Sophie James

WRITER
Sophie James is a veteran music lover and gig-goer from Shropshire. She is a frequent attendee on the thriving West Midlands Gig Scene and, prior to that, London and the Southeast.

She was raised on a diet of ELO, Queen, Lizzy, Quo and Slade when they were regular charters. Sophie lived through NWOBHM, and now revels in the more recent NWOCR. "I adore da Blues."

Her musical gold dust is Judas Priest, a Road to Damascus moment when she first heard them.

"Musical Kryptonite? Yes. Amazing musicians, but sorry, they don’t move me."
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Tender Vendetta Return With Sleazy Grunge Fury At The Giffard

Gig Reviews
Tender Vendetta. An explosive return with sleazy grunge fury at The Giffard, Wolverhampton—joined by Pretty Shivers for a genre-fusing opening for Sam Millar.

Sam Millar / The Perfect Soundtrack To A Giffard Arms Summer Evening

Gig Reviews
Sam Millar. A triumphant Wolverhampton return delivers melodic '80s-inspired rock, unforgettable choruses, and a feel-good vibe at The Giffard Arms. Catch the magic live!

Ward XVI / Psychoberrie’s Final Chapter Begins With Blood Is The New Black

News
Ward XVI return with their darkly theatrical new single Blood Is The New Black, a chilling taste of what's to come in their twisted trilogy finale, ID3NTITY.With sinister orchestration, volatile genre shifts, and haunting vocal delivery, this track cements their reputation for rock performance art like no other. Words: @sophzrocks @wardxvi

Stoneload / Dead And Buried: A Distorted Reimagination Of Stoner Blues

Metal Reviews
Explore Dead And Buried by Stoneload, a heavy stoner blues debut merging grunge, thrash, and raw emotion into 15 ferocious tracks. Stream now on Spotify. Words: @sophzrocks @stoneload_band_official

The Original Wanted And Colossal Apostle / A Sonic Blitz At The Giffard Arms

Gig Reviews
The Giffard Arms roared with The Original Wanted and Colossal Apostle in a sold-out sonic blitz of glam, grunge, and unforgettable live rock music energy. Words: @sophzrocks Photography: Ruskin Roader @originalwanted @colossalapostleband @riseaboverecords @thegiffardarms

Bobbie Dazzle / The Lady’s On Fire, Let Her Inspire You

Gig Reviews
Bobbie Dazzle brings glam rock glory to The Giffard Arms in Wolverhampton. A dazzling, high-energy show proves the lady’s on fire—let her inspire you! Words: @sophzrocks Photography: Ruskin Roader @bobbiedazzleband @riseaboverecords

The Damn Truth / A Band Revelling In Irrepressible Creativity

Metal Reviews
The Damn Truth unleash self-titled fourth album. Soul nourishing, heartwarming...I have found it hopeless not to get swept along by its contagious joie de vivre. Words: @sophzrocks Cover Photo: @rock_pixs @thedamntruth @spectramusique

The Darker My Horizon Rise From Out Of The Ashes

Metal Reviews
The Darker My Horizon return with From Out of the Ashes, a melodic and powerful album blending heartfelt lyrics with infectious riffs. A captivating addition to a catalogue of consummate songwriting. Words: @sophzrocks Photo: Robert Balmer Photography @darkerhorizonuk

W.M.D. / Waking The City, A Beguiling Fusion Of Irresistible, Retrospective Rock

Metal Reviews
In my most humble opinion, in Waking The City, W.M.D. have delivered the first great classic rock album of 2025. Take a punt, you will be generously compensated. @sophzrocks @words.may.differ.music

Damian Wilson / A Vocal Phenomenon at KK’s Steel Mill

Gig Reviews
The truly extraordinary presence and voice of Damian Wilson opened the evening's entertainment of Delain and Stone Broken at KK's Steel Mill. Words: @sophzrocks Photography: @jason_samuels_photography71 @kkssteelmill @damianwilsonofficial
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Sophie James

WRITER
Sophie James is a veteran music lover and gig-goer from Shropshire. She is a frequent attendee on the thriving West Midlands Gig Scene and, prior to that, London and the Southeast.

She was raised on a diet of ELO, Queen, Lizzy, Quo and Slade when they were regular charters. Sophie lived through NWOBHM, and now revels in the more recent NWOCR. "I adore da Blues."

Her musical gold dust is Judas Priest, a Road to Damascus moment when she first heard them.

"Musical Kryptonite? Yes. Amazing musicians, but sorry, they don’t move me."
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