Tony Iommi-mentored guitarist to play Bloodstock and Drunken Monkey Rock Festival with band
Three-piece rock band Ethyrfield were mentored by Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi - and now they're hitting the stages of Bloodstock and Drunken Monkey Rock Festival.
Handsworth-born Tony clicked with lead guitarist Ben Cornish, now 16, when the music icon did one to one sessions with the finalists in the 2015 Sky Arts Guitar Star TV show.
“Ben didn’t win but Tony has continued to mentor him and the band. For a young band, that’s amazing. As an adult, I have to pinch myself,” said dad Roger, whose other son Zach, 17, is bass player and lead vocalist.
In June they rocked the Devon and Cornwall Metal 2 The Masses competition, scooping a place in the 2018 Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Park next week alongside the likes of Judas Priest, Gojira and Nightwish.
The Devon-based band will also appear at Drunken Monkey Rock Festival in Worcestershire’s Upton-upon-Severn, alongside Midlands acts Dizzy Lizzy and Machine Rages.
Tickets are already selling fast for the three-day charity event, which rocks for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC) in memory of Ian Downton. To date, more than £25,000 has been donated to the charity.
The band has already played the American Ambassador's residence, after winning the under 19s category of the Rock the House competition just a few months after they got together.
“They may look like kids, but once they start playing, audiences’ jaws drop and they are blown away,” said Drunken Monkey Rock Festival main stage organiser and music director Stu Evans.
“This band is really going places and we look forward to watching them wow our crowds, along with the other top performers.”
Drunken Monkey Rock Festival takes place from August 3 to 5 at Welland Road, Upton-Upon-Severn.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here
Bloodstock Festival takes place from August 9 to 12 at Catton Park.
For more information and o buy tickets, click here
