In a brand new interview with Brutal Planet Media, former VIXEN singer Lorraine Lewis opened up about her 2024 exit from the band after a five-year run. She stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I did not depart. I used to be fired. And in order that’s the reality of it. And I feel when all of it went down, I used to be actually in shock, ‘trigger I had been within the band for over 5 years and I do know that I did my job and I actually imagine I elevated the band. And folks can say, ‘Oh, she thinks she’s all that,’ simply by that popping out of my mouth. However I actually imagine that. I feel that I introduced a brand new life to the band. And I come from the college of David Lee Roth, so I’m in your face and I stick out my tongue lots once I’m on stage ‘trigger it is like an exclamation mark whenever you’re up there and it feels so rattling good. And I simply had the time of my life.”
Lorraine continued: “I undoubtedly miss the [VIXEN] women. However on the identical time, I feel that every part actually does occur for a motive. And I do know that my path is my very own and my very own journey to satisfy. And so I’m proud of the time that I had with them. We did some wonderful excursions, wonderful exhibits.
“It was by no means going to be my band,” she added. “I knew it was not my band, however I actually gave it my all and I feel that we had a hell of a time, and once more, elevated the model, for certain, and actually did every part I might to be that entrance individual that I assumed they wished.”
Relating to why she was fired from VIXEN, Lorraine stated: “I nonetheless to this present day have no idea a motive; I used to be by no means given a motive. We have been two weeks out of the summer time [2024] tour, and I had new outfits and every part… I requested why. I requested why, however I used to be informed that the explanations do not matter. And in order that’s actually the reality.”
Providing her idea for why she may need been fired from VIXEN, Lorraine stated: “I am simply gonna say it: it is [drummer] Roxy [Petrucci] that runs the band. It is her band. And I’ve recognized Roxy for a really very long time. I’ve recognized her for 30 years… I feel perhaps I’ve simply at all times been slightly bit an excessive amount of for her, ‘trigger I simply go for it. I am not right here to harm anyone. I am simply right here to have enjoyable and dwell life to the fullest and simply categorical myself. And rock and roll is rock and roll. You possibly can’t tame rock and roll. So I do not wanna be tamed in any manner. [Laughs]
“So, that is what went down,” Lewis continued. “And I spoke about this on Troy Patrick Farrell‘s [‘This That And The Other’] podcast when it occurred. It took me a few weeks to even speak about it. However it’s been virtually a yr. It will be a yr in Could. And I had simply been within the studio recording with [original FOREIGNER singer] Lou Gramm, after which two days later I acquired this cellphone name from the supervisor. And it was, like, ‘Whoa, what the hell simply occurred?’ It was a wild trip.”
Reflecting on how she felt after she acquired the information that she was now not the singer of VIXEN, Lorraine stated: “I’ll admit, the primary few weeks I might get up within the morning and it was like I used to be in a dream. It is like virtually I could not get my footing, like even simply strolling, like getting off the bed and strolling. It was simply this whirlwind of, like, ‘Did that basically occur? Am I not within the band anymore?’ It actually took some time to sink in. And it was actually difficult, emotionally, simply to deal with it, however on the identical time, I am a believer in destiny and the universe and all good issues are occurring to me, and if I actually imagine that stuff I am feeding myself or different individuals, I’ve to actually imagine it. If I say I do know that issues are at all times figuring out for me, then I do know that a part of the method is typically issues fall away. And that is a part of the universe pushing you to your path. And so I acquired my head round that… However little by little, right here we’re a yr later and I can not even let you know what number of wonderful issues are at my fingertips proper now.”
VIXEN‘s new singer Rosa Laricchiuta (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, HEADPINS) made her dwell debut with VIXEN on June 21, 2024 on the Honda Heart in Anaheim, California alongside GREAT WHITE, SLAUGHTER and QUIET RIOT.
Throughout an look on the Battleline Podcast, VIXEN guitarist Brittany Denaro (a.okay.a. Britt Lightning) mentioned the choice to half methods with Lewis. Requested what she would say to followers who’re involved that VIXEN bears little resemblance to the band that broke by way of within the late Nineteen Eighties, with Petrucci as the only remaining member from VIXEN‘s basic lineup, Britt stated: “Yeah, properly, I feel Roxy is certainly devoted to sustaining the musical integrity of the basic VIXEN. And he or she stated that. And I feel for no matter motive, she feels that this variation is gonna be a optimistic one… So, I am excited. I belief her. She’s been doing this a very long time, and she or he is aware of what feels proper.”
Britt continued: “Typically issues run its course. And, once more, I am not concerned in on this choice or at liberty to actually discuss … the explanations in it. However on the finish of the day, it does not matter, I suppose. We’re forging ahead, we’re forging forward, and there will be new music. And I feel it is gonna rock. So I am very excited.”
Britt went on to debate the significance of getting together with VIXEN‘s new singer on a private stage, explaining: “On the finish of the day, clearly it’s important to be gifted, however simply being particular person and being a cool particular person, ‘trigger we spend plenty of time collectively. I imply, that saying, musicians, we receives a commission to journey after which we play the gig, however what will we receives a commission for? The journey. I imply, I’ve flown to South America for one 30-minute present after which flown proper again. In order that’s plenty of journey time and never plenty of enjoying. And that is plenty of time that it’s important to be with one another, and in case you’re with anyone that simply drives you nuts, that is the worst factor ever. After which you possibly can inform on stage too. So you already know there’s good chemistry when — you possibly can really feel it, is what I am saying, on stage. And I feel the viewers can at all times really feel it too.”
When VIXEN introduced Lewis‘s exit from the band on Could 27, 2024, the group stated in an announcement: “To start with we need to lengthen a particular thanks to Lorraine Lewis. We’re grateful for her contributions to VIXEN and need her all one of the best in her profession transferring ahead.”
Previous to Lewis‘s addition to VIXEN, Petrucci, bassist Share Ross and Lightning vowed to “broaden upon the VIXEN legacy whereas remaining true to our musical roots.”
Gardner, Petrucci and Ross are thought-about to be a part of VIXEN‘s basic lineup, together with founding guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, who died of most cancers in October 2013.
Gardner contributed lead vocals to VIXEN‘s most commercially profitable studio albums — “Vixen” (1988),“Rev It Up” (1990) and “Tangerine” (1998) — in addition to the group’s newest full-length launch, 2018’s dwell album “Reside Fireplace”.
Greater than three years in the past, Ross introduced that she was “taking a hiatus” from VIXEN. Her substitute was Julia Lage, previously of the Latin Grammy-nominated Brazilian rock group BARRA DE SAIA and spouse of Richie Kotzen. Lage made her dwell debut with VIXEN on February 8, 2022 on the pre-Monsters Of Rock cruise live performance at Magic Metropolis On line casino in Miami, Florida.
VIXEN‘s “Crimson” single, that includes Lewis, on vocals, arrived in October 2023. The official music video for the observe, which was written and produced by CINDERELLA drummer Fred Coury, was directed by Drew Johnston and Vicente Cordero and edited by Ryan Conion.
