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Festivals, Metal, Music

February Most Wanted

February 7, 2014

As the first month of the year is already over, I guess it’s time to cast my attention (and purse) towards all of the things I’ve been collecting for my most wanted list now that I can almost justify spending a few pennies here and there.

 

l'occitane-thumb

My first pick of the month is the new Sensual Red Cherry Collection from L’Occitane. I’m a sucker for all things cherry-esque as well as being overly fond of the L’Occitane hand creams, I’m just itching to try this out but at £42 for the set (reduced from £64), I’m not sure I can fork out for this just yet. (Beauty boxes take note – all of the samples please!) If your expendible income is a little more forgiving than mine this month you can head over to the L’Occitane website and try this out here.

behemoth

 

Moving away from beauty temporarily, the next thing on this month’s list is the new Behemoth album “The Satanist” – usually I’d have pre-ordered this and awaiting it’s arrival eagerly, alas I haven’t been as quick off the mark and have become a metal warrior who has fallen behind. Not to fear though, it’s available to stream through Spotify and due to me rarely leaving the house in my self-employment I’m able to enjoy this album in full – albeit with adverts – to my hearts content until I get my hands on the physical copy. It’s a truly magnificent album and has such a dark aura about it, my favourite track is the last one “O Father O Satan O Sun” – if you would like to partake in some black metulz you can stream Behemoth on spotify or support them by heading over to behemoth.pl and buying all of their merchandise.

 

nars brush

I do not need any more brushes – especially after my birthday haul (post coming soon) – but with my new found love for contouring, but the NARs ITA contour brush looks to be -the- most perfect brush for the job ever! Unfortunately the price is a little out of budget at the moment, but I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for upcoming offers or the very least – something similar from another brand. You can get around on the internet (sadly not currently availably on the NARS UK website) for £55 – however I have found it for just £25.95 here – although having never used this site, I’m not sure of it’s validity.

hellfest

Hellfest 2014 – What a line up – so many dreams of Gem and I driving to France to sup on wine (perhaps not for me), munch baguettes and listen to metal. I’d worked out how many night shifts I needed to do to get the extra money for two tickets. Unfortunately this sold out the other day, so probably one that is destined to stay on my wishlist. If you want to weep endlessly at the line-up you will be missing out on click here – if you already have tickets – click and smile a smug smile, thinking of those less fortunate than you.

caravan

Since my dreams of Hellfest have been smashed to the ground, it now means I can use my saved money towards a caravan, something Gem and I have been talking about for a while, but now we are nearly a quarter of the way through the year, I really need to get my behind in gear if I was to live it up “glamping” style at Wacken this year with a shiny (because of the Manowar gold we are covering it with) waterproof caravan.

I’m in awe of myself for the distinct lack of cosmetic items featured in this month’s most wanted – don’t fear though, I am not a girl converted – just a girl who want’s too many things of which can not be squeezed into such a small post as this.

What non beauty/cosmetic items are on your most wanted list this month?

Totally hellbent for the days where festivals didn’t sell out

-Pants

 

 

 

Festivals, Make-up, Metal, Music, News

Welcome to January …

January 5, 2014

2014.

How did this even happen? Suddenly Christmas appeared and now we are in yet another year. So here is an obligatory summary of some of the better bits of 2013.

Last year was a pretty monumental year for both Gem and I:

Brains and I moved into our “actually proper just for the two of us” house – situated approximately 7 doors or so away from Gemma at the same time as going to Norway for the first time ever:

januarybrainsnpants

 

Dakesis made the decision to become a four piece:

januarydakesis

We returned to the stage, and went back to enjoying our Dakesian adventures with the four of us and being as mischievous as ever:

januarydakesisfour

 

Gem and I survived the journey to the holy Wacken lands, this time avoiding getting the car broken into, and Gem and Roode shared their first anniversary together. As well as being monumentally owned by the sun on our crossing to Europe:

januarywacken

 

I quit my job and started working with Brains at BIOSTALL, which meant I had more time to do stuff like this:

januarycrafts

 

 

We witnessed the wedding of our two oldest joint friends Libby & Ian (not to mention I went blonde!):

january

 

We then got to spend yet another Dakesis Christmas with all of our lovely friends, fellow Dakesian’s and family which mainly resulted in this:

dakesischristmas

But most importantly, 2013 was when we finally got off our arses and launched Hellbent for Lipstick!

Our first ever post went live on 16th May 2013.

So here’s to another year of heavy metal, makeup, beauty, friends, family and being full of steel! Thank you for reading and Happy New Year :)

Totally hellbent for festivities and friends

-Pants

 

 

 

Festivals, Metal, Music, Skincare

Pants’ top 5 festival life savers for Summer 2013

September 15, 2013

top 5 festival

 

Well festival season is officially over. Dakesis played Sunkfest and The New Disorder Festival, which were great when it comes to prolonging the post festival blues. Unfortunately, it’s now miserable outside and we are almost half way through September!

With so many memories from this year already what better way to reflect, than to think of all the scrummy products I got to try out whilst in a tent with significantly less access to things that make me look clean.

After much pondering on this, I have come up with my top 5 festival life savers for this year. It took some thought, but these are the 5 products that I absolutely couldn’t have lived without!

  1. Suncream – I absolutely couldn’t have lived without my Simple factor 50 suncream as well as the Coola slightly tinted SPF 20 screen. Gem and I were very silly and had managed to get ourselves burnt to a crisp whilst on our ferry to Holland, but the Coola tinted moisturiser matched my self inflicted shade of orange perfectly, meaning I didn’t need to try make foundation work over my sore, sunburnt, orange and peeling skin
  2. Facial Wipes – This are a must have, decent facial wipes to take off makeup, suncream and dirt. So long as I have these, it’s OK if I run out of toner and cleanser or don’t have access to showering facilities.
  3. Eyebrow Kit – This ranks higher than any other makeup product, with my eyebrows filled out I at least resemble a human being!
  4. Jelly Pong Pong Mascara – When the going get’s hot and sweaty, I am loathed to put makeup on knowing it will run and make me clammy. I love this mascara so much that I didn’t need any eyeliner or eyeshadow to glam up. An application of this left me looking refreshed and glamourous despite having spent 4 days in a field.
  5. Facial Spritz – This was a life saver. It was so hot, that Gem and I were teasing each other by asking ourselves to imagine what it would be like if we were wrapped up in fleece blankets, whilst wearing onsies, with a hot water bottle and a heater on. It may not sound much, but the thought of this was nauseating! In this unbearable heat we took it in turns to spray each other (and our partners) with our recently acquired Glossybox spoil. This facial spritz feels like the most refreshing thing in all of the land when it’s 30 degress, with zero cloud cover, a multitude of black clothing and no shade. This is coming with me to every place that is in danger of reaching 21 degress upwards!

Totally hellbent for looking fab with minimum effort

-Pants

 

Metal, Music

To the End.

September 13, 2013

FbookEvent_Birmingham120913

Last night saw Dakesis play our first hometown show since “the big line-up shuffle” (which is the nice way of saying it I think) and wedged between the awesomeness of Captain Horizon and Attica Rage, in honesty, my nerves were running high.

We’ve already had two very well received shows in Hull and Derby, but playing the home turf to familiar faces is the real point of judgement. As the intro track started I was facing drummer Adam, and I was grateful for the optimistic smile he gave right as the first song was about to kick in.

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As I turned to face the sea of encouraging smiles in the crowd though, I knew I had nothing to worry about all along. Our nearest and dearest stood with horns and hands high in the air, Josh from Captain Horizon stood in salute for almost a whole song, the sound man Neil looked like he was having a party of his own in the desk, even the new faces, and the ones right at the back of the room looked like they were having a blast, and if the audience is happy then obviously the band will be happy!

There is something very magical about turning to look at your bandmates on-stage and seeing wide smiles. At a few points in the night when I paused for water (which I leave on the drum riser as not to give the audience even more of an eyeful!) Adam grinned and shouted “fucking triumph!”, and honestly that is what last night was for us. A big cheesy power metal triumph!

The cheer that went up at the end of our last song, Valhalla, cemented that no matter what happens, Dakesis will keep at it, through the good and the bad till the very, very end.

Totally hellbent for there being no place like home.

– Gem

 

Festivals, Metal, Music

Gemma’s Top 5 Heavy Metal Treasures

August 27, 2013

Reading Amie’s recent post on her beloved metal shinies reminded me I put together a list of my own favourite bits and pieces but never got around to posting it – so here it is!

Amie and I, like most heavy metal fans, will hoard and stash almost anything related to the genre, be it a limited edition signed CD or a scrap of paper a band member drew a penis on.

Being in a band means we also have a huge collection of memorabilia from our own tours and shows, and from other bands we have met along the way!

We all have those treasured things that rise above the rest though and I thought I would share a few of mine with you.

 Iron Maiden Vans

Maiden Vans

Have you ever had a pair of shoes you loved to the point you let them get in this state?

Amie bought me these as a birthday present some years ago and I literally wore  them every day till they reached the point they are in now. If I thought I could get away with wearing them as they are without looking like a complete hobo I probably would.

Even now I cannot bring myself to throw them away…I even still have the box they came in (full of gig tickets and other memorabilia in the loft!) and I imagine I wont ever throw that away either!

 

Edguy AAA Pass

Edguy badge - metal treasure

You know that one song you listen to, that no matter how dire the situation it -always- cheers you up? For me and my band-mates that song is “Superheroes” by Edguy.

When we were offered the chance to support them at the HMV Institute in Birmingham we were all more than a little excited (as you can tell by look of Amie and Adam’s fridge!)

Edguy were all very lovely and we hung out in the dressing rooms backstage after the gig which was just the perfect end to a great day.

 

Bloodstock Artist Wristband

BOA band

 

For the uninitiated, Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) is a annual heavy metal festival in Derby, UK. I’ve attended every year since 2007 and don’t plan on missing one any-time soon!

I don’t think there is a single metal band in the UK who doesn’t dream of playing BOA  from their very inception, it was certainly at the top of our dream-gig-wishlist!

Last summer we finally got the email we’d been wishing for, and my artist wristband is a lovely memento of our first major festival slot.

 

Original “Sign of the Hammer” Manowar vinyl.

Sign of the hammer

 This was a birthday gift from a student at my music school and her family earlier this year. I squealed so loud when I opened it I think I burst a few eardrums!

This is in immaculate condition, having been part of her father’s personal collection since it’s release in 1984.

I love it so much I keep it out on display at all times in my room with the rest of my Manowar treasures (of which there are a great many!)

 

Handwritten Thunderstone setlist and stage photo.

Photo © John Moore

Photo © John Moore

In September 2010 we supported Thunderstone at The Roadhouse in Birmingham. Having been huge fans of the band for years, when they finally came to England for a one-off gig in London we jumped at the chance to talk them into letting us support them at a later date.

Jump to a few months later and we’re in the green room with the heroes that inspired my own band to form. It was an absolutely magical night for us, culminating in being invited on stage to sing “Until We Touch The Burning Sun” on-stage with Thunderstone.

I also managed to snag the handwritten set-list which has been pinned to my “Wall of inspiration” ever since!

 

So there you are, my very favourite treasures! Do you have any items of significance, maybe even some Dakesis trinkets hidden away somewhere!

Totally hellbent for priceless pieces of scrap paper

– Gem

 

Clothing and Fashion, Festivals, Metal, Music

Nothing last’s forever, right?

August 26, 2013

WRONG!

First and foremost, Metal -is- forever.

With that bold impregnable statement shared, I do all that I can to preserve metal artifacts so that I may have them in my possession forever. I also collect a vast array of things to remind me of good times. Some examples include tickets and posters. (I get very annoyed when ticket people don’t give me my half of the ticket back, or I have to print out an “e-ticket”)

lastforeverlastforever3lastforever4

 

Another of my most prized possessions are my festival wristbands:

lastforever2

 

They may not look many, but on this wrist, I bear the following tribal festival marks:

  • Bloodstock Open Air 2009
  • Bloodstock Open Air 2010
  • Bloodstock Open Air 2011
  • Bloodstock Open Air 2012 (Artist wristband from our acoustic set)
  • Bloodstock Open Air 2013
  • Glastonbudget 2011 (Dakesis have played there three times now, but I only have one wristband)
  • Hammerfest V
  • Hammerfest IV
  • Hellfest 2012
  • Metalfest 2009
  • Wacken 2006
  • Wacken 2007
  • Wacken 2008
  • Wacken 2010
  • Wacken 2011
  • Wacken 2012
  • Wacken 2013

More recently, Gemma had to remove hers as she ended up with a horrible rash and she came up with the idea of putting them back on with some elastic. Since a lot of mine are nearing death I figured I would try this theory out. I hate getting mine wet which is inevitable due to the whole showering regularly and the use of many products, so I figured an additional bonus would be to remove this as I wanted.

Alas, this was a success and I have now sew elastic onto all but my Wacken bands, they are removed easily and the only problem I had was the fight with the very temperamental sewing machine.

wristband1So when you are sad that your bands are falling off, because other festivals just haven’t taken the hint from Wacken and still use those stupid plastic ends, do not fear – elastic is here!

Totally hellbent for festival wristbands

-Pants

 

 

 

Festivals, Metal, Music

Festival Season Fun!

August 12, 2013

Well we are finally back to normal life after over two weeks of drunken shenanigans at Wacken Open Air and Bloodstock Open Air, crossing many international borders along the way! We have Sunkfest (The first Dakesis show with that silly blue haired girl on lead vocals) next weekend to go and then we can put the tent away for another year.

Festival season ’13 has been absolutely brilliant, and though I’m sad it is drawing to an end, I’m already excited for next year (EMPEROR, EMPEROR, EMPEROR!!!)

 

IMG_5108

 

Needless to say we road tested plenty of festival essentials, saw numerous amazing bands (and wonderful festival sights!) and came back with more than a few new pretty things which we will share with you over the coming days.

 

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For now however it is time to shower and then play with the many boxes of make-up and assorted products that arrived whilst we were adventuring!

Totally hellbent for a night in my own bed

– Gem

Fitness, Music

Heavy Metal Workout Playlists 1

July 18, 2013

Ever had that moment at the gym where you think you can’t go any further, then a song comes on that gives you a surge of energy and enthusiasm? Well here’s my inspiration for those last few km today!

 

This song is guaranteed to get the blood pumping! Highly recommended for running!

 

 

Another little gem for a good sprint – THAT chorus always makes me want to push a bit harder no matter how worn I am.

 

 

 

Yes, yes, cheeky self promotion slipping in here, but as I’m going over the songs for rehearsal I discovered that this has a great feel for all kinds of cardio.

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCp5U7wotQ

Manowar are ALWAYS my go to for weights. The song title says it all but the anthemic melody works a treat too.

 

 

Anything thrash is a winner in the gym, but this song just makes me want to break things*. This also got me VERY excited about seeing them at Wacken in two weeks!

*My targets, not myself generally

 

 

Today’s cooldown came courtesy of some friends of mine Captain Horizon. Not metal, in fact I struggle to stick them in a single genre and I’ve been friends of the band for about four years!

 

So there you have it, maybe there’s some new bands in there for you or maybe you’re going “ahh yes that’s a great song, why didn’t I think of that!”.

Are there any songs you would recommend to get the adrenaline flowing?

Totally hellbent for the healthy metal lifestyle 

– Gem

 

 

 

Music, News

The first band practice

July 12, 2013

Just a quick post about practice tonight – sans pictures I’m afraid, we were all a bit wrapped up in music and excitement (and very hot, sweaty and shiny!)

So obviously things were sounding very different with the lack of a male lead voice, a second guitar and keyboards, but it really feels like all the songs have a new lease of life! We also tried out a few new cover ideas for a bit of fun, and well, had lots of fun in general.

I wont lie, singing for three hours straight has very much tired me out, but I’ve got a lot of faith in my vocals (and Amie, Matt and Adam’s backing vocals!) after getting through it!

Things feel different. Very very different, but you know what they say – change is good =)

Now I just can’t wait to get up on stage and rip these songs a new behind in front of an audience!

Totally hellbent for a great night making music with my best friends

– Gem

Festivals, Music, News

Fanciful Frontwoman

July 11, 2013

It’s been about seven years since I last fronted a band, and now circumstances call me to centre stage again. Now this is only planned as a temporary measure – we recently decided it was in the best interests of the band to move forwards without our ex-frontman and as we search the metalsphere for a new set of iron lungs I am taking over vocal duties.

 

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Knee-slide-alicious! © Stagedive Photography

 

For those not in the know – singing is actually my first “instrument”. I’m a vocal coach and singing teacher by profession so taking on the vocals themselves won’t be too taxing. Hell – I wrote the lyrics and vocal melodies to most of the songs too so that’s handy. It’s the physical part that is drawing the nerves.

 

©.Stagedive Photography

©.Stagedive Photography

For the past four years in Dakesis I have stood behind two behemoth keyboards for 90% of the time, and though it will be wonderful to have the freedom of the stage again, I wonder if I have the stage presence and physical stamina to lead the band through an hour of high energy power metal.

Starting this week I’ve been training my ass off (literally) with my lovely boyfriend, I’d love to drop some weight as well obviously, but my main objective is to be able to tear around the stage and give the people a good show for their money! Vocal practice twice a day including a warm up and general technique followed by song rehearsal is something I’m really enjoying and of course practice with the band too.

Our first gig* as a four piece is only a matter of weeks away, and two of those weeks Amie and I will be at Wacken and Bloodstock festivals so time is really of the essence!

Once we’ve got the music down I only have one more concern…what the bloody hell am I going to wear!

Totally hellbent for being front and centre 

– Gem

 

* Upcoming Dakesis dates with me on lead vocals!

16-18 Aug – Sunkfest
12th September – The RoadHouse, Birmingham
19th October – The Library, Leeds 
29th Nov – 1st Dec – Valkyrian Festival, Hull