NEWS: Ginger Wildheart releases song to support positive mental health and the Samaritans this Christmas

Ginger Wildheart is releasing a single for Suicide Prevention at Christmas to promote Mental Health Awareness and the proceeds will go to The Samaritans.

The lead track is called 'Fuck You Brain', recorded with Ginger’s friend Ryan Hamilton.  Along with Fuck You Brain, the single includes two extra original and previously unreleased songs, all for £5.00 (minimum).

“Ironically I struggled even getting to the studio to record my parts for this single, deep as was in my current battle with depression. The same attack that almost killed me a week ago," he said.

"My depression wants me dead. So far I'm winning on weight advantage, but the battle is never over.

"This is a very vulnerable time of year for sufferers of mental health issues, and suicide sees a marked increase over Christmas and New Year. So the help provided by The Samaritans is invaluable, especially over this period.

"Please help us in helping someone this year.

"Obviously severe depression is not seasonal, but the reminder that you yourself are 'not doing so bad' is reinforced over this Festive holiday. If you have a healthy family, loved ones who are safe, a warm home, a job and a hot meal staring at you at some point, then you are doing better than many people this Xmas. 

"To simply say "thank you" for what you have, please donate for those suffering from suicidal thoughts, struggling with depression/anxiety, or for those helping such a person through this holiday period.

"Our suggestion is £5:00, but if you're doing okay this year then please add a little. The people involved in this single all gave their time for free, and we'll even be dropping a 'thank you' donation into the box. Let's do this selflessly and with love.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make sure that this single happens in time to help. My warm thanks extend to every one of you for helping save someone's life this Christmas. “
Gx

Watch the video for Fuck You Brain below

To purchase the Fuck You Brain single go to: https://roundrecords.bandcamp.com/

LIVE REVIEW: Hard Rock Hell X - Day Three: Power mingled with poignancy produces triumphant climax to Year 10

AS Day three of Hard Rock Hell dawned there was a certain poignancy for many.  It was just a day short of the anniversary of the Paris attacks that included the massacre at the Bataclan as the Eagles of Death Metal were playing.

Looking back the shock as we learned the news was quickly overtaken by a sense of defiance - a sense that this was our community and it is a community that does not cower.

Rock and metal musicians moved on and continued to tour. Fans still go out to shows. We mourn and we move on, celebratory but reflective. Hard Rock Hell and all associated keep the faith in the curative, cathartic effect of music.

Thus, come Saturday's bright skies HRH newbies, Vets, Royalty, Dark Circle, reporters and photographers - not to mention the entire Chic Festivals team - once more gathered in bars, restaurant and across two venues to feed eagerly on the buzz music creates that feeds the soul and raises spirits.

On the closing day of Hard Rock Hell X once again there was a plethora of rock, metal and blues to titillate the aural tracts of thousands.

That variety is, as referred to previously, can be an issue when trying to catch bands across the two venues, but then again it's a nice problem to have...

Amongst the highlights on Arena Two - a.k.a. The Boardwalk, were Tequila Mockingbyrd bringing their Aussie blues right down to bare knuckle brilliance and Red Spektor with their sophisticated psych stoner groove.

Angst and anger powering their dark lyrics and elegant three guitar-led music Cross Eyed Mary delivered, with the songs from their 'Nil By Mouth' EP standing out.

Leader of Down is a band that has been a while gelling after they began work with the late Wurzel, but given their performance their forthcoming album (which features two songs with Lemmy singing) will be anticipated by many.

Equally Aaronn Buchanan and The Cult Classics deliver a super set, but given Aaron's pedigree with Heaven's Basement and the assembled experience of the band they will rise to headier heights in the near future.

Ginger Wildheart was a busy man on the Saturday at HRH. First he was up on stage with his power pop/punk project Hey! Hello! delivering frenetic fun. Later on he came on to perform a Ginger Wildheart as expected with attitude and melodies cramming into every second.

Bernie Marsden has attitude, but in a different way as he squeezes every ounce of emotion from his guitar. With Neil Murray - an colleague from Whitesnake - at his side it wasn't just the 'Snake songs that shone but the Marsden solo tracks that were eeked out with precision.

Soil are best remembered by many of the Scuzz and Kerrang! TV channels for the epic 'Halo'. Whilst it was a fitting finale - with McCombs ending the set in the audience - the Illinois foursome featured songs from 'Scars' as well as more recent tracks; all greeted by the crowd down the front with glee.

The panache of Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons was to be expected, there was some apprehension amongst some as to how RATT would be received given that only Blotzer remains and the rest have been playing under the RATT name for less than a year. However, 'Out of the Cellar'-like dark depths of the venue the bogeying and bopping greeted them, as well as singing to every chorus.

It was good to have them 'Back For More' but all were sure that they were still able to 'Lay It Down'.

With many having waited years to see Molly Hatchet there was a real sense of anticipation. With the live album 'Double Trouble Live' capturing so many hearts in 1985 and beyond it was sure that they would feature the tracks from that era, which included so many epics from 'Flirtin' With Disaster' and Beating The Odds'.

North Wales was transported to 'Gator County' as Phil McCormack's down South drawl conjuring up swamps and dangerous journeys through the 'Glades.

It was also a set that was packed with emotional songs, with 'Fall Of The Peacemakers' heartfelt performance powering through any crusts still intact. Dave Hlubeck and Bobby Ingram's guitars weaving the southern rock around the arena like twin snake charmers calling all to rock 'n' roll arms.

Like RATT some may have questioned the validity of the line-up, but half of the members have been under the Hatchet banner since the 80s, and all clearly have southern boogie running through their veins. And, when they play 'Dreams I'll Never See' so well this was validation of why all want to see more from Molly Hatchet.

As the smiling hordes stumbled back to caravans, chalets, apartments and hotels the 10th Anniversary of Hard Rock Hell closed, a success once more. The pain that all in the rock community a year previously will never be forgotten, but neither will the music that formed the people attending, the passion displayed as ever.

Friends, fans and bands united in one cause. Rock and Fucking Roll! Screw the rest, together we are the best.

VIDEO: The Ginger Wildheart Band unveil new video ahead of Ramblin Man Fair slot

WE’RE heading off to Ramblin’ Man Fair this weekend and one of the acts we’re looking forward to seeing is The Ginger Wildheart Band, who have just unveiled a brand new video for ‘If You Find Yourself In London Town’. (See video below.)

“The video and song is a letter to a younger me, trying to make a name for himself in the big city. “ says Ginger “What to avoid and what to watch out for. 

“I'd have loved to have had some advice back when I moved from the North East, but I didn't know anyone who had moved to London before me. This meant learning on the move, which was invaluable in gaining survival tips for my future. It was a very different place then, and well worth the cost of training to navigate. “ 

The cautionary tale that is ‘If You Find Yourself In London Town’ is taken from Ginger Wildheart’s The Year Of The Fanclub album.

NEWS: Ginger Wildheart cancels UK Hey' Hello! shows after diagnosis of acute depression

REAL men are open about the shit that affects their lives; none of that pseudo macho bullshit, so it is with that in mind that we toast the honesty of Ginger Wildheart.

He has been clinically diagnosed with acute depression and has had to cancel the Hey! Hello! tour and his birthday show.

Another real man is Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers, who spoke of his depression in front of a packed Ulster Hall, before playing 'My Dark Places' his personal account of his struggle. We hope Ginger gets the support to get out of his dark place.

Below is the band statement, but before reading, if you are suffering from depression, talk to people, see your doctor, contact charities and support groups. You deserve the help, you'll get the help

The band statement reads:

"It is with regret that Hey!Hello! have to announce the postponement of the upcoming Hey! Hello!
UK tour, and Ginger Wildheart’s birthday show on December 17th.

"The shows have been postponed due to Ginger being clinically diagnosed with ‘acute depression'' and the shows are currently being rescheduled for 2016.
"The band offer their "sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused to anyone who was intending to travel to these December shows.’’ and Ginger’s official statement reads…

"Gutted to have to postpone the Hey! Hello! tour, but the band have been super supportive and I'm very proud to part of this beautiful bunch.

I'm gutted to miss seeing Dirt Box Disco play too, as they've recently become my favourite band and I hope they'll join us for the rescheduled dates in 2016.

But mostly I've been blown away by the fans response. I'm very lucky to have such supportive people in my life. Thank you for being so kind with your concern.

We'll get this beat, and I'll see you next year when I feel better.

Have a cool yule, y'all.

Gx’


Good luck sir