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It was way back in 1996 when punk
metal bassist Dave Hadley and thrash metal drummer Paul
Preece first met in their local live music watering hole.
That night, over a few beers, the foundations were laid
for a band that would re-create the live sound of arguably
the greatest metal outfit on the planet. An exhaustive search
later, and lightening fingered axeman Steve Martin was recruited
to the cause.
However, the dedicated three now faced their
biggest challenge. How could they find a man who was brave
enough to attempt to fill the large shoes of James Hetfield,
one of the best known figures in world music today? Numerous
newspaper ads brought one unsuitable candidate after another,
and the three, who had always maintained that if they could
not ‘do it right’, they would not do it, faced
the prospect that the band might never get off the ground.
And then one Sunday afternoon, Chris Jones
turned up at the Birmingham rehearsal studios, sporting
long Hetfield locks, a Fu-Manchu beard, and clutching a
battered Explorer guitar. Jones proceeded to growl out hit
after hit, hunched over his microphone, and the band knew
that they had got their man.
Martin announced his retirement in 2002,
and the search was on for a new guitarist who could fit
into the Hammett role. Wolverhampton based Joe Whelan answered
the call, his outrageous guitar skills making him the perfect
choice.
One crazy summer later, and drummer Paul
also decided to call it a day. Time had taken its toll upon
the ageing rocker, riddled with gout, and arthritic knees
swollen to the size of melons. Legend has it that he can
still be seen today, sitting in a doorway in Dudley High
Street, clutching a can of his beloved White Lightening
cider, and shouting abuse at lamp-posts. In short, nothing
has really changed.
Once more, Mentallica were a member short,
but auditions again produced the perfect candidate. Scared
of naked flames, and unable to operate a light switch, Andy
Turner seemed like a typical drummer. However, with his
encyclopedic knowledge of Metallica and boundless energy,
Mentallica knew they had found their new Lars.
Time rolled on and once again late in 2005 Dave and Chris found
themselves without a drummer and lead guitarist. It might have
seemed like a good time to call it a day but full of desperation
and Guinness Dave called on a face from his dark and depraved
past when he contacted Aid. So confident in his ability, Aid arrived
for the audition with no guitar! He was always forgetful! At the same
time Martin called Chris (He was scared of Dave!) after seeing an
add in the paper...after buying Chris's old settee he found there was
also an opportunity for a drummer. He turned up for the audition with his stunning girlfriend (not that that had anything at all to do with him getting the gig!) thrashed the cans
and was welcomed aboard.
The band have matured over the last 10 years and have dedicate themselves
to reproducing the sound of Metallica which has lead to the band
receiving glowing endorsements from Big
Mick Hughes, Metallicas front of house sound engineer.
On another memorable night in Dudley, Mentallica had the
honour of playing Am I Evil? whilst Brian
Tatler, guitarist from Diamond Head, cheered his approval.
But it is the hard core of Metallica
fans whom Mentallica have most strived to impress. There's no shirking awkward or technical parts!
Mentallica reproduce the tracks as Metallica have recorded them. Anywhere
they go, Mentallica do not disappoint, and often respond
to any request from the crowd. It is rare for them to admit
that they do not know a requested song, and if this ever
happens, they make a point of playing it on their next visit.
Playing hits from all nine albums, from Kill ‘Em All
to St. Anger, Mentallica are, and will remain, four true
Metallica fans who play the music because they love it,
and feel honored and privileged to be able to call themselves a tribute to their heroes.
Now, 10 years and five hundred
gigs after that first drunken night, Mentallica enjoy their
hard earned reputation as Europes top Metallica tribute.
In that time, they have played in the four corners of the
UK, from Belfast to Brighton, Cardiff to Glasgow and
taken their show
into Europe. Mentallica are playing major venues such as The Carling Academies and many Universities around the Country .
Now building on their growing
reputation amongst the biker community at such high profile shows as Wozwolf and culminating in their
stunning appearance at The 24th Rock and Blues show in Derybyshire
last year which received widespread acclaim. With
more visits to Europe and beyond on the cards and special
projects planned for the bands 10th anniversary tour entitled The Whiskey In The Jar Tour, 2008
promises to be the most succesful year so far.
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