Page 42 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine - Issue 100

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BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 42

As it’s our 100th issue, we wanted to say a big THANK YOU to our contributors (and,
CELEBRATING ________________________ of course, readers). At times I’m swimming in interviews, photos and reviews, almost
drowning on occasion, and I would probably not have been able to keep Black Velvet
Black Velvet #100 up without the hard work of our contributors over the years. So here we ask some
of the longest-standing members of our team for their highlights from their time
_________________________________ 25 YEARS
being a part of Black Velvet - and send a big thank you to Sam & Penny Gower, Clare
Huckett, Michael Coventry, and Ian Trigg, who have all contributed immensely.

Penny Gower
When I purchased the CONTRIBUTOR
very first issue of Black
Velvet in 1994, I had never
imagined that I would one
day write for the maga-
zine. Two years later, I FOCUS
saw the very first reviews
I had written included
within those photocopied
pages of Issue 9. As the
years have passed, those Michael Coventry
pages turned into profes- The biggest moment since writing for Black Velvet was cer-
sionally printed glossy sheets containing profi- tainly having the opportunity to meet and interview Black Stone
ciently worded opinions from an array of rock Cherry, who have been one of my favourite live bands for a few
music-loving contributors. When the magazine
years now. I'll never forget John Fred in particular striding up
changed to digital format in 2014, it allowed our with his hand outstretched and introducing himself as if there
words to be read by a much wider audience. was any chance I didn't know who he was! The guys were so
Thanks to Shari’s continuous dedication and friendly and grounded which was really nice, although this could
hard work, Black Velvet is 25 years old and has be said for the majority of bands I have interviewed. Chatting
reached its 100th issue; needless to say, I am
to John Fred about our love for the Back To The Future trilogy
very proud to still be a part of it. The past few mid-interview was also a very cool, and surreal, moment.
years have seen work commitments get in the That said, I honestly get the biggest thrill writing about the
way of this amazing hobby, so my involvement is smaller bands. For years I have read rock magazines and such
not as vast as it was. However, I still try and ded- is their focus, understandably so, on the bigger acts that so many smaller bands who I
icate some of my time to Black Velvet, writing oc-
enjoy rarely get any coverage so to have the chance to interview these bands myself has
casional music and gig reviews as well as been so cool. Bands like Tequila Mockingbyrd, Bonafide, Wayward Sons, Skarlett Riot,
co-writing articles. As far as writing reviews, it’s Massive Wagons, Aaron Buchanan And The Cult Classics, The Cruel Knives and Those
hard for me to pinpoint a particular highlight as Damn Crows, whose work I've enjoyed prior to interviewing but have never read the kind
there have been many over the years, but going of interview I've wanted to read and then be able to do it myself is amazing and if it helps
to review Scarborough’s Rock In The Castle
give them a little more, well deserved, recognition then it's even more so. However, my
event in 2005 - headlined by The Wildhearts - favourite and most inspirational interview yet was with Jen Ledger of Skillet fame about
was a fun day which I will never forget. It was her solo album. You couldn't have asked for a nicer person and she spoke so much sense,
there my sister and I had the most random meet- especially regarding the current 'celebrity' status in the world and the effect and impact
ing of a band ever. We had press passes allow- they are having with people, I only wish more would follow her lead and take heart from
ing us access to the backstage hospitality area,
the lyrics from her EP.
which meant getting to mingle with the bands Writing for Black Velvet has also introduced me to many new bands, something I
playing there while lining up for food and drinks. feared I would lose the ability to do in recent years, The Dust Coda and At The Sun spring
The area was packed out but we spotted a table to mind as bands I've now seen live as a result of reviewing their albums and are bands I
that had a couple of spaces free and the group will always check out when the opportunity arises as will be Sumo Cyco after reviewing
of young lads sat around that table let us join
their show last year and Black Velvet has gifted me many top drawer albums in the last
them. We soon found out that we lived in the two years, many from the bands I've already mentioned but ‘Catacombs’ from Like A Storm
same area after a couple of them revealed that was one of my favourite albums of 2018 and would be in my (not very) short list when
they recognised us from shopping in our local su- trying to finalise my top 10 favourite albums in my collection.
permarket, how rock ‘n’ roll is that?! Those lads
were from a band called Shortcut To Newark
(who went on to become the now defunct Beat
Union); at that point they hadn’t played their set Ian Trigg
yet, so we were able to go and watch them per- I have been the proofreader for Black Velvet Magazine for around the last 4 years.
form – very impressed we were too. Before they As a result of my position and friendship with the editor Shari I have been lucky enough
parted ways, the band graced the pages of Black to be invited to events and gigs of interest to me. These include gigs by some of my
Velvet on a number of occasions, while drummer favourite bands such as Kiss, whose gig I reviewed from Birmingham in 2017 and Cheap
Luke Johnson is still featured from time to time. Trick from Bristol, also in 2017. I have also got to review the new albums from Cheap
What do I love about writing for Black Velvet? Trick, Mr. Big, Enuff Z'Nuff and more, thanks to exclusive preview copies. Probably the
Well, I’ve had the honour of writing about some biggest highlight for me though, was a trip to a private press-only event at a hotel in Lon-
of my favourite bands, past and present – many don in 2016 to promote the new album by Sixx:A.M.,
of which were championed by Black Velvet be- 'Prayers For The Damned'. Here, a small group of
fore they even crossed over to the mainstream. around 100 guests were treated to an exclusive 3-
From 3 Colours Red, New Found Glory, Feeder, song acoustic set by the band, plus afterwards the
Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Korn, Seether, Alter band members happily mingled with us, where I got
Bridge, Shinedown, Halestorm, Papa Roach… to chat casually with them and also have my photos
.there’s way too many to mention. This magazine taken. As a fan of Motley Crue since their very begin-
is not about following the latest trends, bands ning this was an enormous once-in-a-lifetime treat.
that are featured in Black Velvet are there be- So thanks very much Shari, congratulations on
cause we enjoy their music and they inspire us reaching your centenary issue and here's to another
in some way; hopefully that shows when you 100 at least!
read through the reviews and articles.

CONTRIBUTOR FOCUS