Four dogs with two legs, an oversized Teddy bear, inflatable sharks, bouncing bunnies, and Father Christmas. This was Alice in Wonderland on acid – on acid. Two Metal bands, Slay Duggee and Lawnmower Deth, were about to cause madness, mayhem, and drama at The Rescue Rooms, in the heart of Nottingham.
Lawnmower Deth – Slay Dugee
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham – 13 December 2025
Words: Naomi Hefter
Photography: Matt Pratt
Opening band, Slay Duggee’s lead singer, Ricky Bow Wow, dominated the stage with his presence, letting everyone in the room know he truly was man’s best friend.
This Thrash Metal band from Essex have an interesting concept – children’s cartoon covers! So, along with Mutley Cruz on lead guitar, Ozzy Ozbone on drums, Teddy Wallstreet on bass and Black Shuck with second vocals, nostalgia filled the dream-like atmosphere.
Recognisable songs from SpongeBob and Baby Shark, in the genre of hardcore punk and Thrash Metal, were entertaining to say the least. The crowd, which included two giant sharks, were lapping it up.
The space at the Rescue Rooms may not have been filled at this point, but the intense double-bass kicks, machine-gun rhythms, and sharp snare hits from these positive pooches made up for it.
Suddenly, the outrageous canines burst into Pantera’s Walk, which got the crowd going. With this iconic Death Metal track, along with the outrageous oversized animals, a concoction of snarling, growling, grit, and zest attacked the audience with a sensory overload.
When there is every opportunity to spend the evening with a man’s best friend, these five guys are there for you and will turn you barking mad.
Just when you thought the madness might be over, the space suddenly filled with passionate punters. It was difficult to see where the queue for the bar ended and where the audience began.
Lawnmower Deth
Then, in a flash, a 6 foot 2 inch bunny with a disturbing expression hopped up and down the stage as Lawnmower Deth, the highlining act, burst onto the stage.
Lawnmower Deth – the name says it all. Originally from Ravenshead, Nottingham, this Thrash Metal band formed in 1987. Songs like Betty Fords, Got No Legs, and Egg Sandwich give you a flavour of what was to come for the night.
Pete Lee, the lead singer, exuded a cool vibe, even amongst the flamboyance and chaos. The rest of the band, Steve, Chris, Chris, and Gavin ‘Paddy’ O’Malley, all met at school and each shone in their own right.
No one was outdoing each other with ego. There was clear respect, and everyone was simply enjoying every memorable moment.
This authentic, raw, and pretty groovy band have gone on to release four albums, all featuring a blend of crossover Thrash, hardcore punk, and Death Metal, infused with a large dose of sense of humour.
Lawnmower Deth may have had a brief hiatus, but since reuniting in 2008, the band have performed at Download, Bloodstock Open Air, and Damnation Festival.
There is no doubt, this highly likeable, highly animated, and high-on-life band is here to stay.
