Kerrang!

Infobox Magazine
title = Kerrang!


image_caption = Kerrang!
publisher = Bauer
total_circulation = 70,000cite web|url=http://www.ukaop.org.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/case/article.html?uid=458|title=UK Association of Online Publishers|publisher=UKAOP.org.uk|Date= 2008-10-08]
language = English
category = Music
frequency = Weekly
firstdate = 1981-06-06
editor = Paul Brannigan
country = flag|United Kingdom
website = [http://www.kerrang.com/ www.kerrang.com]

"Kerrang!" is a weekly rock magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media in the United Kingdom.

The magazine's title is onomatopoeic and derives from the noise made when smashing an electric guitar.

"Kerrang!" was first published on the 6 June, 1981, edited by Geoff Barton [cite web|url=http://rockcriticsarchives.com/interviews/geoffbarton/geoffbarton.html|title=Geoff Barton, behind the wheel|Publisher=RockCritics.com] , initially as a one-off supplement in the "Sounds" newspaper devoted to the current New Wave of British Heavy Metal (or 'NWOBHM' for short) and the rise of other hard rock acts such as AC/DC, who appeared on "Kerrang!"’s first cover.

During the 1980s and early 1990s the magazine placed many thrash and glam metal acts on the cover (like Mötley Crüe, Slayer, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Poison, Testament) but later discarded them when grunge acts such as Nirvana rose to fame. Readers often criticise the magazine for repeating this process every time a new musical trend becomes popular; for example, Prince was heavily featured around the time of the release of Purple Rain, including a cover, and there are also issues in the 1980s featuring U2 and Big Country. More recently, there are many complaints about "Kerrang!"'s current emphasis on emo and metalcore music, particularly stemming from the fact that the magazine continually printed issues with My Chemical Romance on the front cover for several weeks, following the release of their album, "The Black Parade"cite web|url=http://theydrewblood.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2006-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2007-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=50|title=My Chemical Romance Magazine Collection & more!|Publisher=TheyDrewBlood.Blogspot.Com|Date=2008-10-08] .

The current format

"Kerrang!"'s most successful period came under editor Paul Rees at the turn of the millennium, at which time, the nu metal genre, featuring bands such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, were becoming more popular. Rees went on to edit "Q" and Ashley Bird took over as editor from 2003 to 2005. Unfortunately for Bird, the decline of nu metal in 2003 meant "Kerrang!"’s sales went quickly into decline [ [http://www.roadrun.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=14459 Blabbermouth.net] ] which eventually prompted his sacking.Fact|date=April 2007

"Kerrang!" also includes a satirical comic strip called "Pandora" (originally "Pandora Peroxide" [cite web|url=http://www.rayzell.com/auntiep.html|title=Takin' the Auntie P our of Pandora Peroxide|publisher=Ray Zell] ), named for its main character, who is seen every week making fun of recent events in the rock world. The strip is written and drawn by Ray Zell. Other characters include Wek and Web. Wek, the "work experience kid" is a love interest who leaves Pandora and opens a tearoom. He is featured occasionally in strips. Web replaced Wek, and is a "work experience brat". Web has an obsession with Ville Valo of the band HIM. She even has a locket with one of Ville's discarded cigarette butts in it. Other minor characters included in the series are: Auntie P (the original Pandora Peroxide), Orgasm Girl, Billy and Bludwyn.

International editions

Emap launched "Kerrang! Australia" in the late 1990s. Unlike its weekly counterpart in the UK, the Australian edition was published monthly. Due to stiff competition from free local music publications, "Kerrang! Australia" was reduced to a monthly issue. "Kerrang!" is also published in Spanish.

Other media

"Kerrang!" radio

"Main|Kerrang! 105.2"In 2000 Emap launched "Kerrang!" as a digital radio station, across the UK. On June 10 2004, Kerrang! 105.2 was launched as a regional radio station in Birmingham with an advertising campaign by London-based creative agency [http://www.thankodd.com ODD] . During the day the "Kerrang!" Radio network broadcasts more accessible acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis and Kaiser Chiefs. In the evening and at weekends they have a number of specialist programmes dedicated to the many subgenres of rock music.

The radio output includes interviews with those affecting popular culture and society as well as those involved with music, e.g. the Cyborg scientist Kevin Warwick.

In 2006 "Kerrang!" stated on their website that they are trying to bring a radio station to South Wales.Fact|date=June 2007

"Kerrang!" awards

Since 1993, the magazine have been holding an annual awards ceremony to mark the most successful bands in the interests of their readers. The annual poll, which runs alongside the awards usually bears a likeness to those who win at the ceremony. Although in recent years, the winners do not bear such a resemblance to the opinion of the general public, the awards still have an importance in the media coverage a band receive after winning an award.

The first time the awards were televised, was in 2001 via a recording on Channel 5 in the UK, with Channel 4 also showing a recording at late-nights until 2004. The 2007 awards were televised on the now defunct Hits music channel, and the 2008 awards were televised on the new 4Music music channel, owned by Channel 4.

Many rock acts see these awards as important to win if nominated. The 17th edition of the "Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums", highlights Feeder's award win in 2003 for "Best British Band" in their annual-round up of the year, including Metallica's Hall of Fame induction.Roberts, David (2004). "British Hit Singles and Albums 17th Edition". Guinness. ISBN 0-851121-99-3] It also mentions artists who have Kerrang! award wins if it's their biggest award, in the individual biographies for artists in their top 500 of all-time.Roberts, David (2004). "British Hit Singles and Albums 17th Edition". Guinness. ISBN 0-851121-99-3] It should be argued that not all winners of the awards are commercially sucsessful, nor wholly popular with those aware of the artist- the 2006 winners of the international and British newcomer awards, Aiden and Bring Me the Horizon were both bottled at the 2006 and 2008 Reading and Leeds festivals, in a severe and brutal manner. It should be noted that winners over the years with at least one gold or platinum album, and/or a very dedicated festival following, and/or a good run of hit singles or albums are much more worthy of the awards.

"Kerrang!" TV

"Main|Kerrang! TV"In 2001 Emap launched Kerrang! TV. As with the radio station, the TV channel covers the more mainstream side of the rock music as well as classic rock bands like Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses and Metallica.

Kerrang TV is now a joint venture between Bauer Consumer Magazines and Channel 4. The current 'Head Of Music' is Mark Adams.

"Kerrang!" messageboard

In 2001 Kerrang launched its own online forum with the "rants and raves" section taking up most of the traffic. Though initially extremely popular, the number of users began to peter out around 2005 with the number of people online dropping to as low as 10 when previously it had been closer to the 100 figure.

taff

*Paul Brannigan (editor)
*Daniel Lane (deputy editor)
*Nichola Browne (associate editor - features)
*Simon Young (news editor)
*Steve Beebee (journalist)
*Malcolm Dome (journalist)
*Katie Parsons (introducing editor)
*Scarlet Page (photographer)
*Ryan Bird (journalist)
*Ian Winwood (journalist)
*Ben Myers (journalist)
*Tom Bryant (journalist)
*Luke Lewis (journalist)
*Nick Ruskell (gurner)
*Miles Hay (owner)
*Ray Zell (cartoonist 'Pandora')

References

ee also

*NME
*Melody Maker
*Q magazine
*Sounds (magazine)

External links

* [http://www.kerrang.com Official Site]
* [http://www.kerrangradio.co.uk Kerrang! Radio]
* [http://blogs.sundaymercury.net/kate-lawler/ Presenter Kate Lawler's blog]
* [http://blogs.sundaymercury.net/offside/ Luke Wilkins blog]