Arena: Heavy Metal

I've been searching for this for ages. Back in 1989, there was a classic edition of the BBC2 Arena programme entitled "Heavy Metal". I used to have it on tape, but it got lost somewhere along the line. Anyway, some genius has uploaded this for all to enjoy at:

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-7574758784593826253&q=arena+heavy+metal

It has to be seen to be believed. The funniest moment is when members of Napalm Death try and put an intellectual spin on death metal, noting "There's some good death metal bands in Chile". Right . . .

Watch out for the retard known only as "Mitch" whose Venn diagram on the history of metal is beyond description. Trust me, it's the best 50 minutes you'll spend this year.

Maiden Manchester

I know I'm gonna get panned for this, but what the hell . . .

Saw Iron Maiden in Manchester last night. As you're no doubt aware, they have taken the "bold" move of performing their new album in its entirety on this tour, only reverting to dipping into their back-catalogue for the encores. It was the first Maiden gig I have ever been to where I was both disappointed and bored. Now before anyone starts, I love Maiden. Their new album is probably their best in the last 10 years. But it really doesn't have the weight to carry an arena crowd for 70 minutes. Sorry guys, bad move. I say this not only because I found myself looking at my watch, but given the fact that there were people leaving and I have never seen the bar so busy during a gig. Maybe they've got shares in Boddingtons?

Despite Bruce's best efforts the crowd were pretty listless - apart from those suffering from blind faith down the very front (let's be honest, Maiden could have performed Des O'Connor numbers and they'd have loved it). Of course they will claim that this was a smart move on their part, but I guarantee in a years time, they'll be admitting it was a disaster. The whole thing reminded me of the scene in Spinal Tap where they played "Jazz Odyssey" in front of a dis-interested crowd. There was even the hint of a festival performance next summer with the promise of them playing "some of the old songs we didn't have time for" which to me came across as an huge apology. For 70 minutes last night, I wished that I had stayed at home and had a big wank . . .

Never Meet Your Idols

I've spent the weekend penning a few reviews for Classic Rock. Perhaps the hardest piece I've ever had to write was a review of the new Neil Peart book 'Roadshow'. It's basically a travel book detailing Rush 30th anniversary tour. As usual, Peart is a witty and sharp writer, astutely noticing the various foibles of those around him, as well as the places he passes through. But there's also a depressing side to the book. It's obvious that he dislikes fans and touring, and I can to some extent sympathise with that. He comes across as modest and someone who really can't get his head around why people revere him. But in my humble opinion, the tale of him pushing a fan onto the floor after after his admirer had asked him to sign a load of old LP's was appalling. There may be more to the story than meets the eye, but the way it has been written leaves Peart in an extremely bad light. Fans do take extraordinary steps to meet their idols. It would have been far easier to sign the records in 10 seconds and move on. Leaving the guy in a heap surrounded by his treasured (and presumably now scratched) vinyl was un-necessary. It reminds me of the time when as a 12 year old lad, ny Dad took me to see Yorkshire play cricket. He wanted to show me what a great player Geoff Boycott was. During the interval, I wandered over the the pavillion to ask Mr Boycott to sign the game programme for my Dad. He refused saying "No. I'm reading my paper." I've been a football lover ever since.