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Unfortunatley due to Twiggy's recent departure, I am in the midst of updating the Manson site; and I hope to have it back up and running in the New Year.

Well where do I start?

My liking for this kind of music stems from Summers at home in the 70's when my Dad bombarded the street with sounds of The Rolling Stones blasting from the record player with all the windows open.

When I was five or six he gave me his old record player and a handle of 45's; mainly, The Beatles, The Stones and T.Rex, some Alice Cooper and The Sweet. Until I was about nine or ten this was all I listened to. I dabbled with following big bands, but only got as far as Duran Duran. I met a girl in the first year of secondary school who was both a big Marc Bolan and Duran Duran fan, so thats what we stuck with.

At twelve I saw a wicked picture of Alice Cooper on the front of Kerrang magazine, my first real introduction to Rock. I started buying it weekly and it became a major influence on me. I began to listen to anything I could get hold of Rock and Metal wise, but still maintained an obsession for anything Glammy or Glitzy, and between 1985 and 1989 just about everything was. There was only about five major Rock/Metal fans in my school so we tended to try to stick together. I put up with lots of bullying and name calling but there was no way it was going to stop me being an individual.

Luckily, I haven't changed much!

I could go on and on, but instead scroll down (or go to the Top and let me explain my most favourite bands that had a huge influence on my younger years! Underneath there is an extensive (unfinished) list of other bands I adore. :-)

Marc Bolan and Tyranosaurus Rex (T.Rex)

Well I guess we may as well start with the little guy who first caught my eye at an early age.

Born Mark Feld, 30 September 1947, Hackney, London, England, Died when his Mini crashed into a tree on Barnes Common, London 16 September 1977,England. Initially dubbed 'Toby Tyler', he had several unsuccessful demos before adopting Bolan from (Bo)b Dy(lan). Formed T Rex with Mickey Finn on percussion.

Early acoustic stuff had a 'hippy' feel, later Marc went electric and his Glam career took off. Unfortunately Marc didn't change with the times and it started to slide later on. Though he did have his own TV show 'Marc' and was a pioneer of the Punk movement, and had distinctive Goth undertones.

Diminutive and pretty, intellectual and talented, Bolan remains one of Glams best known and loved figures (as well as David Bowie). His magic riffs and distinctive voice were a winning formula for number one hits.

My fave T Rex song? Well 'Cosmic Dancer' when I'm feeling blue and 'Jeepster' when I'm happy.To find out more about Bolan and his music check out the links in my 'Slinky links' section.

If you ever get a chance go and see Danielz and T.Rextasy, the most amazing T Rex covers band. Danielz not only sounds and looks like Bolan, but he moves like Boaln talks like Bolan and is a fine guitarist, like Bolan. FAB! Their site can also be found on the links section.

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Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P

At 13 I wanted to be Blackie Lawless! Six foot Six Inches and tottering around in his Leopard skin thigh highs and saw-blade cod piece he was quite an amazing feat of theatrical engineering.

Formed in the early 80s in Los Angeles, USA; their name was an acronym of We Are Sexual Perverts. The original line up bass player/vocalist Blackie Lawless (b. 4 September 1956) with guitarists Chris Holmes (b. 23 June 1961) and Randy Piper and drummer Tony Richards,were signed by Capitol records but their debut 'Animal (F**k Like A Beast)'was not released but instead went to other independant labels.

I saw them twice in Bristol, they were excellent. Blackie was well known for naked women, lots of blood and raw meat, both on stage and off. I have and the albums up until 1997/98 ...............W.A.S.P.,The Last Command,(with Steve Riley)Inside The Electric Circus,(with new bass player the lovely blonde Johnny Rod) Live ... In The Raw The Headless Children, The Crimson Idol.

My favourite songs are of course...Animal (f*** like a beast), Wild Child and Forever Free.

For more info why don't you check out the official WASP site, you'll find the link on my 'Slinky links' page!

I really want to get some of the later stuff, as I feel I still should stay loyal to them as they played such an important part in my teenage years.

Here they are in a more relaxed on stage mode. Blackie is second on the left, not sure about the roadie in the wizards hat though!?!

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Hanoi Rocks

When I saw Mike Monroe, I thought he was the most beautiful guy in the world. All cheekbones, skinny hips and huge lips. Their music was full of different influences and screamed sex, drugs and real Rock'n'Roll, I was addicted.

The original members started out as Andy McCoy (b. Antti Hulkko, 11 November 1962, Finland) and Michael Monroe (b. Matti Fagerholm, 17 June 1960, Helsinki, Finland) this amazing Finnish glam/sleaze punk rock band began life in 1975. The band was not fully formed until 1980 later consisting of Monroe, Suicide, McCoy (guitar), Sam Yaffa (b. Sami Takamaki, 4 August 1963; bass) and Gyp Casino (b. Jesper Sporre; drums). Their debut Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks was only released in Scandinavia initially. When they came to London and recorded 'Oriental Beat' Gyp Casino left and was replaced by Razzle (b. Nicholas Dingley, 2 December 1960, Leamington Spa, England, d. 9 December 1984, US. In 1983 CBS Records signed them up. In 1984 the band were in the USA when Razzle was killed in a car crash. The driver being Vince Neil of Motley Crue. The line up changed again as Sammi Yaffa left. Mike Monroe never got over Razzles death and in 1985 he quit. Hanoi Rocks played their final gig in May 1985. Micheal has released some excellent solo stuff and is still playing. Andy McCoy, Nasty Suicide and Sammi Yaffa are all also working on separate projects; though Sammi, Nasty and Mike got together to form Demolition 23 several years ago, but unfortunately it didn't last long.

My fave Hanoi Songs, hmmm let me think.... 'Dead by Christmas', 'Falling Star', '11th Street Kids', 'Tooting Bec Wreck' and so on and so on.

If you want to know more about the lovely Mike go to my links section for the official Mike Monroe website link. There are also shed loads of fan pages for Hanoi on the net.

Okay well I'm twenty-eight now and am still listening to the same styles of stuff I did years ago.There was a patch around five years ago where I hit a 80's black hole as there were no bands around that really caught my eye, but luckily things started to improve. Below are the two bands that I really love right now.

Muse

Ten years ago, the parents of Chris Wolstenholme, Matthew Bellamy and Dominic Howard relocated to Teignmouth. Devon. Aged 13, the three of them formed their first band, Gothic Plague, with Chris on bass, Dominic drums and Matthew as guitarist/reluctant lead singer. Over the years Gothic Plague came Fixed Penalty, after Fixed Penalty, Rocket Baby Dolls and finally Muse. Rehearsals were more frequent, and they picked up gigs wherever they could. Eventually they did some stuff with Sawmills under a West Country label. Things picked up and they played in the US, and got quite a lot of interest. They then went on to sign a deal in the States, Germany and France and FINALLY Britain.

Their first two EP's "Muse" and "Muscle Museum" quickly sold out. Then came Showbiz a fine album of angst and passion. Saw them in Bristol in May (review coming soon) I really like the new stuff like 'Plug in Baby' etc; as for the stuff from 'Showbiz' I waver between all of them as I love the album so much, but I do really like 'Uno', 'Cave' and 'Unintended'.

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Squid

No, not the squishy rubbery tentacled beasty that lurks in the ocean waiting to grab unsuspecting passing fishies and then get eaten by seafood obsessed Japanese business men. Squid are a fantastic unsigned three piece (as in band, not sofa) hailing from Preston in Lancashire UK. Voted number 1 'Best Unsigned Band' in Metal Hammer's Readers Poll for an unprecedented 2nd time Also 5th and 6th in Kerrang's 1999 and 2000 polls. On bass we have the lovely Lorraine who is obsessed with Dalmatians, Rats and anything white (particulary Corsets !?!) on Drums and percussion Mr Dominic, who has a passing resemblence to Mansons Gingerfish, and last but far from least the delicious, delectable, (Oh my gawd he looks so good in a dress) Jason Dalton.

The band have a definate Manson influence but still maintain an individuality, with there industrial style drums and 80's Goth influence backing vocals from Lorraine. It's manic but well thought out, with intelligent lyrics and a deep husky vocal from Jason.

They are sooooo worth checking out, I have not been able to catch them live, but am on recommendation that they put on a great show. CD's, Info and merchandise can be found at SQUID

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Placebo

Originally caled Ashtray heart Placebo began it's life in the reunion of fellow school attendants Brian Molko and Stefan Oldsdal. At school they had been separated by unseen boundaries, i.e Stefan was a Jock and Brian a bit of a geek, bless. Later Brian found a drummer Robert Schultzberg they were then signed to hut records and renamed "Placebo" and they recorded their first self-titled LP on Caroline records. Robert left the band and Steve Hewitt was signed up instead. "Without You I'm Nothing" came out in 1998 and Placeo began touring once again and the rest they say is history.

I only noticed Placebo though after hearing 'Nancy Boy' in a club just after it came out, and was kinda smitten. I love Brians nasally voice and of course he is so cute. Ickle Bi Brian Molko and openly gay Stefan have done alot for the gay and Bi community and of course make cool music! Oh, and of course spawned many a Molko black bob cut hairstyles amongst pretty lady boy fans, I know as I have one at home!!! ;-)

Anyway, whats my fave Placebo tracks, hmm, guess 'Nancy Boy's is a definate and 'My Sweet Prince', and 'Pure Morning' for dancing drunkenly in a club to, without falling over!

They also starred in one of my fave films, Velvet Goldmine, a glamtastic extravaganza!

Hoorah! I saw them in October in Bristol, it was a great show. Brian wasn't very happy though but Stefan looked like he was having a lovely time and jumped around like a parrot on acid!?!Anyway as with the other bands mentioned go to my links page to find a link to the official site, 'The Brick Shithouse' (another foine song).

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Here is a short run down of the bands that mean the most to me. Obviously there has been some that I am embaressed about but hey don't we all have those!?!

T Rex, The Small Faces, The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper, The Sweet, David Bowie, The Beatles, The Dogs D'amour, The Space Age Playboys, Backyard Babies, Marilyn Manson, Squid....

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