Man of Metal 2010: September 2010

I can't believe I started this blog back in January and all of a sudden we're three quarters of the way through the year, time and tide etc... at the beginning of this month I was at Wildside doing a photo shoot with not one but two Metal Minx of the Month as well as the ever lovely Wildside girls... Autumn is underway and this means it's time for the annual visit to Trashstock, this year's event will be the last one, promoters James & Michelle (Riot Promotions) are calling it a day and moving to Dorset, we wish them well. Next month sees the awesome Y&T on tour in the UK October promises to be a good one for live gigs.

Ricky Warwick… Rock City… Nottingham… 18/09/10…
Being the man of metal I’m not known for loving acoustic shows, the odd track yes but not an entire set full, so why I hear you ask have I gone to Rock City to see Ricky Warwick play his one man acoustic show? Well that question can be answered in three words, Ricky Fuckin’ Warwick, The Almighty front-man’s take on life and rock n’ roll is always addictive and not to be missed. I first saw him back in 1991 here at rock city with The Almighty and the following year when they opened up the monsters of rock festival at Castle Donnington, I’ve still got the t-shirt (and it still fits). Tonight sees the Ulsterman jetlagged from his return from the USA but still on top form, it’s amazing how he puts an audience at ease and chats constantly between songs with individuals in the crowd, it’s like we’ve been invited to a private party at Ricky’s house. His set is made up of songs from his solo albums tattoos & alibis, love many trust few and Belfast confetti and quite a few acoustic versions of some of the best Almighty songs. Born fighting and three sides to every story to name just two of his solo songs get the crowd singing and clapping along, where as Jesus loves you but I don’t, crucify, wild and wonderful and free and easy are the highlights of The Almighty material in tonight’s show. Ricky is obviously in nostalgic mood, he regales us with stories from his youth like when his dad won on the horses, he got to stay up late and play records for the card school that ensued ‘magic times’ and from his early years in the music business and his first tattoos, all these tales naturally have an amusing slant to them. Back to the music and switching between electric and acoustic guitars adds variety to proceedings along with the inevitable Pope joke ‘nothing says I have faith in God like three inches of bullet-proof glass’ boom boom! Ricky never takes his audiences for granted, he thanks every one for turning out and unlike many that have trod these boards before him his thanks are very genuine. After the show many queue up to buy merchandise and Ricky’s there helping out and signing stuff on the merch stand, not one person is overlooked, he only retreats back to the stage to help shift his gear when the last person has shook his hand and had a wee chat (that was me) ‘so you’re slotting into the Thin Lizzy line-up’ I say, to which he replied he was really looking forward to it. Next year then will see Ricky Warwick as lead vocalist with Scott Gorham and the boys jamming out Pil Lynott’s memorable songs, I don’t think there’ll be much whiskey left in the jar after Ricky get’s his hands on it… GD.

Above: Glen Hughes Live @ The Rescue Rooms Nottingham.

Above: Obsessive Compulsive Live @ Trashstock Nottingham.

Above: NG26 Live @ The Old Bell Derby.

Above: Crazy Diamond Live @ The Sitwell Tavern Derby.

Holly-Anna (Holly Hell)
Age: 22
Home Town: Penrith Cumbria
Country: England

I come from a small town in Cumbria, where almost nothing happens...ever. I'm the thing that gets stared up and down when I go for a drink, or walk down the street. It's not bad.
I have a wild passion for heavy metal, dark rum and snuggles. I have an amazing boyfriend (in an amazing band) and a 3-year-old son. I spend most of my time either dressed like a pirate and jumping on the sofa with my boy, or following Falling Red around and rocking out like my life depends on it.
I love having my picture taken (which goes hand in hand with the modelling), big hair, skyscraper heels, laughing at things you wouldn't think are funny, jager and cheesecake.
You can find my page on Facebook by searching Holly Hell. I'm there. Oh, I have a website too: www.hollyhell.co.uk

I do promo work for bands and stuff as well. I sometimes work metal mayhem nights in Derby, throwing jager at people in return for the promise of getting them wasted.
I'm an uber-geek too. I spend too much time on the internet laughing at web comics, vlogs and demotivational posters. I worship Shaytards, Morning Glory and That Guy With The Glasses.
I'm a tattoo and piercing freak as well...I've had (including retired) 52 piercings, and have 8 tattoos so far. Some pretty ones, some big ones, all to be extended somehow. I talk too much about piercings and crave them every time I think about them.
Music:
My taste in music is wide and varying. I can enjoy anything from easy jazz to a bit of dubstep. I fall right in place with metal though. My favourite bands change regularly, but the current ones are Metallica, Lacuna Coil, Lamb of God, Falling Red and Pearl Jam.
Anything with powerful guitars gets my attention too.
Films:
I used to be a bit of a movie buff, but I tend not to see new releases until years later now. My all-time favourites are Fear and Loathing, Blow, Pan's Labyrinth, Bronson, Waynes World, Anchorman, the Big Lebowski and Spongebob Squarepants. Epics, right there.
Books:
I'm a massive bookworm these days, and have read 7 books in the last month. My favourite author by miles is Jodi Picoult; she just captivates me, to the point where I am now re-reading the 15 books I have by her. For the 6th time. I'm also in love with anything by Jesse Kellerman, Hunter S Thompson, Dan Brown and Tucker Max. Especially Tucker Max. If you ever have chance to read I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, you damn well had better do it.

Sep… [11]
01st: Verbal Warning [MFN Shipley]
04th: Dirty Penny + Falling Red + The Black Stars [The Central Nottingham]
10th: Crazy Diamond [The Sitwell Derby]
10th: NG26 [The Old Bell Derby]
13th: Hot Money + Sapphire Lane [MFN Shipley]
17th: New Generation Superstars + 69 Shots [The Sitwell Derby]
18th: Ricky Warwick + New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack [Rock City Nottingham]
22nd: Smokin Gun [MFN Shipley]
24th: Iron on Maiden + Sack Sabbath [Cox’s Yard Stratford-on-Avon]
25th: Trashstock…
Acey Slade & The Dark Party + Lord of the Lost + The Glitterati + Sworn to Oath + The Pleasures + Obsessive Compulsive + Eureka Machines + The Rocket Dolls + Falling Red + The Lost Souls Club + Dead Identities + Jukebox Junkies + JD & The FDC [The Central Nottingham]
29th: Glenn Hughes [The Rescue Rooms Nottingham]