Neil Daniels
Okay guys, this is the one part of the site were I get serious but hey, I’ve got to sell myself (even though it makes me sound like a boring sod)…
I am a freelance writer based in the North West of England. In 2004, I obtained a B.A. Honours degree in Film Studies from Middlesex University in North London.
I have a deep passion for popular culture and have written extensively about music, cinema, books and graphic novels for several years. I have contributed articles about classic rock and heavy metal to a wide range of professional online magazines and webzines including; BBC Manchester Online, Unbarred, Drowned In Sound, Carling Live and musicOMH. A complete list of my website contributions is available on the My Writings page.
I currently write for Powerplay, Fireworks and the revered online publication Get Ready To Rock. I also occasionally contribute to Rock Sound and Record Collector. I have previously contributed reviews to the popular punk rock magazine Big Cheese. I’ve also written a couple of articles for The Guardian. A complete list of my magazine contributions is available on the My Writings page.
Aside from the music I have written film reviews for various websites, including the aforementioned musicOMH; and I have an occasional column called ‘Unlocked Box: The Best Of Cult TV’ in the lauded bi-monthly melodic rock fanzine Fireworks. I have also contributed to the academic (Sixth Form/College) publication Media Magazine. Some of my reviews (published & unpublished) are available to download in an MS Word document on the Archives page.
I have interviewed lots of musicians including; Mick Jones (Foreigner,) Scott Ian (Anthrax,) Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing (Judas Priest,) Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot,) Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions,) Doro Pesch, Don Dokken, Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue,) Biff Byford (Saxon,) Roger Glover (Deep Purple,) Richie Edwards (The Darkness/Stone Gods,) Dio, Ross Valory (Journey,) Luke Morley and Danny Bowes (Thunder) and Jeff Waters (Annihilator.) See full list below.
My first book – 'The Story Of Judas Priest: Defenders Of The Faith' – was published in hardback via Omnibus Press on 4th September, 2007; it was greeted with positive reviews. My second book – ‘Robert Plant: Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page & The Solo Years’ – was published on 31st January, 2008 via IMP. Information about my forthcoming books is obtainable on the Current Projects page. For a full list of my published work visit the My Writings Page.
I am available to write sleeve/liner notes, compile CDs, take part in documentaries and conduct research on behalf of private companies. I am also available for contributions such as features/interviews, reviews and interview appearances.
Documentary Appearances
Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti – A Classic Album Under Review
(Chrome Dreams DVD, 2008)
Interviews With Me
2007
Get Ready To Rock (2007): Click Here To View.
Metal Shrine (2007): Click Here To View.
St. Helens Reporter (2007): Click Here To View.
St. Helens Star (2007): Click Here To View.
2008
Stokieboy's Weblog (2008): Click Here To View.
About.com (2008): Click Here To View.
Black Velvet Issue 58 (2008): Click Here To Download.
Get Ready To Rock (2008): Click Here To View.
Tight But Loose (2008): Click Here To Download.
Midlands Sunday Mercury (2008): Click Here To View.
2009
St. Helens Star (2009): Click Here To View.
Thrash Hits (2009): Click Here To View.
I Heart Guitar (2009): Click Here To View.
Ultimate Guitar (2009): Click Here To View.
Credited In The Acknowledgements Section
The Bloody Reign Of Slayer by Joel McIver (Omnibus, 2008)
Unleashed: The Story Of Tool by Joel McIver (Omnibus, 2009)
100 Greatest Metal Guitarists by Joel McIver (Jawbone, 2009)
To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton
by Joel McIver (Jawbone, 2009)Am I Evil? by Brian Tatler with John Tucker (Self-published, 2009)
Miscellaneous
A List Of Artists I Have Interviewed
7th Heaven (Richard Hofherr) Primal Fear (Ralf Scheepers) Accept (Wolf Hoffmann) Quiet Riot (Kevin DuBrow) Al Atkins (of The Holy Rage) Roadstar (Johnny Rocker) Annihilator (Jeff Waters) Roger Glover (of Deep Purple) Anthrax (Scott Ian) Ron Wikso Beyond Fear (Tim Owens)
Rose Hill Drive (Jacob Sproul) Billy Squier Sammy Hagar (formerly of Montrose & Van Halen) Blaze Bayley (ex-Wolfsbane and Iron Maiden) Saxon (Biff Byford) Blitzkrieg (Brian Ross) Scorpions (Rudolf Schenker) Bob Catley (of Magnum) Shy (Roy Davis Bonfire (Claus Lessmann) Simon Phillips (formally of Toto) Breed 77 (Danny Felice) Sonic X (Joe Cumbo) Brian Tatler (Diamond Head) Steve Blaze (of Lillian Axe) Bruce Kulick (formally of KISS) Stone Gods (Dan Hawkins & Richie Edwards) Chris Field Stuart Smith (of Heaven & Earth Band) Chris Jerico (of Fozzy) Geoff Tate (Queensryche) Dave Hill (Slade) Terrarorsa (Ed Terry) Dave Weckl Thearpy? (Michael McKeegan) Doane Perry (of Jethro Tull) Thunder (Danny Bowes & Luke Morley) Don Dokken Tim “Ripper” Owens Don Powell (of Slade) Tommy Mandel Doro Tony Franklin Exciter (John Ricci) Tony Harnell (of Starbreaker) Foreigner (Mick Jones) Tony Mills (of TNT/ex-Shy FM (Pete Jupp) Venom (Cronos) Frankie Banali (of Quiet Riot) White Lion (Mike Tramp) Funeral For A Friend (Ryan Richards) Wishbone Ash (Martin Turner) Geoff Tate (Queensryche) Glenn Tipton (of Judas Priest) Gorefest (Frank Harthoorn Guns N’ Roses (Bumblefoot) Hanoi Rocks Heaven’s Basement (Johnny Rocker) Herman Rarebell (formally of the Scorpions) Holly Knight Honeymoon Suite (Derry Grehan) Hossam Razmy Hurricane Party (Johnny Rocker) Iced Earth (Tim Owens) Innes Sibun Jason McMaster (of Dangerous Toys) Jimi Jamison (formally of Survivor) Joe Lynn Turner (formally of Deep Purple & Rainbow) Joey Tempest (Europe) Jon Olivia (of Savatage & Jon Olivia’s Pain) Jonathan Valen (formally of Legs Diamond) Journey (Ross Valory) Kasim Sultan Kelly Hansen (Foreigner/ex-Hurricane) Kingdom Come (Lenny Wolf) K.K. Downing (of Judas Pri Krokus (Marc Storace & Mandy Meyer) Liv Kristine (Leaves' Eyes) Mark Stanway (of Magnum) Mark Stein (of Vanilla Fudge) Mat Sinner (Sinner/Primal Fear) Michael Davis (of MC5) Midge Ure (formally of Ultravox) Moya Brennan (of Clannad) Nex (Ed Dickinson) Nikki Sixx (of Motley Crue) Powerwolf (Charles and Matthew Greywolf & singer
Attila Dorn)For Writers Interviews go here
