Words and Pictures: Adrian Hextall \ MindHex Media
London, UK – The hallowed halls of the Cart & Horses in Stratford, a venue forever etched in heavy metal history as the birthplace of Iron Maiden, played host to a potent double bill of rock ‘n’ roll on a memorable night in May 2025. Atlanta’s hard-rocking powerhouse, Kickin’ Valentina, and Australian glam sensations, Sisters Doll, delivered a one-two punch of high-octane performances that left the packed-out venue buzzing with energy.
The sense of history was obvious within the walls of the Cart & Horses. It was here in the mid-1970s that a young Steve Harris and his fledgling band, then featuring a revolving door of members, honed their craft and laid the groundwork for what would become the global phenomenon of Iron Maiden. The venue, still a vital hub for live music, proudly wears its heritage, and for any rock fan, seeing a gig here is a pilgrimage. For the Maiden fans, the venue is a treasure trove of memorabilia and that alone makes it worth visiting. That live music is also on offer is the icing on the cake.
Sisters Doll
Making their eagerly anticipated UK debut tour, Sisters Doll hit the stage with the confidence and swagger of seasoned veterans. Hailing from Collie, Western Australia, the band of brothers – Brennan (vocals/guitar), Austin (lead guitar/vocals), Bryce (drums/vocals), and their newest addition, Sage Mileto (bass/vocals) – have been carving out a name for themselves with their infectious brand of glam-infused rock.
Their set was an energised, vibrant explosion of catchy hook laden rock without a sniff of AC/DC in the air which was very refreshing for an Aussie rock band. Powerful vocals from Brennan and the looks and attitude from youngest and newest member Sage meant that I had to send a snap of him to my daughter to remind her what she was missing. With the music drawing heavily from their latest album, “Scars,” the band tore through a superb setlist and, given they were completely new to me, definitely won me over.
From the anthemic “United” to the catchy “Baby Doll,” Sisters Doll had the crowd punching the air, sloshing the beer around as they bounced and chanted along and more. The use of the monitors was a necessity to allow the band to be seen at the back of the intimate venue but it was worth it as Austin Mileto’s fiery guitar solos were performed with one foot on the barrier at times as well. Infectious energy underpinned their excitement at performing over here for the first time (having taken some 47 hours to arrive), and it was clear from the reception that it had all been worthwhile. If you want to hear more, and you should, then check out Welcome to the Dollhouse (2012), All Dolled Up (2017), Scars (2025).
Sisters Doll Setlist
Climbing Out of Hell
Baby Doll
You Can’t Bring Me Down
United
Strutt
Black Mirror
Dollhouse
Good Day to Be Alive
Kickin’ Valentina
No strangers to UK shores, Kickin’ Valentina brought their signature brand of sleazy, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll to the Cart & Horses stage. The Atlanta-based quartet, consisting of D.K. Revelle (vocals), Heber Pampillon (guitar), Chris Taylor (bass), and Jimmy Berdine (drums), have built a loyal following through relentless touring and a string of hard-hitting albums.
Their performance was a masterclass in hard-edged, non-stop rock n roll. The sort that would see a band psyching each other up backstage before going one with a chorus of “Let’s Gooooooooo” before bursting out and going 110mph for the duration. Revelle is a commanding frontman, his powerful vocals soaring over Pampillon’s gritty riffs and blistering solos. The rhythm section of Taylor and Berdine also provided a thunderous and unshakeable foundation.
The set was a relentless assault of fan favourites and tracks from their latest releases, showcasing the breadth of their catalog. The crowd, a mix of dedicated fans and curious newcomers (the latter would definitely be me) , sang along to every word, the energy in the room helping the walls sweat which was nice… This was a band in their element, experience makes the difference every time and there’s no doubting that feeding off the energy of the audience and delivering a raw, unapologetic rock show. If you want to hear more from the band, check out Kickin’ Valentina (EP) (2013), Super Atomic (2016), Imaginary Creatures (2017), The Revenge of Rock (2021), Star Spangled Fist Fight (2024).
Kickin’ Valentina Setlist
Freakshow
Dirty Rhythm
Turns Me On
Man on a Mission
Amsterdam
Turn Me Loose
Takin’ a Ride
Sweat
The Revenge of Rock
Fireback
The Gotaways
Somebody New
Ride or Die
Get Ready
This gig at the Cart & Horses was a testament to the enduring power of live rock music. Sisters Doll proved themselves to be a vibrant and exciting new force on the international scene, while Kickin’ Valentina reaffirmed their status as one of the most consistent and energetic live bands around. In a venue steeped in the history of one of rock’s most legendary bands, both acts honoured that legacy with performances that were pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll.
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