Glen Parkes
Halina Wegner
Darren McIntyre
London and South East
glen@jacemediamusic.com
Head of Jace Media Music Reviewer/Photographer
Vinyl junkie.Music geek. Anything along those lines pretty much describes me. I’ve grown up with a massively diverse music taste and love the history as well as the tune behind sound waves!
London and South East
halina@jacemediamusic.com
Head of Reviews and Press Pr/News
I’m passionate about continuing the rock scene for years to come and giving new blood bands a good shot, so you’ll find me hanging out Playing all the new cd and online music I can find Growing up in Poland I had a wide range of music in my life
Scotland
darren@jacemediamusic.com
Reviewer/Photographer Head Jace Media Scotland
I first got into music at an early age, going to see a band called AC/DC at 11 years of age in 1977, and was instantly taken by heavy metal. I was fortunate enough to roadie for the infamous Manowar in the early 1980’s where my love affair blossomed, going to see Kiss at the legendary Glasgow Apollo,
Tim Marcus
Sam Conquest
Mick Sayce
London and home counties Oxfordshire
Reviewer
Tim was the first drawer to heavy rock music back in 1977 at the age of 16, when a school friend persuaded him to listen to Deep Purple’s “Made in Japan”; he’s not looked back since. He’s been a regular attendee at rock gigs since first seeing Gillan at London’s Rainbow Theatre some 18 months later and still enjoys attending the summer festivals almost forty years on from his very first at Donnington back in 1980. Since those days his taste in rock music has broadened considerably and in particular, he now also enjoys the bluesier side of the genre as well as being a keen follower of many of the great new young bands that are now starting to break through. He only took up review writing very recently, in support of his photographer partner Sam, when they both joined the team last year
London and home counties Oxfordshire
Photographer
Family photography, special needs friendly also sports and live event shoots. Sam does it all one of the best you will find for gigs and sports
South-East and London
mick@jacemediamusic.com
Reviewer/Photographer
My musical interests are of an eclectic nature. Curiously, it runs from Folk through Classical, then onto some commercial jazz, Rock ‘n Roll, Glam Rock, Electronic (OMD, Kraftwerk and Human League 1980-90’s style) and onwards. However, I draw the line at C&W, most bluegrass and trad jazz! Running underneath all of this mainstream music has been my favourite genre –Heavy Rock. From its early proponents such as Led Zeppelin, Nazareth et al, all the way to the present with Rammstein, Nightwish and even The Hu -a Mongolian metal band!
Andrew Smith (Smudge)
Graeme Wright
Linda McDermott
Based in East Midlands
Reviewer/Photographer
smudge@jacemediamusic.com
Born 1968 in London. First Festival aged 3 – Parents were folkies so we had our ‘holidays’ camping at the Cambridge folk festival.
First real gig – aged 6 parents took me to see Steeleye Span at the Hammersmith Odeon.
The first gig I went to alone – Anthrax/Metal Church/UDO at the Hammersmith Odeon.
Kicked out of school at 15 – went through several jobs. Played football and rugby every weekend – now paying the price!
At age 19 I worked part-time as a bouncer at the Half Moon Putney in the music room. Saw legends like Steve Marriott, Roger Chapman and Leo Sayer (that guy could sing!).
Worked on Fairport Convention’s Cropredy Festival for about 6 years as part of the security team.
At age 26 started working for a branch of the civil service where I am currently until November 2023 when I can hopefully retire.
I have loved music since age 11 – I would say. I first heard ‘The Spirit Of Radio’ by Rush emanating from the flat below and I still remember how it felt. I then discovered Judas Priest and I was sold hook, line and sinker. Since then, my tastes have broadened considerably – I truly love it all (apart from that glam/trash stuff like Motley Crue etc). Not content with just listening and dreaming I have worked for several bands in the past and toured the UK extensively as a roadie (I have no technical ability, but I can lift heavy things). Through that, I got to meet some heroes and others that have since become heroes. Not being able to dedicate the necessary time after starting a family I had to quit the road. Something inside me needed to be fulfilled. I was asked my opinion on some songs by a band I was working for, and I asked ‘What do I know?’ The bass player and songwriter said to me – ‘You’ve been listening to music for like 40 years, you know what’s good.’ ‘Yeah, I do! I listened to the songs and all the ones I liked made it onto the album.
That sowed the seed and I applied to be a staff writer (unpaid) for a monthly Rock and Metal publication. I thoroughly enjoy writing about music and discovering new artists and old ones too! So, if you see me trolling about at a festival – say hello – and let’s talk music.
Be safe
Smudge
Based in Manchester
Reviewer/Photographer
graemew@jacemediamusic.com
was born in Liverpool many moons ago and have been an avid rock music fan for the last 45 years. I was lucky enough to have laid-back parents who allowed me to travel with my mate and his dad to Knebworth in 1979 and my first gig was the second Led Zeppelin show at the festival. I’ve probably seen every major artist during this period but I’m still discovering amazing new talents on my travels every week, particularly since I took early retirement. I haven’t been as excited about the current music scene since the early 80’s, and I hope some of my reviews can open peoples eyes to some of the amazing new talent that’s currently out there.
Based in the Borders
Reviewer/Photographer
linda@jacemediamusic.com
Everyone is brought up with music of one kind or another and I’m no different.
In the 70’s/80’s I saw bands ranging from The Jam, The Smiths, to The Pogues and The Clash.
My first festival was ‘Rock on the Tyne’ in Gateshead in 1981! On the bill were a band with their first single out, they were U2. Also playing were Elvis Costello and the Attractions and the brilliant Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
The Ramones, are an all time favourite of mine, I saw them six times, met them in 1991 when I got CDs signed, and shook their hands.
And yes I was at Reading in 1992 and yes, I saw Bjorn Again play Smells Like Teen Spirt just before Nirvana came on!
I had a huge break from live music as I have Crohn’s disease, but I am in remission at present and my love for live rock music is stronger than ever.
My musical tastes are diverse having seen the likes of Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, Linkin park, Audioslave and the wonderful Chris Cornell doing an acoustic set in the Royal Albert Hall, London.
I have a love for photography, I’ll photograph anything that catches my eye, mainly wildlife and nature. This year I had a photographer pass for the Call of the Wild Festival and I loved it! The UK rock scene is so exciting at the moment and now I get to combine my love for both photography and live music, meaning it’s a win, win for me!
Justin Smulison
Ian Walker
Phil Middleton
New York City USA
Reviewer
Justin Smulison is proud to be the New York correspondent and contributor to Jace Media..
His love for rock (and metal) dates back to seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers on television for the first time in 1992 and he picked up a bass to follow in Flea’s footsteps and also dance in his underwear. He does not play anymore and typically wears pants but his passion for the genres, as well as blues, jazz and even some folk, is like a lifeblood. He performed standup in Manhattan in 2006-7 and participated in annual local triathlons. Justin lives with his wife, daughter and son in New York. They love the beach.
Check out his portfolio at JustinSmulison.contently.com.
New York City USA
Reviewer/Photographer
Ian@jacemediamusic.com
Ian is a passionate music reviewer with a deep love for blues, rock, and jazz. Growing up surrounded by classic records, Ian developed an ear for both timeless legends and emerging talent. Whether dissecting a searing guitar solo, a soulful vocal performance, or an intricate jazz improvisation, he brings a knowledgeable yet accessible approach to his writing.
South West England
Reviewer/Photographer
paulm@jacemediamusic.com
Hi, I’m Phil, I got into rock music in the early ‘70s and have always been a Blackmore fan, first with Deep Purple, then with Rainbow. I generally love all types of rock, from hair metal to prog and beyond. More recently have become a fan of Scandi rock and in particular the awesome Ghost.
Matthew Pitfield
Mark Pitfield
Graeme Whitworth
Photographer
I am Matthew captured in the photo by Mike Gray from the band Skin a great artist in his own right.
I was first taken to a festival; Sonisphere with my dad when I was 3 years old, The first band I saw was Limp Bizkit and over that weekend I also saw the Prodigy, Metallica, and many others.
I have always liked live music ever since and I was allowed to take some photos at the Call of the Wild festival 2 years ago and I loved it. I’m also a keen gamer and interested in anything technological.
I am now 14 and enjoy going with my Dad to festivals annually including Download since 2015, Stonedead, Rockin The Bowl, and The Call Of The Wild Festivals which are local to us in the Midlands. We attend as many festivals and concerts as we can and I feel very at home in the pit capturing events through the eye of my lens.
Reviewer
As a father of 4, music has always been a huge part of my life. Each chapter I have gone through as I have grown and aged has always had a soundtrack that tells a story about a part of my life.
I started my love of music at the age of 10 with Def Leppard’s Hysteria album. For my first concert, I went to see Motley Crue headlining the Birmingham NEC taking a bus from Lincoln, and during the show, I drummed to the beat of Tommy Lees drumming like a man possessed.
Then I found festivals – my first Monsters of Rock was in 1990 at the age of 15 and I have been every year that it ran and now every Download festival as it is now known. I have even put off going to events and all of my family know if it falls on the weekend of Download then I cannot attend.
Reviewer/Photographer
graeme@jacemediamusic.com
I Like my rock AC/dc mainly I like some of the old tunes some of the Iron Maiden the obvious ones are Tom Sawyer and Spirit of Radio by Rush Leopard and Queen growing up I loved Adam and the Ants i love shooting photos of the bands and love going to gigs
Paul McWilliams
Gary Roebuck
Damien Harvey
Based in Yorkshire
Reviewer/Photographer
paulmc@jacemediamusic.com
I have an eclectic music taste, from classical to heavy metal but I especially like rock and metal. Attending gigs for the last 30+ years I appreciate the energy, not only of the band but the crowd too. I try to capture all of that in my photography so the viewer can almost picture themselves there
Scotland
Reviewer/Photographer
Gig wise from October 22, I lost my way gig wise from ’94 when my dad died I’d seen Gun, Status Quo, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Duran Duran, Gun, David Lee Roth,Tigertailz to name a few my son mentioned Skid Row in Glasgow October,22 and that’s where it started, been to see Gun, Gin Annie a few times now great pals with, White Raven Down, The Hot One Two good pals with, Cassidy Paris,She Burns Red before the split was friends with, Victory or Die, South of Salem and out of them I’ve written reviews for all apart from SOS, so quite a rock background.
London
Reviewer/Photographer
damien@jacemediamusic.com
I’m Damien l, 33 and I’m a Photographer and Reviewer from Southend, Essex. The UK.
I’ve been a music lover all my life, I mean who doesn’t love that feeling of travelling with music in your ears?
I’ve been doing photography for 8 years but only semi-professionally for the last year. I’m a chef by day and the rest of the time I’m usually with my camera. I’m getting into music photography but I also do sports, supporting the grassroots level. I do a lot of events too such as parties but not limited to anything else.
Skid
Dave Martin
Gary Osborne
London / The home counties
Reviewer
skid@jacemediamusic.com
In 1979 as a 12-year-old my world changed when I went to my first gig. My dad took me to the then Odeon at Hammersmith, London to see AC/DC on their Highway to
Hell, tour. Some 40 years later the bug only intensified and now have my own weekly radio show, review gigs, and albums, interview bands and take photos when I can. My favourite band is still AC/DC followed closely by the magnificent Motorhead but as long as it’s rock-related it will do for me.
The hair has now gone, the waistline has expanded & tinnitus is embedded in my head, however, that excitement I first felt way back in “79 still lingers and I suspect always will
Based in Kent
Admin/Reviewer/Photographer
dave@jacemediamusic.com
I attended my first live music event for my 18th birthday and have been hooked ever since. Whether it’s local or international artists I love to watch artists perform. For the last 12 years I have supported grass root music running and supporting band weeks for school age students. This led me to start photographing these bands to help them promote themselves and get their first experience of gigging. This evolved into photographing bands at local venues around kent and then onto festival and event photography. My main passion is for Rock, Grunge and Metal but I have an eclectic taste and with my first ever concert being REM and have watch acts from The Corrs to Messhugah live. My favourite bands are Iron Maiden, Parkway Drive, Bullet for my Valentine and Linkin Park to name a few. I am happiest when taking photos at a concern and thrive on the interplay with musicians.
www.favershamphotography.com, instagram favershamphotography1, Facebook: favershamphotography.
Based in Oxford
Reviewer/Photographer
I was born in Medicine Hat Alberta. My mother was a Cree Indian and my father was English. I came to England when I was 6 years old. I served in the forces until 82, when I left the military after the Falklands war.I picked up the nickname of Ozzy while serving and it stuck. During this period of time I had an eclectic taste in music. Anything from Cat Stevens to Black Sabbath would be pretty accurate.Nowadays I’m really enjoying the Country Rock scene and Americana, but I’ll always be a massive fan of Classic Rock. I came back to the UK in 87 and that was when I bought my first camera. Self-taught, and very eager to shoot anything, I started a Wedding Photography business and was successful, but I always wanted to go and shoot live music. I just enjoy the spontaneity so much, and always timing everything to my best ability. I’ll never give up trying to get perfection.
Fraser Allen
Scarlett Warner
Erin Greasley
Based in South East
Reviewer/Photographer/Video Interviewer
Rock music has been a large part of my life since I first saw Iron Maiden at Hammersmith Odeon in my early teens or was it the old Caroline rock shows that used to come to Tunbridge Wells back in the day? I’ve been an avid listener to all things guitar, from Larry Carlton to James Hetfield, I love it all. I’ve also used photography as a creative outlet for many years, so combining my two passions is a no-brainer. It’s just what I do. I’ve lived in Kent all my life but travelled all over the place with my camera. By day, I am a graphic designer and by night, a wannabe rockstar – aren’t we all?
Instagram: fallenportraits
Instagram: fallenimages
facebook: fraserallenphotography
facebook: gigmongous
Based in in Oxford
Reviewer/photographer
Music has been a big part of my life ever since I was little. I grew up listening to bands like Tyketto, Alice cooper, and guns n roses but the first band that really set it off for me was Mötley crüe.As I grew older another big band for me was bring me the horizon which ended up being my first big stadium show ever. As well as big bands I listen to a lot of smaller bands at that time. The main bands that stuck out for me was midnite City and south of Salem. My first concert that I remember was south of Salem and I went not knowing a thing about the band and hadn’t heard a single song of theirs but by the end of that night they were my favourite band I really appreciated the fact that although I was only 10 or 11 and had never heard of them before how kind they were and were happy to sit and talk with me. I have never missed a tour they’ve been in since.
I have always loved looking at all the photos people have taken at concerts, and thought how incredible it was that they were so detailed, so I started taking photos on my phone and edited them, but noticed that they weren’t as good. At this point I started using an old camera we had and was luckily allowed to take photos of Molly Karloff and Tyketto at call of the wild festival this was my first time in the pit and it changed everything for me. Being in the pit was such an incredible experience and was the reason I invested in getting a professional camera and why I’m here doing this no
Based in Leeds
Reviewer/photographer
I’ve always had a love for photography, going to the front taking photos on my mums camera from an early age. I like a wide range of music, mainly focusing on heavy rock/ metal. For the last 3 1/2 years I’ve been photographing bands and events all over the country. I love capturing special moments which reminds people of amazing musical experiences.
Scott Anderson Scottie
Paul James
Phil Ingham
Based in Glasgow Scotland
Reviewer/Photographer
Arriving late to the Rock’n’Roll party, due to decades of work commitments, I have been shooting gigs for 7 years, but just wish I had started earlier. I was fortunate to become a photographer at WinterStorm Festival in Troon, so I was able to combine my two favourite pastimes.
I have been attending gigs since the mid-seventies, with my first being Sparks at the Glasgow Apollo… And that was me hooked on live music.
I have a wide range of musical appreciation, from Glen Miller to Motorhead and The Prodigy to Luke Combs. If I can tap my toes, or head bang, then I’m in a happy place… But just don’t ask me to sing!
Having seen the majority of the ‘big guns’ on stage & at festivals over the years, I’m now happier discovering new & upcoming bands… Just like I did in the late seventies & eighties at smaller Glasgow venues.
Portsmouth south
Reviewer/Photographer
I came into this world in 1975. 2 days before Christmas, in Portsmouth south of the UK.
I absolutely hated music around the 80’s. I blame my sisters for the bad taste in music, although some could say mine is just as bad.
First band I ever really thought was good was Guns n roses appetite for destruction. This then led me down the path of bands like the Sex Pistols, Nine Inch Nails, Alice Cooper, M Manson but my favourite has always been The Wildhearts.
First gig I ever went to was Oasis in Knebworth. Other bands I have seen are the different line ups of GNR. Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy, Wildhearts to name a few.
Apart from music. I have a beautiful wife. Very supportive and a beautiful son called Robert. Very much a family man.
So, what has led me to this group of people. Other than being a full-time courier, I have my own wedding photography business with my wife Nicky. I love being behind the lens.
My passion includes wildlife, portraits, weddings, car photography.
I have always wanted to capture the live music scene. The buzz, energy and raw emotion. Getting to meet and hear bands I may never thought I would want to hear.
Music is a very important part of who I am. Whatever mood I am in, it can help take you to better places.
North West of England.
Reviewer/Photographer
I’m Phil, a 70s kid writing out of the North West of England.
I consider my musical tastes to be pretty diverse, but inevitably I gravitate back to the heavier side of the spectrum.
My early teens took place to a soundtrack of Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses, WASP and Iron Maiden and it was through those formative years that the bug for music took hold.
Live music is where it is really at for me. I’m a regular attendee at live events in Liverpool, Manchester and further afield and try to get to Download and Bloodstock festivals each year. I’m equally happy at a sold-out stadium gig as I am at a tiny sweaty attic in a pub, as long as the music is loud and lively.
If I was forced to pick the three bands most occupying my turntable at present, it would be AC/DC, Killswitch Engage and Sylosis – but ask me again next week and you’ll likely have a very different answer!
Callum Roebuck
Based in Glasgow Scotland
Photographer
I have been going to gig since October 2022 with my Dad, my fellow rocker. Never did I think we’d see so many new bands make new friends and have a great time. Being an amateur photographer, I have captured moments people may have missed, not heard before, or would like to relive with the video I have shot. One springs to mind a couple had asked a band for a specific song the band played said song, but the couple couldn’t record it in time. I said I had it from the start and would be happy to send it to them, and they were delighted. To the bands I have seen, well here goes. Skid Row, collateral, gun, gin Annie, white raven down,Cassidy Paris,wicked smile,midnight devil’s,kickin valentina, Victory or Die, south of Salem. The most hardest one to photograph /video was she burns red final farewell gig at Slay wow that left a dent in my heart that night. Over the years I’ve become good friends with Gin annie, white raven down,The Hot one two, south of Salem,Victory or Die and of course, she burns red. I would say rock and roll is in my blood and capturing it thru a lens to keep rock going.
