THE GO-GO'S Bassist loves music, touring

Kathy Valentine did her solo album with a little help from her friends.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine says she never had any intention to release a solo album. However, her actions throughout the years speak otherwise.
Not only has she fronted plenty of Los Angeles bands on guitar, not bass, but the 47-year-old -- who co-wrote Go-Go's hit singles "Vacation" and "Head Over Heels" -- tells stories about the new-wave band's glory years that paint another picture.
Literally the day after the "Our Lips Are Sealed" group would return home to California after a long tour, she'd have a gig scheduled in some small club just to jam. That, ladies and gentleman, is a telltale sign of an artist wanting more.
"I've always been comfortable with my role in the band [the Go-Go's]," said Valentine, calling from her home in Los Angeles. "The position of the bass player by nature is a little bit of a supporting role. The people -- the fans and the musicians that I respect -- all kind of gave me the acknowledgment I would ever want."
Jumped into writing
Still, it was a few years ago when a pregnant Valentine, with hormones raging through her body, took the big leap and began writing her own material. Soon she found herself recording with musician friends Clem Burke (Blondie) and Cleveland native Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses). Even Ace Frehley (KISS) dropped by to contribute a guitar part.
All told, it was a magical experience for the singer-guitarist. "It was just something to keep creatively busy," Valentine said. "I just started doing some recording and much to my surprise, I found out I really liked it. I like being the boss and being able to try any kind of song and any idea that I wanted to without the committee process. So once I started, I just enjoyed it. I wanted to finish it."
While the material was recorded in 2002, the album "Light Years" wasn't actually finished until last year when it was released. Because of her own high standards, Valentine said the important mixing process actually took longer than the recording sessions. "I'm really happy with the results," Valentine said. "So now, still being a Go-Go and stuff, I'm going to continue to make solo records. It doesn't mean I won't be in the band, either. I like doing it all different ways now."
Touring with Go-Go's
As for The Go-Go's, the '80s band remains together, touring roughly three months out of the year, which Valentine said is the perfect schedule. This allows her to pursue her own musical interests, including the touring of "Light Years." Valentine plays Thursday at the Beachland Ballroom. Touring with her are Burke, Abby Travis (the Bangles) and Jason DeCorse. Fans can expect to hear solo material, familiar Go-Go's songs and a few covers.
Something else on Valentine's plate is an all-girl band reality show featuring Go-Go's guitarist Charlotte Caffey and members of the Bangles.
"We thought we were blowing the door open [with the Go-Go's and the Bangles]," Valentine said. "It's like, 'where are the girl bands?' So our goal with the show is to do a nationwide search. We're going to put together the [female] Stones or whatever."
You can bet once she's finished with the "Rock Star & quot;-like endeavor, she'll be returning to the studio for another record that won't take four years to complete.
"Are you kidding me?" said Valentine. "The thing is, I sing so much better now. I wish I could do the whole first record again. I'm going to try to have a new album out in a year."