Heavy Metal Kids.

Sutton In Ashfield: The Diamond: 26-9-12.

Grimsby: Yardbirds : 27-9-12.

  

Gadzooks, it's been a while since I last clapped eyes on these fine young fellows, so it was more than a trifle pleasing to know we were gonna get a double dose of the good ol' H.M.K. Two nights in succession, don't it just lift your spirits?
  The first port of call was the Diamond in Sutton In Ashfield. A great purpose built venue which plays host to live music seven nights a week. 
The Kids were playing on a wednesday night, fresh from a brief sojourn into Scotland where they played to packed houses & totally wowed 'em. So I guess they can be forgiven for turning in what was by their high standards, a bit of a lacklustre performance. 
 Why, do I hear you ask? Why?
 I'll tell you why, it's because no bugger turned up!
 Apart from the usual stalwarts & diehards (me included). This was a thoroughly miserable turnout. Lesser bands would have packed up their gear & headed off for home!

 Not so these boys! They carried on regardless & turned in the best show they could under the circumstances. 
 No H.M.K gig comes without its bonuses, for we did indeed sit up into the wee small hours with Keith & Justin, Mr Karl Green, Wakey Dave & his mrs (Dave is a veteran of more H.M.K gigs than you could wave a shitty stick at)  & Richard Smith with his good lady wife. Richard actually runs the Gary Holton website, which is a real labour of love. Cop a load of it here my dears.  http://garyholtonsite.tripod.com/    Keith & Karl did indeed furnish us with a veritable array of fine entertaining tales of their rock'n'roll escapades from days of yore. Priceless stuff.

So there I was, on the Thursday afternoon, doing a bit of housework, (the cleaning lady actually ran off with the butler, dirty bleeders) & having a generally chilled out day, when the phone rang. 'Twas Wakey Dave! "Nar then me old cocka" sayeth he, "duz tha wanna lift to Grimsby toneet to see yonder Evvy Metal Kids?"  "It'll save on t'expense o' runnin two 'orseless carriages".
 "Gawd bless thi" I did retort, "al si thi at seven".
 Boys & girls, my timbers had never been so shivered, I had to smother 'em in paraffin oil & wrap 'em in best brown paper to get over the excitement! (It's the only known failsafe cure for shivered timbers!)
I've said it before & by God I'm gonna bloody well say it again! the Grimsby Yardbirds is one hell of a grand 'ol rock'n'roll club! 
 Run by the chaps from the local motorcycle club, it exudes a fine atmosphere indeed!
 On repairing to the bar for a couple of steadiers, the first person we bumped into was none other than drummer extraordinaire, Mr Keith Boyce. Drinks all round then!

After a couple of steadiers, we went backstage for a drink & a natter with the Kids. 
 Now listen here peeps & listen good, for in the field of human experience, no one alive has ever been privy to the decadence that did ensue in that dressing room on this balmy Autumn eve. 
 Brace yourselves cherubs & hang on to your hats, for we did watch X factor U.S.A & laugh hysterically at the whole ridiculous bunch of arse with the Heavy Metal Kids. Now not many people can say they've done that! 
 However, we came to see the H.M.K shake their stuff & shake their stuff they did! Giving us a sonically refreshing alternative to the prior evenings performance.
 Though the crowd was far from full, the boys totally shredded it at the Yardbirds, giving every drop of heart & soul.

 As for the Diamond show, it appears that the lack of any kind of advertising led to the poor midweek attendance. 
 Rumours abound of  a tour in the new year with a big name band, but firstly there's the small matter of a show at the Merton Manor club on the 10th of November. That's tomorrow kids!! 
Let me tell you kittens, this is not gonna be your standard H.M.K show. It's a 40th anniversary show where the band will be playing their classic album 'Anvil Chorus' in it's entirety. My god, how I wish I could be there, if only to see the boys play the 'Big Fire'. So get yourselves down there kiddies, take your cameras & film the whole show for your old mate Flash!

There's something quite endearing, how in the face of public apathy these guys soldier on relentlessly &  always seem to have a plan & a trick up their sleeve for future capers. It breaks my heart to see 'em play & give their all to such small crowds, so if these cats are playing a venue near you, do yourself the biggest favour of your life; get off your arse, pay a measly few quid & get yourself thoroughly entertained! 
 A HUGE tip of the Tightpocket titfer goes to Keith, Cosmo, Justin & Ronnie. Collectively known as the Heavy Metal Kids! 
 Boys; I never loved you more!

N.B. No flashgun was used or attempted to be used in the making of this blog!     (Cheers Coz)
Chin Chin!

HEAVY METAL KIDS.

THE WINNING POST WHITTON  1-5-11
  Greetings me old shipmates. 
  First of all let me apologise for not posting this sooner, but your old mate Flash Tightpocket has been wrestling with his conscience as whether or not to post these pictures at all. 'Twas a bad day at the office indeed, photography wise. The lighting was dull & red. A nightmare for such as I. I even had to resort to the dreaded flash. 
 But enough of my vanity. It's merely a record to show we were there to once again witness this red hot band.

  It had taken the bread knife & me a good 4 hours plus to drive the 188 miles to get to the Winning Post taking into account several toilet stops & the lure of those giant burgers at the Burger King.
  So it was a great feeling of comfort stepping over the threshold of this grand old boozer to see a lot of the familiar faces. Keith, Cosmo & Justin always willing to chew the breeze & let you know what's happening regarding all things H.M.K. Ronnie holding court & indulging himself in the odd birthday brandy, furnishing us further with some marvellous stories from a life of rock 'n' roll.

   
  On the back of the vinyl re-issue of 'Kitsch' called 'Chelsea kids' (I still have it, in fact I still have 'em all) is a revue of a H.M.K gig at this very venue. Geoff Barton describes the show & his overriding memory of dear old Gary Holton with a bucket containing a severed head bawling, ''IS 'EAD FELL OFF'' stating that somewhere up in those rafters those words are echoing still.

  
      Not so flash & theatrical this line up of the Kids. Although Justin has stepped into the role of axe wielding frontman with effortless ease, Striking a classic pose at every available opportunity.
  It was also refreshing to see them play to a very healthy sized crowd. 
  Geoff Barton was right though, when you see a great gig it's not always the obvious that you remember, it's those little personal moments that seem to remain with you more than most.

Like when Ronnie introduced the song 'Whisky' he also slipped in the fact that it was soon gonna be his birthday. No sooner had the words left his lips, when a gallant punter burst forth brandishing a large scotch. As a smiling Ronnie knocked back his whisky, with a cheesecake grin he quipped 'it pays to advertise'. Class!
 The defining moment for me though was Cosmos' solo during 'It's the same'. It's always been one of my favourite songs but tonight it seemed to have a certain edge & Cosmos' solo cut through everything around him. Crisp clean & perfectly executed. The hairs on the back of my Gregory Peck were stood firmly to attention.

 Boring, is one thing this band can never be accused of. When they introduced 'The cops are coming' & the high camp of 'Uncontrollable' it also came with the added bonus of guest vocalist, formerly one of their number, Mr John Altman, just to lift the tempo of the evening to another level.

  Another great show had come to a close, but be warned discerning reader, the H.M.K have yet another ace up their sleeve. 
 Former 'Girl', 'Torme' & 'L.A Guns' vocalist 'Phil Lewis' will be bolstering their ranks for 3 gigs only, at the end of May, culminating in what should be quite an evening at the Camden Underworld on May 29th. Miss this at your peril.

  As Madame Tightpocket & me headed off on our long journey home, I couldn't help but think of Geoff Bartons words & Cosmos' stunning solo. You probably won't hear it echoing around the rafters of the Winning Post for ever; but it's still fresh & firmly lodged in my head & that's just where I'm keeping it.

 Chin chin.