Homegrown in Seattle, Washington and formed in 2001, songwriter Rachel Flotard (vocals/guitar), Tom Cummings (guitar), Barrett Jones(bass) and Ben Hooker(drums) collectively known as the band Visqueen are back on the scene with a power pop/punk rock offering that fans both old and new will enjoy. Well known for their first two critically acclaimed albums King Me and Sunset on Dateland, Visqueen fans responded positively to the bands unique flavor of hard driving rhythms, great melodies and pop hooks. It wasn't long before King Me hit retail charts in the #2 position in the Northwest while their song Vaxxine was receiving frequent airplay on radio nationwide. Producer Barrett Jones, best known for his work with Nirvana and Foo Fighters, combined the strength of the bands palpable live show with studio time and slammed [Rachel's] songs out of the park. King Me sounded killer and unpretentious, fans became FANS, radio played it, television aired it, magazines celebrated it (excerpt used from Visqueens Myspace http://www.myspace.com/visqueen). Visqueen has played and toured alongside some of the funniest and finest people on the block:  Neko Case, X, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Death Cab For Cutie, The Muffs, The Postal Service, The Shins, Guided By Voices, The New Pornographers, Cheap Trick, and The Donnas are but a shiny smidgeon of them. They are beloved in Seattle and beyond, hold the record for appearing at The Sasquatch Festival more than any other Northwest artist, and are one of KEXP's favorite local bands.

    
    It has been just over three years since Visqueen's last album was released but this hiatus hasn't come without great merit. Lead singer and chief songwriter Rachel Flotard spent time touring and recording with Anti Records artist Neko Case in support of her heralded 2007 release "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood".  Rachel has toured several European countries with Neko as well as backing her on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Through these adventures, she has also had to rearrange priorities by becoming primary caregiver to her beloved father who is currently fighting bone and prostate cancer. Though the battle for rock stardom doesn't compare to the battle with cancer, they both impose a tough road ahead for those who choose to rise through the experience.  In a recent interview with Rachel, she admits that being able to observe her father's strength throughout all of this has given her the tenacity to persist and persevere, and so she has, by writing a bunch of amazing new songs.

    
    The goal for the new album is to make satisfying sing-a-long rock and roll, and I was one of the lucky people to check out four new songs from the upcoming album (yet untitled). In my honest opinion I was very impressed with every song I listened to. Each song paraded the high speed and ever so catchy lyrics that Visqueen is known for. Forgive Me has a very upbeat tempo with a "something you can groove to" kind of feel. Ward and Beautiful Amnesia were also the more upbeat tracks with some slick and catchy lyrics, while Hand Me Down was a little more subdued but showcased the band's beautiful harmonies. After listening one time through, I found myself going back over a few tracks and next thing you know I'm singing right along! My favorite of the four would have to be Beautiful Amnesia because the lyrics are amazing, the singing is perfect, the chorus is very catchy and the drums are superb. "It's a harmony bonanza packed with pedal steel" says Rachel. In comparison to their previous albums, I would definitely have to say that Visqueen has done it again. Old fans will appreciate the fact that this band has hit the nail on the head again and new and future fans will recognize that they have been totally depriving themselves of the awesome music that this Seattle based band has to offer. Check out the video feature for a preview of some of the new songs! 

    
    Visqueen will begin touring again nationally in 2008. You can also find Rachel touring with Neko Case's virtuoso sideman Jon Rauhouse. To find out up-to-date information on their new album and where you can see them live be sure to check out http://www.visqueenonline.com and http://www.myspace.com/visqueen.