23 December 2005
Hey Metalheadz,
Well, where do I start? As most of you are probably aware (and for those of you who aren’t, you’ll work it out!) I am a huge Motorhead fan. After missing out on seeing them the last time they toured Australia in 1992 due to financial reasons and resigning myself to the fact that they would probably never grace our shores again, I was very excited when I first heard that they would be touring as the support for the re-formed Motley Crue tour. I was even more excited about a month ago when I scored a chance to go backstage and meet the band in person.
Tuesday December 6th. 2005 a dream became a reality. At least, I think it did. My brain is still coming to terms with it all. After some initial headaches dealing with the Vodafone arena staff, who seemed to have no idea what was going on, and the security staff, who confiscated all the Motorhead stuff I was hoping to get signed, things started to sort themselves out.
At about 6:30pm we were collected by Eddie Rocha, Motorhead’s tour/production manager, and escorted into the bowels of Vodafone Arena for a 20 minute meet & greet with the band. We were ushered down a long white hallway, past Motley Crue’s dressing room (yes we did manage to catch a glimpse) and into the second of Motorheads dressing rooms. Here we were greeted by production assistant Emma, who provided us with our promotional packs containing: 1x Lemmy guitar pick. 1x Phil Campbell guitar pick. 1pr Mikkey Dee drumsticks a 30th anniversary tour booklet and a disposable camera to take as many photo’s as we could manage. She also provided us with some beer, which by this stage, I must say, was really appreciated!
Phil Campbell was the first member of Motorhead to make his way into the room. He quickly introduced himself to everyone and offered us all a seat and a smoke. Shortly after that Mikkey Dee made his way into the room. While I was busy chatting to Phil and Mikkey, asking questions and trying to snap some photos, a hand was thrust in my direction and a familiar voice said “Hi, how are you?” Looking up from my seat at the table, there was the man himself, Lemmy.
I must say, it’s a strange kind of feeling to meet someone who has been an inspiration for so long. You feel like you already know them, but you really don’t. You only know what you’ve seen on TV; video’s and read in books and magazines. Going in I had a million and one questions for the band and the second they arrived I couldn’t think of one of them!
I still can’t remember exactly what we all talked about for 20 minutes, but I am happy to say that there were no “Rock Star” attitudes. Motorhead were more than happy to sit and talk to us all, sign our tour books, and pose for photos. They were also a little disappointed to discover that my CD’s etc. for signing had been confiscated. I was very pleased to find that people I have admired for a long, long time really were a nice, genuine bunch of guys.
Sadly, our 20 minutes was up in what seemed like 20 seconds and we said our goodbyes and were escorted back to the arena for the show. Those who were there will know how good it was and to those of you who missed out…you missed a great one. The set was only an hour long and I for one would have loved it to have been longer, but I wasn’t disappointed. I have finally seen Motorhead live!
Sticking around for Motley Crue, I was a little disappointed. Personally I thought their shows in 1990 were better, but I’m sure there were people there who missed those gigs like I missed Motorhead in ’92 who were only too happy to finally see their favorite band live.
Well, seeing as the fat-man in the red suit is almost here, I should probably take this opportunity to thank you all for the support you have shown us over the year (and what an interesting one it was!) and on behalf of Natalie, Alex and myself, we would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. Happy Holidays.
Stay Metal, Stay MEDUSA.
4 November 2005
Hey Metalheadz,
Well, D-day is officially over and our first gig with the new line-up successfully completed. Thanks to everyone who came out to Screamers on Saturday night to make Alex’s first show a night to remember. It was great to see a few familiar faces (nice to know you haven’t forgotten us!) and encouraging seeing some new faces turning up to see what it’s all about. For those of you who couldn’t make it (or even if you did) check out the photo page for all the action.
Thanks to Mick and crew at Screamers for putting a great night together and the Five Venoms and In Malice’s Wake for being part of it.
For anyone who missed out on our radio interview with “Odin’s Jukebox” on October 27th. We are hoping to set up a link to their website shortly, so you will be able to it check out. Thanks to Tony and Dirk for giving us the opportunity to talk about all things MEDUSA.
The next thing up on the MEDUSA calendar will be our gig at the Ferntree Gully Hotel (the Middle for all you locals!) on Thursday November 17th. This will be our first gig at the FTG hotel so it should be a great night. They are trying to kick off a regular, once-a-month Metal night so get off the couch, head on down and support a venue giving the music we all love, a go. Support on the night is Redrum. Hope to see you there.
Till next time…
Stay Metal, Stay MEDUSA.
Wez
22 September 2005
Hey Metalheadz,
Well, I guess it’s time for another up-date as to what’s been happening in the Medusa camp lately.
Rehearsing the new line-up suffered a bit of a setback recently when Natalie injured her left hand and was forced to give the drumming a rest for four or five weeks. The good news is that we’re back in the saddle and things are progressing. Hopefully it shouldn’t be too much longer before we’re back out gigging again.
Alex and I have started working on some new material. At this stage it’s only bare-bones ideas but some of it is sounding really good.
As some of you may already know, we are currently re-packaging our “Darker Shade of Hate” CD for national and (hopefully) international distribution. Part of this process involved a complete overhaul of the existing artwork.
In an exciting development (for us at least!) we were able to retain the services of artist Mark Wilkinson who has provided cover artwork for such luminaries as Judas Priest (Ram it Down, Painkiller & Angel of Retribution), Iron Maiden (Live at Donnington 1992) and Megadeth to name a few. We received the final designs several days ago and, I have to say, I for one am very impressed with the results. Now all we have to do is get the layouts finalized, the printing done and away we go.
If any one wishes to check out some of Marks work just head to: www.the-masque.com
Till next time…
Stay Metal, Stay MEDUSA.
Wez
12 July 2005
Hey
Metalheadz,
Well,
it has been way to long since we up-dated the website, so I’d better
fill you all in on what’s been happening in camp MEDUSA. The last
time we updated we were in the process of auditioning guitarists which
proved to take a little longer than we hoped.
Quite a few talented guitarists had applied and the decision
wasn’t easy. After a couple of call-backs and a second round of auditions
to narrow our choices down, we are pleased to announce that our guitar
vacancy has been filled.
We would like to welcome Alex Malmstrom, formally with Risque, Wolf Pak and Fair Warning to MEDUSA. Alex has been handling the six-string duties for the past couple of months now and is really starting to settle into the band. Hopefully it shouldn’t be too much longer before we’re back out there gigging again. Check out the rest of the site for more info on Alex and a look at the new line-up.
'Til
next time…
Stay
Metal, Stay MEDUSA.
Wez.
15 March 2005
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Hey
Metalheadz, Well,
here we are into March already so I suppose it’s time to fill you in on
what’s been happening in the Medusa camp lately. Our
search for a new guitarist is progressing.
We’ve been through the initial interview stage and have moved
into actual audition mode. Hopefully
we are not too far away from making an announcement.
The process was slowed up somewhat a couple of weeks ago when I had
to spend a couple of days in the hospital with an infected leg.
One weekend I’m carving it up in Canberra and having a ball at
Metal for the Brain, the next weekend I’m laid up in a hospital bed with
a drip in my arm having to cancel and reschedule auditions.
Aint life grand! Thanks
to Nat for all her help in sorting it all out.
Thanks also to the staff in Ward 3 West at the Angliss Hospital for
getting me back on my feet. We
recently filmed another TV interview for “Russ Kellett’s Melbourne”
(Channel 31 Wednesday nights 11:30pm) which should air on either the 23rd
or the 30th of March. Tune
in and check it out. Sad
to hear that the latest edition of Heavy Metal / Alternative music
magazine Kerrang! Australia will be the last.
Kerrang! Has shown huge support for the local Heavy Metal scene and
provided vital exposure for Aussie Metal bands.
To Rod Yates (Editor) and the entire Kerrang! crew, we wish you all
the best and are sorry to see you go. On
a happier note, it’s great to see some of the bands that will be gracing
our stages in the coming months. Nightwish
and Angra in March. Megadeth
in April, the legendary Alice Cooper in June and a possible reunited
Motley Crue later in the year. Bring
it on! Finally,
Saturday March 12th was the Leukaemia Foundations “World’s
Greatest Shave” day to raise money for Leukaemia research.
In a fit of insanity, or charitable generosity (I’m still not
sure which!) in front of a crowd of around 150 / 200 people at Knox
shopping centre, Fox FM auctioned off my hair and raised $100.00 for the
cause. I’ve had long hair
for as long as I can remember and now I’m sitting here writing this with
my newly shaved head feeling very, very weird.
Still it was all for a good cause.
Till next time.... Wez
7 Feb 2005
10 Jan 2005
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