Scarlet Rose Step Back in 2025: Bruce Vayn Talks Hiatus and Exclusive Whisky A Go Go Release
Scarlet Rose are stepping back once again in 2025 after a short-lived comeback. But this time, they’re leaving fans with a live bombshell: the release of exclusive footage from their 2022 Whisky A Go Go show. We spoke with guitarist Bruce Vayn, who breaks it all down.
If you were around the Hollywood scene in the mid-2000s, you probably remember a band called Scarlet Rose, one of the leading young sleaze glam groups of that legendary place. If you weren’t, you probably remember them from MySpace, as we do (of course, if you were old enough to be on that magnificent platform).
After several years of rocking the scene, the band disbanded at the end of that decade, only to make a comeback in 2022. Now, in 2025, they are going on hiatus – again!
How and why? We asked Scarlet Rose guitarist and vocalist Bruce Vayn, who was more than willing to explain everything in detail. And not just to us, but to all the fans of this cult L.A. band from the so-called new wave of sleaze glam of the 2000s. Here is what Bruce told us – exclusively for Junkyard Rock Stories.
On the hiatus
Bruce: “The band started in Freshman year of high school. We were all growing up, falling in and out of love, learning about new music, and deciding what avenue to take our lives in. We were as close as brothers, basically inseparable for about seven years. And like brothers, we began to disagree on things as well. From my perspective, we had taken the band as far as it could possibly go in that incarnation and it was time for everyone to move on. We were determined to go out ‘on top,’ and never in a million years did I expect us to reunite in any way. But I’m so glad we did and I’m so honored to see that our music and our small impact were not forgotten or lost to time.
And, just like last time, we are at a stage in our lives where we’re all older, interested in other avenues, and have our own individual goals and aspirations. We did a great thing in this reunion, we wrote some very cool songs, I think “Rise From The Ashes” is an exceptionally strong track, and once again, it feels right for all of us to leave it at that. We all have a deep love and respect for each other both as musicians and as people, and we will always support each other. So who knows what the future holds?”
Scarlet Rose – the beginnings
Scarlet Rose started in early 2002 as a group of high school kids with an obsession for old school heavy metal, punk, and especially the glam bands of the 1980’s and what would later come to be known as “sleaze”. After a whole lot of gigging and learning and growing, Scarlet Rose became a staple of the burgeoning Los Angeles rock revival scene in the early 2000’s, regularly performing to packed crowds on the Sunset Strip and spreading awareness of this amazing sub–genre of music throughout the world, thanks in no small part to their massive presence on the pioneering social platform known as MySpace.
Shortly after signing to a management/label deal, and in the midst of recording the first “big time” album, the band split up, performing a final sold-out headlining show at their home base The Whisky A Go-Go in August of 2007.
The 2022 reunion at Whisky A Go Go
Fast forward to 2022, members of the band were contacted in a bid to reunite as a one-off performance with their old friends Peppermint Creeps, flag-wavers of the small but powerful glam rock movement of the 90s and early 00s, as part of their annual tribute to their fallen drummer and visionary leader; the late, great Traci Michaelz.
On December 17th, 2022, with only a couple rehearsals and brand new material mixed in with the old, Scarlet Rose came back again, performing for the same packed Whisky house that they left all those years ago.
Bruce: “The band was contacted by a representative of the Peppermint Creeps inner circle and a reunion just felt right, if for no other reason than to pay tribute to our friend and mentor Traci Michaelz, who was a huge fan and supporter of the band from Day 1.”
Set-list and line-up from Whiskey A Go Go
Scarlet Rose have never been a band that does things quietly. That was the case this time as well, at the mentioned show where, alongside songs from the early days of their career, they also performed some new tracks and with a somewhat altered lineup. On the microphone this time was none other than Bruce Vayn himself, which wasn’t the case back in the 2000s when he was exclusively in charge of the guitar work.
Set-list:
- Rise From The Ashes (new)
- L.A. Girl
- Bombs Away
- Let’s Go (new)
- Are You Ready (new)
- Hollywood
- Picture In A Magazine
Line-up: Bruce Vayn (aka Roxy) – Lead vocals/Guitar , Michael St. Michaels (aka Lizzy Doll) – Lead Guitar, Sean DeLeon (former SR drummer) – Bass, Raanen Bozzio – Drums
So, what’s next?
Since Scarlet Rose are definitely stepping back for now, the question arises: what’s next for the band members? If you thought that was all from these guys, you were mistaken. After all, Bruce explained it all to us once again. Furthermore, if you think L.A. rock scene is dead and or does not exist, read these lines carefully!
Bruce: “At the present moment, I am gearing up to release a solo single called “Dangerous”, which unsurprisingly was meant to be a Scarlet Rose track. Another single will follow shortly after, and then many more songs are in the works, which show a bit more diversity, all while keeping that old school rock spirit. Otherwise, I work as a collaborator and producer, doing recording and live sessions with several artists including LA-based Jules & The Howl, and I recently co-wrote and produced a song called “Ride All Nite” by Reckless Messiah. I also write, arrange, and record at my home studio for a variety of music artists around the world.
Michael is an in-demand gun-for-hire in the wider LA scene, playing shows, doing tours, and working intensely with bands and artists including Beckoner, Oceans On Other Planets, and a long list of solo musicians and jam nights with some of the top talent in the Los Angeles music world. He teaches music and performs on sessions, and is always writing as well. If it’s a day that ends in Y, you can bet Michael is out on a stage somewhere.
Sean just launched his debut solo album entitled “DELEON” which is very heavily inspired by dreamy synth sounds of bands like Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears and the Cure, among many others, and both Michael and I have contributed to that album so definitely check that out! Sean is constantly creating in the Captain’s Quarters Studio in Ventura, CA, owned and operated by Armand Lizzy of Night Demon (with whom and where we recorded Scarlet Rose’s “Rise From The Ashes”!)
Raanen needs no introduction. Everyone in LA knows and adores Raanen and he is easily one of the most sought-after drummers in the scene, and is also performing constantly. Currently, he’s gearing up for a tour with our friends in Bullets & Octane, and has an incredibly successful tribute band in Pimp Bizkit. Raanen’s list of accomplishments and credits is far too long to list, so just be sure to follow him on social media. He’s also the son of famed and exalted drummer Terry Bozzio (Missing Persons, etc.)”
At the end Bruce concludes:
“We were blown away by the response to the return of Scarlet Rose, and since we are taking another indefinite break, we figured we would leave you with this: the unedited, raw and live ENTIRE concert footage from our reunion show. Enjoy it, and thank you all so much for your support.”
Scarlet Rose IG LINKS:
SCARLET ROSE – LIVE FROM THE ASHES FULL CONCERT VIDEO:
(PREMIER OCTOBER 1 AT 10AM PST)
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