Janet Gardner, former lead singer of seminal metal band, Vixen, has signed with Pavement Entertainment, aftr an extended hiatus. She released her self-titled album in August, her first since ‘Tangerine’ in 1998. Pairing up with her producer/songwriter/guitarist husband Justin James, this album is a new style for Janet, and she has released four of her songs on YouTube, including ‘Rat Hole’.
Widely recognised in the world of metal rock, Janet Gardner is known for her hard-hitting voice. Her new sounds have been described by Metaltalk.net as “a collection of emotionally charged songs with gritty grooves, infectious hooks and inspired lyrics that merge hard rock influences from the last four decades.” Janet brings her collected influences – Vixen’s sound changes from the hair metal of ‘Rev It Up’ to the 90s grunge of ‘Tangerine’ – into a thoroughly modern and exciting mix.
The first sample song in the teaser video, ‘Rat Hole’, is a directed by Daniel Dahlstrom and is a full-blown romp of classic 80s and 90s rock. Shot in a grainy style, and opening with the drummer, sticks poised, Janet jumps right in like a rock’n’roll star, with Justin on guitar. Janet sits on a black leather throne, with multi-coloured lights filling the set, which is filled with smoke. It’s old-skool, but it’s brilliant, and it works.
Find out more about Janet Gardner online on her Facebook page, where you can also find details of her touring schedule, including a peformance at Sellersville Theater, Pennsylvania, on September 9.
