THE HEAVY METAL KIDS

The Robin 2-Bilston- 11-8-11
 It seems like many a yonker since we last saw the good ol' H.M.K, when in truth it was only the end of may, with Phil Lewis at the helm.

After the disappointment of missing these fine fellows in Blackpool, Madame Tightpocket & me knew we just had to make the extra effort to get our sorry asses down to the midlands for this show. So without further ado, your old mate Flash & his trusty breadknife knocked off work at 5.30, had a quick top & tail in the bath & hotfooted it down to Bilston in a borrowed car. A nice steady 2 hour drive.

 On our first visit to Bilston, we were pleasantly surprised. It,s a fantastic, purpose built venue, nestled in the leafy 'burbs', on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. there's also well lit a car park to the rear of the venue. Idyllic!

On first venturing into the place, the support band were going through their motions, they were making a fine, punchy din but their name does escape me, (maybe someone can enlighten me)  for this I can only apologise, but it had been a long day & we had come to see the kids; SO SHOOT ME.

There are some things in this world which fill you with a sense of warmth & wellbeing. We were met with such a sight on repairing to the bar. For there, in all their glory, indulging in the finer points of fine Courvoisier Cognac,(how I wish I wasn't driving)  was Keith & Ronnie from the Kids. So it was with hugs & handshakes all round, that we finally knew that we'd made it to the gig.

We were also introduced to some lovely people from the Birmingham area, who are long, long time fans of the Kids. One of whom, who was inspired to take up the drums after seeing Keith in action, (one of many, I'll wager) many moons ago. Their influence travels far & wide.
 I also have to mention the 'Kids' T-shirt, worn by one of these fine fellows. It was an old design, which I recall seeing Danny wearing & If  my memory serves me right, Keith used to have the design on his bass skin.
 To say I was green with envy, is an outrageous understatement. But alas, it was a custom made run of 6.
 If anyone has a spare one of these in a large, I have a wife & children, of whom I would willingly trade in exchange for one of these fine artefacts.

So please tell me dear readers, if their influence, popularity & notieriety travels far & wide, & I know it does, then why was this gig so sparseley populated? Is it because there isn't a soap star, or an L.A rockstar on vocal duties? My dears you shouldn't be so shallow. For cometh the hour cometh the man. Step forward Justin McConville. A man who is more than up to the task. He delivers with some gusto & he is also the bread knifes fave Kids singer of recent years. Who am I to argue? She has a kick like Peter Lorimer.

 When it comes to the  bare bones of rock'n'roll this band never lets you down. Boy can they deliver! 
 & deliver they did my dears. I had to afford myself a wee titter when some wit from the audience hollered the words 'Rock an RoooOoooooooOoooooll', only to be followed by by Justin screaming, 'Rock an ROOOOOOOOOOOOoOOOOoOOOOOll' & off they went into the old classic, Rock and roll man. But I swear, if you closed your eyes, it could have been the original kid hollerin those sacred words. Then there's dear Cosmo. I don't know what he does, or how he does it, but his fretwork during 'It's the same' always seems to tug at the old heartstrings.

Once again & all too soon, it was time to wave au revoir. Which, dear reader, brings me to this; on Saturday the 10th of September, the Heavy Metal Kids will be playing at Bedford Esquires. It's a great club & it's a 2 hour plus drive for the bread knife & me, but what the hell we're going. Now I know the Kids have a following. I can tell by the amount of hits I get for them on this blogspot. So let's get our arses into gear & get this venue full up to the gunnels & make it one hell of a party. 
 Hope to see you all there.

Gratuitous shot of Madame Tightpocket with Keith.

As usual feel free to download & use any of the shots.
 Chin chin my dears.