Former BIMM graduate Nikki Smash underwent two operations for osteoarthritis, survived a life-threatening encounter with the e-coli virus and contracted pneumonia during the making of The Rocket Dolls’ debut album Eyes.

The vocalist and guitarist introduces the band ahead of their album launch this weekend.

"At one point we all felt cursed! It was tough, but as the cliché goes what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I think our debut album Eyes screams that - it’s a powerful, honest raw record. To know you’ve literally smashed through some horrific odds it feels good that it is finally coming out.

"We all knew each other from college but were in separate bands. We were all doing music but our hearts weren’t fully in it. I approached [drummer] Benji [Knopfler] and [bassist] Tommy K with some demos I had lying around. We started jamming and it worked straight from the get go!

"[Eyes is about] raw sounds, nothing over-complicated or anything special – it’s just three guys, drums, bass, guitar and vocals. Our first release was a the Frame EP. It was polar opposite to what we are now - very ridged and polished. We learnt a lot from making that EP and we had a lot of fun.

"Eyes is a totally different beast with a different producer, Mark Roberts who just gets us as a band. It was easier to record in that sense. Organisation, trust and honesty are the keys. Eyes is more of a leap and bound rather than a step up!

"[Latest single] Burning Up The Skies showcases our lighter, dynamic side, it’s anthemic almost. It’s really different track for us. I don’t want to say ballad but it has that flavour about it. It’s also very different lyrically so it’s nice to show people you’re not a one trick pony!"

"Our biggest gig to date was probably Hard Rock Hell in December 2011. We shared the bill with the likes of Black Stone Cherry and Ace Frehley from Kiss. There were other 1980s metal heroes along that bill, it was crazy sitting in catering and seeing all these people. We are going to promote Eyes as much as we can and take it on the road.

Find out more:

The Rocket Dolls launch Eyes at Green Door Store, in Trafalgar Street Arches, Brighton, on Sunday, July 20. The album comes out on Monday, July 28.

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