THE VALENTINES

The Valentines are without a doubt one of the most charismatic bands to graze the face of the Italian punk rock scene. Their latest effort LIFE STINKS, produced by legendary producer Daniel Rey, encompasses their discontent with modern society and how they plan to change it through their well knit and powerful sounds. The band forms at the dawn of the new millennium when veteran guitarist Mars Valentine decides to continue what had tragically ended a few years before with the loss of a friend and the dismemberment of his band Hong Kong 99. To aid him in this heartfueled journey he contacted old friend Vale Valentine, whom with her powerful voice and sensual attitude captivates eyes and ears of even the most selective audiences. Kicking out the jams on the rhytim section are JJ and Matt Valentine. Both Bologna rocknroll all stars since birth; the first a self taught drummer brought up on punk that hits like a ten ton hammer; the second, a bass player with heart and soul of a tiger. They have all struggled through modern lifes adversities and have used rocknroll as catharsis, making their music intense and concrete. Still mainting their day jobs, they produce their first ep FOUR SONGS PROMO in the summer of 2000 that will be supported by shows sopening for acts such as The Briefs, Glucifer and Rick Blaze & The Ballbusters. The Ballbusters, impressed with the band, later offer them a chance to destroy the USA After a week of pure mayhem, they meet an enthusiastic Daniel Rey who immediately becomes enamoured with The Valentines. After a year spent touring and a well deserved vacation, the band regroups to throw down their first full length entitled NO TIME GENERATION, out on indie label Tre Accordi Records where the band currently resides. The record immediately receives rave reviews from national print and online magazines but most importatnly it was well received live as it hit straight to the heart. On a high, the band tours extensively landing gigs on mainstage fests such as the Indipendent Days and Tora Tora. Its 2004 and The Valentines are ready to seclude themselves into the studio for another album; meanwhile Daniel Rey, now friend of the band, offeres his services to strenghten the already rock solid tracks. Rey then comes to Italy to record the album that will later be mixed down in his NYC studios. A simple gesture that had many shooks as no punkrock producer had ever flewn across seas! 2005 sees the light of LIFE STINKS out once again on Tre Accordi that nails down the Italian distribution and fully backing the band thanks them for the amazing record and the added credentials brought by Daniel Rey. The Italian punkrock scene shivvers to the sounds of this new creation, leaving the band shortwinded from the intense workout and thanks to the fine touch of Rey, proves its increasing potential. During the first two months of life, the record is heavily rotated on Italian indie radios receiving many positive mentions, reviews on various music magazines, webzines and fanzines. The band yet again saddles up for some intense record support finishing up in September at the Rock In Idro Festival sharing the stage with Turbonegro, The Hives and The Offspring. Recently the band has filmed a videoclip for their single LISTEN that is currently on rotation on Rock TV (Sky).