VIXEN – Live In Sweden

Love it or hate it, the fact remains that Vixen are one of the most successful all-female Rock bands in history. The Glam band started humbly enough in Minnesota before founding guitarist (and only remaining original member) Jan Kuehnemund packed up and moved to California for the bright lights of the Sunset Strip.

By the late 1980s, Vixen was formed and the quartet found themselves on MTV in heavy rotation. They also played some big shows, including a run with Bon Jovi. Then reality set in, the girls bickered and Vixen disbanded. Fast forward several years and the band made a lot of false starts with various members. Then, just two years ago, Kuehnemund put together the current Vixen line-up and started touring Europe. This European vacation eventually landed the women a spot on the roster of the 2005 Sweden Rock Festival. The band recorded that performance, and it’s simply called Vixen: Live In Sweden. In all, the album is both a raw and exciting listen.

Vixen: Live In Sweden opens with the title track to the band’s second album Rev It Up. The crowd response is good, and helps get the momentum going for “Streets In Paradise,” also originally recorded for Rev It Up. In 2006, Vixen released an album of all-new material called Live And Learn. Many of the songs for the album were either written or recorded by the time Vixen took the Sweden Rock stage. It’s not surprising that some of those songs made their way into the setlist. “Anyway” is one of these tracks. An upbeat rocker with Vixen’s trademark melody makes the track more than listenable. What’s more, the crowd seems to love the song, even if it is unfamiliar.

Vixen’s most famous songs, “Cryin’” and “Edge Of A Broken Heart” are buried deep in the set, as expected. Moreover, you can hear thousands of voices singing right along as the band plays both tracks. To the band’s credit, the production on the effort is exceptionally well done. It’s very easy to hear the crowd, but the fans don’t overpower the band. Ironically, the last song on Vixen: Live In Sweden is “Bad Reputation.” Vixen dedicates the song to Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe. The Kings of Sunset Strip Metal also played the 2005 Sweden Rock Festival. In all, “Bad Reputation” is a more than fitting encore for all the Glam bands at this massive festival.