1989 or so. My Dad had Hits Out Of Hell on vinyl, and he used to play it full blast whenever he was decorating or anything. At fourteen I was into poppy crap and chart stuff, and I always used to go, 'Aw, turn this noise off!'
Then one day he asked me to tape the album so he could listen to it in the car. Begrudgingly I agreed. I set it to record and then went to do something. When I got back 2 out of 3 was on. I started listening and thought, 'Hey, this is really good'. I listened to the end of the album, surprised at how emotionally-intense and intellligent the songs were, and how brilliant that voice was. And at 14 I LOVED Paradise ...
Since then I've been one of Meat's biggest fans. His music has inspired me in so many ways. I used to write teenage fiction, and quite often a 'Meaty quote' would just beg to be dropped in. And it was Meat who inspired me to take up singing three years ago.
I dread to think how much I've spent over the years in pursuit of my Meaty obsession. Six concert tickets and three CDs in the last couple of months alone.
Sorry to be so long-winded :)
Barmad
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