15/02/2025
ROCKY SHADES' WRATHCHILD EP LAUNCH, THE ST VALENTINES DAY MASCARA MASSACRE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS MERE DEAD MEN - THE BILLESLEY ROCK CLUB FRI 14TH FEB 2025
February 14th is the day for lovers, courtesy of legendary martyr St. Valentine, patron saint of lovers, whose feast day it is. At the Billesley Rock Club, however, the evening of the 14th was for lovers of punk, rock n roll, glam metal and Shokk Rokk Sleaze, as purveyors of such musical genres were to be the venues Friday night entertainment. Wrathchild feat Rocky Shades, a legend too, musically that is, were our headline act, celebrating the launch of the new four track E.P. "Still Here In The Freakshow". Their special guests was a female fronted four piece punk/rock n roll band from Liverpool way, known as Mere Dead Men. A first appearance at the club for MDM, as far as I know, we were treated to the best part of a dozen songs in an energetic forty-five minute set that most definitely warmed up tonight's crowd nicely in readiness for what was about to hit them! Mention Wrathchild to people and almost always the response is "ah, Rocky Shades band!" Despite much behind the scenes wrangling, Rocky is now Wrathchild, something which he takes great pride in telling our patrons. A truly larger than life character, he fronts a band with guys that just go for it and enjoy every second doing so! Their seventeen song set tonight included all four EP tracks, well I guess it would what with it being the launch, and as usual, the inimitable Mr Shades had lots of chat and banter with our awesome crowd in between the tunes. Formed in 1980 and claiming to be the inventors of hair metal in the UK Wrathchild has had several line ups, most of which have had Rocky as lead vocals and I don't see the band going anywhere soon, judging by the plans they have! New recruit, the excellent Jay Pegg on guitars, has slotted in really well and has added a new dimension to the band. It was also good to see Mr Blaze Bayley in the house tonight rocking along to proceedings! What a night and let's hope the P.A. recovers in time for Saturday night's band, Rock Bottom! Thanks to all our entertainers for an absolute belter of a night and, of course to you our patrons, for continuing to support the venue and live music.
All images ©Rob Billingham Photography/Billibee Creative Studio. No unauthorised use, copying or modifying allowed without permission of the copyright owner.