Valium Stallion comprises 3 musicians, Doc Solammen, Simon Hilsman and Abel Ames, set resolutely to the antiquated business of writing, recording and performing music. Meriting mention is the dubious, if not altogether distressing fact that the aforementioned are, to a one, formally trained musicians—each trying desperately to hide his inability to apply eyeliner and execute choreographed stage jumps behind adroit playing and thoughtful composition. But who gives a fuck, anyway… Valium Stallion embodies a stylish return to the melodic, technically nuanced, guitar-driven rock that rose to prominence in the mid 1970’s and died horribly in a collision with Madonna and Tears for Fears a decade downrange. Not everything was destroyed in that pile-up, however, and Doc and Simon and Abel have managed to pull from the wreckage and resuscitate the art-form…more or less.

Valium Stallion will resonate sweetly in the ears and souls of anyone who recognizes the romantic and mind-expanding potential of snorting cocaine off of a lover’s perfumed hand while driving 120mph through the desert with Rush, Boston, Pink Floyd, Triumph, Queen and old Aerosmith blasting from the 8-track or MP3 player. Conversely, individuals with low GPA’s or whose social conscience has been to any degree influenced by D.A.R.E., the Religious Right, corporate rock or the P.M.R.C. had best divorce themselves from the notion of understanding Valium Stallion’s body of work. Alas… Listen to the E.P. Read the lyrics while you do so. Memorize the lyrics. Transfer the CD to the car. Fuel the car. Pick up the girl/boy of your liking. Pick up anything else you need to go fast. Wait for nightfall. Hit Play as you hit the on-ramp. Accelerate…