Melanie Tushmore's #bandslash Tour!!!!!

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 Welcome to Melanie Tushmore!!!!

Five about the author

1.     Who are you, and where do you come from?

            Melanie Tushmore, British. I come from the same town as The Cure.

2.     What inspires you?

            Music, bands, alternative culture. Blokes who make me laugh.

 3.   Describe your writing style in three words:

           Wry British humour.

4. What style of music do you like, and who are your favourite bands?

          I like rock, metal, and goth (proper goth), but at heart I’ve always been a glammy. I’m          all about the Scandinavian rock. I have lots of band tattoos, two of which are for Backyard Babies, my favourite band since I was 16. Currently BYB are on hiatus, after having the same line up for just over 20 years!

Backyard Babies have always done fun and interesting videos. I love this one; watch the shadows in the background as they change shape and contort into different things. Really cool. I also love the dual vocals, which this band do a lot. Really full of energy.

Backyard Babies – ‘Fuck Off And Die’

http://youtu.be/obdadp58MfQ

or embed video

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/obdadp58MfQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Singer Nicke has one of the best rock voices, in my opinion, and it really shows on some of the slower, less shouty songs. I love this song and video, with all the moving tattoos!

Backyard Babies – ‘Nomadic’

When I love a band, I really, really love them. Crashdïet are my new favourite band for sure, because they’re loads of fun, absolutely gorgeous, and making music/gigging right now. Hurrah! ‘Cocaine Cowboys’ was the first single off their new album this year, and is very amped up rock. The video is bloody great, especially the twist; you watch it and think oh yeah, I know what’s going to happen…then the end comes and it’s like, OH. Okay. Shit!

I do love a band who can be theatrical.

(Caution: violence!)

Crashdïet – ‘Cocaine Cowboys’

5. Been to any good gigs recently?

We saw W.A.S.P. just before Christmas, which was amaaaazing. One of the best gigs I’ve been to, so much fun. I also went to see Black Veil Brides in London, and it was fab, with all the pyro and explosions. With the big choruses fist pumping fun, it was like being at a new-age Mötley Crüe concert. New generation Crüe!

Aside from my friend’s bands who’re all playing soon, I’m really looking forward to seeing Crashdïet in April.

Five about the book

Title: Crucifox #1: The Green-Eyed Monster

Series: Crucifox

1.  Who is the story about?

It’s about a guitarist called Sky, who’s entirely focussed on his music, and a flamboyant singer called Brandon, who’s entirely focussed on getting Sky to put out!

2.  What inspired the idea for this story?

I used to work with bands and in live events. I’ve seen more than enough shenanigans to spawn a series! I had all the building blocks for an interesting setting, but the characters of Sky and Brandon are total fantasy. That’s not to say certain character traits weren’t inspired by people who’ve crossed my path.

3.     What is it about musicians that make them irresistible?

I’m rather partial to guitarists. On the right man, a guitar is really sexy. I do like musicians in general; I don’t usually fancy a man unless he’s got a guitar strapped to him. Instant sex appeal. Long hair is also a bonus.

That’s not to say I love every guitar player I see. I hate indie-schmindie music, or anything reminiscent of ‘60s. Gutiars hitched high are a NO from me. I want them slung way down low. I don’t want happy and cute guitarists, I want raw, sweaty, sexual energy. RAA!

4. As a story comes in three parts, and this is a music story, pick three music videos that reflect how you feel the story goes.

The first part of the story, where all the focus is on music, and forming the band, Sky’s goal is to be as big as his heroes. This clip of British rock band The Cult performing on Top of The Pops is everything that appeals to me; fantastic tune, gorgeous sexy singer, pure rock n’ roll! Guitarist Billy Duffy plays the much sought-after White Falcon guitar, the model that Sky covets from the very beginning.

A good band is one thing, but as this video shows, you need an even better frontman. When my band find Brandon, and he becomes the singer, everything clicks into place, and the story begins.

The Cult – ‘She Sells Sanctuary’

‘The fire in your eyes

Keeps me alive.’

As the focus in the story shifts to Sky’s affair with Brandon, things turn a little sour. There’s so much happening on their first major tour that everything seems overwhelming, and rather than talk about their relationship like rational adults, Sky sets himself on self-destruct mode, even though he isn’t really aware of it.

I don’t like much modern music, but when I first heard this track by Ladytron I loved it instantly. It’s reminiscent of trad goth/new romantic bands, but with a modern edge, and it’s bloody brilliant. Great video, too.

Ladytron – ‘Destroy Everything You Touch’

‘Destroy everything you touch today

Destroy me this way.
Anything that may desert you
So it cannot hurt you.’

After things take a real turn for the worse, Sky does start to rationalise (at last!) that perhaps he is as much to blame as Brandon is, and they have both made a fuck-up of their relationship. This song by Depeche Mode is awesome, and the lyrics are just so fitting for Brandon and Sky, especially the parts about punching first, ask questions later! It’s quite a sombre song, and would signify the final turning point in my story where Sky decides he’s willing to work at it with Brandon, if only Brandon will give him another chance.

Depeche Mode – ‘People Are People’

‘I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand

People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully’

5. If your book was a music video, how would it go? Talk me through it.

God, if only! I’d love to direct it. The budget would be astronomical. So, in a nutshell:

The setting is London, 1986. Urban, gritty. Goths, and musicians. Men of androgynous, eye-watering beauty in tight, ripped black clothes, long hair, and eyeliner. They’re forming a band, and that’s when it becomes clear that Sky – the short, pretty one – is in charge. When they meet Brandon – the tall, cross-dressing Glaswegian goth – and he becomes their singer, everything kicks into overdrive.

Gigs, tours, other rock bands, groupies, and enough drugs/booze to fell a herd of rhino. Angry managers! And amid the hectic blur of ecstasy and alcohol is Sky’s dawning realisation that he’s attracted to Brandon, and they begin a sordid affair.

Then things get nasty, and jealousy rears its ugly head.

(Phew! Although knowing me, I’d probably end my cinematic ‘movie trailer’ with a wry quote from one of the other band members, because humour is so necessary when things get this dramatic!)

Thanks for answering!

Author links

Website: www.melanie.tushmore.co.uk

Twitter: @melanietushmore

Direct book link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Crucifox-1-The-Green-Eyed-Monster.aspx

Book title: Crucifox #1: The Green-Eyed Monster

Series: Crucifox

Book blurb

Sky Somers is an ex-traveller; the son of a folk musician and a new age hippy. Sky's form of rebellion is electric guitars, and he wants his own band. His desire is to set the world to rights through music. Brandon Cruikshank is new to London, recently arrived from Glasgow. Charismatic, charming; a natural born performer. Brandon is openly bisexual, with a penchant for dressing in women's clothes. His desire is to be adored.

From the moment Sky meets Brandon, he knows he has to have him. Brandon, in turn, wants Sky. But that's when it becomes clear they both have very different desires in mind. Brandon wants Sky as a lover, yet Sky only wants Brandon as a singer in his band. Misunderstanding set aside—or apparently so—Brandon and Sky become firm friends. To escape equally troubled pasts and families, they change their names. Now, Brandon Fox and Sky St. Clair are ready to take over the world.

As the years roll on, Brandon's desire for Sky still simmers, waiting. Then a chance night sharing a hotel room sparks the desire between them, and this time, Brandon wants it all. Sky has never explored his desires before. Now, the passion and jealousy Brandon has unleashed in him threatens to shake the whole band apart.

Excerpt

The hotel was busy, full of bands, crew, management and groupies. The heaving throng at the bar was too much for me, and I told Brandon I was going upstairs to shower. I hadn't showered from last night, and I really needed one. He said he'd meet me up there after 'pullin' some birds'.

I grabbed his arm before he charged off. “Brandon? Just one.”

“One?”

“Yes.”

“A'right. One bird. See ye up there.” He pressed something into my hand. I knew it was a pill without even looking at it.

“Thanks.”

“Yir welcome. Take my fox, eh?” He thrust his fur at me, sticky with God knows what, and then he grinned and disappeared into the bar. I got in the lift, sharing it with two other guys, themselves probably from a band. I avoided looking at them, hiding the fox behind my back. At my floor, I shuffled from the lift. The doors pinged closed, and I was alone. Luckily, the hallway was empty, though I could definitely hear noises and various thumps and bumps throughout the floor as parties started up.

Great. No sleep tonight, then.

I pulled the key from my pocket and entered the room. The beds had been turned down, but otherwise it was in the same state we'd left it in. Near my bed was relatively tidy. On the other side, Brandon had spread his stuff everywhere. The contents of his suitcases spilled open with clothes, boots, toiletries, make-up. I didn't see why he had to make such a damn mess all the time.

The windows were open, and the smell of sex from last night had long faded. The only smells here now were Brandon's peppery aftershave, his Aqua Net hairspray, and sweat. Lots of it. I lifted my arm and sniffed. The sweat was probably me. I tossed his fox into an open suitcase and looked down at the pill in my hand. Should I take a whole pill? Brandon had more on him, surely.

Fishing out a bottle of water, I swallowed the pill whole before I could think about it too much. Then I stripped off my stale, sweaty clothes, wiped away my eyeliner, and jumped in the shower.

Back in the room, I pulled on my cleanest pair of black jeans, wrapped the towel around my head, and flicked through TV channels. I wanted to find a show that had covered the festival, but was out of luck. Maybe there'd be one tomorrow, after the final day. I tuned into a music show, mostly to drown out the party sounds through the thin walls of the hotel. My hair had dried. I wasn't sure how many minutes I'd been waiting.

On average, I knew it didn't take Brandon long to pull. It never took him this long. Had he taken his pill and forgotten what he was doing? What if he left me up here alone? What would I do with myself? All I felt was paranoia and a strange itchy feeling on my skin. I panicked over what to do, and then, finally, there was a knock at the door.

“That better be you, Brandon,” I said, my teeth grinding. I wasn't cold; my jaw was clenching on its own. I opened the door to Brandon, who clutched a wet bag to his bare chest. He grinned at me, and then edged into the room. I looked out in the hall but there was no one else there. “Where's the girl?” I asked, shutting the door.

“Never mind that for now.” He scurried to the bathroom. “I've got something better!”

“Better?” I followed him to the bathroom. He dumped the wet bag in the sink. “What is it?”

“Ice!”

“Ice?”

“Aye. Find some glasses.”

I looked around the room. There was one glass, and one clean coffee cup. They would have to do. I brought them into the bathroom. “You know, my gran used to tell me off for eating ice.”  “Oh, aye? Well, you'll love this more.” Brandon took the cups from my hands, filling them with ice.

“Did you bring a—”

“Drink?” He pulled a pair of miniatures from his jeans pocket.

“Yeah. What is it?”

“Amaretto. Tastes like Christmas in a glass.”

“I hate Christmas. Anyway, it's July.”

“Early Christmas.” He chuckled, pouring amaretto over cracking ice.

“Brandon, have you taken a pill?”

“Aye.”

“A whole one?”

“Yes.”

“Is your jaw clenching, too?”

“Aye, it happens. Come an' drink this.” He flitted away to his bed, and I followed him. We sat together. He handed me the glass, while he had the china cup. “Cheers,” he said, holding the cup by its handle. I laughed in response. “What?” he asked.

“Nothing. Why'd you choose amaretto?”

His brown eyes blinked at me, all pupil. “Um... I don't know. Shall I get another one?”

“No, no.” I sipped from the glass. The liquor tasted sweet, tingling my tongue. “What's the big deal about ice?”

“Ah.” He fished one out of his cup. “Remember the mints?”

“Oh, hell yeah.”

He popped an ice cube in his mouth. I watched him suck on it, his eyes going wide as the breath rushed in and out of his nose. “It's good,” he lisped out, like he had a gob stopper in his mouth. I gazed into my glass. The ice cubes were pretty small. The cold burnt my fingers. I quickly stuck it in my mouth, sucking the amaretto drops from my thumb.

The ice sat on my tongue, its cold spreading through my mouth, tingling, igniting my taste buds. It was so cold. It felt like my brain was freezing up. I sucked in a breath, fancying it turned to crystal in my lungs. This felt incredible. A shiver ran over my body and I gasped, looking down at my chest. My nipples were getting hard.

No way.

“That's—that's insane.”

“Mm.” Brandon smiled knowingly. “Have another.”

We sucked ice cubes together, breathing heavily through the rush. The TV chattered away in the background, and the amaretto was almost gone. I had two cubes left, and they were partly melted.

“Try it on your skin.” Brandon held ice in his fingers. He reached out and trailed it down my arm. My skin rippled to goose-flesh, the hairs standing on end. I could feel the cold down to the very tips of my toes. That tight, itchy sensation was back, making me feel too big for my skin and very, very horny. My dick throbbed for attention.

Brandon trailed the ice up my arm, over my neck. A shudder ran over me and I swatted his hand away. The ice clattered against the wall.

“Brandon, why don't you get the girl, now? I need to get off.”

He stared back at me, a smile curving his lips, still faintly lined in red. “We don't need a girl.”

“Then how—”

“I'd rather do you.”

© Melanie Tushmore

NEXT WEEK!
Melanie Tushmore hosts Z. Allora Allora!

Plus the #bandslash tour ends with a fab GIVEAWAY from Z. Allora, Melanie Tushmore, BL Morticia, and SJ Frost!

Check out the #bandslash blog tour dates here: http://cocktalesandhotsauce.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/bandslash-blog-tour-dates-for.html