Kickin Valentina

Kickin Valentina

Kickin Valentina are a hard rock band from Atlanta, United States, active since 2013. Their sound combines sleaze, blues and rock’n’roll attitude, and they are associated with hard rock, rock and rock and roll.

Formation and line-up

The band forms in 2013 around guitarist Heber Pampillon and drummer Jimmy Berdine. After meeting vocalist Joe Edwards, they begin writing and rehearsing, then add bassist Chris Taylor to complete the line-up. By 2024, the group consists of lead vocalist D.K. Revelle, guitarist Heber Pampillon, bassist Chris Taylor and drummer Jimmy Berdine.

Recordings and releases

Kickin Valentina release their self-titled debut EP through Atlanta indie label Highway 9 Records in October 2013. In 2015 they start work on their follow-up album, Super Atomic, at Muse Productions in Atlanta with producer and engineer Andy Reilly, who has worked with Bruce Dickinson, UFO, Asia and The Quireboys. The album is preceded by the single and video Wrong Way. In 2024 the band announce the studio album Star Spangled Fist Fight, released through Mighty Music, and in 2025 they announce Raw Traxs, B-Sides & Bootlegs.

Label support

In August 2015 the band sign with Danish hard rock and metal label Mighty Music/Target Group, following an introduction by the Danish figure Ken Anthony.

Touring and live appearances

Kickin Valentina tour widely in the United States and overseas, and open for acts including Buckcherry, Queensryche, Pop Evil, Fozzy, Skid Row, Red Dragon Cartel, Sebastian Bach, Doro, Eve to Adam, Faster Pussycat, Nonpoint, Kix, LA Guns and Cilver. Their first European tour takes place in May 2016, with dates in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Denmark, including Nordic Noise Festival. They also play festivals such as Rock Fest in Wisconsin, Farm Rock in Illinois, Tennessee and Georgia, Soundwave in Maryland, Rock n Skull in Illinois, Wolf Fest in Colorado, Skull Fest in Nebraska, Summer Rock Party in Illinois and Outskirts 53 Music & Bike Fest in Georgia.

Reception and awards

The band receives coverage in publications across Europe and Japan, including Burrn, Young Guitar, Classic Rock, Sweden Rock, Legacy, Fireworks, Metalized, Aardshok, Metal Hammer, Deaf Forever, Rock Hard, Rock It and Powerplay. They win the 2014 GA Music Award for Rock Band of the Year and the 2015 GA Music Award for Video of the Year for Wrong Way.

Other uses of their music

The song Get Ready is used in promotional material for the Jacksonville Axemen rugby team and appears on the soundtrack to Hair I Go Again, directed by Steve McClure and produced by Kyle Kruger. Get Ready and Alone are also set to appear in the action horror film Altered and its soundtrack from director Kely McClung.