Vicky and The Vengents Interview and Concert Review- Alex's Bar, Long Beach, CA. 8/12/12

If you like the Phil Spector produced era of The Ramones, you’ll absolutely love Vicky and The Vengents. Describing themselves as a "Psychedelic Maltshop Punk Rock Group" they blew me away with their rapid-fire guitars and 50's melodies. The band consists of Vicky Tafoya on lead vocals, Matt Beld on lead guitars/vocals, Vinny Malachi on bass and Dusty Watson on drums. Tonight at Alex’s Bar they showcased their original songs that pay homage to all the members' combined influences which range from Doo-wop to Punk.



Vicky and the Vengents tearing the roof off of Alex's Bar.

They opened the show with “Almost There” the first track from their most recent release Cry Now, Smile Later. The song set the high energy tone for the incredible 45 minute, 10 song set. They took the energy to the next level midway through the show with “I Hate the Way You Make Me Feel.” Guitarist Matt Beld told us that Vicky and The Vengents was their expression of what music should be. “It has to have energy and enthusiasm similar to what speaks to teenagers.” This song is a great example of what Matt was referring to.

Vicky dedicated the song “We Turned Into a Lie” to Joey Ramone, whose action figure they have mounted on the dash of the band’s new touring van. The melodic “Sha-Na” speaks to the Doo-wop style that Vicky loves. They closed they show with a very Ramones-like cover of “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin. 

Vicky Tafoya of Vicky and The Vengents

We had the opportunity to chat with the band after the set. Guitarist Matt Beld told us that he was already in a band called The Vengents when he was invited to a BBQ at Vicky's house. He asked if she had a guitar, he picked it up and they started playing and putting songs together until 4 am. It flowed naturally and they have been a songwriting team ever since.

When asked about the band's influences the answer was an eclectic mix covering several decades of rock n' roll. Guitarist Matt Beld cited his influences as Chuck Berry and The Ventures. Bassist Vinny Malachi mentioned Carol Kaye and The Wrecking Crew as his primary influences.Vicky professed a fondness for Doo-wop and girl groups including Joan Jett, Blondie as well as the Beach Boys and anything Phil Spector produced.

Vicky told us that she made an unsuccessful attempt at passing the band's CD to LA Disc Jockey Rodney Bingenheimer at the premiere of "The Runaways" film. Later they made connections and eventually got the disc in his hands. He loved the band and he has had their songs in his rotation for the past two years during his Sunday night radio show on KROQ. Rodney has a good eye for talent and a reputation for being able to break bands into the mainstream so we wouldn't be surprised to see Vicky and The Vengents playing larger venues in the near future.

Vicky and The Vengents are going on a tour which will last from October 4th-November 10th. Below is a list of the announced tour dates.  Don't miss out on seeing them play live!

UPDATED: Vicky and The Vengents Tour Dates

OCT. 4 -DOUBLE DOWN-LAS VEGAS, NV.
OCT. 5 - ABG'S-PROVO, UT.
OCT. 6 - BENDER'S TAVERN-DENVER, CO
OCT. 7 -THE REPLAY LOUNGE-LAWRENCE, KANSAS
OCT. 8 -THE WAY OUT CLUB-ST. LOUIS, MO.
OCT. 10 - ROCK N' ROLL LAND-GREEN BAY,WI.
OCT. 11 - CLUB GARIBALDIS-MILWAUKEE, WI.

OCT. 12 - LIARS CLUB-CHICAGO, IL.
OCT. 13 -PAYCHECK'S LOUNGE-DETROIT, MI.
OCT. 14 TIP TOP DELUX-GRAND RAPIDS,MI.
OCT.16 - BUZZBIN-CANTON, OH.
OCT.17 -EUCLID TAVERN-CLEVELAND, OH.
OCT. 19 - HAMBONES-PITTSBURG,PENN.
OCT.20 - THE APARTMENT-PROVIDENCE, RI.
OCT. 22 -CAFE "9" NEW HAVEN CONN.
OCT. 23 -JOE BELOCKS SHOW "WFMU"-NEWARK, NJ.
OCT. 24 - (AM) REW & WHO SHOW OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD-MANHATTAN, NYC.
OCT. 24 - (PM) GRAND VICTORY-BROOKLYN, NY.
OCT. 26 - HANKS SALOON-BROOKLYN, NY.
OCT. 27 - OPEN ARTS STAGE THEATRE BORDENTOWN-TRENTON NJ.

OCT. 28 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - TBA
 OCT. 30 - THE BASEMENT-NASHVILLE, TN.

OCT 31 - MEMPHIS, TN-TBA

NOV. 1 - LITTLE ROCK, AR-TBA

NOV. 2 - DALLAS - TBA

NOV. 3 - FT. WORTH - TBA
NOV. 4 - THE CONTINENTAL CLUB-HOUSTON, TX.
NOV. 6 - CONTINENTAL CLUB-AUSTIN, TX.
NOV. 7 - BONESHAKERS-SAN ANTONIO, TX.

NOV. 8- EL PASO, TX - TBA

NOV. 9- TUCSON, AZ - TBA

NOV. 10-PHOENIX, TX - TBA

 

Judy with Vicky and The Vengents after their set.

Guitarist Matt Beld and Singer Vicky Tafoya

Vicky and The Vengents