be Glam anymore? Their business, their right. The photo just seems...odd).

If you're in the Hollywood area, go see Vains of Jenna live on April 10th. The band has a gig booked at the Whisky a Go-Go. I'd love to check out the band's new chemistry but I'm afraid a trip across the country isn't an option right now.

Photo from the band's Myspace - no copyright assumed.

Comments

[bumblefootboy]

in my opinion , i think this was planned out for awhile.something certainly smells fishy about the timing of all this.i hope this works out for them.

[jln_sk8]

Yeah, it's strange everything went so fast! Did you hear the song with the new singer on myspace ? I think a lot of people will miss Lizzy :(

[Peter]

"Everybody loves you when you're dead" sound different , prefer Lizzy but maybe because he sang in original, guy knows how to sing , wonder how he will sound on new tracks

[Jack]

A little different, but basically the same vibe. The guy is a good singer, not as "trashy" sounding as Lizzy but still fits the sound of the band.

I can't imagine this wasn't a done deal though before the announcement Lizzy was out. Things moved way to quickly for it not to be planned. I'm curious to know how it all went down.

[acesteele]

I saw Lizzy's last show, the one opening for Michael Monroe @ the Brixton in Redondo Beach, CA. He sure didn't seem like he wanted to be there. Hope it works out for both parties.

[MEWIZEMGIC]

It seems like it was planned out for quite some time seeing all this stuff. Wonder what the real situation is. Either way, will miss Lizzy's vocs - the new track on their MySpace doesn't have the same VOJ feel. Guess we'll see when new tunes come out.

[Kenny Ozz]

Ive got a small tid-bit of inside scoop. Lizzy quit. Im not at liberty to say why, but no he wasnt fired. The band knew it was coming and had Jesse hand-picked well in advance.

[MEWIZEMGIC]

Thanks Kenny -tell us more when you can.

[Peter]

Lizzy left because he wanted to settle down , he didn't want to tour and wanted to stay at his home in L.A and marry his girlfriend.
Can't blame him, music isn't the most safe job nowadays, especially in that kind of music.

[Metalboy!]

Wonder where Lizzy's headin'?

Hope he's startin' a new band pronto.

We can never have enuff xcellent New Glam Metal!

Theez boyz are some of my favez on the new scene. Love "Everybody Loves You When Your Dead", The Art Of Telling Lies, and my fave -- that version of "Refugee" is killeracious.

Hey, Kenny O, you heard of 80's L.A. Glam Metallerz, Sweet Savage or Maximum? Pretty good. U should check 'em if you haven't already.

Metalboy!'s Metal Tip #3: Also, top of the heap from that era for me theez daze, Casanova, German dudes from '91 who sound, look and act like their L.A. Sunsetterz. "Hollywood Angels" is the most killer cut I've heard in ages. 1st class production, to boot! Do you have their self-titled CD? If you get one, get this, if ya ain't got it already!

[Stevie Rachelle]

Hey Allyson,

Your article sucks balls. Maybe you should do your job and research, maybe read the bands "official" site before you go posting a load of shit like "I hope they didn't push him out...etc..." Lizzy himself has a Q&A on his own myspace that explains it all.

Lizzy left the band. The band had NO warning.

He refused to go to Europe. Wanted to stay in the US and get married. Matter of fact, he's doing that in Vegas as we speak from what I know.

Like pros, we picked up the pieces and moved on. Fast and furious.

Stevie

[Hilari]

I am definitely glad I had the opportunity to see VoJ with Lizzy this past fall. He will be missed. But I have listened to new vocalist Jesse and I like his voice. It is definitely different but I dig it. He can sing. I think he deserves a chance and I am anxious to hear where this band goes from here.

[Peter]

Stevie why do you bash Allyson, had you checked the date of her post you would know that it wasn't clear why Lizzy left, she presented one theory ? She couldn't know what happened so why to bash her ? It is totally unfair
Totally delating any Lizzy material from site like he never existed isn't pro anyway.

[Stevie Rachelle]

Hey Peter,

Pull your head out of your ass as well.

Her post is March 27th.
Lizzy DeVine did a post on March 21st.
The Press Release we sent out to the world was dated March 15th.

All included. He QUIT the band.

Any journalist with half a fucking brain would think "VOJ" drama, "Lizzy" etc.. let's check the bands "official" pages. Myspace, Twitter. Facebook. .com. Etc.. ALL had the press release and information for the whole world to see. Everyone got the "memo" and understood except for Allyson. Who even started the communication by emailing Jacki, asking for a photo.

Stevie

[LeftWrist]

...they sound like a crappy version of Tesla now

[Kenny Ozz]

Have you HEARD Tesla lately? They sound like a crappy version of Tesla.

[Metalboy!]

Kenny O! Dude, did you check out Casanova yet? They're from '91 and I think you'd really like 'em cuz to me, they're like an L.A. Glam Trash band meets Danger Danger, who I know you adore.

I'm tellin' ya, "Hollywood Angels" is THE track!


_____________________________________________________________



"An Open Letter to Stevie Rachelle"

Hey, Stevie, canchya ease up on Allyson? Look, one of her tippy-top fave new Glam Bands is Vains of Jenna. Unquestionably, Lizzy significantly contributed to the VOJ sound with his incredible voice.

I've just read her post and your comments again to try and figure out just exactly what is the problem with her wondering whether the new guy, Jesse, is going to match Lizzy? Not only is that basic natural journalistic curiosity but also basic human instinct.

It's great that the band is expressing excitement and support for their new singer but there's no denying Lizzy is great, too, so him leaving to thoze not in the know like yourself, it's a little bit of a surprise is all.

Surely, you can still appreciate what Lizzy did for VOJ and I am happy you are so passionate about Jesse, as well.

But, man, you gotta remember about Bring Back Glam! -- here's a site put out by someone who's passionate about the genre, loves Vains of Jenna and has posted about them many times just raving about them. And she duzn't just rave about everybody and generally really has a great ear for new bands.

And she's posted a lot on you and Tuff as well and I remember her posting one of your solo vids and she was just raving about it and your great songwriting and the clever wit to your lyrics, etc.

This was all news to me, since I really hadn't paid attention to the whole genre since basically "What Goes..." came out. So that got me checking out your stuff and getting a bunch of it off iTunes -- stuff like "Dear Jani Lane", which is absolutely killarious, bro.

Her making me, along with everyone else who follows this site, aware of your new stuff, for example, is what I love about this site!

So, I'm sure you can see, she's into the music, and like me, loves Vains, loves Tuff and loves your solo stuff! Canchya give a little love back to your fans like she and I and everyone else on here, as well, bro, even if her tone might not be exactly to your liking on her latest post for Vains of Jenna?

Also, just curious, do you remember Casanova playin' in L.A. back when you guys were there and if so, what did you think of 'em?

p.s. My "A" iTunes Glam Metal Powerballad/Love Song Playlist called "Love Roxx" is 22.8 Hours long, without a repeat of the exact same line-up of any one band or band member solo or spin-offs and consisting of about 307 songs and still growing. The thing ebbs and flows perfectly and of course, it's gotta have some biggies at the end that make sense to also feel like a big climactic ending. And that's why I chose "I Hate Kissin' You Goodbye", one of my Top 10 All-Time Powerballad Faves, as the second to last song at the conclusion of the Playlist, the last song being "Home Sweet Home", which makes for a great conclusionary one-two punch to the whole thing, thanks to you, my friend. I also remember buying Tuff's classic album, "What Comes Around Goes Around" that Sunday morning just hours right after I saw the vid for "I Hate Kissing You Goodbye" on "Headbanger's Ball" back in the day.

[Metalboy!]

Oh, and BTW, Kenny O and LeftWrist!

Funny sh*t regarding Tesla...

Lefty, tho I don't personally agree, it's a funny notion, saying Vains sound like a crappy version of Tesla.

And Kenny O, priceless!, hahahaha!!!!

And I really like 'em so I can't wait to hear the new stuff with Jesse on vocals.