“Fuckin’ Slayer!” I am always amazed at the speed and clarity in which they play and sing (i.e. scream intelligibly). They also have thoughtfully irreverent lyrics that resonate with me and my beliefs (e.g. the downsides of religion and the ridiculousness and political nature of war). It’s the only band that has a dedicated playlist on my music app.

AC/DC. I was 14 and it was my first concert. I don’t think I was allowed to go 😉 but did anyway. It was the first time I discovered that righteous rebellion was necessary.

Although not allowed to be made outside of Scotland, those damn Scots do know how to make amazing whisky. I love our rye whiskey though. Sometimes scotch can be overwhelming and Metal Spirits Rye is lighter and smooth as hell! [As a side note, I hate gin but my spirit partner (Jessy Marie) is Aussie-British and she’s all about it. Will see. I’m sure she’ll wear me down…

Favorite Band and Why: I would never turn down an opportunity to listen or watch Rob Zombie. Not everyone can take a specific sound and weave it from genre to genre so meticulously and still maintain the uniqueness of the sound. True maestro! True individual!

Favorite Concert and Why: FFDP (Five Finger Death Punch) 08/29/2018 – Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. When you take someone to a concert that has never a) had an interest in metal and b) never heard the headlining act before and c) turns into a lover of the Metal Genre – it is akin to divine intervention! Watching our brother Bobby Beuks turn into a Metal Spirit was a defining moment in my concert going career and I will never forget it!

Favorite Spirit and Why: Gin. It’s one of the most complex spirits, in terms of taste, out in the market. Whether you are like me and tend to prefer a salty, briny style of Gin or lean towards the “I just got punched in the face with a bag of flowers and pine needles” side, all represent the individuals flavor palate. This is what beverages should be about. Plus I am half English, so I got to be representing my British cousins favourites!

Favorite Band and Why: Motörhead \,,/ The loudest, fastest and most raw band I have ever listened to. Watching Lemmy perform in the early days was truly inspirational, not a care in the world just making the hardest music they could. What has kept me listening to them all these years (I will still be listening to them until my last days) is the true authenticity of their music, their sound and their lyrics. Nothing changed in all the years Lemmy was around, they were Motörhead, from start to finish.

Favorite Concert and Why: Motörhead, Wembley Arena, London, 08/11/2014. Having listened to Motörhead for almost 2 decades while growing up I finally had my chance to go and see them live. It was everything I had imagined and more. Raw, loud, fast…Motörhead. There is always a dangerous moment when you go and see bands for the first time, but those that are truly legendary start live, and are always exceptional in their performances. That to me is where metal separates itself as a genre from all others.

Favorite Spirit and Why: Whiskey. Has to be the ol scotch we get here in the UK. There is something mystical about the way Whiskey is made, something about the solitude of the oak barrels sitting in deep, dark underground cellars attracting the flavours through the wood and the stillness of the environment. I am always amazed at how complex Whiskey really is, whether it’s Scottish Whiskey, Japanese Whiskey or Locally Distilled Whiskey, they all have some unique attributes that bring it alive to the person enjoying it… but it has to be on the rocks, or neat. Nothing more. Nothing less.