BEGINNINGS
About 12 years ago, in the days of yore, there were three metal heads from the Isle of Wight, UK – Gavin, Matthew and James, who formed the original incarnation of Puritan Slain. That band was known as “Decadence” and involved the intrepid three meeting up a couple of times a week to bang out various covers - mainly Metallica. Matthew, or Spud as he’s more commonly known, knew Gav from school, and Spud met Het (a.k.a James) at the IW College. Joined by an ever changing array of second guitarists, all of whom were called John, much metal was played. But despite practicing and jamming together for over two years, the core three never managed any gigs, other than an informal get together of friends and relatives at Bembridge Youth Club.
Various factors contributed to the eventual downfall of Decadence. The lack of a suitable practice space was one, mainly due to the sheer wall of noise produced by the band, at one time provoking over 30 complaints in a little over three hours from the short sighted and sensitively-ear-holed people of the nearby town of Lake! This actually led to the band playing one practice on Bembridge beach, in protest at the lack of any place willing to support a fledgling metal band. This did them no real good, other than getting their fresh faced pretty little mugs in the local paper.
University, kids, marriage, jobs and house moves all contributed to the eventual untimely demise of a promising (Metallica Covers) band... but their time would come again.
AWAKENINGS
Over 10 years passed in the cold desolate lands of the Isle of Wight. Nothing and everything changed and despite the three having drifted apart, and some frightening dalliances with non-metal music, the metal fire inside them never died.
By this time Spud had moved to the mainland and Het and Gav both had children. Gav and Het bumped into each other every so often and would reminisce about the old days. At one of these chance encounters a jam session was organised at Het`s abode. By this time Gav was playing six string (badly) but was again feeling the pull of the low end. In good rock and roll fashion everything started to fall into place, Spud returned to the Island, Gav retrieved his bass gear from a so called friend, Het found new vigour in his playing and a full jam at Bembridge Youth Club was arranged. New blood was also found in the shape of a young Gareth, or G – a workmate and friend of Het`s.
At the first meet various Metallica covers were wheeled out and old ground was covered. The fire was still alive and the feeling was strong. A few practices followed, strong characters and other commitments made for a fiery blend. Above all the four horsemen decided that a covers band they would no longer be. Original material was needed and the new blood supplied the first of many riffs – which would ultimately become the epic Titans Fall. The winds of change smelled good for a change and a moniker for this ragtag bunch was needed...
RENAMING & REWRITING
What’s in a name? Not a lot in this case. Some dramatic description of deep meaning and cultural significance would be nice. But in truth the name is a type of beer that Gav drank, called Slain. And a word that Spud liked - namely Puritan. Add them together and Puritan Slain was born. No religious overtones or connotations – we’re all about the metal and always will be.
Soon, a new practice space was acquired at a Cricket Club in Ryde. G’s flat was renamed “Puritan Slain HQ” and riff after riff was churned out. Songs were born and some quickly died. Titles such as Clean, Self Deception, Seven Hour War and many more came and fell by the wayside. New recording software enabled a rush of new material to be put to demo discs. Singers, screamers and time wasters came and went. An album by Christmas 2006 was slated, but soon put back as creative differences and perfectionism ensured that the Slain would be writing well into the New Year. Puritan Slain HQ had to be closed, (or more precisely, G moved out of his flat) and writing and jamming at the cricket club became the norm. The bands sophomore year was busy and by the middle of February enough original material had been written to allow the band to consider the next rung on the metal ladder. The first gig was in the offing...
PUBLIC NOISE
The venue was Wootton Community Hall. The event, the 9th anniversary of Het`s 21st birthday. The debut gig of Puritan Slain. The gig went well and the bands own confidence in itself was ratified by the comments of the assembled guests. The next logical step and a further test was a gig to non-family and friends. Were they saying the band was good because they were family? Would the public at large agree with them?
The public loved it too. A support slot at Dark Awakening at The Cellar in Ryde was met with a rapturous reception. Further gigs followed over the following months at the Liquid Lounge and back to The Cellar. Puritan Slain were flying up the bills and then it happened – a headlining, paid gig at the Liquid Lounge!
Everything that could go wrong did. The pub wasn’t aware that music was being played that night, live football led to a shortened sound check and a late start for the bands. The Slain took to the stage at a little after 11pm on the 22nd of August 2007. Despite technical problems and a temperamental P.A the house was duly brought down and encores requested.
Puritan Slain had arrived.