30/12/2025
***BUCKLE UP FOR A LONG READ***
So….a singers end of year musings as reality comes into clear view.
Tomorrow night, at Gorilla Beer Hall, Mexborough, we’ll close this chapter on our lives and the cape will be hung up. Possibly just for a while, possibly for good, who knows what the future holds? But one thing is for sure. The last 12 years will live on in memories and friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.
Since the Monday 27th January 2014, when 5 guys sat in the conservatory at The Milestone Pub at Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre in Sheffield to discuss an idea for a new band, until now, the night before that bands final performance, it’s been an unforgettable roller coaster of emotions. Band members have come and gone, there’ve been highs and there’ve been lows. We’ve played some truly incredible places (Glavani Park in Croatia, Peak Cavern - "The Devil's Arse" in Castleton, Rock Ardudwy in North Wales, WentFest in Rotherham to name just a handful). But, no matter how big or small the event or venue, the philosophy has always been the same. 100% no matter what!
We’ve played to 1000’s at festivals with the likes of Dr and The Medics and Blue, and we’ve played to 6 people on a Friday night in Hoyland (and those 6 people came to the show on the following night) and the mentality has always been the same. Give your all for the ones that come to see you, don’t complain about those that stay home because you never know who’s watching you.
I daren’t think about the number of miles we’ve travelled and the amount of money spent on fuel but I can honestly say it was worth the effort and expense and I don’t regret a thing.
As for the musicians I’ve had the honour to call band mates over the years, it’s been my privilege to work with and learn from you. James and Joe Tulley (and Ernie of course), Mikey Kaperys, Kevin Hill, John Hardman, Scott Jordan, Phil Boyd, Spencer Roe, Max Braithwaite, Christian Hayes and Stuart Lockwood, you guys saw me at my best and at my worst. You were there to see me thrive in the good times and drag me through the bad. You’ve allowed to go from a novice that could sing a bit to an established front man, performer, band “manager” an chief sweeper upper through imparting your wealth of experience for me to learn from. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried. We’ve disagreed and we’ve compromised. We screamed, we’ve resolved. Members have come and gone but every single person has left their mark on Thor-Gods Of Rock.
Add to that the amazing friends that have stood in temporarily, be it one night or a few. Carl Wragg, Jamie Mallender, Liam Fretwell, Callum Houghton, Paul Boyd, Kyle Bartley, the late Dave Thorpe, Jack Rowe, Steve Wilson (please forgive me if I’ve forgotten anybody). There were times that we were up the creak and we were saved, sometimes at very short notice. None more so than when Top Gun, in particular Paul, sourced a PA for us when we needed to rebuild. You all played your part in making Thor what it’s been.
A huge thank you also to the agents that we’ve booked through over the last 12 years. And also some of the amazing stewards and staff we’ve had the pleasure to work with. Maurice and his team at Crookes Social Club, Rich and the Gawber Road Club Barnsley gang, Penny and co at Ashby Mill Road Club, the inimitable Trevor “Manuel” Humberstone, the crew at Gorilla Brewing Co., just a few of the amazing people that have supported Thor for so long.
However, it’s the people that pack out the venues week in, week out that have made Thor what it has been for the last 12 years. Some only gave it 6 months. But, for whatever reason, you guys took to us and have been packing venues, buying teeshirts, selling out Halloween, taking photos, sharing videos, buying beers, donating to charity, buying us (mainly Lee) gifts and chatting to us after gigs all this time. We’ve met strangers that have become friends and had friends that have become like family. It’s been an honour to play for and get to know so many of you. Thank you so much for taking us into your hearts.
But the biggest thank you MUST go to the wives, girlfriends and children of the members of Thor through the last 12 years. Being in a band can put strain on the strongest relationships. Whole weekends can be taken up, late night rehearsals, missed birthdays and family events. Our families have never been anything but supportive. This band has always been more like a family, no matter what the line up, with wives and kids always getting along. We’ve seen the highs of births, big birthdays, weddings. We’ve seen the dark times with lost loved ones, life struggles and challenges but through it all, the support and understanding from our families has been pivotal to the success we’ve had for over a decade.
Sadly, over the years, we’ve seen some incredible venues close their doors. Smithywood Club, Woodseats Club, The Dusty Miller, The Midland, Royston Klondike WMC, Ings Lane WMC, Chesters, The Stonegravels, Albion Road WMC, The Manor Social Club, Shiregreen Club, The Victoria at Staveley all pubs and clubs that were staunch supporters of local live music that are now sadly closed. These venues that were once the heart beat of their communities, packed to the rafters on Saturday nights with the sound of music filling the air are now filled with deafening silence. I feel genuinely honoured to have played at these iconic venues before the lights went out and the stage fell silent. Unfortunately, it’s an all too familiar story that we sincerely hope can find a way to rise again like a phoenix from the flames so that we can enjoy a Saturday night watching others do their thing. And should we make a comeback, we’re going to need somewhere to do it!
And so, as New Years approaches and this chapter draws to a close, all that’s left to say is, right now, I’m don’t know if this is “goods bye” or just “see you later” but what isn’t in doubt is, whatever happens, it’s been a hell if a ride and I’ll never forget what everyone has done for me and my family. You’ve all let me THUNDERSTRUCK!
