Music review: Vixen – ‘Live Fire’
This week’s review is a throwback to the glory days of the late 1980s when hair metal shook the stereo speakers and ruled the television screens, courtesy of MTV.
Vixen, an all-female rock band from Minnesota, arrived on the music scene with big hair, black leather, sexy Lita Ford looks, plenty of swagger and actual musical talent with 1988’s self-titled release.
I was instantly hooked after watching the band’s first music video and was curious to find out if these ladies could rock out for an entire album.
With tracks like “Edge of a Broken Heart,” “Cryin'” and “Love Made Me,” Vixen was indeed for real and proved it once again with the band’s second release “Rev It Up.”
I lost track of the band after a few years and had completely forgotten about them until I had the opportunity to see them perform live two years ago in Ohio as part of an all-day rock event that included performances by Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Warrant, Quiet Riot, founding Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy, Jack Russell’s Great White, Autograph, Trixter and Cheap Trick.
Needless to say, Vixen rocked the arena and won me back over again with an electrifying set.
“Live Fire” captures the band’s passion for performing and relentless stage energy during a show at Chicago’s Arcada Theater in 2017.
Lead vocalist Janet Gardner, drummer Roxy Petrucci and bassist Share Ross are the three remaining members from Vixen’s classic lineup. The band tragically lost guitarist and founder Jan Kuehnemund to illness in 2013. Britt Lightning lives up to her last name and fills in admirably on guitar.
Songs like “Rev It Up,” “Rock Me,” “How Much Love,” “Edge of a Broken Heart,” “Cryin'” and “I Don’t Need No Doctor” are just a few of the highlights from the new album’s 12 live recordings.
In addition to the concert tracks, “Live Fire” includes a new studio version of “You Ought to Know by Now” as well as an acoustic studio version of “Edge of a Broken Heart.”
If you are feeling a little nostalgic and up for a summer road trip, you might want to consider traveling to the Clearfield County Fair on August 4 to see Vixen perform with Faster Pussycat and Great White.
I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Clint Rhodes is the Herald-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.