 |
||||
Editorial / The History Of... The below 'history of' appeared in issue 40, Black Velvet's 10 year anniversary issue. We're now up to past issue 60 and Black Velvet is now printed in full colour. One
day, in the Spring of 1994, I decided to start work on an
all-round rock zine. For a year previous I'd produced a fanzine
for the LA glam/sleaze band, Alleycat Scratch, a band I'd
seen play live during a trip to Hollywood and was impressed
by so much that I felt the urge to try and do something to
support them and get them a bit more recognition on this side
of the pond. When they split up, Black Velvet was the logical
next step. And why was it called Black Velvet? It had nothing
to do with the Allanah Myles single, it had nothing to do
with the alcoholic drink (I'm tea-total)… it was more
to do with image, my image, I guess - and the relation that
image had with rock 'n' roll. Velvet to me symbolised rock
'n' roll. I remember when I first discovered rock music in
my teens, going into Oasis (the rock store/market in Birmingham,
not the now trendy shop with the same name) and spotting crushed
velvet rock clothes… leggings, skirts, you name it…
I bought one item, I bought another. Soon my wardrobe had
been converted into a velvet emporium. I became a living,
walking velvet clothes horse. This is how it all began. Back in the beginning Black Velvet was produced on a cheap wordprocessor. A Canon Starwriter. This was before the internet generation. Before every household owned a computer. I photocopied the first three issues at work on the photocopier in the office. It had a dodgy hand-drawn logo. Oh, and I happen to be the worst artist in the world. Issue 4 was the first issue I took to a local printers. Back then, Black Velvet was very much a glam rock based zine. Well, glam rock and Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi were my favourite band. The first real rock band I discovered in the mid-80s. To this day they still rock my world. But a lot of the other bands were small and unsigned. It was more an underground zine than one that covered chart-topping rock acts. Some of the bands we featured included Baby Strange, Foxy Roxx and Big Bang Babies. As time went by and years passed, Black Velvet did strike up relationships with more record and pr companies. This mainly meant that we were introduced to new music. We started receiving CDs to review by non-glam bands, and bands we'd never really checked out before… bands like Joyrider and Posh. One of the good things about doing a zine is that if you're open to listening to new music you can discover great new bands that you otherwise might not have checked out. Our tastes widened. Issue 12 saw the first glossy cover. It was our first two colour cover as well. The Manics graced issue 12 with a report on their UK tour inside. Black Velvet loves the Manics. Contributors such as Penny Gower, a long-time pal, and Suzi Hamilton have been on board for a long, long time, sending in some great reviews and interviews and helping make Black Velvet the zine it is. Around issue 15 Black Velvet went on sale in Birmingham's
Tower Records. We also got in touch with some independent
stores, some of which unfortunately are no longer around.
Rooster Records in Preston was a particular favourite which
has unfortunately long since died. Since then, there haven't been that many big changes. We've just been refining what Black Velvet is. Reducing the font size so we can fit more in, little things like that. Oh, I did pick up distribution around about issue 32 or 33 - so now Black Velvet is distributed by a leading magazine distribution company. It found its way into a bunch of HMVs and is now in more stores in the USA too. And here we are at issue 40. It seems quite amazing to think
that I've been doing it for ten years (one issue every three
months). Ten years is a long time when you think about it.
What were you doing ten years ago? Are you still doing it
now?
Shari Black Velvet
Shari Black Velvet is the editor of Black Velvet. She also reviews, interviews and photographs bands, as well as laying out the zine in its entirety, working on the website, maintaining the Black Velvet yahoogroup and MySpace group and lots more.
If you're an unsigned band interested in commissioning a band photoshoot for promotional purposes, or a band interested in live concert photographs, contact shari@blackvelvetmagazine.com for more info. Shari Says... On Interviewing I'm on a quest for the perfect question. Basically, I take everything I do really seriously, no more so than interviewing. I pretty much only interview bands I really love, and when an interview has been scheduled I will research for a long, long, long time in order to come up with good questions. In fact, I don't want to come up with 'good' questions, I want to come up with 'great' questions. I'm a perfectionist so something inside of me wants whoever I'm interviewing to think my interview was awesome. I don't want to just do an ok interview. I want to make a mark. I want them to think back afterwards and think 'that Black Velvet was a great and interesting interview'. I will read every single interview I can find online that the artist has done previously and try to avoid questions he/she's been asked before. Sometimes reading past interviews can inspire me to think of new questions - for example if they touch on a subject or say something interesting then that might spark an idea for a new question that's not been asked. I'm constantly striving to make my interview questions the best they can be. Sometimes it's hard when the interviewer has been interviewed a thousand times already - but I guess that just makes me work even harder. Being a perfectionist means I'm also very fussy about interviews that contributors do. I want my contributors to have a similar outlook as me - and not any basic, boring questions or questions that have been asked too many times before, and spend a long time researching for their interview. If I'm unhappy with a contributor's interview I probably won't let them do (m)any more. If I take on a new contributor I like to check their questions for the first interview or two, to make sure it's going to be ok.
On Photography
Concert photography is probably one of my fave things in the whole world. There's a certain buzz with being in a photopit and taking photos of great bands. If I ever go to a concert and am not taking photos I'm bummed out because it's become a part of me. My main camera is a Nikon D2X. When I get home from a show that I've taken photos of I usually feel the urge to try and get some photos on the Black Velvet website as soon as possible. I love other people seeing my photos.
On Black Velvet
I am Black Velvet! It's my whole life. It's the best thing in the world - for me, anyway. I would love it to become a success, although it seems so hard for independent zines to 'make it'. High street chain stores rarely (if at all) stock independent zines... which really sucks. Thankfully there are some independent stores that do. But I have a lot of determination and will continue to Black Velvet, and continually improve it, for as long as I can. It's a lot of fun and very enjoyable. I think I would be lost without it. I think more people need to buy it... so if you're reading and you haven't, you really should. It's not going to break your bank. If you can't afford a subscription tell a friend or relative to buy you one at Christmas or for your birthday. It's way better than a cheapy, crappy present that you don't want! Black Velvet is honest, and real, and all about the good music out there. We don't write about music that bores us, music that hurts our ears, we write about music that inspires us... and that should inspire you too - if you have any taste!
|
Want to find out a little bit more about some of the key Black Velvet staff members? Read on... Name: Shari Black Velvet Location: Redditch, near Birmingham What do you contribute to Black Velvet? The heart, the soul, the everything, the late nights, the bloodshot eyes, the velvet and glitter... I'm the editor/publisher of Black Velvet. Every day of my life is spent working on Black Velvet. I lay out the zine, I do interviews, some reviews (gig reviews, zine reviews, a few CD reviews), photography, proofread it, keep the website updated, look after the myspace page and other network site pages. I sell copies, mail them out to stores, customers, subscribers. I check all the CDs before they get mailed out to other contributors for review. Did I miss anything out? Probably! How long have you been writing for Black Velvet? I began Black Velvet in 1994 and haven't stopped working on it since. The highlight of your Black Velvet 'career' so far? Seeing every issue completed is a highlight. Every aspect of Black Velvet is a highlight other than the lack of sleep and relaxation. Reaching the 10 year landmark was a highlight, and then the 50th issue. Interviewing some awesome and inspiring bands is a highlight. Taking photos at shows is always awesome. Getting Black Velvet in some of the stores it has been on sale is is a highlight. RIP Tower Records. Which piece of work (printed in Black Velvet) are you most proud of and why? My favourite articles have been those which focused on veganism or animal rights because it's a cause I strongly believe in and support. My interviews with John Feldmann and Tyler Rann are always first to my mind. Is it any coincidence that both of their last names end with two n's?! Favourite bands: All the bands that have been featured/interviewed in Black Velvet are up there in my fave list. If I didn't like them I wouldn't feature them. I love Bon Jovi, My Chemical Romance, Sugarcult, Goldfinger, The All-American Rejects, Good Charlotte, Billy Talent, 30 Seconds To Mars, Bandcamp, Madina Lake, Lostprophets, Taking Back Sunday and heaps more. Best Concert attended? It's got to be Bon Jovi. Actually, Bon Jovi supported by My Chemical Romance at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ was a highlight due to seeing two of my fave bands in one night playing together. Two bands you might not picture playing together either. I'll also never forget seeing Bon Jovi headlining the Monsters Of Rock festival at Castle Donington in 1987. It was my second ever concert, first ever festival and I haven't looked back since. How did you discover rock music? See above. Bon Jovi is to blame! I caught the video for 'You Give Love A Bad Name' on the TV in 1986, then 'Livin' On A Prayer', asked for 'Slippery When Wet' for Christmas that year and my life of rock began. If out at a concert, how are we most likely able to spot you? It's fairly hard to miss me. Look for the 6 inch platform trainers, the velvet... especially the black velvet gloves... the glittery blonde hair... and a heavy camera bag on my back. I'll be in the photopit for the first three songs clicking away. If you were stuck on a desert island, which 3 CDs would you take with you? Bon Jovi - Crossroad, My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge and Sugarcult's 'Start Static'. What do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? What!? Not doing Black Velvet??? I don't think there is any time that I'm not doing Black Velvet. I guess I have a few hours sleep each night. Chances are I might be dreaming about Black Velvet then though!
Name: Penny Gower Location: Bromsgrove (Worcestershire) What do you contribute to Black Velvet? Album, single, demo & concert reviews. How long have you been writing for Black Velvet? I've been a reader since issue one & started contributing in 1996. Which piece of work (printed in Black Velvet) are you most proud of and why? Def Leppard gig review in '96 - my very first review! Favourite bands: Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Poison, Our Lady Peace, Linkin Park, InMe, Silverchair, Wheatus, Moist & more.... Best concert you've attended: Bon Jovi - Wembley Stadium, Aug 2000 How
did you discover rock music? I was
about 10 years old when I was brainwashed by my next door
neighbour's son who spent hours blasting out the likes of
Metallica, Iron Maiden & Thunder. He made me a tape
of his favourite tunes and I loved it - my parents hated
it which made me love it even more! My love for rock music
has grown stronger & stronger ever since. If out at a concert, how are we most likely able to spot you? Ha ha, easy. I'm tall and skinny and there are two of us (I'm always with Sam). If you were stuck on a desert island, which 3 CDs would you take with you? Bon Jovi - 'New Jersey', Our Lady Peace - 'Gravity', Def Leppard - 'X' (these are my faves at the moment anyway!) What
do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? Work
full time for a Medical (Kidney Dialysis) Supply company,
go to loads of gigs. I'm involved in Street Teams - promoting
various rock bands.
Name: Samantha Gower Location: Bromsgrove (Worcestershire) What do you contribute to Black Velvet? Photos. How long have you been taking photos for Black Velvet? Since 2000. Favourite bands: Bush, Feeder, Our Lady Peace, Eve6, 3CR, Marilyn Manson, Matchbox 20, Nickelback, Default, Jimmy Eat World, Stereophonics, Goo Goo Dolls, etc... Best concert you've attended: Impossible to narrow it down to one as I've been to so many. My fave live bands include: Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Feeder, Jimmy Eat World, Skunk Anansie, Barenaked Ladies, Wheatus and Garbage. How did you discover rock music? My next door neighbour (as with Penny). If out at a concert, how are we most likely able to spot you? Refer to Penny's statement! If you were stuck on a desert island, which 3 CDs would you take with you? My favourite albums are always changing. At this moment in time I would take: Avril Lavigne - 'Let Go', Eve 6 - 'Horrorscope', Seether - 'Disclaimer'. What do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? Work full time, attend lots of gigs and help promote rock bands.
Name: Anne Green Location: Sheffield What do you contribute to Black Velvet? Interviews, album, single and demo reviews. How long have you been writing for Black Velvet? I'm the new girl on the block, issue 45 will be the first time my work is featured in Black Velvet. The highlight of your Black Velvet 'career' so far? Seeing my first reviews published in the issue that had Lostprophets on the cover. Which piece of work (printed in Black Velvet) are you most proud of and why? My 'A' interview - it was a lot of fun to do, the guys were very enthusiastic and it really made me realise just how much I want to be involved in music journalism. Favourite bands: Slayer, Black Sabbath, System Of A Down, Deftones, My Chemical Romance, HIM, Funeral For A Friend... they're a few, at least. Best Concert attended? Oasis at Maine Road in 1996. The Manics opened for them and I'll never forget it. How did you discover rock music? My Dad was always playing his Jimi Hendrix records, my Mum played me Guns 'N' Roses records. I come from a pretty musical background to be honest and started playing piano before I was four years old but no other genre ever appealed to me on the same level as rock. If out at a concert, how are we most likely able to spot you? My hairstyles usually give me away. But be careful, I change them a lot. If you were stuck on a desert island, which 3 CDs would you take with you? I would never be content with only three! But... HIM 'Razorblade Romance', Black Sabbath 'Paranoid' and Oasis 'Definitely Maybe'. What do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? I'm a post-grad uni student and work part time when I'm not studying. I go to a lot of gigs and I still play the piano. I'm also in remission from Hodgkin's Lymphoma so I like to do what I can to help the various charities out, that usually takes the shape of me sharing my story directly with other people who've been touched by it.
Name: Ashley Morton Location: Stirling, Scotland What do you contribute to Black Velvet: Reviews, interviews and photographs. How long have you been writing for Black Velvet? Started in Febuary 2005. The highlight of your Black Velvet 'career' so far? Seeing the first issue my reviews were printed in was definitely a highlight. Which piece of work (printed in Black Velvet) are you most proud of and why? I would say my picture of Marko 72 licking issue 40 but that's on the website so don't know if that counts since it hasn't been printed, so probably my Millencolin album review as it was one of the first I did for Black Velvet and it made me proud seeing it printed. Favourite bands: Oh there's so many but the likes of New Found Glory, Ben Forrest Davis, Sugarcult, 7 Stone Lighter, My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, Funeral for a Friend, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters…the list goes on! Best concert you've attended: Has to be Foo Fighters at the Glasgow Barrowlands when I was 12. How did you discover rock music? Probably through my sister first and being open to listening to all kinds of music from an early age. If out at a concert, how are we most likely able to spot you? Look for the one with a camera always in hand haha. If you were stuck on a desert island, which 3 CDs would you take with you? Can I cheat and just take mixed CDs??? Well if not probably My Chemical Romance - 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge', Brand New - 'Deja Entendu' and Incubus - 'Morning View'. What do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? Working in Virgin Megastores, occasionally writing for Rock Pulse the online music magazine, and going to University in October.
Name: Marko 72 Location: On the road; but I keep my record collection and immediate family in Southern California. What do you contribute to Black Velvet? I do my anything-goes-diary-of-a-rock n' roll-star-tabloid/column, "Can You Hear Me Now?" It's a forum for me to share adventures and tour stories, and tell the readers what's happening and what I'm diggin' on. How long have you been writing for Black Velvet? Ever since Shari put a spell on me the first time my band (Sugarcult) hit the UK shores back in 2003; I haven't stopped babbling on and on yet! Which piece of work (printed in Black Velvet) are you most proud of and why? Probably the one where I told the story about how my baby boy was born, 3 weeks early while I was still in Japan on tour with Green Day; I rarely get that up close and personal. Favourite bands? The Clash, The Ramones, Rolling Stones, The Replacements, Wilco, AC/DC, The Pixies, Jawbreaker, Superdrag, Tom Waits, Guns n Roses, Primal Scream, NOFX, Elliott Smith, Motley Crue, The Buzzcocks, David Bowie, The Police, Foo Fighters, Lagwagon, Cheap Trick, New York Dolls, Slayer, Teenage Fanclub, Green Day, Stray Cats, Refused, Hanoi Rocks, Elvis Costello, Oasis, Nirvana, Led Zep, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Eat World, Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, The White Stripes, Joan Jett, The Cure; to name a few! Recent faves: Motion City Soundtrack, Communique, Queens of the Stoneage, Postal Service, Bright Eyes, The Used, The Explosion, Razorlight, Maxeen, Jackson United, The Penfifteen Club, The Mars Volta, Ryan Adams, Alkaline Trio, IMA Robot, etc. Best concert you've attended? Radiohead at Summersonic '03 festival in Japan was pretty mind-altering; and Green Day puts on a hell of a show for American Idiot; but sneaking into Joey Ramone's party at Coney Island High in NYC back in '97 was an unforgettable concert experience; Joey and Dee Dee doing Ramones songs and covering Johnny Thunders/Stooges/MC5/Beach Boys songs with members of MC5/Stooges/Ronnie Spector/D-Generation backing them up on stage, while I sat next to Dee Dee's bass amp and took it all in. The Kiss reunion shows were pretty rad too! Fuck, I've been to millions of shows, it's hard to tell! How did you discover rock music? I had older cousins that were into Aerosmith, Kiss and AC/DC; as a kid in the late 70's I saw the cool/scary looking posters on their walls and investigated further...100 years later I'm still investigating the great rock n roll mystery! I've picked up a lot of clues along the way, but I've yet to reach a conclusion. If out at a concert, how are we most likely able to spot you? Well if it's a Sugarcult show, I'm on stage-left jumping around like I have to pee; at any other show, just look for the hottest looking girls in the room, they're probably surrounding me! If you were stuck on a desert island, which 3 CDs would you take with you? Well, I would definitely see if I could find that instructional CD called 'How to Survive on a Desert Island'! Then I'd grab 'London Calling' by the Clash 'cause it's one of the best records of all time (and is super long!); and I'd have to bring along Bob Marley 'Rastaman Vibration' since reggae sets a good mood for island living. What do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? I sit alone in a dimly lit room and count the days, hours, minutes until Shari emails me begging and pleading for me to turn in my column before the deadline. I also enjoy cooking/eating good food, walking around unfamiliar streets, taking pictures, playing/making/listening to/obsessing over/recording and watching music, reading things, talking to people, drinking adult beverages, making stuff up and making love now and again.
Name: Suzanne T. What
do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? I
am a writer, photographer, and poet. I love to the theatre
too.
Name: Jadine Wringe Location: Cardiff What do you contribute to Black Velvet? Photos, live/CD reviews and interviews. How long have you been writing for Black Velvet? Since issue 45, so well over a year now! Highlight of your Black Velvet ‘career’ so far: Seeing my name and work in the magazine for the first time was pretty awesome, especially since I’d been reading Black Velvet for so long. The fact that I get the chance to discover/review/interview new bands is a brilliant ongoing perk too! Which piece of work (printed in Back Velvet) are you most proud of and why? I’m probably most proud of my interview with Motion City Soundtrack in issue 55. I’ve been a fan of Motion City Soundtrack since their debut album and was surprised to learn that, despite making such musically-upbeat tunes, the band have a really troubled past. The guys really opened up when I interviewed them and, as interesting as it was to find out the truth about their complicated past, it was also great to hear that they’re finally happy these days (and PS: their music is better than ever!) Favourite bands: Always changing, always expanding. But there are a few constants: Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, The Promise Ring, Taking Back Sunday, Ryan Adams. Best concert attended? I have a habit of declaring every concert I’ve just been to ‘the best ever’, and there really have been so many great ones. Seeing Jimmy Eat World play two sets in one day at Reading Festival 2007 was pretty memorable. The atmosphere at a festival always seems so much better than that of a normal concert, and they played lots of old tracks that they don’t usually get the chance to play live, so that was cool. How did you discover rock music? When I was about 11 my best friend’s mum befriended Placebo’s ex-drummer and I decided to check the band out. From that moment I was completely hooked. The first album that really blew me away was ‘Dookie’ by Green Day, and they were the first band I saw live too. Since then I’ve been fairly obsessive about music. If out at a concert, how are we most likely able to spot you? I’ll be the one alternating between moaning about the onstage lighting and singing along to every word! If stuck on a desert island, which 3 CDs would you take with you? I couldn’t pick my favourite 3 albums, but I figure being stranded on a desert island might get pretty stressful at times, so I would take ‘Clarity’ by Jimmy Eat World, ‘Wood/Water’ by The Promise Ring and ‘Stay What You Are’ by Saves The Day. Incidentally, I discovered the calming properties of these records while searching for a hangover cure! What do you like to do when not writing for Black Velvet? I should probably try to make out that I have a life away from music, shouldn’t I? I love taking photos, and I have a camera on me when I go anywhere even slightly interesting. I also have a slightly worrying penchant for horror films, the trashier the better. The last one I watched was ‘Hatchet’, which truly took trashy to a whole new level!
|
|||
Copyright: Black Velvet Magazine 1997-2009 All Rights Reserved Please note that all articles, photos and other items on this Black Velvet website are owned and copyrighted by Shari Black Velvet/Black Velvet Magazine unless otherwise stated and must not be used elsewhere under any circumstance. Articles in Black Velvet Magazine should not be put online without the express permission of the editor.
|
||||
& velvet kisses
