Wrathchild / Discharge vocalist
Rocky Shades
aka Robert Barclay

FIBM:   What's new, what have you been up to lately and what's in the future?

Rocky Shades:  NEW IS THE PRESENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH FORMER WRATHCHILDREN MARC, EDDIE AND FIRST GUITARIST PHIL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A SORT OF REUNION. I JUST WANT TO GET UP ON STAGE AND PLAY THOSE CLASSIC SONGS OF OURS AGAIN, BUT THE OTHERS ACTUALLY WANT TO BE A WORKING BAND INTRODUCING NEW SONGS ETC. I'M NOT AGAINST THE IDEA AS I HAVE WRITTEN IN MY SONG VAULT OVER A HUNDRED UNLOOKED AT SONGS, WHICH RANGE IN TYPE FROM THE ANTHEMIC CLAP YA HANDS, STOMP YOUR FEET STUFF, TO SOME CLASSIER CLEVER DEEP LYRIC STUFF. YOU MAY NOT THINK IT BUT I AM ACTUALLY A GOOD SONG WRITER, I CAN PUT THE ICING ON ANY MUSICAL CAKE, WHATEVER GENRE.

LATELY…..IS THE FACT THAT I AM TRAVELLING THE WORLD WITH MY BIRMINGHAM BLUES BROTHERS TRIBUTE BAND (WHY BLUES BROTHERS?....THE ORIGINALS WERE SO COOL...ITS MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE FILM NEXT TO ENTER THE DRAGON....ITS SO MUCH FUN, AND I NEEDED AN ALTERNATIVE MUSIC VENTURE FROM MY PREVIOUS VENTURES THAT I COULD USE AS A PLATFORM TO BE AS WILD AS I STILL AM). THE FACT THAT AT PRESENT I DON'T REALY HAVE THE TIME TO INVEST IN A NEW ROCK BAND, MIGHT BE THE REASON THE OTHER WRATHCHILD MEMBERS HAVENT SECURED MY SERVICES.

MY PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT RELAUNCHING MY MUSIC CAREER RANGED FROM LEADING A 13 PIECE SOUL BAND WHICH I INHERITED ACCIDENTLY WHEN THEIR SINGER DUMPED THEM COZ HE WON HIS ROUND IN STARS IN YOUR EYES, (HE CAME NOWHERE IN THE FINAL, AND HAD TO GO BACK TO THEM WHEN I LEFT TO FORM THE BLUES BROTHERS), TO THE OASIS VERSION OF A SOCIAL CLUB BAND (IM NOT TALKING TRIBUTE IM SAYING WE HAD REAL BAD ATTITUDE AND USED TO FRIGHTEN THE TYPE OF AUDIENCES THAT CAME TO THE CLUBS). WE WERE REALLY GOOD THOUGH.

THE FUTURE IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS I JUST DON'T DANCE WITH, IF I KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE I MAY HAVE SACKED OR SHOT SOME OF THE ASSHOLES WHO BROUGHT THE WRATHCHILD EMPIRE TO ITS KNEES, BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. SO REGARDING THE FUTURE I JUST WAIT TO SEE WHAT IS AROUND THE CORNER, I KNOW IM OFF TO KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA, AUSTRALIA, AND IM PRESENTLY IN TALKS WITH INDIA AND CHINA WITH THE BLUES BROTHERS, BUT ON THE ROCK FRONT I MAY HAVE TO PUT ANOTHER BAND TOGETHER IF I CANT GET WHAT I WANT FROM THE WRATHCHILDREN. LANCE HAS CHANGED HIS MUSIC TASTE TO THE POINT THAT I CANT EVER SEE HIM PLAYING OUR OLD STUFF AGAIN…..SAD BUT UNFORTUNATELY TRUE.

FIBM:   Tell us about how Wrathchild formed. What year? How did the band meet? Etc.

Rocky Shades:  WRATHCHILD STARTED WITH AN AD IN THE EVENING MAIL IN 1980 MY WIFE WHO WAS ONLY MY GIRLFRIEND BACK THEN FOUND AN AD ASKING FOR A GOOD LOOKING, TALL, OVER THE TOP FRONTMAN( WELL TWO OUT OF THREE AINT BAD), TO JOIN A BAND WITH A RECORDING CONTRACT IN THE WINGS, MUST HAVE OWN TRANSPORT. THE BAND CONSISTED OF "MARC (STAN) ANGEL, PHIL (TIGER) VOLKINS, BRIAN (THUNDERBURST) PARRY AND WERE THE REMNANTS OF A BAND CALLED "SINNER" WHO HAD JUST DONE OK IN A LOCAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS COMPETITION.

MY WIFE SAID THAT THEY WERE STATIONED IN A PLACE CALLED EVESHAM, I THOUGHT THE ONLY THING PEOPLE DID IN EVESHAM WAS GO FISHING, SO AFTER MUCH PERSUASION FROM MY OLD LADY I RANG THE NUMBER.....THIS IS HOW IT WENT....YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THAT MY PIECES ARE SPOKEN AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT...

MARC...HELLO
ROCKY... I WANT TO AUDITION FOR YOUR BAND, IM CURRENTLY IN A BAND THAT'S DOING OK AT THE MOMENT BUT THEY ARE NOT HEADING IN THE DIRECTION THAT I WANT TO HEAD IN. I HAVENT GOT MY OWN TRANSPORT WHICH MAY PUT YOU OFF BUT DON'TLET IT COZ IF YOU LET ME GO WITHOUT SEEING WHAT I CAN DO YOU WILL REGRET IT I PROMISE, AS I AM ONE OF THE BEST FRONTMEN IN THE MIDLANDS IF NOT THE UK.

NOW MARC AT THIS POINT LATER TOLD ME THAT HE WAS THINKING WHO THE FUCK IS THIS ASSHOLE…AND HOW CAN I GET RID OF HIM.

MARC.... ER....ARE YOU TALL?
ROCKY.... NOT REALLY 5FT 9" BUT IVE GOT A TALL PERSONALITY, AND LARGER THAN LIFE CHARISMA.

MARC...ARE YOU BLONDE? HAVE YOU GOT SPIKEY HAIR?
ROCKY....NO BUT IF THAT IS A PROBLEM I VISIT THE CHEMISTS REGULARLY (SAID SARCASTICALLY) SO I CAN DYE IT AS IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO THE MUSIC.

MARC.... ARE YOU GOOD LOOKING?
ROCKY.....IVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS UP TO NOW, I HAVE SEVERAL REALLY GOOD LOOKING GIRLFRIENDS SO I PRESUME I MUST BE SOME KIND OF A BABE MAGNET AS IM NOT RICH.

AT THIS POINT MARC NOW TURNS TO HIS GUITARIST PHIL AND SAYS WE HAVE GOT A RIGHT BIGHEADED TWAT ON THE LINE, LETS GIVE HIM AN AUDITION AND PUT HIM IN HIS PLACE.

WE THEN ACTUALLY HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT LIKES AND DISLIKES IN MUSIC AND ABOUT WHAT THEY FORSORE THEIR MUSIC TO BE AND IT SOUNDED OK.

TO CUT AN EVEN LONGER STORY SHORT, WE MET UP AT ONE OF THEIR FRIENDS HOUSES IN PERSHORE JUST OUTSIDE OF EVESHAM, THEY PLAYED ME THE DEMO TAPE OF THE BAND "SINNER" AND SAID CAN YOU SING THE OPENING SONG? IT WAS SEVERAL KEYS TOO HIGH SO AFTER REARRANGING THE MUSIC KEY (A THING I WAS FOREVER DOING IN WRATHCHILD) WE SET ABOUT DOING THE SONG.....I BLEW THEM AWAY WITH MY SHEER VOCAL POWER AS I WAS TRAINED BY A PROFESSIONAL OPERA SINGER, BUT THEY BLEW ME AWAY WITH THEIR STYLE FINESSE AND GOOD SONGS, AND THEY WERE RIGHT THEY WERE DAMN GOOD LOOKING BASTARDS.

WHEN I JOINED THE BAND IN OCTOBER 1980 I LOOKED LIKE FRANK MARINO OF MAHOGANY RUSH, AFTER ONE MONTHS REHEARSAL AND A COUPLE OF GIGS AT EVESHAM PUBLIC HALL IN NOVEMBER 1980 AND SEVERAL VISITS TO PHILS ESTE LAUDER MAKE-UP BOX, THE NEW WRATHCHILD WAS BORN. I THEN SPENT THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO BY TRIAL AND ERROR LEARNING HOW TO APPLY MAKE UP AND IN THE FINISH KNEW MORE ABOUT IT THAN MOST GIRLS I KNEW. WE WENT FROM THE EARLY ALICE MEETS MARILYN MANSON LOOK TO THE POISONESQUE FLUFFY LOOK IN FOUR YEARS.





FIBM:  Why did original guitarist Phil Wrathchild leave the band?

Rocky Shades:  PHIL LEFT THE BAND JUST AFTER A YEAR BECAUSE HE WAS TOUTED BY BILL WARD'S SCOUTS OF BLACK SABBATH FAME, WHO FILLED HIS HEAD WITH PROMISES OF GREAT THINGS, AND TOOK HIM OFF TO THE NIRVANA WE ROCKERS CALL (L.A. USA). THE BAND HE JOINED WERE CALLED " MAX VOLUME" AND THINGS NEVER WORKED OUT SO HE CAME HOME. DURING HIS ABSENCE WE AMALGAMATED THE WRATHCHILD THAT WAS WITH ONE OF OUR CLOSEST BAND OF FRIENDS "MEDUSA" WHOSE GUITARIST WAS MY PARTY BUDDY LANCE ROKKIT, AND DRUMMER EDDIE STAR. WHENEVER WRATHCHILD AND MEDUSA GOT TOGETHER AT A PARTY YOU COULD GUARANTEE WILD AND WONDERFUL THINGS WOULD HAPPEN, JUST ASK BRUCE DICKENSON OF IRON MAIDEN AS WE WENT TO PARTIES AT HIS HOUSE ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT WE WOULD JOIN FORCES AT SOME STAGE.

THE LEAD SINGER OF MEDUSA STEVE GRIMMETT (WHO SANG BACKING VOCALS ON THE DELIRIUM ALBUM BY THE WAY) WENT ON TO FORM GRIM REAPER BUT I DIGRESS.

FIBM:  What year did you release Mascara Massacre? Did you release it on lp or was it cassette only? What were some of the songs on that release? Do you still have a copy? Was it self-financed?

Rocky Shades:  WE RELEASED MASCARA MASACRE IN FEB/MARCH 1982, IT WAS ONLY A SELF FINANCED DEMO TAPE, THE SONGS ON THAT CASSETTE WERE
1. ROCK THE CITY DOWN
2. ALRITE WITH THE BOYS
3. ROCK IT TO THE TOP
I STILL HAVE A COPY, I HAVE GOT VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING THAT WE DID EXCEPT A 10 TRACK DEMO TAPE OF UNRECORDED SONGS FOR RCA AMERICA, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BACKBONE TO THE FOURTH ALBUM IF WE HAD LASTED THAT LONG. NO-ONE IN THE BAND HAS KEPT A COPY, I HAVE ASKED THEM SO I GUESS THOSE SONGS ARE LOST NEVER TO BE HEARD. EVERYTHING UP TO OUR FIRST RECORD DEAL WAS SELF FINANCED, OUR DEMOS, MERCHANDISING, TOURS, STAGESHOWS ETC, WE PAYED FOR IT ALL. WHEN WE LET GO OF THE OPERATION THAT'S WHEN SHIT HIT FAN.

FIBM:  Please describe a typical Day in the Life of Rocky Shades during the Wrathchild club days, before you released Stakk Attakk. From the time you woke up to the time you went to bed.

Rocky Shades:  I MUST STRESS THAT THERE WAS NO TYPICAL DAY WITH ROCKY SHADES BUT THIS IS AS CLOSE AS DAMN IT. IN BETWEEN ALL OF THIS I USED TO PLAY FOOTBALL, GO WATCH FILMS, HAVE SEX, PLAY VIDEO GAMES, HAVE MORE SEX, SHOP FOR OUTRAGEOUS CLOTHES, SHOP FOR COMPONENTS TO MAKE OUTRAGEOUS CLOTHES AS THEY WERE NOT OUTRAGEOUS ENOUGH, HAVE MORE SEX ETC....

OK I WOULD GET UP WITH A CAN OF BEER IN ONE HAND AND A BAR OF CHOCOLATE IN THE OTHER, AFTER SHOWERING AND SLOWLY COMING BACK TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING, I WOULD SPEND AT LEAST AN HOUR PUTTING ON MY MAKE UP AND CHOOSING WHICH BAD TASTE CLOTHES TO WEAR. I WOULD GO DOWN TO MY LOCAL ROCK PUB WHERE A DESIGNATED MEMBER OF WRATHCHILD WOULD PICK ME UP, WE WOULD HAVE SEVERAL MORE BEERS, DO THE MIX 'N MINGLE THING WITH THE GIRLS, THEN GO OFF FOR A REHEARSAL. MANY PEOPLE ACCUSED WRATHCHILD OF BEING ALL LOOK AND NO ATTENTION PAYED TO MUSIC, I THINK THAT IS AN UNFAIR COMMENT AS ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT THE BEST MUSICIANS IN THE WORLD, WE TOOK OUR MUSIC VERY SERIOUSLY AND EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS LIKE WE THREW IT TOGETHER IT TOOK QUITE A BIT OF ARRANGING AND WORKING OUT. AFTER WE FINISHED REHEARSING WE WOULD GO DOWN TO THE BADGE AND POSTER SHOP OUR MANAGER AT THE TIME (MANAGER NO.2 AS I RECALL) USED TO OWN....HANG AROUND THERE SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS EVEN BACK THEN WE HAD A FOLLOWING....DO MORE THINGS WITH THE GIRLS...AS EVENING DREW ON WE WOULD HEAD FOR ETHER A ROCK CLUB/PUB IN BIRMINGHAM CALLED "BOGARTS" OR A SLEAZY VENUE WHERE ALL THE ROCK BANDS DEBUTED CALLED " BARBARELLAS" (UNLESS YOU ARE 35 OR OVER AND LIVING IN BIRMINGHAM YOU WOULD NOT HAVE HEARD OF THES SHRINES TO ROCK, BUT BELIEVE ME WITHOUT EITHER OF THESE PLACES, NON OF THE FAMOUS MIDLAND ROCK BANDS WOULD HAVE BEEN BORN. WE WOULD THEN GET SLAUGHTERED ON DRINK OR I WOULD GUEST WITH SOME BAND OR OTHER OR BOTH, THEN IF YOU STRUCK LUCKY WHICH WAS QUITE OFTEN, YOU GOT SOME SERIOUS POONTANG TO TAKE HOME. THE REST IS DOWN TO EVOLUTION.


FIBM:  If you can remember, please tell us about the day you signed with Heavy Metal Records.


Rocky Shades:   EVEN THE MERE MENTION OF THAT NAME SENDS A SHIVER DOWN MY SPINE, AND MAKES ME WANT TO GET ON THE X-BOX AND KILL THINGS.

WE WERE OFFERED A DEAL, WE DIDN'T LIKE IT, OUR MANAGER AT THE TIME (N0.3 AS I RECALL) SAID IT WAS GOOD. WE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY LAWYERS THEY EXPLAINED WHAT IT WAS ABOUT WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, OUR MANAGER SAID IT WAS GOOD AGAIN. WE WENT TO THE PUB, SEVERAL BEERS LATER IT SOUNDED OK SO AFTER OUR MANAGER TOLD US IT WAS GOOD AGAIN WE SIGNED..... THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE END. A PHOTO SHOOT AT THE HEAVY METAL RECORDS HOUSE WAS ARRANGED AND WE WENT DOWN, COZ WE KNEW THEY WERE LAYING ON SOME MODELS TO POSE WITH. MET OUR BOSS TO BE HAD A LOOK ROUND GOT PISSED. THE REST AS THEY SAY IS WATER UNDER A VERY COLLAPSED BRIDGE..

FIBM:  What led up to you guys signing with that label. Was that the only offer. Was that an established label at the time. Did you guys receive a signing bonus?

Rocky Shades:
  I ONLY FOUND THIS OUT THE OTHER DAY BY TALKING TO A GUY FROM OUR FIRST RECORD LABEL "BULLET RECORDS" SO THIS INFO IS HOT OFF THE PRESS. APPARENTLY BULLET RECORDS INVESTED SO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO KEEP THE WRATHCHILD MOTHERSHIP ON THE ROAD THAT WHEN THEY FINALLY WENT BANKRUPT AS HEAVY METAL RECORDS WERE THE LABEL WHO CAME ALONG AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME FOR THEM TO BE PARTLY BAILED OUT, THEY WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE WITH THEIR FOOT IN OUR DOOR. BEING TOTALLY NAÏVE AND VERY GREEN, JUST THE MENTION OF HAVING AN ALBUM IN THE SHOPS WAS ENOUGH TO GET THEM PAST FIRST BASE.

AT THE TIME IT SEEMED THE ONLY OFFER ONLY I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT MANY MAJOR LABELS ACROSS THE WORLD WERE INTERESTED BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO CONTACT US. ONE MAJOR JAPANESE LABEL "KING RECORDS" TOLD ME AFTER IT WAS ALL OVER THAT IF THEY HAD BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT US WHEN THEY WANTED US WE COULD HAVE BEEN AS BIG AS MOTLEY CRUE.

HEAVY METAL RECORDS WAS A MINOR ESTABLISHED LABEL AT THE TIME THEY HAD A FEW BANDS ON THEIR BOOKS THAT WE HAD HEARD OF, SO IT WASN'T LIKE SIGNING YOUR LIFE AWAY FOR NO REASON….ORIGINALLY.

WE DID NOT GET A SIGNING BONUS, NOT RECEIVING MONEY WAS TO BECOME A RECURRING THEME DURING OUR EXISTANCE.

FIBM:  Describe a Wrathchild live show, to those who may not know what went down at them. Tell us about everything from props you used to cream on the tits.

Rocky Shades:
  A WRATHCHILD SHOW WAS A LARGER THAN LIFE ROCK 'N ROLL CIRCUS LONG BEFORE THE LIKES OF WASP AND CRUE HIT OUR SHORES.

WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER I SAW A BAND IN THE UK FROM THE STATES KNOWN AS "THE TUBES" THEY WERE THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS BAND I HAD EVERY SEEN, THE LEAD SINGER FEE WAYBILL (WHO HAS A CAMEO ROLE IN BILL & TEDS EXCELLENT ADVENTURE) USED TO FUCK WOMEN ON STAGE THAT HE PLANTED IN THE AUDIENCE SO IT WOULD LOOK LIKE HE RAPED THEM. AT THE END OF THEIR SHOW HE WOULD STAGGER ONTO THE STAGE WEARING 12 - 18" STACKHEELED BOOTS AS A KIND OF FAILING GLAM STAR, WITH HIS DICK HANGING OUT OF HIS TROUSERS WHICH CONSISTED OF A VERY LONG SILVER BANDAGE WRAPPED AROUND HIS LEGS.

THIS GAVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT I WANTED WRATHCHILD TO BE, THE MOST REALISTICALLY OUTRAGEOUS BAND IN THE UK. NOTHING WAS MEANT TO BE REHEARSED IT JUST HAD TO HAPPEN, BLOW SOMEBODYS HEAD WITH THE CONFETTI CANNON ONE MINUTE THEN SMEAR CREAM ON TITS THE NEXT. WRATHCHILD HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF ALL SORTS OF DEBAUCHERY ON STAGE, THIS IS WHERE THE LEGAL LINE CANT BE CROSSED AS MANY OF US ARE NOW MARRIED OR GOT STEADY GIRLFRIENDS, SO ALL I CAN SAY HERE IS…TOO FUCKIN RIGHT…IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT WE DID IT.

WRATHCHILD UNLIKE MOST PYRO ORIENTATED BANDS WERE ABOUT DANGER, NOTHING WE DID COULD BE TERMED SAFE. WE HAD 16" CONFETTI CANNONS AND 12" CONFETTI CANNONS ARRANGED IN A FORTRESS SET THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS BROUGHT DOWN GLASS SKYLIGHTED CEILINGS.WE HAD REAL BARBED WIRE AT THE FRONT OF THE STAGE WHICH USED TO COLLECT HUMAN FLESH AND CLOTHES FIBRES AS THE TOUR PROGRESSED. MY HAND HELD BAZOOKA WAS SO UNSTABLE THAT ON ONE OCCASION IT WENT OF SENDING ME FLYING INTO EDDIES DRUM KIT KNOCKING HIM FOR SIX…..I COULDN'T SING FOR LAUGHING. EDDIE ONCE BROUGHT AN INDUSTRIAL FLAMETHROWER ON STAGE NOT KNOWING IT WAS LEAKING FUEL, WHEN HE TURNED IT ON THE FRONT OF THE STAGE IGNITED, THE CROWD THOUGHT IT WAS MEANT TO HAPPEN SO THOUGHT IT WAS COOL. ON ONE OCCASION ONE OF THE SPIKED BALLS ON MY MEDIEVIL MACE BROKE OFF ITS CHAIN FLEW ACROSS THE ROOM AND EMBEDDED ITSELF IN SOMEBODYS TABLE. WE HAD EXPLOSIVE FALSE GUITAR CABS OVERLOADED WITH EXPLOSIVE SO SHRAPNEL WAS FLYING EVERYWHERE AND A FEW OF THE ROADIES WERE SUBJECTED TO SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THAT WAS JUST THE DANGEROUS STUFF, THE SEX WAS SOMETHING ELSE.

I COULD GO ON AND ON COZ THE LIST OF STORIES IS ENDLESS, WHICH IS WHY PEOPLE CAME TO SEE US AGAIN AND AGAIN. TO SUM UP WRATHCHILD IN ONE WORD "UNPREDICTABLE".


FIBM:  By the looks of it, Wrathchild started the glam look of the 80's. Were you aware of the bands in the US, did you use any of their ideas, or did they use your ideas? Or was it pure coincidence that you and bands like Motley Crue & WASP looked almost identical.

Rocky Shades:  WRATHCHILD WERE FORMED IN 1980, THE TWO ORIGINAL GUITARISTS HAD THAT GLAM LOOK AS EARLY AS 1978. WE WERE ALL RAISED ON GLAM MUSIC…..KISS, ALICE COOPER, SWEET, SLADE, T-REX, GARRY GLITTER ETC SO IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT THAT LOOK WOULD SPILL INTO OUR BANDS. WASP AND CRUE AND BANDS LIKE THEM ALL LOOK THE SAME COZ THEY ALL WENT TO THE SAME HIGHSCHOOL AND ALL HUNG OUT TOGETHER, THERE IS A MUCH MORE INTER MINGLING WHEN IT COMES TO LA BANDS, I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS CLOSE FRIENDS WITH LA GUNS. THEY PARTY TOGETHER AS BUDDIES RATHER THAN ENEMIES LIKE BRITISH BANDS TEND TO, THEY END UP LIVING TOGTHER AS DID MEMBERS OF RATT AND CRUE AND LITA FORD. THEY TEND TO LOOK IDENTICAL BECAUSE THEY ALL STEAL EACH OTHERS LOOKS, WHAT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE LA AUDIENCES WERE HARDER TO IMPRESS THAN OVER HERE, SO IF SOMETHING PULLED IN AN AUDIENCE YOU COULD GUARANTEE THAT SOMEONE ELSE WOULD STEAL IT AND ADAPT IT. ANOTHER REASON WHY THEY LOOKED THE SAME IS THEY WERE ALL MOTIVATED BY THE SAME FILMS SUCH AS MAD MAX AND OTHER ROAD WARRIOR MOVIES, SO THAT LOOK CREPT INTO THE STAGE GEAR. CRUE AND WASP LOOK LIKE EXTRAS FROM THESE MOVIES. THEY ALL GET THEIR GEAR FROM THE SAME SHOPS OVER THERE WHICH WE COULDN'T OVER HERE. THE BRITISH BANDS LOOKED SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BECAUSE THEY TRIED TO LOOK LIKE THE USA BANDS BUT EITHER COULDN'T GET THE GEAR, OR IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE, SO LIKE US HAD TO MAKE THEIR OWN.

FIBM:  How long after signing to Heavy Metal Records, before you released Stakk Attakk. How long were you in the studio? What was the recording budget?

Rocky Shades:  2 or 3 MONTHS, THE MATERIAL WAS ALREADY WRITTEN, WE JUST HAD TO FIND THE TIME TO COME OFF THE ROAD AND RECORD THE ALBUM. CAN YOU BELIEVE WE WERE IN THE STUDIO FOR JUST UNDER A MONTH, OUR TWO FRIENDS JAY AND PAULA PUT US UP AT THEIR FLAT WHILE RECORDING WAS TAKING PLACE....ANYONE WHO REALLY KNOWS WRATHCHILD KNOW JAY AND PAULA COZ THEY WERE LIKE FAMILY TO US. APPARENTLY OTHER BANDS SUCH AS TWISTED SISTER AND MANOWAR USED TO STAY AT THE FLAT, THO WE NEVER MET THEM WHILE WE WERE THERE. HANOI ROCKS STAYED THERE A FEW TIMES AND THAT'S WHEN WE BECAME FRIENDS. I WAS GOOD FRIENDS WITH RAZZLE SO WAS GUTTED WHEN VINCE NEIL TOPPED HIM IN THAT CAR ACCIDENT. IT TOOK MANY YEARS BEFORE I COULD ACTUALLY PUT ON A CRUE ALBUM WITHOUT FEELING A SENSE OF ANGER, THAT AND NIKKI SIXX AND TOMMY DOING A REVIEW FOR ALRITE WITH THE BOYS AND SLAGGING IT OFF IN KERRANG, AND I LOVED THE CRUE, I BOUGHT THEIR FIRST ALBUM ON IMPORT ON LEATHUR RECORDS THE DAY IT CAME OUT, AND THERE WAS ONLY TWO COPIES IN THE SHOP.

THE RECORDING BUDGET WAS A MAJOR BONE OF CONTENTION. WE HAD A BUDGET DEAL THAT WAS RECOUPED AGAINST COSTS. WHAT THIS MEANS IN LAYMANS TERMS IS WE COULD SPEND WHAT WE LIKED ON THE RECORDING OF THE ALBUM, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF ANY ROYALTIES EARNED. WHAT WE WASN'T TOLD WAS THAT AS NO ONE REALLY MONITERS WHAT HAS BEEN RECOUPED, YOU END UP PAYING FOR YOUR ALBUM FOR LIFE.

I THINK THE WHOLE THING WAS CHEAP BY TODAYS STANDARDS BUT STILL FLEECED US BIGTIME. WE ENDED UP PAYING SOMETHING LIKE 10,000 pounds (approx. $20,000 US) OUT OF OUR OWN MONEY.
FIBM:   Any memories stand above the rest during those recording sessions? Any funny, cool, sucked, or great moments stand out? Feel free to share more than one.

Rocky Shades:  AN OPENING MEMORY STANDS OUT, WE HAD ALL BEEN EATING SOME REALLY EVIL SMELLING JUNK FOOD ON THE DAY WE WERE TO START RECORDING AND AS THE GASSES IN THE STOMACHE STARTED TO DO ITS THING WE ALL STARTED TO LET RIP. BY THE TIME WE HAD GOT TO OUR FLOOR THE LIFT SMELT LIKE A SHIT PIT, JUST AS WE LEFT THE LIFT TWO OR THREE GORGEOUS OFFICE GIRLS GOT IN AND AS THE DOOR CLOSED WE COULD HEAR THEM RETCHING AT LEAST TWO FLOORS DOWN, I NEVER KNEW SUCH LOVELY LADIES KNEW SUCH LANGUAGE.

HERES ANOTHER ONE FOR YA.....WRATHCHILD LOVED TO PLAY PRACTICAL JOKES ALL THE TIME....FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN YOUR BED, REMOVING THE BOLTS OUT OF A ROADIES BED THEN LISTENING TO IT COLLAPSE WITH HIM IN IT. ONE OF OUR ROADIES GOT INTO BED WITH AN ARMCHAIR INSIDE IT ONE NIGHT.

TO BEAT THEM YOU HAD TO BE SEVERAL STEPS AHEAD, I REMEMBER ONCE I WAS DYING FOR A DUMP IN THE STUDIO AND I KNEW THAT IF I LEFT THE STUDIO TO HAVE IT THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING STUPID IN MY ABSENCE. SO CALL IT SECOND SITE OR SIXTH SENSE OR WHATEVER BUT ON THE WAY TO THE BOG I PICKED UP AN UMBRELLA. WHILE I WAS SITTING THERE STARING INTO SPACE WITH BROLLY FIRMLY OPEN ABOVE MY HEAD A STREAM OF WATERY MISSILES CAME RAINING DOWN ON THE BROLLY AND I COULD HEAR THE WRATHCHILDREN GIGGLING AS THEY RAN BACK TO THE STUDIO. AT THIS POINT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOAKED BUT ARRIVED BACK IN THE STUDIO BONE DRY. I TOLD THEM THAT AS THE TOILET WAS FULL I USED THE ONE ON THE FLOOR ABOVE IN THE BUILDING, YOU CAN IMAGINE THE LOOKS ON THEIR FACES WHEN THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD JUST SOAKED SOMEONE ELSE.

FIBM:  Oddly enough, you guys always seemed to have it more together than some of the bands in the US, who seemed to be wasted half the time. Were any of you guys ever overly-consumed by the party scene?

Rocky Shades:  I PERSONALLY WAS ALWAYS PISSED 24/7 AS I DIDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE BUT STILL WAS ABLE TO CONDUCT THE WRATHCHILD BUSINESS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL, I LIKE TO PARTY BUT WHEN IT CAME TO OUR ART WE WERE PERFECTIONISTS. EVERYTHING HAD TO BE RIGHT, BUT GETTING MAXIMUM RETURN FROM A PARTY WAS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE, WITHOUT THE MUSIC SUFFERING.


FIBM:  You guys were very popular in the Europe. How long did it take for you guys to develop a larger following? What sized venues were you guys playing in?

Rocky Shades:  WITHIN 2 -3 YEARS WE WENT FROM PLAYING "THE RAILWAY" BACKSTREET PUB IN BIRMINGHAM FOLLOWING OF 50 - 150 PEOPLE TO THE MARQUEE LONDON, 1000 - 2000 PEOPLE WITH 5 SELL OUT PERFORMANCES. AT OUR PEAK DURING THE WASP TOUR WE PLAYED TO BETWEEN 4000 - 5000 PEOPLE.

IT TOOK 4 YEARS TO FIRMLY ESTABLISH A BIG FAN BASE IN EUROPE WITH THE RELEASE OF THE "WAR MACHINE" VIDEO WHICH HAS NOW BEEN RETITLED "LIVE IN LONDON" ON DVD. IT TOOK 10 YEARS TO REACH DEMIGOD STATUS IN EUROPE BUT BY THEN THINGS WERE TOO LATE.

FIBM:  How did you survive back then? Were you making enough money from record sales and shows, or did you guys have to do other things to pay the bills?

Rocky Shades:  WE TOTALLY SURVIVED ON OUR MERCHANDISING MONEY AND PER DIEM MONIES COLLECTED WHILE TOURING. MONEY FROM RECORD SALES AND ROYALTIES WERE QUITE SUBSTANTIAL AT THE BEGINNING, BUT WHEN THE LEGAL SHIT STARTED WE HAD TO RE-ROUTE MONIES TO PAY FOR THE LAWYERS AS WE WERE NOT FULLY ENTITLED TO LEGAL AID. OUR LADIES WERE WORKING FULL TIME SO THEY HELPED OUT WITH BILLS AND STUFF.

FIBM:  Have you ever toured the States?


Rocky Shades:   NOT WITH WRATHCHILD, THE LEGAL SHIT WITH WRATHCHILD AMERICA PUT PAID TO THAT. BUT I DID SOME PERSONAL PROMO WORK IN 1986 IN THE STATES, AND ALSO TOOK TIME OUT TO VISIT DISNEYWORLD….WHAHEYYYYYYY!!!

FIBM:  What were some of the highlights from the year following the release of Stakk Attakk.

Rocky Shades:   APPEARING ON " THE TUBE" TV PROGRAMME WITH JOOLS HOLLAND AND PAULA YATES, WITH MOTORHEAD AND TWISTED SISTER. TOURING WITH WASP GOING TO DONNINGTON TO WATCH CRUE, HALEN, OZZY AND AC/DC (ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAV BANDS). MET LOADS OF MY ROCK HEROES AND PARTIED WITH THEM. SOME SERIOUSLY ALMOST PORNOGRAPHIC PHOTO SESSIONS TO PROMOTE THE ALBUM.

FIBM:  What memories come to mind from your tour with WASP? Were they cool to tour with? Did you have any stage restrictions?

Rocky Shades:   WE HAD SERIOUS STAGE RESTRICTIONS LIKE NO PYROS, NO BATTLECAR SET, LIMITED TIME TO PLAY AND SUBDUED PA SOUND. WE GOT ON OK BUT AFTER ME USING THE BAZOOKA ONE NIGHT, BLACKIE AND I HAD A SERIOUS FALLING OUT. HE TRIED TO REBOUK ME BUT I WASN'T LISTENING. (I DIDN'T GIVE A TOSS TO BE HONEST). THE TOUR CAME TO A HEAD PREMATURELY WHEN WE DECIDED THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE A CO-HEADLINER NOT A SUPPORT BAND, AND AS MOST OF THE FANS THAT CAME TO SEE THE DUEL SHOW WERE OURS, WE JUST LEFT TO PLAY OUR OWN TOUR.

A FACT THAT WAS MADE KNOWN TO ME AFTER THE EVENT WAS WASP WANTED US TO HELP THEM SELL OUT VENUES IN THE UK AS IT WAS THEIR FIRST VISIT, AND IT WAS MY OLD MATE BRUCE DICKINSON WHO GAVE OUR ALBUM TO CAPITAL RECORDS WHO WERE RUNNING BOTH MAIDEN AND WASP AT THE TIME, BLACKIE SAID WE WERE THE KIND OF BAND THAT WOULD DO THE BUSINESS FOR THEM.

FIBM:  Didn't Wrathchild almost sign with RCA? Whatever happened to that?

Rocky Shades:  THIS IS WHERE I REALLY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, RCA AMERICA APPROACHED US WITH VIEW TO SIGNING US AND RE-RELEASING STAKK ATTAKK IN THE USA. WE WERE ALREADY TIED TO HEAVY METAL RECORDS SO FOR RCA TO PROCURE OUR SERVICES, THEY HAD TO LIASE WITH HEAVY METAL RECORDS TO STRIKE UP A DEAL. I WAS TOLD BY A RELIABLE SOURCE THAT HEAVY METAL RECORDS WANTED TO OFFLOAD SOME OF THEIR MINOR BANDS ALONG WITH US, AND RCA REFUSED POINT BLANK CAUSING A SERIOUS BAD FEELING BETWEEN BOTH LABELS. NEGOTIATIONS REACHED LAUGHABLE HEIGHTS AND THE LEGAL SHIT HIT THE FAN BIGTIME. AN INJUCTION WAS PLACED ON THE BAND TO STOP IT TOURING, WHICH WE TOTALLY IGNORED, ALL ASSETS WERE FROZEN. WE PLAYED UNDER SO MANY DIFFERENT NAMES WHICH WE REVEALED TO OUR FANS THROUGH THE FANCLUB. IT NEARLY DESTROYED THE BAND, BUT AS HISTORY PROVES WE CAME BACK WITH THE KILLER ALBUM "THE BIZ SUXX" WHICH WAS GIVEN MAJOR STARS IN ALL THE PRESS. THE LEGAL BATTLE TOOK ALMOST FOUR YEARS TO SORT OUT.

BUT BY THE TIME WE WERE FREE OF THE LEGAL SHACKLES, THE PEOPLE FROM RCA HAD LOST INTEREST IN US. HENCE THE FACT THAT WE DID THE NEXT TWO ALBUMS ON HEAVY METAL RECORDS WHO BY NOW HAD CHANGED THEIR NAME TO FM REVOLVER. "DELIRIUM" BEING THE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION ALBUM SO RECEIVED NO DECENT PUBLICITY.

FIBM:  It was almost as if you guys were guaranteed to make it HUGE. In the early 80's was there ever a point that you thought that Wrathchild would NOT be a huge success? Did you have any doubt at that time?

Rocky Shades:  WHILE WE WERE AT OUR PEAK THEIR WAS NO DOUBT THAT WE WAS GOING TO BE HUGE. HALFWAY THROUGH THE LEGAL BATTLE WE LOST HEART AND FELT THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHEN RCA BACKED OUT OF THE DEAL, THE ACT HAD ALREADY BEEN EATEN AWAY FROM THE INSIDE SO I KNEW IT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT IN TRUE DIE HARD FASHION I JUST WENT ON TO MY NEXT PROJECT WITH THE GUSTO THAT I HAVE ALWAYS PUT INTO MY PROJECTS.

FIBM:  When did the legal battle begin to enter into the picture. What was the legal battle? Why weren't you allowed to release records, or play shows.

Rocky Shades:  I EXPLAINED EARLIER THAT THE LEGAL BATTLE NO.1 STARTED IN 1984/1985, AND STARTED THE WAR BETWEEN RCA AMERICA AND HEAVY METAL RECORDS. LEGAL BATTLE NO.2 WAS WITH US AND WRATHCHILD AMERICA OVER WHO SHOULD OWN THE NAME WRATHCHILD AND WHO HAD DONE THE MOST WITH THE BAND. WE WON ON ALL COUNTS EXCEPT THAT THEY HAD SOLE RIGHTS IN AMERICA COZ WE HADNT PLAYED OR SOLD MAJOR RECORDS THERE AND THAT'S ALL THAT THEY HAD DONE. DURING THE BATTLE WE HELD BACK THE RELEASE OF THEIR DEBUT ALBUM SO AFTER ALL OF THEIR PRESS INTEREST DIED DOWN, WHEN THE ALBUM FINALLY CAME OUT IT WAS WITH A DAMP SQUIB NOT A BANG. A SHAME REALLY AS I THOUGHT THEIR DEBUT ALBUM WAS BRILLIANT.

FIBM:  How did it ever get resolved?

Rocky Shades:  WE GOT NOWHERE WITH THE HEAVY METAL/RCA AMERICA THING. WE WON THE WRATHCHILD AMERICA BATTLE BUT IT FINANCIALLY CRIPPLED US AND WE NEVER RECOVERED FROM IT.


Test Sheet with Rocky Shades in Discharge

FIBM:  There were rumors that in 1987 you briefly joined the punk band, Discharge. Why did you quit Wrathchild and did you ever record anything with Discharge?

Rocky Shades:  WRATHCHILD WAS IN A SORRY STATE AND I NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING SO WHEN DISCHARGE PHONED ME UP AND ASKED IF I WANTED TO SING WITH THEM, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GAS AS I LOVE PUNK ROCK, SO I WENT ALONG. I CAN HONESTLY SAY AFTER ALL THE MUSICIANS I HAVE WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS, DISCHARGE WERE THE MOST MUSICALLY TIGHT AND POWERFUL BAND I HAVE EVER BEEN IN. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT THAT I WAS BEING PREVENTED FROM WRITING STUFF, AND BEING CREDITED FOR STUFF WITH THEM WITH THAT DAMN INJUNCTION I WOULD PROBABLY STILL BE WITH THEM.


FIBM:  Any idea how many copies of Stakk Attak sold, back in the day? How has it sold through the years?

Rocky Shades:  I DON'T KNOW THE FIGURES AS THEY WERE NEVER MADE KNOWN TO US, BUT THE SIGHT OF A NEW ROLLS ROYCE IN THE RECORD COMPANY MANAGERS DRIVEWAY TOLD US MAYBE WE HAD SOLD QUITE A FEW. MAYBE YOU SHOULD ASK HIM.

THE ONLY GOOD NEWS TO COME OUT OF IT WAS WHEN THE STONE ROSES POURED PAINT ALL OVER SAID VEHICLE WHEN THEY FELL OUT WITH HIM.

FIBM:  Who owns the rights to all of the Wrathchild releases?

Rocky Shades:  AS FAR AS I KNOW HEAVY METAL RECORDS/FM REVOLVER. BUT WHO OWNS THE RIGHTS TO THE NEW DVD IS A MYSTERY TO US ALL.

FIBM:  Did Stakk Attakk recently go out of print again? When will it be released again?

Rocky Shades:  I'VE NO IDEA, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD ASK HEAVY METAL RECORDS/FM REVOLVER IF THEY ARE STILL GOING. I HOPE IT DOES GET RELEASED AGAIN AS I HAVENT GOT IT ON CD IN MY COLLECTION AS THE CD WAS RELEASED AFTER WE FELL OUT.

FIBM:  Tell us about Wrathchild's return concert at London's Fulham Greyhound. How many people showed for that event? What are some memories that stand out from the night?

Rocky Shades:   FROM WHAT I REMEMBER IT WAS FULL, PEOPLE WERE IN TEARS BUT IM NOT SURE WHETHER IT WAS TEARS OF JOY FOR US RETURNING OR JUST TEARS COZ WE WERE RETURNING. ONE MEMORY STANDS OUT FOR ME, LOOKING AT ALL THE CONFETTI FROM THE CANNONS SPREAD ALL OVER THE PUB AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, THINKING TO MYSELF HOW I WATCHED MY LATE MOTHER CUTTING UP OLD BINGO CARDS TO MAKE IT ALL. WHAT A STAR. MUST HAVE TAKEN WEEKS TO AMASS ALL OF THAT CONFETTI.

ALSO TALKING TO THE FANS WHO WE HAD ONLY BEEN ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THROUGH THE FANCLUB ALWAYS ASSURING THEM THAT WE WOULD BE BACK AND FOR THEM NOT TO WORRY, THAT WAS ONE OF LIFES BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS.

FIBM:  Your next record was, The Bizz Suxx, why did it take so long for you to release another record? What year was it released?

Rocky Shades:   THE BIZZ SUXX WAS RELEASED AFTER THE INJUNCTION PERIOD ENDED, NAMELY 3 YEARS. IT FINALLY HIT THE SHELVES IN 1987, THE YEAR I HAD MY FIRST TATTOOS. RECORDED AT SINEWAVE STUDIOS IN BIRMINGHAM IT WAS THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING FOR WHAT THE BAND HAD BEEN PROMISING. ONLY THE THEFT OF EDDIES CAR FROM OUTSIDE THE STUDIO MARRED WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MOMENTOUS EVENT.


STAKK ATTAKK



THE BIZ SUXX




FIBM:  Any memories come to mind from those recording sessions? Any funny, cool, sucked, or great moments stand out?

Rocky Shades:  EDDIES CAR BEING STOLEN, ACQUIRING MANAGER N0.5 PUTTING A PROTECTIVE EGYPTIAN TALISMAN CIRCLE AROUND MY MIC STAND SO I WOULDNT LOSE MY VOICE WHILE RECORDING. IT WORKED BUT THE BAND BLAMED ME FOR ALL THE OTHER STRANGE SHIT THAT WENT DOWN. SUCH AS MARC FOUND A NOTE ON HIS CAR ONE MORNING THAT SAID "SORRY I CRASHED INTO YOUR STATIONARY CAR BUT I WAS DISTRACTED BY A LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT"……IN CITY CENTRE?

FIBM:  Did you guys tour for Bizz Suxx? IF SO, Where did you tour? How long?

Rocky Shades:   WE TOURED THE UK ON AND OFF FOR A YEAR UNTIL WE WENT INTO THE STUDIO TO DO THE DELIRIUM ALBUM.
SHEFFIELD-LOCARNO
RETFORD PORTERHOUSE - RETFORD
HUDDERSFIELD POLY
AYR PAVILLION -
BARROWLANDS - GLASGOW
EDWARDS NO.8 - BIRMINGHAM
JB'S - DUDLEY
DUCHESS OF YORK - LEEDS
SWEETINGS CLUB - BEDFORD
MARQUEE - LONDON
THE LION - WARRINGTON
EARLSTREES CLUB- CORBY
BEIRKELLER - BRISTOL
JB'S - WALSALL
GOLDEN DIAMOND CLUB - SUTTON IN ASHFIELD
IMAGES CLUB - WORCESTER
ARTS CENTRE - LICHFIELD
TAKE 2 CLUB - SHEFFIELD
RIVERSIDE CLUB - NEWCASTLE
PLINSTON HALL - LETCHWORTH
TO NAME A FEW.

FIBM:  I noticed that the cd release for Stakk Attakk is still on Heavy Metal Records. In the States all the small record labels have died off that were around in the 80's? How in the hell has Heavy Metal Records stuck around that long? Are they still an actual label or do they just release Wrathchild cd's?

Rocky Shades:  WHEN YOU HAVE A PRODUCT AS SUCCESSFUL AS WRATHCHILD I THINK YOU COULD QUITE EASILY LIVE OFF THE PROCEEDS.

IVE NO IDEA HOW THEY SURVIVED OR IF THEY HAVE SURVIVED I HAVE SPOKEN TO A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE MANAGER OF HEAVY METAL RECORDS AND HE CONFIDED THAT HE REGRETS NOT HANDLING WRATHCHILD BETTER THAN HE DID AS HE NOW REALISES WE COULD HAVE MADE HIM A SERIOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY IF HE HAD OF DONE.
FIBM:  Do Heavy Metal records stay on top of their payments to you guys? Are you receiving payments?

Rocky Shades:  WHAT PAYMENTS I HAVENT RECEIVED A ROYALTY CHEQUE SINCE 1990. I DON'T KNOW WHO ENDED UP WITH WHAT RIGHTS ALL I KNOW IS I LOST A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

IT LEFT ME SO DISILLUSIONED WITH THE WHOLE THING THAT I HAVE RUN MY OTHER ACTS WITH MUCH DISTRUST OF CONTRACTUAL AND FINANCIAL DEALINGS, I NOW MANAGE MYSELF, AND HANDLE ALL ADMIN DUTIES MYSELF. THE ONLY DOWN SIDE TO THIS IS AS I AM MY OWN SECRETARY I CANT SIT ON MY OWN KNEE DURING DICTATION.

FIBM:  Even though you guys did not achieve enormous international stardom, you still lived the life of rock stars who have made it. What was the groupie scene like for Wrathchild? Please share one of your top ten stories.

Rocky Shades:  WE WERE VERY POPULAR WITH THE LADIES, ALL I CAN SAY TO STOP SOUNDING THOROUGHLY PRETENTIOUS IS USE YOUR MIND THINK OF THE MOST LEWD AND DISGUSTING COMBINATIONS OF SEXUAL INTERACTION, AND I CAN SWEAR THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE MEMBERS AT ANY ONE TIME HAS BEEN THERE, SEEN IT DONE IT.

THE FUNNIEST THING THAT USED TO HAPPEN WAS A GUY WOULD BRING HIS GIRLFRIEND OVER TO MEET THE BAND AND HAVE HER TITS OR UNDERWEAR AUTOGRAPHED, THEN WHILE ONE OF US KEPT HIM TALKING, ANOTHER ONE OF US WOULD TAKE HIS GIRLFRIEND ON A LITTLE BACKSTAGE TOUR IF YOU CATCH MY DRIFT.

OTHER GROUPIES WOULD BRING THEIR GOOD LOOKING MOTHERS OVER TO MEET US AND WANT TO INDULGE IN A MOTHER/DAUGHTER PACKAGE, AND WHO WERE WE TO DISAPPOINT THEM. OR SISTERS OR TWINS…….CHOICE WAS ENDLESS.

FIBM:  What are your memories of your last release, Delirium? What was the state of the band at that time?

Rocky Shades:  THREE WEEKS STUCK IN A STUDIO IN USK,WALES, LIVING IN, WITH NO DISTRACTIONS, AND THE NEAREST PUB WAS AT LEAST 50 MILES AWAY. EASILY OUR BEST ALBUM FOR GOOD SONGWRITING CONTENT, BUT A MILLION MILES AWAY FROM THE CLAP YOUR FEET STOMP YOUR HANDS SHIT THAT WAS OUR TRADEMARK.


FIBM:  Any memories come to mind from those recording sessions?

Rocky Shades:  MY WIFE AND CHILD AT THE TIME COMING TO VISIT ME TO STOP ME GOING CRAZY, WALL TO WALL VIDEO NASTIES, AND OVERHEARING MARC SAYING TO THE PRODUCER AFTER HE HAD A LONG CHAT WITH ME…IS HE WEARING YOU DOWN YET….HE DOES US……CHEERS MATE JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO WRATHCHILDS CHAINSMOKING DURING THE MIXING DOWN OF THE ALBUM…..I DON'T SMOKE….I USED TO GO TO SLEEP UNDER THE MIXING DESK WHILE THEY WERE MIXING DOWN COZ IT WAS SO BORING.

FIBM:  Any memories come to mind from your last live gig with Wrathchild? Did you know at the time, it was the last show? How did you feel about it?

Rocky Shades:  LAST GIG, HEAD SPLIT OPEN WITH A THROWN BOTTLE, ME SITTING ON THE PERPETRATORS TABLE TAPPING AN ANTIQUE CHAIR LEG WHILE STARING IN HIS FACE WHILE BLOOD PISSED OUT ALL OVER HIM AND HIS MATES. HE SAT MOTIONLESS WITH EYES AS BIG AS SAUCERS WONDERING WHAT WAS COMING NEXT. THEN HAVING HALF OF MY FANS TRAVEL DOWN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH ME AND SITTING IN A SEMI CIRCLE AROUND THE FLOOR BY MY CHAIR LIKE NURSERY SCHOOL KIDS DO WHEN BEING READ A STORY. 4 STITCHES LATER.

YES SOME GUT FEELING SAID IT WAS THE END, I WAS NATURALLY DEVASTATED TO LOSE WHAT I HAD SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE BUILDING. SHIT HAPPENS.



FIBM:  Have you talked to any of the guys from Wrathchild? Any idea what they do now? Did anyone continue playing music?

Rocky Shades:   I SPOKE TO EDDIE EARLIER THIS YEAR, HE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO JOIN UP WITH HIM AND MARC AND THE FIRST GUITARIST PHIL. I SAID I WAS INTERESTED BUT AT PRESENT DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO INVEST IN ANY NEW PROJECTS AS I AM SO BUSY WITH THE BLUES BROTHERS

FIBM:  Throughout the years what are some of the jobs that you have done, since the band broke up? Weren't you a councilman for awhile? How did it feel having a "real job"?

Rocky Shades:   IVE NEVER WORKED FOR THE COUNCIL
I AM NOT TOO EMBARASSED TO SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN
A PRINT FINISHER
A DIE-CUT OPERATOR AT A PACKAGING PLANT
A CAR ASSEMBLY WORKER
IVE WORKED ON BULDING SITES
REAL JOBS AINT ROCK AND ROLL BUT AS I APPROACH EVERYTHING I DO WITH THE SAME PASSION, I WAS GOOD AT ALL OF THOSE JOBS

FIBM:  Any chance of a Wrathchild reunion? Would you be open to it?

Rocky Shades:   TO BE HONEST I CANT REALLY SEE IT, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT HAPPEN AND I WOULD DEFINITELY LOVE TO BE A PART OF IT, BUT UNLESS LANCE HAS A MAJOR CHANGE OF HEART I CANT SEE HIM ENTERTAIN THE NOTION OF A REUNION.

FIBM:  3 most fond memories of your days in Wrathchild.

Rocky Shades:   ACCESS TO MANY GIRLS WITHOUT PAYING THE PLAYGROUND WE CALLED THE STAGE THE REALLY WILD PARTIES WE WERE INVITED TO, AND THE STARS WE MET AS MATES.

FIBM:  Rocky Shades is transported back to the year 1983, is there anything you would do differently?

Rocky Shades:   NOT SIGN WITH A CERTAIN RECORD LABEL, TAKE MORE INTEREST IN THE MONETARY SIDE OF THE BUSINESS, RUN THE ADMIN AND NOT GIVE IT TO SOME OTHER CLOWN TO RUN


Rocky / Robert on the left

THE FAST 5

FIBM:  What is your most disgusting habit?

Rocky Shades:  I HAVE NO DISGUSTING HABITS IM AWARE OF, ALTHOUGH MY WIFE MAY TELL YOU OTHERWISE

FIBM:  What is the most feminine thing you do?

Rocky Shades:  I STILL DYE MY HAIR USING THE CHEAPER WOMENS DYE. ITS AT LEAST HALF THE PRICE OF THE BLOKES.

FIBM:  If there is a God, what is the first question you would ask God when you arrive?

Rocky Shades:  WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?

FIBM:  Greatest Rock band of all time?

Rocky Shades:  MOTLEY CRUE

FIBM:  What were you doing 40 minutes before you sat down to do this interview?

Rocky Shades:  APPLYING A FRESH DRESSING TO THE FINGER I BROKE ON SATURDAY.

Rocky Shades:   I HOPE THIS SATISFIES YOUR QUEST FOR ANSWERS IT HAS BEEN A REAL GAS DOING IT.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CLOSE BY SAYING TO ALL YOU WRATHCHILDREN WHO STAYED LOYAL TO US OVER THE YEARS…..I THANK YOU. TO ALL THE NEW DISCOVERERS OF WRATHCHILD WHO THINK WE ARE STILL COOL AFTER ALL THIS TIME.....I THANK YOU TOO. TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO STILL HATE US AND BARE DEEP GRUDGES FOR EITHER ONE REASON OR ANOTHER…….FUCK YOU ASSHOLES !!!!!


Received this message from Rocky the day after we did the interview:
HEY AI,
HERE IS A PIECE OF HOT NEWS FOR YOU, AFTER I FINISHED YOUR INTERVIEW I WAS CONTACTED BY EDDIE AND THEY STILL WANT ME TO JOIN THE MARC, PHIL, EDDIE BAND AS YET UN-NAMED.

I HAVE TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD TRY TO FIND SOME TIME IN THE NEW YEAR TO PURSUE THIS PROJECT AS I AM DYING TO HIT THE ROAD WITH WHATS LEFT OF MY BOYS AGAIN.

IT WONT JUST BE A WRATHCHILD REVISITED THING, THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THEIR OWN MATERIAL AND I HAVE A VAULT OF SONGS WE CAN LOOK AT SO IT COULD BE A SUCCESSFUL WORKING BAND.

HERE IS THE DISCHARGE PHOTOS AGAIN HOPE THIS DOES THE TRICK.

CHEERS ROCKY


Don't forget to visit Rocky at his Birmingham Blues Brothers website:
www.birminghambluesbrothers.com

Also, be sure to check out the Wrathchild Tribute site, one of the best tribute sites...PERIOD!!
www.wrathchilduk.com




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