Heavy Metal Kids

With the most misleading name in rock the Heavy Metal Kids shone brightly for a time in the mid '70's, peddling a fired-up blend of Punk, Glam and Hard Rock'n'Roll, all wrapped up in an edgy streetwise image. The band waned when frontman Gary Holton went on to star in the classic UK comedy Auf Weidersehn Pet, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed with his untimely death in the early '80's.

The band have reformed at various times over the years, most notably in 2002 when founder member and one-time UFO keyboardist Danny Peyronnell returned to front the band he helped co-found.

Fast forward to 2012, and original band members Keith Boyce (Drums), Ronnie Thomas (bass & vocals) and Cosmo (guitar) are pleased to reveal that their mission to get 'The Rock and Roll Show' back on the road with the highly talented Justin McConville (guitar, vocals & keyboards) is now complete with the most appropriate front man the band could have since the late Gary Holton... the Cockney charm of Mr John Altman the well-known Eastenders character 'Nasty Nick Cotton'.

Unfortunately due to many conflicts with his acting commitments John Altman has announced that he will no longer be performing with the Heavy Metal Kids. Justin McConville will be taking lead vocals on those songs he was not already singing anyway and there is a possibility of other guest vocalists at some of their shows such as Def Leopard's Joe Elliott and LA Gun's Phil Lewis.

Last October 2010, marks the 25th anniversary of Gary Holton's death and with John Altman having been a friend of Gary's, and also having worked alongside him in the iconic British film 'Quadrophenia', he feels that to be able to perform in Gary's place is the greatest form of respect he could ever pay.

They have an energetic set of material from across their career. The gang vocals of "Chelsea Kids" and the raucous "Cops Are Coming" sit alongside newer songs like the riff heavy "Hit The Right Button" and the brand new single "Uncontrollable", a song that captures the spirit of the old band but takes them forward into new pastures. With "Squalliday Inn", "She's No Angel" and "Delirious" (covered by Michael Monroe and Hanoi Rocks, respectively) the band are confident that they are entering a new phase of their career with a bright future.

Quote from Keith Richards new book "life by Keith Richards" :
In those days, the mid 70s, about the only thing I remember listening to is the Heavy Metal Kids...

Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook "We used to see the Kids play quite a lot.

They bridged the gap between punk and glam"