Man of Metal 2010: February 2010...

February is the cruelest month so they say and as the long cold winter continues to grip the land my gig diary is beginning to fill up and 2010 is starting to take shape including the return of Wildside @ the central in Nottingham...

Anti-Nowhere League… Old Bell… Derby… 05/02/10…
It’s time for a little anarchy in my life so it’s off to the old bell Derby for those ever perennial punk rockers Anti-Nowhere League, although they’ve been around since 1980 I only got to see them for the first time last year at the vive la punk fest In Leamington Spa, impressed I must have been has I’m back for a second helping. The old bell is Derby’s premier live venue these days and it’s filling up nicely by the time the opening band of the night take the stage, Dirt Box Disco serve up a recipe of glam/punk in drag, looking resplendent in comedy wigs and flowery frocks. I walk in to hear them singing I just wanna be a girl hilarious if you saw the state of them, shit for brains, dirtbox day and the eponymous track dirtbox disco are the other memorable numbers, this band are a must see act they’ll bring a smile to anyone’s face and they can play a bit as well. The second support band tonight are something of a revelation for me, Good Knives are currently touring the UK and Europe, the band hail from the Los Angeles but lead singer Shaun comes from Peterborough and tonight is their first ever live show not that you would be able to tell. With an adrenaline fuelled performance Good Knives are not really a punk band they certainly have edge and with some cracking songs like deathless ride, Angelina, broken bones and screamin I’m inspired enough to go and purchase their brand new debut album, at £5 it’s a bargain! If you get the chance to check out Good Knives take it from me you won’t be disappointed. The old bell is packed out by the time The League hit the stage, Animal (vox) Johnny Skullknuckles (guitar) Shady (bass) and Nato (drums) are the Anti-Nowhere League and they deliver a top notch performance that includes new and ‘classic’ songs from their thirty year history. The crowd here in Derby are enthusiastic and with a sizable moshpit at the front of the stage there’s plenty of stage invasion opportunities to some raucous songs such as I hate people, my God’s bigger than your God, we are the league and we will survive to name just four. No Anti-Nowhere League show would be complete without them playing their first single streets of London and their trade mark song so what, I recon no one left this venue tonight dissatisfied after a class act proved that the longer you’ve been at it the better you get (Oooer!) I head off home having watched three bloody good bands, it’s nights like these that keep me going to see live shows and long may it last… GD.
http://www.myspace.com/animalanwl
http://www.myspace.com/goodknives
http://www.myspace.com/dirtboxslags

Hells Belles… Old Bell… Derby… 27/02/10…
Obsessive Compulsive/ Aceldama/ Invey/ Incassum…
To say I’m looking forward to the gig tonight is an understatement, four female fronted bands on the same bill, Hells Belles promises to be a great night. First off I take the road to Derby, my tour manager tonight is MiniGD and upon arrival in the city we find it a difficult job to get parked up, everyone, his wife and sheep seems to be in Derby this evening. Eventually we arrive at the old bell only to have missed the majority of the first band’s set, Incassum are Manchester based and although I only saw about three of their songs what I did see was most impressive. They’ve got the feel of a traditional heavy metal band but there’s a melodic side to Incassum as well, Sharleen Kennedy screams like a demented banshee one second only to sing like a rock diva the next which ups the interest level for me no end and coupled with a energy fuelled performance by the whole band I’m left wanting more. Invey are on next and it’s the second time this year I’ve seen the Leicester based band that according to lead singer Claire have gone a whole year with the same line-up, some what of a record I’m lead to believe. Invey are a bit like Marmite in that you either love them or hate them, I can’t stand Marmite but I love Invey, I defy anyone not to be amazed by what Claire does on stage, she’s unique, her vocal gymnastics deserve a gold medal. Tonight’s performance was loads better than when I saw them last month at the old angel in Nottingham, they were on a bigger stage this time and the PA at the old bell is far superior. Aceldama from Birmingham are second top of the bill of Hells Belles, I’ve only seen them once before about two years ago and although I thought them good on that occasion they didn’t do anything to turn my head. Well a couple of years down the line and Aceldama have upped the anti by about 100%, the raven haired Leanne is an out and out singer in the ‘classic’ rock style. The band play some catchy rock anthems like do it again, things will change and hate you more which gives lead guitarist Dawz plenty of opportunity to pull some of the more extravagant facial expressions I’ve seen in a long while. The second band form Manchester tonight is none other than show headliners Obsessive Compulsive who I’ve seen many times over the last few years and they always entertain. With their debut album only a couple of months away from release Obsessive Compulsive understandably want to showcase their newer songs like spit the medicine and the brilliant man vs machine sadly though some of their older material like dying dying dead, God shaped hole and in memory of have been dropped from the set. Front woman Kelii gives an intense emotional energy packed performance which defines her style and the same goes for the guys in the band Giz (guitar) Pete (bass) and Dani (drums) I personally can’t wait to get my hands on their new album. Hells Belles was a success and I hope Rezzi of T6 promotions does this again sometime… GD.

Anti-Nowhere League video live from the Old Bell Derby...

Blaze Bayley video live from Rock City Nottingham...

Isolysis video live from Rock City Nottingham...

Evil Scarecrow video live from Rock City Nottingham...

Obsessive Compulsive video live from The Old Bell Derby...

February... Kitty Thrill...

Birthday:July 30, 1990

Hometown:Burton, United Kingdom

Relationship Status:Single

Political Views:Fuck That!

Religious Views:Rock 'n' Roll

Activities:Going to Rallies ♥ Unwanted MCC

Interests:PART TIME POTHEAD, FULL TIME PISS ARTIST
I sing.
I model.
I play hard.
Family are the most important people in my life.

Favorite Music:The Levellers
Bon Jovi
Motley Crue
Kiss
Hardcore Superstar
The Progidy
Pendulum
Bob Marley
Crash Diet
Queen Adreena
Def Leppard
Guns 'n' Roses
Blondie
Dolly Parton

Feb… [9]
05th: Anti-Nowhere League + Good Knives + Dirt Box Disco [The Old Bell Derby]
06th: Hollywood Tease + Snakeskin [The Central Nottingham]
12th: Isolysis [The Sitwell Derby]
13th: Blaze Bayley + Sinocence [Rock City Nottingham]
19th: In For The Kill [Tap n’ Tumbler Nottingham]
20th: Evil Scarecrow + Sons Of Merrick + Isolysis [Rock City Nottingham]
26th: Isolysis [Scala Ilkeston]
26th: NG26 + Planet Friday [Three Horse Shoes Ilkeston]
Hells Belles…
27th: Obsessive Compulsive + Aceldama + Invey + Incassum [The Old Bell Derby]