[Image from http://www.primadonnarocks.com]
The album cover for Prima Donna’s 2012 release, Bless This Mess.
Originating in Sin City, rock ‘n’ roll band Prima Donna has been on the scene since 2003. Fronted by singer/guitarist Kevin Preston, this five-man act knows how to put on a show. Saxophonist/keyboardist Aaron Minton, drummer David Field, bassist “Lights Out” Levine, and guitarist Erik Arcane round out the current lineup.
After signing to Acetate Records, Prima Donna released their first studio album in 2008. Titled After Hours, the album consisted of a modest 10-song tracklist. In addition to new material, several of the songs were reworked from 2005’s out-of-print album, Kiss Kiss, including “Stray Doll” and “Double Crosser.” Backed by a solid rock sound, After Hours established the band as one to watch.
Notable tracks from the album include “Soul Stripper” and “Doll Face Baby.”
2011 saw extensive touring, paving the way for an impressive relationship with legendary punk rockers, Green Day. After Green Day connected the band with engineer Chris Dugan of Jingletown Recorders, Prima Donna set out to record their second full-length album, Bless This Mess.
The album’s lead single, “Feral Children,” boasts sexually charged lyrics that’ll have even the most virginal saint grinding on the dance floor. The sensual track promises a “real sick lover,” who’ll “tell you lies so filthy, you won’t mind.”
A favorite of the band, “Feral Children” has been played at every show so far, said Preston in a recent interview with Candor.
Currently on tour with The Dollyrots, Prima Donna has come a long way since playing the punk rock scene in Los Angeles.
In the beginning there was no one to play with, recalled Preston. Most shows were just punk or just emo, etc., and it was really hard to find bills that Prima Donna fit on. Before long the scene formed around us, he said.
When asked about the band’s longevity, Preston was quick to say Prima Donna has no limit.
We’re genuine onstage, and we’re going to continue giving every single ounce of sweat we have, said Preston. “Look at The Rolling Stones – good rock ‘n’ roll is timeless.”
Bless This Mess is the band’s first full-length album to be released on vinyl. After Prima Donna heads through the East Coast, they’ll be touring Europe to support the LP.
“We’re vinyl junkies,” said Preston, when asked about the LP. “It’s not real to us until it’s on wax.”
Though the tour just started, good times are already rolling. Laughing his way through the story, Preston mentioned a recent prank war with The Dollyrots.
Sleep deprived to the point of delirium, the two bands began slipping dirty messages under each others’ hotel room doors. The Dollyrots won in the end, slipping Prima Donna a note so vulgar, it can’t be repeated.
“They passed a paper that kinda made me puke a little bit,” said Preston. “It was good.”
You can check out the official music video for “Feral Children” below.
