EMQ’s with Rick Eaglestone

EMQ’s with Rick Eaglestone

What is your name, what do you do, and can you tell us a little bit about how you ended up doing it?

I’m Rick – I now mostly write reviews and host radio shows. I started off doing shows/podcasts over a decade ago which due to ill health I stopped. I then met my wife who convinced me to start a blog which, in its infancy, was just book related as I am a huge bookworm and former bookseller. Whilst doing this I was contacted by someone who knew my previous work and asked me if I wanted to start doing shows again and as the time was right, I said yes and then also started focusing on music-based reviews too – so it’s come full circle really.

What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

I am originally from London but now live in Leicestershire and have only really started dipping my toes into the local scene but have found it very welcoming, I previously lived in Cardiff and absolutely adored it – Womanby Street is a fabulous place.

What is your favourite latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

At this moment in time, it has to be “Galdrum” by Stormkeep

Who have been your greatest influences, in music or in life?

It would have to be my Mum as she gave me a strong sense of who I am as a person and instilled in me a never give up attitude even though I was a very poorly kid who was always in hospital and also trying to navigate a lifelong Disability alongside everything else. When I discovered Metal, my Mum would bring my Walkman into hospital, so I didn’t have to endure hospital radio. Either that or it was to stop me requesting Iron Maiden so frequently on it, and I also found solace in the storytelling aspect of the songs.

What first got you into music?

I think it was TV shows and films, mainly the 1986 Transformers Movie which I had for my birthday the following year, it has the most fantastic soundtrack and is something I still listen to.

Which current bands or musicians would you like to see collaborate on a record?

I would like to see Pemphigoid do something with Kieran Scott.

If you could go to any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

I think it would have to be Hellfest. The line-up is always really good and everybody I know who has been says it’s a great weekend.

What’s the weirdest music related thing you own?

It may not be the weirdest but it’s something that I have an emotional connection with, which is a 1977 Muppets Album, which I still have. It actually won a Grammy in the same year I was born, 1979.

If you had one message for your Ever Metal readers, what would it be?

Don’t be apprehensive about trying new ventures.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Lemmy.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I would like to see people not be so dismissive of bands or a particular style just because it’s either not their thing or they just don’t want to admit that they actually like the bands /singers because it seems to be the cool thing to say you don’t like a certain band or act. I know a lot of bands are like Marmite but do what you want? I bloody love Marmite!

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Paradise Lost – “Draconian Times”

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

I enjoy the physical format and most of my purchases this year have been cassettes, but I have also bought some Vinyl and CD’s from listening to downloads/streaming.

What’s the best gig that you have been to, and why?

My most emotional was Iron Maiden at Twickenham in 2008. I am big rugby fan and also the set list was full of tracks that took me back to the first metal album I ever bought aged 8 or 9, which was “Live After Death”. Another, just for the line-up, was BST in 2014 which had Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Faith No More, Motorhead & Soulfly.

What do you get up to when you’re not writing/taking photos?

I try to read whenever possible, watch action films from the late 80’s early 90’s and go to the gym, health permitting.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Rhod Gilbert, David Attenborough, James Earl Jones, Rob Zombie and Kate Beckinsale.

Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?

100% Cake, Custard Cream is the supreme rule of biscuits.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

It’s a been a strange year, enjoy the parts you can & look forward to the future.

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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