Metal for the masses in Weymouth (From Thisisdorset)

Metal for the masses in Weymouth

10:33am Friday 13th January 2012 in Leisure By Nick Horton

THIS time last year, if you’d told me that Weymouth would have hosted gigs from bands such as Sepultura, Malefice, Morbid Angel, Naplam Death, Evile and other such ne’er do-wells, I’d have said: You’re having a giraffe, mate.

But, as we all know, it happened and that’s down to the hard-working people at Hourglass Promotions who are doing their bit to get Weymouth firmly nailed on the metal map.

And this year will be more of the same, only, bigger, better and no doubt LOUDER!

First up is the visit of Saint (The) Sinner to Finns in Weymouth, next Friday, January 20.

The Bournemouth electro-metalcore outfit will be ably supported by local heroes Kill The Conversation, Eden in Vain and As Flames Rise.

This is the first of several multi-band events planned for Finns throught the year.

And Hourglass have lined up ma-hoosive shows for 2012, including InMe at the Weymouth Pavilion on February 24 and, as a special treat, Funeral For A Friend, again at the Pavilion, on August 3 when the world and his uncle will be in town for the Olympic sailing.

Not bad for a sleepy south coast town, eh?

You can get all the info from hourglasspromo.co.uk Now then, a few weeks ago I featured Big Al Whittle and Paul Openshaw, two local folkies who were in with a hey-nonny-no in a national senior songwriting contest.

Well, who’d a funk it but they’ve only been and gone and done it and made the final 20! (Actually it’s 21 as two songs came in with the same number of votes.) Anyways up, Big Al’s song Old Man in the Sun and Paul’s offering My Sister’s Eyes are now to be judged by Radio 2 legends Sir Terry Wogan, Whisperin’ Bob Harris, Ken ‘Popmaster’ Bruce, Johnnie Walker and Malcolm Prince.

The final four songs will be professionally recorded in a top studio at the end of January. The songs will be then available for download with the ultimate winner being announced in March.

It’s a real big deal for Big Al and Paul, who are regulars at the Wessex Folk Club at the Sailors Return in Weymouth every Wednesday.

“We really appreciate all the Dorset Echo readers who voted for us. Thanks so much,” Al said.

You can hear their songs online at oldiecomposers.com And finally, catering companies across the south west will be crying into their quiches following the shock news that Freezer are calling it a day.

The popular Weymouth band have built up a huge following and even huger stomachs over the past couple of years with their instant party gigs and a reputation for reviewing and subsequently demolishing buffets at private parties and weddings.

As drummer Chris Whiteside tells me: “We were all just getting too fat with all those buffets.

“Seriously though, it’s a sad day because we’re a crackin’ band. It’s just time for a change.

“My inbox is full and I feel like Gary Barlow announcing the Take That split.”

Your last two chances to see Freezer in public will be at Finns in Weymouth on Saturday, January 28, and the White Horse in Swanage on Saturday, February 4.

Unless, of course, they are offered stacks of loot and a year’s supply of pork pies to reform as Vampire the Buffet Slayer.

‘Til next time...