I have written for Terrorizer, Record Collector, Alternative Press, Metal Hammer, Metal Maniacs, Decibel, Metal Update, Powerplay and The Underground... Some cover stories of mine:
Outside of writing about music what I do mostly is listen to it! Favourite bands are too many to mention but some favourite bands of all time, in no order are: Iron Maiden, Helloween, The Doors, America, Suicidal Tendencies, Danzig, Testament, Prong, Pro-Pain, Guns N' Roses, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, AC/DC, Nevermore, The Crown, Macabre, Twisted Sister, Aerosmith, Megadeth, SFU, Paul Gilbert, Sepultura, Savatage, Alice In Chains, Brutal Truth, Extreme, Type O Negative, The Haunted, Entombed, Machine Head, Kreator, Sick Of It All, Pearl Jam, Nuclear Assault, RHCP, Dismember, Bad Religion, Whitesnake, Xentrix, W.A.S.P., Fear Factory, Luca Turilli, Tesla, Warrior Soul, Transport League, Trouble.
GREATEST SINGERS OF ALL TIME...David Coverdale, Michael Kiske, Jim Morrison, Bruce Dickinson, Bon Scott, Kevin Sharp, Chuck Billy, Eddie Vedder, Warrel Dane, Steven Tyler, Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth, Peter Dolving, Olaf Hayer, Anthony Kiedis, Lars G Petrov, Burton C Bell, David Byron, Mike Howe, Axl Rose, Chris Cornell...
GREATEST GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME...John Petrucci (The best by some distance), Buckethead, Eddie Van Halen, Paul Gilbert, Kai Hansen, Eric Peterson, Dave Mustaine, Frank Hannon, Luca Turilli, Darrell Abbott and um, loads more...
GREATEST BASSISTS OF ALL TIME...Flea, Steve Harris, Tom Hamilton, Ray Manzarek (play that keyboard bass my man!), Greg Christian, Markus Grosskopf, Dave Ellefson and um, loads more...
GREATEST DRUMMERS OF ALL TIME...Pete Sandoval, Paul Bostaph, John Tempesta, Charlie Benante, Dave Lombardo, Chris Kontos, Ingo Schwichtenberg - R.I.P.
P.S. Please don't message me saying "Dude how could you miss...............out of your list?" If they are not here it is either because I don't like them or I think they are overrated/not individual enough.
Without Tommy Vance I probably wouldn't be here. R.I.P. 1941-2005. I dedicate all my work to you!
R.I.P. INGO SCHWICHTENBERG - May 18, 1965 - March 8, 1995
R.I.P. DIMEBAG DARRELL - 1966 - 2004
R.I.P. PAUL SAMSON - 1953 - 2002
Music
Genres I like: metal, rock, soul, rap, country, bluegrass, pop...STUFF I DON'T LIKE: empty jazz (i.e. most of it), modern funk, house/dance, minimalist, basically anything without guts.
I am an experienced freelance rock and metal journalist with 9 books published and countless foreign translations in circulation.
100,000 books sold worldwide!
ABOUT PAUL STENNING'S BOOKS:
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: STAGE FIGHTERS
Rage Against the Machine changed the shape of music with their rampant self-titled debut album in 1992. Here was a politically charged troupe who took advantage of major label backing yet spoke out on issues that few stars in the spotlight dared to - never afraid to insist their message was just as important as the music. The sales came in the millions and critical acclaim besieged them...until De La Rocha left the band in 2000.
Instead of attempting to replace the inimitable orator, Morello and Co. threw a curveball and hired ex-Soundgarden throat Chris Cornell to create a new band - Audioslave. Yet, there was always the genius of Rage Against The Machine in the background and in 2007 the band reformed with De La Rocha included. Millions have waited a long time to see the spectacle unfold once again.
This is the story of how a Harvard graduate and a poetic activist welded together, along with several capable cohorts, to create a bastion of youth revival and change through the medium of their striking, innovative material; a glutton of musical riches which continues to amaze and inspire today.
OWN it for only £12.00 (Postage PAID worldwide).
IRON MAIDEN: 30 YEARS OF THE BEAST
Here for the first time is the remarkable true story of Iron Maiden from the year of their inception to the present day.
This is a painstakingly deep and accurate history of the band (at a whopping 320 pages), told by a lifelong Maiden fan and a whole cast of characters who were there at the time. These include:
Janick Gers, Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Paul Di'Anno, Derek Riggs, Neal Kay, Dennis Stratton and many more...
This is the first and only book to tell the story of the band from the inside, and has a whole host of extra features other biographies would not dream of, several reviews of the book are available to view on this pages’ pictures. As has been noted in the reviews, lifelong fan Stenning has poured his soul and fan knowledge (bringing even the most ardent Maiden fan to note they find out much they did not know) into his Iron Maiden work, which he considers his greatest achievement to date. OWN the book for £7.99 (plus postage of £2.49 worldwide)
GUNS N’ ROSES: THE BAND THAT TIME FORGOT
This 256 page book covers the entire Guns’ saga, from their inception in the mid 80s to their ongoing debacle as the band who hasn’t released a new album in almost 15 years. The book features numerous interviews with and revelations about band members past and present (including ex lead guitarist Slash and bass player Duff).
Most distinctly Stenning’s inimitable style makes the reader feel as if he is writing just for them, from one fan to another. There have been many criticisms of his style and his focus on the band but one thing is for sure, love him or hate him you have to admire Stenning’s all out, relentless quest for the truth. NO stone is left unturned as he examines the depression of Axl Rose and the drugs and alcohol use which plagued the band and dismantled the original Appetite For Destruction line-up.
There is also a chapter on the Chinese Democracy saga, covering absolutely everything that has so far been recorded, and spent in Axl’s quest for the perfect rock record. Additionally the book has been updated and revised to include a chapter on Velvet Revolver. There are also previously unseen photographs.
This is the only current book on the band and is approached with care and precision..OWN the book for £5.99 (plus postage of £2.49 worldwide)
THRASH METAL: A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS TIME
They wanted to stop it but they couldn’t! Thousands over the world wanted a book on thrash and here it is. A lovingly compiled 90.000 word history and overview of the entire genre, including the TOP 15 bands of all time, underrated bands, other important thrash groups and a host of other intricacies and delicacies!
At present this is only an e-book but of course there is no postage, so for 99p this wonderful work will be with you within 24 hours!
. AVAILABLE FOR 99p from paypal, or contact me if you wish to pay by cash or cheque.
AC/DC: TWO SIDES TO EVERY GLORY
This 320 page book tells the band’s complete story for the first time, tracing the roots of the group back to the Australian pub circuit where pre AC DC collectives, featuring Bon Scott and Angus and Malcom Young, played the roughest hell holes that that country had to offer. The tale continues when Scott and The Young brothers join forces and AC DC proper were formed. The strange circumstances surrounding the death of Bon Scott in 1980 are investigated thoroughly and revelations never previously aired are uncovered and reported here.
The book then covers the entire period that Geordie Brian Johnson fronts the band and the story is bought completely up to date.
Stenning, a major fan of this incredible group, left no stone unturned in his quest to find out the truth about AC DC, spending two months in Australia, and speaking to more than 50 friends, colleagues, confidantes and witnesses to what really happened. Two Sides To Every Story is therefore the most conclusive and up to date book on one of the most popular rock bands the world has ever known.
OWN the book for £6.99 (postage £3 worldwide).
SLASH: SURVIVING GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER AND ROCK’S SNAKEPIT
Here is a work dedicated to one Saul Hudson, better known as Slash. A human cartoon of hair, super-strength cigarettes and the rock world's most famous top hat, Slash is one of the most iconic guitarists in recent memory. Although born in Stoke-on-Trent, this one-off guitarist came to prominence through the debauchery and stellar chart success of the American west coast's Guns N' Roses; Slash's highly productive but volatile relationship with lead singer Axl Rose led to a perhaps inevitable split in the mid-90s.
Moving on first to his own Snakepit project, then a blues band, then on to a career as one of the world's most sought after soloists, Slash's profile has finally returned to its highest peak with the formation of the outrageous and hugely successful Velvet Revolver, a super-group of rock stars that lives life as hard as his former band-mates ever did.
His story is inevitably one of massive rock and roll excess, exhausting and famous live shows, fiery confrontations with other musicians but also of incredible discipline, a unique natural musical gift and, of course - through "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City" to name but a few - the creation of some of rock music's most legendary songs.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
“Paul Stenning’s story delves into the background of Slash’s family roots and beyond covering the rise to world wide fame, countless tour stories and friction between band members, alcoholism and hoards of groupies. It’s all in here and makes a compelling read.
Stenning reveals facts about the most mysterious caner of rocks history you may not have known before. Did you know that Slash was born in Hampstead, grew up in Stoke-On-Trent and then moved to Los Angeles? Owned over 180 snakes? That the Editor of Crossfire’s best buddy was in line for the Velvet Revolver vocal job? There are plenty more facts in here that you will if you pick up this 200 page thriller.
We all need a pick me up now and then and this book is one of those you will not put down after the first page. Pick one up today.”
Chuck Bangers, Sept 4th 2007
www.caughtinthecrossfire.com
OWN the book for £10.00 (plus postage of £3 worldwide)
DISCOUNT AVAILABLE WHEN YOU BUY MORE THAN ONE BOOK! Ask me for details...
VELVET REVOLVER AUDIO BIOGRAPHY
written by Paul Stenning
OWN the CD for £3.99 (postage £2 worldwide).
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BIOGRAPHY
I am a freelance writer and journalist, specialising in the nefarious world of heavy metal and all its subgenres. I’m a maverick and a gambler, never taking the easy or predictable path...
During my time I have interviewed, among many others: Meat Loaf, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and Judas Priest.
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Who I'd like to meet:
People who can spot the difference between KNOW and NO.
People who know the meaning of the word "eclectic" and don't think they're experimental because they use the shuffle function on their i-pod or that they like Nine Inch Nails AND Metallica.
Anyone sending me messages or comments about ringtones, what GIRLS want, how much I'm worth as a pet etc will be blocked instantaneously!
Join the new Paul Stenning fan page on Facebook!!!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday for the 12th and I can totally relate to your personality because that is my birthday to. lol I hope you have a wonderful day. From Mara.oxoxox
Happy B-day! hope you can celebrate it with the Sin City Sinners this Friday at the Railhead inside Boulder Station! Show starts at 10pm till 1:30! Free. Come out and be part of the fun!
