Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend – Saturday 28th July. Doors open 7.30pm. Starts 8pm. Support from Blackmayne. Tickets £10 – available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/484286
A New Day Festival, Faversham – Sunday 5th August
On the back of an overwhelmingly positive critical reaction to a new album last year, Kent-based band Thunderstick hit the stage on July 28th for their first Thunderstick gig in over thirty years.
First noticed playing with a developing Iron Maiden in the seventies Barry Graham Purkis aka Thunderstick became the figurehead of the newly emerging NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) scene, initially with Samson and then with his own band Thunderstick, playing live and recording for six years until the band played its last gig in Tunbridge Wells in October 1986. ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’, the first new Thunderstick album in over thirty years, was released in July 2017 and has been attracting enthusiastic reviews from all over the world.
Taking the stage at Gravesend’s infamous rock venue, itself celebrating 40 years of live music, Leo’s Red Lion will host a unique Thunderstick ‘showcase’ gig a week before their performance at Faversham’s ‘A New Day’ festival on Sunday 5th August.
Thunderstick aka Barry Graham Purkis comments: “Energy, power, theatrics and outrage have always been present in the Thunderstick shows of old. We will ramp up those components considerably for the forthcoming stage shows. For those who were there first time round in the ‘80s welcome back we have missed you so much. For those about to experience us for the first time prepare yourselves for a journey. Viixen, Lee, Rex, Baz, and Thunderstick will steal your ‘rock’n’roll heart’…”
The Folkestone-based musician adds: “I have lived and travelled all over but always feel truly at home on returning to the Kent coast. As a musician living in Kent I find the creativity that exists here totally energised, full of like- minded artists that have no wish to compete in the daily rat race of large cities such as London and yet still manage to achieve the same aims conducted in a far more serene environment.”
The new Thunderstick lineup is :
Vocals – Viixen, from Margate
Guitar – Baz Roze, from Margate
Guitar – Lee Quenby, from Faversham
Bass – Rex Thunderbolt, from Gravesend
Drums – Barry Graham Purkis aka Thunderstick, from Folkestone
Vocalist, Viixen: “Originally from Shropshire, I’ve lived Kent for the past 18 years. We have a fantastic live music scene in our county, with some awesome venues such as ‘The Red Lion’ in Gravesend and ‘The Harp Restrung’ in Folkestone who are dedicated to keeping it alive. How privileged we are to have this on our doorstep! As the First Thunderstick storm draws closer I grow more and more excited! We literally can not wait to perform for you! Expect passion, theatrics, and full sensory stimulation. it’s gonna ROCK!”
Guitarist, Baz Roze: “Living in Thanet since the age of 3, I’ve been very lucky as Margate has always been a place that has attracted musicians and bands with many venues..Most of these places are now gone but I was lucky to be part of the hairmetal and rock scene in the 80s and early 90s with a great venue, The Ship Inn, being my local. Many bands passed through this iconic place with many band members going on to relatively bigger things. Margate still has a great rock following even today.”
Guitarist, Lee Quenby: “I’m a Kent guy through and through born and grew up in Canterbury and currently living in Faversham. I was lucky enough to score my first real guitar playing gig with Margate legends Vigilante in 1990 before forming Mr Scary with two of my best friends, Mik Gaffney and Paul Delo later that year. I’ve played in various cover bands between then and now, but never lost my love of that flash and showiness that the metal bands of the 80’s had, so now playing in Thunderstick, I love getting that chance to dress up and be a showman again!! Can’t wait to see you all at a show sometime this summer! Hell yeeah!”
Bass-player, Rex Thunderbolt: “From being born and growing up in Margate during the eighties and around the country during the early nineties, Kent has always been home. I feel privileged to enjoy this wonderful county as I travel from show to show. Having settled in Gravesend since ‘96, the red lion has always had a special place in the hearts of the rock and metal-minded. The names that have played on that stage. It feels right that as the Red lion celebrates 40 years of great live music, the reborn Thunderstick should restart its journey. I am proud to be a part of it.”
A recent band photo-shoot took place at Ashford’s Boys Hall.
Photo credit: Emma Morgan-Knight
Thunderstick are available for interviews.
All media enquiries to: Darren Johnson (+44) 7799 731 682 darrenjohnson@crowfliescommunications.com
