Midlands Rocks Reviewer + Gig Guide Administrator

I’ve been writing reviews for Midlands Rocks since June 09 and prior to that I had no experience at all, hell, I can barely string a sentence together at the best of times. When I was invited to join the team, I was very reluctant and did initially turn down the offer as I‘m not a journalist or a critic (and you don‘t even want to know what grade I got for G.C.S.E English). Although after Peter Keevil (Midlands Rocks Editor) explained to me what he was trying to achieve with the site - reviews from a fans point of view as opposed to critical journalistic breakdowns - I decided to give it a go, and if I’m honest I’ve enjoyed every last minute of my involvement with the site! (Although I wasn’t shocked to learn the entire editorial staff at Midlands Rocks has a document entitled “Woody-ism’s” to help them make my reviews legible.)

Initially my involvement with Midlands Rocks was purely as a gig reviewer but I have since branched out into album reviews and even the occasional interview. My first review for the site was Tyketto’s gig @ Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall. I’m extremely passionate about music (well the music I like!) and my involvement with the site has given me a way to express that even more so.

I didn’t get into music until I was 16 after been giving a second hand stereo, and I quickly developed a love of music (oh and a bad case of women trouble blues also boosted my new found passion) and in particular rock music. Many people say music is the soundtrack of their lives, I wouldn’t say that but I do have a bad habit of associating songs with people in my life as well as times and events - but be warned never ask me what song I associate with you! You might not like the answer!

Whilst I do like many different styles of rock and metal, my main love is the Melodic Rock and AOR genre. The first CD I brought was Tyketto’s “Standing Alone” CD single way back when. My first gig was Thunder @ The Aston Villa Leisure Centre back in '95 on the Behind Closed Doors Tour. I really caught the gig bug after seeing Thunder, who remain my all time favourite band, and love getting to as many gigs as possible.

Living in the wild west midlands also has a few advantages as it has quite a few decent venues of all sizes. Although my favourite has to be JB’s in Dudley, I absolutely love the place and many of the best gigs I’ve been to have happened there, a real Rock N Roll venue!

If you wish to contact me, or if you're in a band and you would like a Live / Album review or Interview feel free to contact me at the following email address:

info@woodysrockreviews.co.uk

And if your interested you can check out my reviews archive site: woodysrockreviews.co.uk (yeah I know I was dead inventive with that title - I’m a frickin’ genius!)