The Romeos                       ***********************

THE    ROMEOS

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Even though the 90s are over, there are still some glam bands in the UK. Here is one of the last of the trashy bubblegum idolz...

So, can you tell us about the history of the band ? Is there a special meaning behind the name of the band ?
ANDII:Okay,i`ll keep this az short az possible not to bore everyone....THE ROMEOS were formed back in`96 in South Walez.The band line-up was Myself on lead vocalz/guitarz,Kristy Kane Lovelock on bass/backing vox and Ashlyn Valentine on drumz. We released our first 4 song demo called `Head Full Of Toyz` at the end of `96 which recieved a great response from the UK,ITALY,FINLAND,RUSSIA,USA,FRANCE,SPAIN to name a few,where we had some good reviewz(Although the production on that demo was absolutely terrible!) We also did a 12 song tape called `The First Fuck!`which was bassically just a collection of rough home recorded songz that were recorded between `96 and`97`.It was never intended to be a release due to the non-exsistent production,but a few people told us that we should release it anywayz,and that had a great response too (It was raw,trashy n` in your face!). By `98,Ashlyn wasn`t learning the songz we were writing and started missing rehearsalz a lot,so we did the next demo(`Bubblegum Cabaret`) without him and i played drumz.We sent that out everywhere too and one song of that demo(`Death Of A Lollipop Lady`) was featured on a compilation cd put together by Bianca Couty of Lollypop Fanzine(France) called `Lipstikk Killerz`. By the end of `98 Kristy started getting lazy and developed a HUGE ego problem and arrogant with it,and Ashlyn just wasn`t bothering to show up anymore,so thing`z were not looking too good. Needless to say,THE ROMEOS split on extremely bad termz,so i took a year out to clear my head.I neverwanted to finish THE ROMEOS. Well...the year 2000......new songz written,glammier than ever and desperate for a bassist a drummer!Anyone out ther? Az for the band name THE ROMEOS...no story behind it really....just sounded cool.

It seems like you have line-up problems, is it difficult to find some people to play that kind of music in the UK ?
ANDII:Yeah,az i mentioned,i`m currently looking for a bassist and drummer and yes.....it`z very hard to find musicianz in the UK to do the sort of music i wanna do,but i haven`t given up just yet.....maybe i`ll have to relocate if nothing works out.

How is the British glam scene today ?
ANDII:I couldn`t really say....it`z not great let`z just say that!Not enough bandz in the UK anymore doin`it.

There's a punk influence in The ROMEOS. Have you seen "the filth and the fury" ? Are you interested in the punk scene ?
ANDII:Haven`t seen it no.There`z a punk influence in THE ROMEOS music becauze apart from growing up listening to 70z glam,i also listened to a lot of punk bandz like The Ramones,The Buzzcocks,etc....so the influence haz alwayz been there.Az for being interested in the punk scene...well i do have(Apart from older bandz) stuff like Rancid,Offspring,Green Day etc...in my collection,but you know,i`m more influenced by a lot of the US glam/punk bandz like The Zeros,Glamour Punks,Queeny Blast Pop,Candycane Lane,Foxy Roxx,HTM,Trash Brats,etc....there`z WAY too many to name.

What do you think about the rock scene today ? What are the last records you've enjoyed ?
ANDII:There`z too much rap/rock crossover bandz about(Actually...one`z too many!hehe!) and i fucking hate that shit....bandz like Papa Roach etc....The last recordz i`ve enjoyed are `Hollywood Teasze`-`No Flakes` and `The Mistakes`-`Dressed For Suckcess`.

What's your opinion on band reunions ?
ANDII:It depend`z on their motivationz behind it! Some bandz do it just to cash in.(I won`t mention any namez!Ha!)

What are your projects for 2001 ?
ANDII:First up....find new musicianz,gig non-stop n`tour,shokk the world,record a full lenght cd,wear more make-up,chew more bubblegum,and drink more beer!!!!I just wanna have fun.....that`z just me,i love what i do and no-one`z gonna tell me otherwize.

Do you want to add something ?
Yeah,i wanna thank EVERYONE that`z stuck by THE ROMEOS from the start,even through the bad timez,also to my new friendz and i`ve made many,everyone keeping glam alive,and you for the interview,cheerz!!!!

www.expage.com/andiivamp
www.mp3.com/The_RomeosUK

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