MISSISSIPPI-For the first in a series of interviews published for the Facebook groups Glam Metal Universe and New Breed Revolution, I reached out to Vicky White, the immensely talented lead singer of up and coming band Bloody Heels. I spoke with Vicky this evening, and we chatted about his love of a wide variety of Hard Rock, influences, and what goals his band has for the future.
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Well first I’d like to thank you again for taking some time to chat. I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know that I am a big big fan of the band. Through Mystery is definitely the best album I’ve heard in quite a while. My main goal in this is to get more people to check you guys out, because I absolutely love what you guys are doing. And the world needs more Rock music.
Thanks dude, appreciate it much! And awesome to hear that you dig Through Mystery, but to be honest I think the next album is gonna be next level, well at least I think so, hopefully the majority of people will do as well. And YES, the world definitely needs more rock music!
I honestly can’t wait to hear it man. So first question, how does it feel to be a working musician, making a living by creating and performing music?
Well sadly we’re not there yet, we do some other things here and there as well, but of course that is the main goal – to create, record, tour and be able to live of it fully.
I understand. Getting signed to Frontiers will open quite a few doors to make that happen soon. Between their global reach and the talent level of the band I’m sure that you’ll be in that position sooner rather than later. When did you guys actually come together as a band?
We really hope that too. Getting signed by Frontiers is definitely big for us as a band and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Well the actual year was 2012, that’s when Harry came to the band and things started to slowly happen. But to be honest we were all really young, I was barely 17 years old. We didn’t know how to play our instruments, write songs or anything about the music business in general. Slowly we matured, started to understand how things actually needs to be done and I’d say that the band got serious in about 2015- 2016. Maybe a year or two before we actually released Through Mystery.
Oh wow! That’s not long at all. Was there a specific moment that happened in your life that made you decide to actively pursue music?
I think for the band it was by releasing Cheap Little Liar and the debut album. For me… I’ve always known that music is gonna be the thing for me.
I read online where you are from Latvia. Growing up in that part of the world, was it difficult for you to discover “western” rock and roll, such as American rock bands, or was it all easily available to you?
Yeah we are, we’re part of Baltic States which consists of three small countries – Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
But for me it wasn’t, cause the country was already independent years before I was born and the USSR were long gone (thank God for that) ! So for me it wasn’t a problem at all in that aspect. My dad though was growing up sadly in the USSR so he had quite a rough time trying to find bands from USA etc. But luckily he did and if I’m not wrong it all started with Europe, cause they’re from Sweden, and Sweden is really close to us, just an hour and half flight and after them it escalated quickly haha. He actually was in Moscow Music Peace Fest as well… Imagine that…
Ohh and yeah, I have to thank dad for the love of rock & roll and especially hard rock! I basically grew up with it.
Oh man, he was blessed for sure. That was one of the greatest rock shows in the history of the world. I was just about to ask how you were introduced to hard Rock and heavy metal. Who are some of your favorite bands?
Well that’s the hardest question of them all. In all seriousness I can’t tell my favorite band at all. Of course of the big fishes I love Motley, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Kiss- even if I don’t listen to them that often anymore. Those bands are why I fell in love with the genre in the first place. But I love Winger, Ratt, Warrant and Danger Danger with all of my heart. To name a few smaller acts- I love Silent Rage, Saraya, Strangeways, Tattoo Rodeo. But all of these bands are only few that came up right on the spot. I really do love ’em all. haha
I know the feeling. I love this genre of music so much it makes it literally impossible to list a favorite band or even a favorite album. I’ve found that sometimes I have to take a break from listening to the bigger bands like Kiss or Van Halen, just so when I do pick them up a few months or even a year down the road, it makes me appreciate them that much more.
Exactly! I was listening the other day to Hysteria again after like a year without hearing it. And man, what a fricken masterpiece it is.
Which singers would you say are your favorites, and which biggest influences? For example, as a guitar player, my favorite guitarist hands down is Edward Van Halen. He’s the reason I picked one up. But when I play I find that my playing style is much more influenced by people like Keith Richards or Jimmy Page.
Well I think that the greatest singer ever is Steve Perry, everytime I hear the man singing it just gives me chills and goosebumps. He does that thing what all the greats do in any niche – he makes it look easy. But again in Hard Rock there have been and still are so many great lead singers that I just can’t name even a few. But I’ll still try haha – Kip Winger, Glenn Hughes, C.J. Snare, David Coverdale. Hope one day I’ll achieve vocally at least a half of what these gents can do.
It’s funny you mention Coverdale. Your singing style reminds me of him, and visually you remind me of Mike Tramp from White Lion.
Well I’m feeling flattered now! That’s quite a combo haha!
Tramp, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated singers in rock history. It’s a shame no one gives him proper credit.
I totally agree! The thing that I love about Mike Tramp is that he has his own style, there’s really no other singer you can compare him to. He perhaps never had those crazy high notes, but he never needed them in my opinion. He and Vito were a powerhouse.
What sort of things do you enjoy outside of music? Are you much of a movie buff, or reading? Are you a video game fan? Do you draw any inspiration for songwriting from those type of things?
I do like all of the things you mentioned, I love going out with friends, I do watch Netflix and read as well. And I actually play few video games here and there. I love to sport as well but I love to have a glass of wine and spin some vinyl more hahaha. As for the inspiration – I’ve always thought that as an artist and creative person you have to draw inspiration from anywhere you can.
I understand that. I’m a vinyl fan myself. What are some short term and long term goals you guys have as a band?
Well the short term goal is to release the album with Frontiers the best possible way we can. For the long one – hope we have at least ten albums in us. We’d love to tour in other continents of the world, especially USA of course. But the biggest of them all is to get more people to listen to us.
Absolutely. If you guys could open for any touring band, who would you choose?
Well I hear that Motley is back.. haha but jokes aside from the old bands I’d love to support like Whitesnake, Danger Danger for example. From the newer bands I’d love to tour with Heat or Reckless Love. I’d say Crashdiet, but we already played with them last month.
Shiraz Lane are buddies and I’d love to tour with them, but I’m sure at some point we’re gonna do something together. And man, Hannes… What a vocal…
Oh yeah he’s fantastic. Such a great time for Hard Rock right now there’s so many fantastic new bands out there. The article I read on the band said the album is gonna drop sometime in 2020. Is that the case or can you talk about that yet?
I think it only will get better! Yeah definitely, the label thought that 2020 is the best option. I guess it will be early in the year though. But I just can’t wait; the album was already finished in the summer, so imagine my frustration haha. But the first single is gonna be out much sooner I assume. Maybe this year? Haha.
Oh I imagine it’s crazy having to wait haha. As a fan I can’t wait to listen to it. And that would be a fantastic Christmas gift to your fans haha.
Haha not only for the fans. That would be a great Christmas gift to me as well haha!
Oh no doubt haha. Is there anything you’d like to let the readers know or a message for your fans out there?
I’d just like to say big thanks to everyone who dig our music and supports us in any way. It really means a lot to a small band like us. And keep an eye on Bloody Heels cause all the cool stuff is coming! And of course thanks to you Brodee!
Man, it was my pleasure. I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you. You seem like a great dude and I wish you all the success in the world. Look forward to what comes next from you guys.
Bloody Heels is:
Lead Vocals: Vicky White
Lead/Rhythm Guitars: Harry Rivers
Bass Guitars: Gunner Everett
Drums/Percussion: Gus Hawk
You can find them on:
Twitter: @BloodyHeelsBand
Instagram: @BloodyHeelsBand
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bloodyheelsband
Their official merchandise website is:
https://bloodyheels.bigcartel.com/
Their independently released debut album, Through Mystery is available now through ITunes and all other digital formats.
Glam Metal Universe: The Interviews 