Most of you probably know Steevi Jaimz as the original singer of British glamers Tigertailz, but that was many years ago… Steevi Jaimz follows a solo career and this year he returns with a powerful record! With musician Chris Laney by his side, Steevi Jaimz releases “My Private Hell”, an impressive album. Solid Rock took the chance to talk with him about his new album “My Private Hell”, his future plans and the Tigertailz days…

Solid Rock: Hello Steevi and greetings from Athens, Greece and Solid Rock E-zine. How are you?

Steevi Jaimz: Hi guys. I'm good. Great to be speaking to you.

Solid Rock: First of all, congratulations on “My Private Hell”. Your new album blew us away for good, it is truly amazing! It’s sleazy, ‘angry’, full of catchy melodies and with amazing ‘dirty’ guitar riffs, simply it seems that has it all. Are you satisfied with the final result?

Steevi Jaimz: Thanks for the kind words, I’m pleased that you like it so much. Yeah, I’m very very happy with the final result. We always knew we had the tunes and together with the first class production it has brought it altogether. I usually listen back to material I’ve recorded and have reservations about lots of things. But on listening back to this I was blown away with how good it all sounded. I'm really proud of what we achieved with “My Private Hell”, and it won't disappoint anyone i guarantee!!

Solid Rock: I know you were working on “My Private Hell” for years. How come it took you so long to release it?

Steevi Jaimz: Basically, it took so long 'cos it started out as demo ideas. But as soon as we sat down and worked on the other tunes it was obvious that we had a full and killer sounding record. It was self financed in the end, and that's the only reason it took a long time to actually get out. Had i had the finances all in one go it would've been finished and out over a year before it actually was.

Solid Rock: How’s the people’s reaction to the album so far?

Steevi Jaimz: It's been great, overall very positive. The reviews have been tremendous. With some critics saying it's the best British hard rock album to come out for a long time. So I’m more than happy.

Solid Rock: After such a release it’s logical that people’s expectations will get bigger from you. Can we say that the direction, style and quality of “My Private Hell” is what we should expect from you from now on?

Steevi Jaimz: Well, everything I’ve done has been slightly different from earlier releases. Maybe the next record will move on again, don't know until we sit and write it though. Just trying to concentrate on promoting this release right now. Some have said this isn't glam enough, and my answer to that is... Why would I put out an album like that when I’ve already released one over 20 years ago. There's absolutely no point at all in doing that. If you want to hear me on a really glam record then go listen to Young & Crazy.

Solid Rock: Chris Laney has also contributed to the album, both in the production and the songwriting. How was it working with?

Steevi Jaimz: Chris and Anders (Ringman) were incredible to work with, their ideas and overall professionalism are just great. When Chris and I met first, we hit it off instantly. That made working with him so easy, and I think it shows on this record. I've never recorded anything where doing it was so relaxed either. Those two guys are the best. It was a really great experience.

Solid Rock: You also shoot a video for “Amazing”. Are there any plans for another video from the new album?

Steevi Jaimz: Yeah, we did the shoot for Amazing last month, the results of which can be seen on our web and MySpace sites and you-tube. There aren't any plans for another video at present, but I’m sure we'll do something further down the line. As to what song it'll be, we'll have to wait and see.

Solid Rock: Are there any tour plans in support of “My Private Hell”?

Steevi Jaimz: We're talking to different promoters as we speak, and we want to get out on the road asap, especially Europe. Hopefully we can make it over to Greece as well. That would be cool.

Solid Rock: You are the original Tigertaliz singer. What do you remember from the days of Tigertailz and “Young And Crazy” album?

Steevi Jaimz:  Hahahahahahahahaha. I've mentioned many times about those hazy days. I was oblivious to most of what was going on back then. Too busy with my face in a bottle. There were some real good times, but there were also some really bad times. I never really got on with the other guys in the band, and it was a miserable place to be most of the time. The scene back then in the UK was electric though. And the shows were always packed out and exciting. We actually recorded that record twice. Once in Wales, the other in London. The London version turned out to be the final release. I still like “Livin' Without You”, I’m proud to have written that song.

Solid Rock: Speaking of Tigertailz, you rejoined the band back in 2003. Would you like to tell us what happened and you left the band again?

Steevi Jaimz: No...I never rejoined them. Me and Ace (Finchum) went out touring as Tigertailz. Two years after we'd started the other guys put their version back out, took me to court over use of the name and won. So that was the end of that. I'd already started working with Chris on my solo record, so it actually turned out great for me in the end.

Solid Rock: These days it seems that a new hard rock/sleaze/glam scene is rising again with great bands from all over the globe: Buckcherry, Hinder, Crashdiet, Hardcore Superstar, The Last Vegas, etc. What do you think about this?

Steevi Jaimz: I think it's great that these bands are standing out. It needed a new breed of those type of bands to re-ignite an ailing scene. And now there's some really good music out there and people seem to be appreciating it all over again.

Solid Rock: Which bands and musicians made Steevi Jaimz say “I wanna be a rockstar” when he was younger? Which are your main influences?

Steevi Jaimz: Jim Dandy (Black Oak Arkansas) Ozzy and Dave Lee Roth were my idols. Also Paul Stanley was and is a rockstar, I used to be in awe of him back in the 70's when I was growing up. They all had that quality and made me feel like I was looking at true rock n' rollers.

Solid Rock: What is your goal at this point of your career and which are your future plans??

Steevi Jaimz: I never look too far forward, but my immediate plans are for me to try and get out and play these new tunes to anyone and everyone!!

Solid Rock: Steevi, I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview with Solid Rock. Congrats again on “My Private Hell” for it is truly an amazing album! If you have any message for the Greek fans of glam/sleaze rock ‘n roll, we would be more than happy to pass it to them.

Steevi Jaimz: Thank you for taking the time to talk to me Harris, it's been a pleasure for me. To all the Greek fans. I'd like to say thank you for your support, please go out and pick up a copy of My Private Hell, you won't be disappointed I can guarantee that. And I hope to see you all very soon. Take care. God bless. Steevi.

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