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News : Heavy Metal Granny in Wagga…

By on March 24, 2009

The Border Mail reports: DARKNESS falls over the room. A hush descends, expectation slowly rising as the band takes to the stage. Within seconds there is a burst of energy as a guttural, primeval sound pours out from the PA system and the pit erupts into a sea of heads thrashing in rhythm to the music.

In the wings a 70-year-old, dressed all in black, watches and listens intently and with pride to the death-metal quintet. The group is Nemesphyxia and the woman, Jan Berryman, is the softly-spoken grandmother of band member Tom Banks.

She’s also arguably the band’s No.1 fan.

“I cry sometimes while I am watching them, it’s just so magical,” the woman dubbed Metal Granny says. “I sit in the lounge and listen to Tom play, hearing what he has just created is just wonderful.”

Tom moved in with his grandmother when he was 14 for personal reasons. Mrs Berryman says she hasn’t missed one of Nemesphyxia’s concerts, and loves to dress the part.

“Too right,” she says. “I dress up all in black, boots and all. The band members are wonderful, they are so respectful. I am 70-years-old, but they treat me like one of their mates and call me Jan like I’m just another teen — it’s very funny. What they do is extremely musical, and the people who play it are musicians. They are so dedicated and are very nerdy, really — it’s all about the music for them.”

Continue reading on the Border Mail website

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