PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information:
Lisa Meyer
info@capsule.org.uk +441212482252
HOME OF METAL
For too long Birmingham and the West Midlands have failed to celebrate what is rightfully theirs, to claim the city and the region as home of "heavy metal."
"Heavy Metal was born in the West Midlands and has developed a global following matched only in Hip-Hop. Its time to stop sneering and celebrate this proud cultural heritage." -- Daniel Trilling, New Statesman 30th July 2007
Home of Metal is a brand new project aimed at creating the first digital archive of metal music, memorabilia and fans stories, to tell the story of this unique moment of Midlands' musical heritage. Launching at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Saturday 25 October, 10am - 4.30pm, the project coincides with the 40th anniversary of when the term 'heavy metal' was coined by music journalist Lester Bangs when describing Black Sabbath.
Home of Metal warms up with as unique opportunity for fans of Judas Priest, Napalm Death, Godflesh, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin to be photographed wearing their prized band t-shirts. The event, which will take place at The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton on Friday 19th September, 9pm - 11pm will be a great chance for metal fans from far and wide to get
together and share this exciting occasion. Then Scruffy Murphys in Birmingham on Friday 26th of September.
Images will be taken by the Birmingham photographer Steve Gerrard, who has been capturing bands in action for over 20 years, and has photographed some of the biggest names and artists. The photographs will then go on
display at Wolverhampton Art Gallery at the official launch event in October.
The launch event at the city centre Art Gallery encourages fans of Judas Priest, Napalm Death, Godflesh, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin to come along and share their experiences of their favourite band. Fans are encouraged to bring memorabilia along with their personal stories to the gallery to be recorded - all of which will go towards the new digital archive, which aims to tell the true story of the birth place of metal.
Capsule, the organizers, are also keen to hear from any volunteers with a keen interest in history or music who may wish to get involved in Home of Metal. Volunteers will be fully trained in archiving digital data and recording oral histories, as well as having the opportunity to be involved in a small, dedicated team who will get to work on a ground breaking
project.
http://www.capsule.org.uk/NOT LIVE TILL Oct 20th 2008
http://www.homeofmetal.com/This exciting new project is led by Capsule in collaboration with Black Country Arts Partnership, the New Art Gallery Walsall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Wolverhampton Art Gallery as part of the Hello Digital Festival. A second day is being held at New Art Gallery Walsall on Thursday 6 November 6pm - 9pm, with further events taking place across the region in 2009.
[ Never mind that Led Zeppelin, Godflesh and Napalm Death aren't heavy metal bands. ]
