Queen V: Press

QUEEN V

“Queen V will rock your freakin’ head off!” proclaims her band’s Myspace headline, and who’s gonna argue? The New York City-based singer/songwriter and rhythm guitarist-who not surprisingly wields a Gibson Flying V as her weapon of choice-leads a tough band made up of bassist Chris Altenhoff, lead guitarist Matt Hogan, and drummer Jon Webber. She has tread stages with artists such as Slash, Wayne Kramer, and Perry Farrell. She enticed Loving Colour’s Vernon Reid and Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave sonic wizard Tom Morello to play on her new CD, “Death or Glory” (Royal Noise Recordings). And her driving T-Rex-meets-the-Sweet guitar tone and rough, no-bull voice are intense enough to melt your ears, eyes and nose right off of your face.

G.P.: Tell us about your Flying V.

Q.V.: It’s a 1989 Gibson hot-rodded with Seymour Duncans, and strung with GHS Boomers, gauged .010-.052. I always end up playing that guitar live. It helps me sound like Malcolm Young!

G.P.: Do you use other guitars in the studio?

Q.V. Yes, I also have a ’59 reissue Fender Telecaster, a ’98 Gibson Les Paul Special, and a ’67 Gibson “Trini Lopez”-which is one of my favorites.

G.P.: Isn’t the Trini Lopez kind of a strange choice for a hard rocker such as yourself?

Q.V.: That guitar sounds like nothing else-the tone is just amazing! It’s very buttery, warm and round, but it has a bite. In the studio, when I put it up against other guitars, it often sounds the best. It’s a bit of a Frankenstein, though. The Gibson Custom Shop put on a different neck around 1972, and they replaced the Bigsby someone had installed with a stock tailpiece from a Les Paul. It’s a one-of-a-kind piece.

G.P.: What about your amps?

Q.V.: I plug straight into a Vox AC30 outfitted with vintage Siemens tubes-no pedals or effects. Matt uses the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, and I have an old ’59 Sears Silvertone that I use in the studio sometimes.

G.P.: What do you look for in a lead guitarist?

Q.V.: It’s hard to specify, because it’s always about “feel”. They have to play what’s right for the song, and yet they must also have a voice of their own.

G.P.: How did you get Tom Morello and Vernon Reid to guest on “Death or Glory”?

Q.V.: Somebody once called me the “Pied Piper” of lead gutitarists. I’m always looking for my Eddie Van Halen, my Steve Stevens, my Jimmy Page. Somehow I’ve managed to attract some brilliant players, but all of those connections were pretty organic. For example, Tom caught my band at the Viper Room in Los Angeles a few years ago, and he really liked the show. We became good friends, and when I wanted to enlist some heavy hitters for the album, her was at the top of the list. He plays on “My Machine.” It was kind of the same with Vernon, who guests on “One and Only.” I’ve always been a fan of theirs. Their voices as lead guitarists and songwriters are unbelievable. When I first heard Tom’s playing on Rage’s “Killing in the Name,” I thought, “Holy Sh*t! I love this!”

East Coast Queen Keeps on Rocking

I’m waiting for a very important phone call. Only a couple minutes have past when my phone finally rings. Queen V’s voice greets me at the other end of the line. I quickly take notice of how warm and friendly her voice is. It doesn’t feel like we’re in an interview, I feel like I’m talking to one of my friends. That’s just who Queen V is, this East Coast rocker may be called a Queen but she ain’t no diva. As an image for women, Queen V lays it straight, “There is the term “chick rock” where girls are incredibly middle-of-the-road or stand around with guitars trying to look cute…I’m not trying to do that. That’s where the name Queen V came from, it’s my way of challenging myself to raise the bar, dig a lot deeper and throw my hat in the ring”.

Born in Manhattan but grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, Queen V has performed in various places from Don Hill’s to CBGB’s. She even performed at this year’s SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas. “That whole time down in Austin was insane… there was something like 1300 bands playing there…it was a beautiful thing to experience that much rock and roll – and performing with Slash didn’t hurt either.”

Now Queen V will release her second full-length album, “Death or Glory” on [February 26th, 2009]. With song titles like “Revolution Baby”, “My Machine”, and “Continental”, this album delivers some seriously soulful rock and roll. Also on her album she has contributions from Vernon Reid of Living Colour and Tom Morello of Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine. “It’s really been an amazing journey… My boys and I are really putting it to the test with this album and we feel like this is the one; we’re ready to rock!”

With such a liberating album, why such a strong ominous title like Death or Glory? “It basically sums up the vibe where I am at this time, the intensity I feel … it really is do or die.” So with an ambitious attitude, Queen V ventures forward living true to her rock and roll dream. Having performed alongside artists like Billy Idol and Bon Jovi, she has already paved the way for herself pretty well. She’ll soon be touring the East and West coast while she promotes her new album. “It’s really important to support live music and of course, come out to a Queen V show”.

TUESDAY NOV 13th
Rock, pop & soul

Queen V plays bombastic would-be arena rock with decent hooks. Tonight she hosts “Take Back New York,” a monthly event that celebrates and remembers “the lost NYC underground.” Proceeds will benefit Tom Morello and Serj Tankian’s Axis of justice – a group connecting musicians, fans and politicians to work on progressive social issues – as well as Picture The Homeless.

Frantik Magazine Q & A

Frantik: So your new album, “Death or Glory,” is set for release [on February 26th, 2009]. You have three tracks up on your myspace right now but so far out of the three, “Cry for a minute” is a definite stand out track! What should we be expecting from your new album?

Queen V: We wanted to leak some tracks online to our fans in November and have it in stores soon. Since this record is truly home made I really focused on trying to make it fun to listen to. It’s nice not having some dip-shit in a suit and tie telling you what will sell and what wont, so I just concentrated on making sure the tracks were from the heart and would be something that would give new fans an idea of what I’m about. There are some really tender ballads mixed in with some real ass-kicking songs sprinkled with some groovy tunes to get you in the mood for you-know-what.

Frantik: “Death or Glory” is an awesome album! I know that it will further give you the recognition that you deserve once the people hear it. What is the message that you’re trying to convey on this album?

Queen V: More than anything I wanted to prove to myself that we could do this on our own without a major label. We went out and found someone stupid enough to give us a huge equipment lease and essentially bought a mobile studio. That allowed us to go where we wanted to track and really spend the time to get it right. We recorded everywhere from a former whorehouse in Midtown Manhattan to my bedroom. We ended up parking the gear at John Seymour’s place, the Treefort in Hoboken, to mix and it really helped break up the monotony to move around to all those different locations. What I really wanted to convey on this record is intensity. Everyone who worked on this record shared my vision in wanting to express my passion for music and wanting to connect with my fans. I left my guts out there for all to see and I hope that comes across. It’s also about empowerment. The whole experience was so much harder than I thought it was going to be and I’m proud as hell that we pulled it off. I’m already fighting an uphill battle as a woman in rock, and to make this record on my own from start to finish is a message to all women musicians out there; that this isn’t just a man’s game and we’ve got something to say ladies so listen up!

Frantik: Speaking of the new album, which song do you think out of the 11 awesome tracks you laid down, will become a crowd favorite and which song is your favorite and why? Livewise?

Queen V: “Revolution Baby seems to go over well with the audience because it’s got that stomp beat. It’s fun to play because I can really get the crowd involved and get them fired up. As far as favorites go, it kind of changes from day to day. I guess it depends on what kind of mood I’m in. “My Machine” is a good song for driving in NYC traffic and “One & Only” is a great track when you’re feeling naughty.

Frantik: Now, you’ve also got some awesome guests on your new album including Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Nightwatchman), Lemmy (Motorhead, Head Cat) and Vernon Reid (Living Colour). How did you manage to make this happen and how thrilled were you to have them on your record?

Queen V: I’ve known those guys for a long time and they’re good friends of mine. They all thought I was crazy for making a record on my own but they gave me a lot of encouragement to see it through. I can’t think of a greater vote of confidence than having those guys offer to lend their talents to my cause and saying that I was thrilled would be an understatement.

Frantik: One EP and a debut album into your career, what is the difference from your first offerings to your latest offering, “Death or Glory?” In other words, how has your music grown and how have you evolved as a musician?

Queen V: I’m really proud of those first records, they represent a lot of work and growth. Since then I’ve done a lot of touring and writing, constantly learning and honing my craft. I’ve gotten a lot more dirt under my fingernails as they say, and I think that shows on the new record. I really care about giving my fans everything I’ve got and making sure they get their money’s worth. The harder I work on improving, the more I think I’m finding my voice and making a statement.

Frantik: You’ve got some amazing pipes! How do you keep your throat in shape and what do you do to keep yourself in shape?

Queen V: My producer is the ultimate “Voice Nazi”. He’s got me on an insane regimen of vocal calisthenics and breathing exercises to strengthen all the singing muscles. They’re the kind of exercises you can only do in private; otherwise people would think you were off your rocker. I also have a personal trainer who is like a Marine drill sergeant who whips my ass into shape. It’s the only way I could ever survive the stress of screaming my head off every night and living the Rock and Roll lifestyle. I have a lot of bad habits that require a whole lot of purging so I go the Shvitz (N.Y. for steam or sauna) as often as I can.

Frantik: I read on your website that you would like to “Take Back New York,” and for you readers out there that don’t know what this endeavor stands for, it aims to breathe life into the state of live music in New York City or as she puts it herself, “A monthly night of ass kickin’!” Why is it so important to “Take Back New York?

Queen V: As a kid I idolized bands like Blondie and the Ramones, bands that defined New York and inspired kids like the Beastie Boys and Sonic Youth to carry the torch. The city is so rich in music history in every genre and I just feel like something died along the way. Everything got so corporate and stale. People stopped going to see live music and started flocking to the $500 bottle service “lounges” with the hot D.J. du jour to be seen with the beautiful people. The rock clubs and dive bars started going the way of the buffalo and it was starting to feel like I was in a completely different city. I eventually got tired of sitting around and bitching about it so I decided somebody had to do something to try and jump start the vibe in this ghost town. I know a lot of old school New York cats and young bands that feel the same way I do so I started kicking the idea around of having a monthly event where we could all get together, play some music and remember what it used to be like. Also to encourage each other to try and change the sad state of affairs, sort of a strength in numbers thing. I was amazed at how much positive feedback I got from everyone and the thing just grew from there. We also realized it would be a good opportunity to raise awareness of some serious issues the city is facing so we teamed up with Tom Morello and Serj Tankian’s organization, Axis of Justice, to raise money for a really cool charity called Picture the Homeless. It’s starting to get cold in the city and these people really need our help.

Frantik: What is Rock N’ Roll to Queen V? What do you consider to be rock n’ roll and not rock n’ roll?

Queen V: To me Rock and Roll has become such a watered down term. When I think of Rock and Roll I think of Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, true champions of sin and debauchery. I see these young bands that call themselves Rock and Roll doing beer commercials and wonder what the fuck happened? It’s like going to see a bunch of car salesmen playing music, that’s disgusting. Oooh don’t get me started, that really ticks me off. Or as Ralph Cramden would say, “don’t get me steamed Alice ‘cause I’m already steamed”!

Frantik: What is the biggest misconception about Queen V?

Queen V: People sometimes think I’m a model turned musician, a dainty little girly-girl that can’t hold her own. For the record, I’ve never even entertained the notion of modeling and anybody who thinks I can’t hold my own better be prepared to bring it on, I will crush you like a bug.

Frantik: With the war on digital downloading vs. physical purchase in full swing, what is your take on it? What are thoughts on digital downloading vs. physical purchase?

Queen V: This is a tricky subject because as an artist you worry about how you’re going to get paid for your work but on the other hand, record labels have gotten so greedy that I’m kind of glad they’re shaking in their boots. I think downloading free music was a reaction to people being pissed off about paying $20.00 for records that had maybe 1 or 2 good songs at best. It became a way of test-driving the product before you bought it. Maybe the labels should be more concerned with making good records instead of worrying about people downloading. I believe that if someone is a real fan of a band, they naturally want to support that band by either buying the CD or a T-shirt or going to see them live. Free downloads can be a great vehicle to get people interested in your band. If they like what they hear, they’ll come check you out or god forbid, buy a real CD. Labels are seeing the writing on the wall and quickly restructuring their deals to share in the touring and merchandise money, which traditionally belonged to the artist. I think that if your music is good enough you don’t really have to worry about losing money to downloading. It makes you ultimately have to sing for your supper and be a good entertainer which I don’t think can be a bad thing in the end. We’ve given tracks away as free downloads to invite people to give us a listen. If I didn’t believe in my ability to deliver the goods at my shows I wouldn’t be giving tracks away for free. Rock music is all about playing live and if you can’t do it, get off the stage.

Frantik: Now you seem like you like a person that likes to have a lot of fun. In your spare time, what do you do for fun or what exactly do you do when you’re not making music or playing a show?

Queen V: I’m a bit of a bad girl, I like to have fun. I’m usually out with friends getting into trouble or checking out bands that I like. I’m sad to admit that I’ve been spending more and more time in L.A. because there’s a lot more of a live music scene there than there is here and a lot of my friends have moved out to La-la land. I do have a homey side to me though; I have 2 dogs Bubba and Rocky that I try to be a good mother to, although I think Caesar Milan would have a thing or two to say about my parenting skills. I spoil them rotten!

Frantik: Alright, let’s say that my associate editors and I were headed down to NYC for the weekend with nowhere to go. We’ve been there before a few times and kind of sort of know where to hang out for good times but where would you take us so we can all have a good time?

Queen V: I’d take you to Takahachi on Ave. A for Sushi (always have a good meal before you drink my grandmother said) then we’d head over to Home Sweet Home, a great bar in the Lower East Side for some lubrication. After that we’d head over to Brooklyn for a good loft party where you’ll always bump into some interesting characters. From there we head back to Manhattan to Niagara for a drink before they close and then to San Loco for some late night Guaco Locos (soft shell wrapped around a hard shell taco with guacamole in between), great 4 am refueling! Then we’d head for a cool after hours place (names withheld to protect the guilty) and hang there until 8 or 9 am after which we’d head to breakfast at Life Café on Ave. B. A cab or hearse would ferry us to our final resting place after a memorable night of gallivanting.

Frantik: Any additional comments?

Queen V: We are the underdog, the Rocky Balboa of Rock and Roll. If you root for the little guy then we are your band. If you like home grown kind-bud music then you’ve come to the right place. We still care and so do a lot of our friends. Don’t give up the faith and support your local band. One love!

Detroit Metro Times

Jeffrey Morgan’s Media Blackout:
From comics to sonics, your speed critic rides on...

Queen V- Death or Glory (Royal Noise Recordings) :: Queen V is the raunchy new Wendy O. Williams of rock ‘n’ roll. Just like WOW, this snarlin’ guttersnipe has primo Plasmatics attitude and, even better, she does her own duet with Lord Lemmy, aka King Kilmister. Bow down, bow down to the Queen. The Queen of Queens. There is only one.

MUSIC FOR CHANGE

It’s getting harder for unknown musicians to find places to play in Manhattan with rising rent forcing clubs like Sin-e, CBGB, Tonic and Continental to close. Rocker Veronica Stigeler is trying to revive the underground venues that nurture talent. “Take Back New York,” the new, roving concert series, is meant to give musicians from hip-hop to garage rock a chance to be heard at mid-sized clubs around the city. Stigeler, who goes by the name Queen V, was inspired when she saw the turnout of musicians and music lovers at a benefit concert thrown by Rage Against The Machine guitarist-activist Tom Morello in L.A. “It made me think, if they can do that out in L.A., surely we can do it here,” Stigeler, a native New Yorker, told the Resident. The proceeds from the concerts – a $5 minimum donation – will go to Axis of Justice, the political non-profit founded by Morello and System of a Down singer Serj Tankian, and Picture the Homeless, which benefits the city’s homeless. But it’s the music that makes a statement here. Queen V – which Stigeler calls a “crazy pirate ship of musicians” – celebrated the digital launch of the band’s latest album “Death or Glory” at this month’s installation of the concert, which ended with a jam sessions finale when all the acts took the stage. It’s this underground scene, she said, full of camaraderie and competition, where people exchange ideas. “That’s where the spirit really starts; it doesn’t start at a major label.”

IT’S ALIVE!

THE ICE QUEEN COMETH

Produced by Queen V’s longtime songwriting partner Phil Schmoll with help from John Seymour and Chris Altenhoff, Death or Glory is a mix of attitude, power and singer/songwriting. “My Machine” is an unrelenting, speeding ride about being “a proud sexual woman in the face of all the guilt and shame women are supposed to feel” with Queen V’s deep, heavy breaths layered over Morello’s intense guitar riffs. V takes it down a notch for “One and Only,” which features a blistering guitar solo from Vernon Reid coupled with V’s vocals, alternately breathy and furious. Lemmy lends his inimitable vocals and wit to “Wasted” creating a nice nose thumb to the rec. (should that be wreck?) execs who don’t seem to helping the music scene at all, but more hindering it’s progress.

Though Queen V is determined to turn the rock world on its ass, not all of the tracks on Death or Glory are heavy and hard – the deeply emotional “Cry For a Minute” is a heartfelt song about her good friend who died tragically in a car accident that shows her softer singer/songwriter side.

Queen V’s song “Revolution, Baby,” is a call to arms. Queen V continues her march with “Take Back New York”, monthly nights of ass kickin’ rock parties in various venues around New York City. This march began with shows at staple rock venues like CBGB’s, Sin-E, Tonic and so many more being part of the unfortunate trend of the major shutdown of independently owned music venues in Manhattan, her “Take Back New York” endeavor aims to breath life into the state of live music in New York City. Queen V is at the helm of this revolution, a dutiful warrior fighting to save rock ‘n roll and the independent spirit that comes along with it.

For information on her next “Take Back New York” check out www.myspace.com/QueenV where you can also hear tracks from the new album… Very cool indeed!

[Lucky Lawler] What was that? What do they say about women with big feet?

[Queen V] Use your imagination… whatever the female equivalent of having “an armadillo in your toursers” is. At least I don’t set off metal detectors at the airport!

My so called life…

What do I think of my life so far?
Thank you Sir, may I have another…

How do you keep fit?

I run with my Bulldogs, Bubba and Rocky, and I also have a personal trainer who is more like a marine drill sergeant.

So, in LA the red carpet unrolls for you…

I’ve gotten a lot of love in LA – their rock scene is alive and kicking and there are so many great venues there. We put in our time touring the west coast, and made many friends and fans along the way.

Going out to LA now, I feel compelled to represent what New York IS, or at least what it used to be... New York has changed – as Chrissie Hynde says, I looked around and “my city was gone.” Between the yuppie corporate take over, the hyper-commercialization, the artists being priced out, the live music clubs closing and bottle service in the clubs with some DJ du jour - it’s terrible. It turns my stomach and keeps me awake at night.

But I think there are many others who feel the way I do, which is where TAKE BACK NEW YORK comes in. I launched a campaign to bring all my friends together (and anyone else who gives a shit) to have a forum for good live music and also help some folks in this town who are in need. It’s one part funeral and two parts revival. All proceeds from the parties benefit the homeless through Axis of Justice, Tom Morello and Serj Tankian's non-profit organization, as well as Picture the Homeless.

Earlier this year, Tom invited me to play a few of his Axis of Justice benefit shows at Hotel Café in LA with all kinds of guest stars like B-Real and Sen Dog (Cypress Hill), Ben Harper, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot) and Jill Sobule just to name a few. He also invited me to play his Hotel Café show at SXSW with Slash and Perry Farrell.

Which you did…

Yeah, it’s on MTV.

Yeah, it’s great, if I google Queen V it comes up under Morello Jams With Slash, Farrell At SXSW and there you are with Slash, Farrell, Morello & even Wayne Kramer!!! All over it, like a social disease! You sound great!

Thanks, it was quite a scene… Nuno Bettencourt, Les Claypool, Breckin Meyer and many others rocked that night with us – it was insane! A few nights later, Tom came to my show and jammed with me and my special guests including Matt Byrne (Hatebreed), Kid Lightning (aka Dave Gibbs of Low Stars), Maureen Herman (Babes in Toyland) and MC Chris (Brooklyn rapper).

Vernon Reid... that is a really great NYC guy to have on your album. Boy... I remember when Living Colour first started, catching them at CBGBs and stuff. Years later, I saw him guest star with Carlos Santana up at the Beacon... boy he rocks... how did you meet him?

Vernon and I met in Buffalo a few years ago at the Rock Guitar Competition, I was the host/MC and he was a judge. At the after-party, we were talking about music, guitars, friends in common, etc… and I was telling him about the new album I was working on and that I had a track that I thought he would dig playing on called “One & Only.” A few weeks later, he came by our studio in mid-town and played some amazing guitar and just made the track SOAR! I can’t say enough about Vernon – he was leaving for Europe the next day to tour with Living Colour and not only did he take the time to come by lend a hand to his little sister in arms, but he delivered his recognizable tone and style was such a pleasure to work with.

What was it like in the studio with Lemmy?

Being in a room with Lemmy is already a bit of an event – like being in a room with a legendary warrior like Ghengis Kahn or Attila the Hun. But being in the studio with Lemmy? I knew it would be surreal, which it was, but it was also lots of fun.

What gave you the idea of Lemmy in the first place?

Once I started playing LA, I was introduced to Lemmy by mutual friends and he ended up checking out my show at the Viper Room where we became fast friends. We met up at the Rainbow one night and I was talking to him about the record we were making and after several drinks, we just started going off about the music business and how much we hated what’s become of it. I told him about “Wasted,” a new song I had written on the topic, and I just mustered up the courage to ask him if he would put some of that venom on the track. I couldn’t believe it when he said yes because he hardly ever does any guest appearances. We ended up completely re-writing the song, trading off verses, venting our rage and laughing our asses off all night long. Collaborating with him was incredible, especially on a song that I think embodies the spirit of our “Death or Glory” pirate ship theme.

On Ron St. Germain…

We met through mutual friends and became really close. Growing up, I had listened to so many records that he worked on and I thought it would be great if he would mix one of my tracks. He ended up doing three.

On Jon Paris...

I met Jon at one of Neville Chesters’ infamous parties where he was jamming with Noel Redding. We were the only ones there not wearing leather chaps, leashes or full body latex, and we ended up hanging out and becoming good pals. He has invited me to sing with him at his Monday night BB King’s residency and has been a guest performer at my shows on several occasions. He’s such a badass musician and was the logical choice when I needed that bluesy harmonica and guitar on the album.

What is your dream gig that you would like to do?

Wembley Stadium!

You became very prolific this last year...

It seems like people have finally warmed up to rock again and I felt like now was the time to really make a statement.

Is there going to be a follow up cd soon?

We are already working on the next album!

What do you want for Christmas?

Here's my X-mas wishlist:
- Full body massage (with happy end of course) from Brad Pitt
- A duet with Bono
- My own tour van done up like the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo
- Front row tickets to the Led Zeppelin show in London with back stage
passes
- A ride on the Space Shuttle
- Buns of steel

And New Year?

Quit Smoking!

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I’m not a hater, I’m a lover and I’m a fighter!

Battle on, Xena!

Support live music!

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TRACK LISTING:

1. “Continental”
2. “Revolution Baby” (With Jon Paris)
3. “My Machine” (With Tom Morello)
4. “Cry for a Minute”
5. “One & Only” (With Vernon Reid)
6. “Survival” (Mixed by Ron St. Germain)
7. “Good Enough” (Mixed by Ron St. Germain)
8. “Twisty Tie” (With Jon Paris)
9. “One More Time” (Mixed by Ron St. Germain)
10. “Runaway”
11. “Wasted” (With Lemmy Kilmister)

www.queenv.com

Boston Globe

Queen V can be judged by the company she keeps. The New York City rocker has opened for Billy Idol and Bon Jovi and features Vernon Reid (best known for his work with Living Colour) and Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) on her new album. The endorsement of these legends should be enough to get you to believe that V is the real deal – an anti-establishment rock personality who can shred. You can hear her sing anthems from her new disc “Death or Glory” at the Middle East Upstairs tonight. She shares the lineup with Blacktail, Motherboar and Destruct-A-thon. Show starts at 9pm.