Page 3 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 102

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The Velvet View CONTENTS

02 THE OFFICIAL ANIMAL RIGHTS MARCH 2019
There’s a theme running through at least half of this
issue’s set of interviews - that of mental health. Whether 04 BLACK ACES
it is anxiety and nervousness or full-on depression, we’re 05 DANNY WRIGHT
glad that people can now open up and talk about this. We 06 ANDY BLACK
didn’t aim to make this issue a ‘mental health awareness
issue’, but looking back after doing the interviews, I do 10 CROBOT
notice the similarities between them. I’d been planning on 14 ART OF DYING
doing a new interview with Ginger/The Wildhearts since
the release of ‘Renaissance Men’ at the beginning of May 18 PISTON
and naturally, with songs such as ‘Diagnosis’, now the 22 LIKE GIANTS
title of their follow-up EP, and Ginger’s own well-known 24 MICHAEL MONROE
battle with depression, it made sense to ask him ques-
tions relating to that. Then there was Andy Black who, 30 THE WILDHEARTS
despite fronting such a successful rock/metal band in 34 ROCK & ROLL ROAD MAPS / EATIN’ AIN’T...
Black Veil Brides, happens to have a shadow side of anx- 35 ALBUMS
iety and awkwardness. Our Q&A with Danny Wright saw
us focus on his single ‘Nerves’, about nervousness, while 40 SFS / FANSITE FOCUS
discovering Like Giants at Fireball’s Fuelling The Fire 41 CONCERTS
tour meant that we then discovered their songs are
fuelled by tales of bullying, anxiety and depression and 47 BON JOVI
more. We love when bands write about subjects that 48 RIP RIC OCASEK
affect them and others, and find it so much more mean-
ingful when they open up about it.
However, it’s Michael Monroe that is gracing our
cover this issue, as his new album ‘One Man Gang’ is Black Sabbath Bridge
packed with kick-ass gems, and with the title track
including the lyric ‘running on the P.M.A.’ we decided to Since we were in Birmingham for Fireball’s Fuelling The Fire Tour, we
get in touch and had a very positive chat. Aside from went a little earlier to visit Black Sabbath Bridge and bench on Broad
telling us all about the album-making process this time
Street. Westside Business Improvement District (BID) has worked
around, Michael also chats about his positive mental atti- closely with the Canal & River Trust and Birmingham City Council to
tude, the environment and even gets a bit political. He rename the bridge. Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi and Geezer
talks about the trappings of fame and how he stays true Butler attended the public unveiling in June and the bench and bridge
to himself. So read our interview, take a listen to the new now makes a great tourist spot. Shortly after we went to take photos
Michael Monroe release, go catch him on tour and join
at the bridge and bench, a couple of rock fans in Black Sabbath T-
his gang! shirts arrived, with a big group of tourists on Birmingham’s Walking
And, if you like this issue, how about joining OUR Tour appearing a little later. The bench and bridge seemed to have a
gang? We’d love new writers. If you love listening to new constant stream of visitors. If you’re in Birmingham, check it out.
music or even raving on about your faves, get in touch
and become a part of the Black Velvet team. Or if not, just
sharing the issue to your friends would be wonderful.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to have a read!
Y & velvet kisses

Shari Black Velvet

BLACK VELVET STAFF
Publisher / Editor / Features Editor / Art Editor / Online Editor:
Shari Black Velvet
Writers:
Shari Black Velvet, Michael Coventry, Penny & Sam Gower, Clare
Huckett
Photographers:
Shari Black Velvet
CONTACT Proofreader:
Ian Trigg
BLACK VELVET MAGAzINE Front Cover Photos: Michael Monroe Photo By Shari Black Velvet.
Email: editor@blackvelvetmagazine.com Andy Black Photo By Shari Black Velvet. The Wildhearts Photo By
www.blackvelvetmagazine.com Shirlaine Forrest. Piston Photo By Rob Blackham.
www.instagram.com/blackvelvetmagazine Page 3 Photo: Becky Baldwin (Hands Off Gretel) Photo By Shari
www.twitter.com/blackvelvetmag Black Velvet
www.facebook.com/blackvelvetmag DATE
www.youtube.com/blackvelvetmagazine OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019