LIVE REVIEW

KICKIN’ VALENTINA

NOTTINGHAM RESCUE ROOMS

KICKIN VALENTINA at NOTTINGHAM RESCUE ROOMS

WHILST not on every rocker’s radar,  Kickin’ Valentina are slowly getting better at the day job and heading up the ladder. Having seen them at last year’s Stonedead Festival I was keen to view more, and this small but impressive Rescue Room venue performance didn’t disappoint. An American foursome, this band work hard, making big strides with rough-edged riffs and catchy tunes that went down well with the midlands crowd.

To rapturous applause, they opened up with On My Side, which soon woke up and shook up the Nottingham crowd.

Comprising frontman D.K. Revelle, guitarist Heber Pampillon, bassist Chris Taylor and the man on the tubs Jimmy Berdine, other stand out tunes included Make Me Sweat, Freak Show, and what should have been a massive hit single, Turns Me On.

Photography By Roy Goodall

I also thought they played a blinder by ending their ten-song set, they were special guests to ex- The Quireboys frontman Spike, with a cover tune. Yes, many people seemed to know some tunes, but equally we had a few first timers there too. Whilst Kickin’ Valentina have some strong songs, a well-known classic is a good move, though I’m guessing we didn’t expect Burning Love, the Elvis Presley hit to close proceedings.

To improve things overall, whilst front man D.K. has a strong presence and delivers well, he could do with swearing less, and the dancing girls, who made a few appearances, didn’t work as they became an unnecessary distraction.

Playing to a packed house must have done Kickin’ Valentina’s confidence the world of good and with the new album and another tour planned, this hard-working gang should soon be climbing up the ranks.