Man of Metal 2010: May 2010

With the sad news of Ronnie James Dio's passing it's a sombre start to this months posting. Ronnie possessed a unique, powerful voice of Rock and Metal often copied by others but never bettered, he will be greatly missed. On a more upbeat note May begins a run of NWOBHM bands I'll be going to see beginning with Demon and then Saracen, June will see Witchfynde and the reclusive Jaguar (an endangered species) and possibly another big cat in Tygers of Pan Tang. See you on the road... GD.
Above: Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010)

Wyldchild… Sitwell Tavern… Derby… 30/04/10…
Formed in February 2010 Wyldchild are the East Midlands latest rock/metal covers bands to hit the live music scene, I caught up with them at the Sitwell tavern in Derby where they were playing a short support slot. Lead guitarist Mark Suffolk (ex-Touch 2 Much) assures me that Wyldchild have a cannon of around thirty songs in their armoury which they will unleash on the world when they play headlining gigs and having now teamed up with Derby’s very own Mick Moonshine who is set to make a return to band management, I know for sure Wyldchild will be playing many headlining shows in days to come. Back to that show at the Sitwell then and opening their set with Thin Lizzy’s boys are back in town Wyldchild hit the ground running, they don’t seem to want to cover the obvious songs, Status Quo’s down down and Rod Stewart’s do ya think I’m sexy underlines that fact. Front man Cain Paisley (guitar/vocals) looks and sounds the part while Adam Stevenson (bass) and Chris West (drums) are solid and when furnished with microphones provide backing vocals sadly lacking at this gig. The aforementioned Mark Suffolk (lead guitar) does help out on backing vocals at the Sitwell, sharing the one mic available. Covers from the likes of Skid Row, Kiss, WASP and Guns & Roses all add to the fun which this band generates on stage and lets face it rock n’ roll should be about having fun. I for one am looking forward to seeing Wyldchild headline where I’m sure we will be treated to some AC/DC seeing as they have a former ‘Angus’ in their midst. Check out the band on myspace… http://www.myspace.com/wyldchilduk and keep an eye out for upcoming live shows if you wanna rock n’ roll all night and party every day… GD.

Wyldchild… Sitwell Tavern… Derby… (Part Two)… 28/05/10…
It’s time for the second leg of the Wyldchild @ The Sitwell Tavern experience and having arrived a little late I find the band already cranking it up on stage. This time the boys are headlining and playing nigh on thirty songs spread over two sets with a short break in the middle for everyone to catch their breath. Unlike when they played a support slot here, Wyldchild have extra microphones for added harmonies and set one runs pretty well with a packed Sitwell Tavern enjoying the songs and the band well enough. I could have done without them playing paranoid though but Bon Jovi’s bad medicine, Extreme’s get the funk out and WASP’s wild child are handled with some panache by the band and tempts some young ladies up to the dance floor. After a twenty minute break Wyldchild return to the stage and lead singer Cain Paisley is wearing his best Eddie Van Halen spandex as he twiddles away on his guitar only to dive into Thin Lizzy’s boys are back in town strange but true. With the Crue’s girls girls girls up next the girls at the front are dragging everyone they can get their hands on into the melee at the front which results in some beer spillage on Cain’s FX peddles, the guys in Wyldchild just laugh off any mistakes and technical problems which is a great attitude to have. Lead guitarist Mark Suffolk gets a chance to reprise his former incarnation (Angus from Touch 2 Much) when they play girls got rhythm and another strong song in the second set tonight is the Scorpions rock you like a hurricane, it’s getting up to boiling point at the front of the stage as more and more folk get up dancing, I’ve not seen a night at the sitwell like this for ages. Leppard’s pour some sugar and Sister’s I wanna rock are very eminent in the latter stages of the show but The Darkness’ I believe in a thing called love is far from credible. A couple of sticky moments aside Wyldchild have really got a set full of rock n’ roll fun and bow out with everyone’s favourite Slade song cum on feel the noize, having played their mammoth show they’re cajoled into playing two more songs by Sitwell landlord Gary (a man who knows what he likes). Wyldchild reprised two songs they’d played earlier and everyone in the room was left chocka blocka rock n’ pop, not arf!... GD.

NWOBHM LIVES (Part One) Demon… The Swan… Leek… 21/05/10...
For a month spread over April and May the Staffordshire town of Leek hosts an annual arts festival and local NWOBHM favourites Demon tend to throw in their contribution to this worthy event by playing a gig at The Swan. Celebrating their thirtieth anniversary this year Demon seldom play live in the UK these days preferring to play large festivals on the continent so tonight’s show is a must see gig for any Demon fan. Demon at the swan in May tends to herald the onset of hot summer weather, it did last year and 2010 is no exception, the back room of the oldie worldie pub the swan is packed to the rafters and it’s swelteringly hot. Tonight the band are set to play around two hours worth of songs using material spread over their thirty year history, there’s classic stuff from the first album like night of the demon, one helluva night and liar along with the spell, don’t break the circle, Blackheath and the plague from their second and third albums. Front man Dave Hill (Pic. with GD) belies his age (he’s over sixty) as he belts out song after song, he always has a smile on his face and goons around acting up to the audience at every opportunity. With the more recent songs like streetwise cowboy from the album spaced out monkey and standing on the edge from better the devil you know their last studio album to date, Demon show us how they’ve progressed over the decades and it’s a testimony to their song writing abilities that the fans are not just shouting for the ‘classic’ stuff. I manage to get down the front with ease to shoot a couple of videos, the audience at the swan are a little strange, they tend to congregate more towards the rear of the room, maybe they think that Satan’s minions are gonna get them if they stand too close to the Demon. Tonight as been a great start to my NWOBHM extravaganza next week I’m off to see Saracen, just one more thing to round off this evening though and that’s a steak kebab from the shop next door to the swan, I love visiting Leek… GD.

NWOBHM LIVES (Part Two)
Saracen… The County… Chesterfield… 29/05/10…
On the second leg of my NWOBHM extravaganza I head off to Chesterfield to see local Derbyshire band Saracen and after a slight diversion due to the M1 northbound being blocked we arrive in the town of the twisted spire and the pub called the county on Salter Gate. Although a large public house, the county has no stage and Saracen’s gear is set up bang in the middle of, well just about everything which poses a quandary on where is everyone going to stand to watch the band. Saracen were formed in 1981 so next year will see their thirtieth anniversary although lead singer Steve Bettney (Pic. with Alice) is the only remaining original member to still play live with the band, original guitarist Rob Bendelow is still part of the studio line-up and has creative input into Saracen. Talking of original band members, I’m wedged in at the front of the ‘stage’ well just about on it really and who’s right behind me? None other than original Saracen keyboard player Richard Lowe who along with a couple of original Saracen roadies have come along to catch up on old times, fascinating to chat with these guys. On with the show then and opening up with we have arrived from the 2003 album red sky an album featured heavily in tonight’s set with follow the piper, flame of youth, ride shotgun with the wind and the title track red sky all getting an airing. It’s very hot and claustrophobic with the crowd packed around the band it’s difficult to get to the bar for a drink, the landlady of the county has told Saracen they must break their set in two to give folks the chance to buy more beer and although not ideal I think it’s maybe a good idea. In the second half of the show songs from the first album heroes, saints and fools are featured heavily, along with the title track there’s crusader, horsemen of the apocalypse and the final song of the night ready to fly while Saracen’s latest studio album vox in excelso from 2006 offers up the track meet me at midnight. Front man Steve Bettney despite a sore throat is on top form, I’ve no idea how he manages those high notes and on the song cheatin’ from their second album change of heart I get the chance to prove my own inadequacies as a vocalist as the microphone is passed around the front of the crowd by Steve, picking up my humble efforts. Tonight’s gig has been a trip down memory lane in many respects most of the crowd are seemingly old friends or relatives of the band which lends a ‘private party’ feel to the evening and so endeth part two, next week it’s the turn of Witchfynde to come to the NWOBHM party… GD.

Demon video from the swan Leek...

Saracen video from the county Chesterfield...

Girlfixer video from the rising sun Coventry...
Motley Crew video from MFN...

Victoria Vendettaa
Age: 19
City: Derby UK

I'm known as Victoria Vendettaa! I love my family, my friends and my boyfriend sexy-face Pardoe to death! And love MODELING, PHOTOSHOOTS, DANCING, BURLESQUE, STRIPPER SHOES, DRESSING UP, PERFORMING, STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD AND HAVING FUN WITH IT!!! :) I love to have a good time and want to spend my life doing what makes me happy! I am a UK model specialising in pin-up/ vintage/ burlesque aswell as taking on anything from crazy/ wacky shoots to portraiture! I am now taking on more bookings so please message me for my rates/ availability etc. I work very hard at what I do and as well as being bubbly and energetic, I put a lot of input and hard work into my shoots! And this has paid off as I have had nothing but highly positive feedback/ recommendations! I have a page on facebook; Victoria Vendettaa (model) so please become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Victoria-Vendettaa-model/410889750729 or alternatively email me on victoriavendettaa@hotmail.co.uk I am always looking for promotion work to do! Anything from advertising events to selling drinks... I loved being a Jager girl! Or if bands/groups need someone to get the crowds going and shake their ass on stage, I am certainly qualified. Also with the burlesque and modeling. If anyone wants to work with me feel free to contact me as I am always looking for new projects… Thanks Vendettaa.

Music:
S.E.X., On Fire!, Lilly Allen, Britney Spears Katy Perry, Atreyu, Kasabian, Lady Gaga, Steel Panther, Age of Disorder, METALLOID, Michael Jackson, Scorpions, Motley Crue, Akunamatata, Nine Inch Nails, Kings Of Leon.

Films:
Wall E Mulan, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, Inside Man, Flightplan, The Notebook, The Da Vinci Code, Borat, The Hangover, Dodgeball, Ocean's Eleven, The Italian Job, Superbad, Bruno, Buddy The Elf, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Books:
The Labyrinth, Look, Nuts.

Heroes:
Peter Richardson, Nathan Pardoe, Curtis Watson, Jenny Fearn, Thomas Walker, Louise Fitzpatrick, April Naylor, Sarah Jane, George Marriott, my family, all my friends.

May… [12]
01st: James Warner Prophecies + Patchwork Grace + Riotbox [The Old Bell Derby]
05th: Exhibit-A [MFN Shipley]
06th: Sychatrissi + Obsessive Compulsive + Mask of Infamy + Cities Between Us [The Central Nottingham]
08th: Guns 4 Hire + AC/DC UK + Motley Crew + Dizzy Lizzy [MFN Shipley]
14th: The Front + Girlfixer + Grim Dylan [The Appleby Burton-on-Trent]
15th: The Maybeez + Rebel City Radio + The Front + Born to Destruct + Girlfixer + The Rutherfords + Jet Boys [The Central Nottingham]
20th: Evil Scarecrow + Yaganath [The Old Bell Derby]
21st: Demon [The Swan Leek]
22nd: Girlfixer [The Rising Sun Coventry]
26th: Junction [MFN Shipley]
28th: Wyldchild [The Sitwell Derby]
29th: Saracen [The County Chesterfield]