Preview - Stevestock - Friday 13th November - Brickmakers, Norwich
Words by BeckyKat Kaptures, Matt, Kaine, Vast Slug and Gent.
Here's a preview for a very special upcoming event on my favourite kinda Friday, Friday 13th. This has been bought together by a wonderful group of musicians in memory of a very talented and loved local musician, promoter and friend, Steve McDonald.
Performing for this incredible night are Kaine, Vast, Gent and Azure Sky. And the night is raising funds for Norwich & District Diabetes Youth Group (link to donate here - Norwich & District Diabetes Youth Group Fundraising | Easyfundraising).
For this special show I have reached out to Steve's friends and fellow performers to find out who he was, and I really wish I'd known him.
Matt (friend, band mate and who has helped make this night possible):
For as long as I knew Steve, two things always stood out to me: His love of music, and his hard work ethic. One time we were playing a gig with the second band we'd been in together (I was on guitar and vocals, Steve played bass and backing vocals). As we were on stage, setting up our instruments and about to play, Steve started gently hitting my guitar with the headstock of his bass. At first I thought he was attempting to play my guitar using his bass as a pick, the kind of dumb joke we'd make during rehearsals, but since this was a gig and we had to play I reached over to tell him to stop. As I did, Steve dropped to the floor. He was epileptic, and was having a seizure, something I'd seen before. Fortunately there was a nurse in the audience who came onto the stage and saw to Steve while I phoned his mum (I specifically had her number incase this happened).
After a minute or so Steve came around, we took him outside to get him some air and a drink of water, and let him get himself settled. Of course the first thing Steve said once he was able to talk was asking if we still had time to play our set. I told him we didn't need to and I'd rather make sure he was okay, but he was absolutely insistent that we were supposed to be putting on a show, and no matter what he was going to make sure we did. We spoke to the sound guy who said we had enough time for a 20 minute set instead of the longer one we had planned, and I told Steve we'd do it but I'd pull the plug at the first sign of him looking unwell. We played and he put on a show as well as he ever did. If Steve wanted to do something he was going to do it, medical emergencies be damned, especially when it came to music.
Such an epic work ethic, sounds like a great friend, who would always be in your corner.
Rage of Kaine:
While Steve played in the Dead Celebrities and promoted his own shows, he was, at a time, almost at every local Metal and Rock show in Norwich, it seemed. Not only was he a regular attendee, supporting those shows, but he would always buy a truckload of merchandise from the bands visiting Norwich. He was a true supporter of the scene, on top of being a decent bloke. He will be greatly missed by everyone who has played Norwich over the years.
Such a wonderful guy, a pillar of the music scene.
Phil of Vast Slug:
Steve was a fan of my old band 'As Cowards Wake' and would put on good shows for us. Always gave people a chance and worked hard to maintain the scene and make shows happen. Never any drama, he was honest, did things proper, I do feel he gave me the early stage experience to be able to do what I do now.
An incredible person, seeing the talent in others, being nurturing and supporting.
Gent:
So the story about Steve. Demonstrates the sort of guy he was.
Matt (who's putting on the gig) was in the Brickmakers at a gig, drinking from his favoured drinking horn. Matt had become rather inebriated at the end of the night and I asked him where he intended to sleep. Matt said that he planned to go and sleep in the woods somewhere. I thought this sounded less than ideal, but I didn't have a situation where I could offer him a place to stay. It was about midnight. And I cant even remember if Steve had been out that night. I thought I'd try to ring Steve up and ask if Matt could stay with him. I wasn't looking forward to the phone call as I thought Steve (quite naturally) wouldn't be too impressed with the late phone call asking him to give his friend a place to stay. Steve not only answered the call but agreed to having Matt stay for his safety straight away. There was no hesitation, no hint of any frustration at being called so late at night,
Just an instant 'my friend needs me, he's staying'.
Who knows if any mishaps may have befallen Matt on that night. But thanks to Steve's kindness, Matt is still here, not only to tell the tale, but to pay tribute to his friend on the night we will have to remember Steve and thank him for everything he did selflessly to help many, many bands have an opportunity to have a stage to perform on, and for the good hearted person that he was.
And we are all so grateful for Steve, though I didn't know him personally I can see all the amazing work he did for the Norwich music scene, and the incredible friend he was. As shown here he is greatly missed by many.
This night is a fitting tribute to a legend who truly has left an unforgettable mark on Norwich and beyond.
Get your tickets here - STEVESTOCK Tickets | Friday 13 November 2026 at 19:30
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