Back in the ‘80s, Scottish rock ‘n’ roll warriors Heavy Pettin strode stages worldwide whilst their debut album, 1983’s Lettin Loose, threatened to break the rock world apart. They were seen as the natural ascendants to rock’s highest echelons, touring internationally alongside the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crüe as wild Glaswegian whippersnappers. Then life happened, and Heavy Pettin went on a triple-decade hiatus.
Listening to Heavy Pettin’s first new studio album since 1989 – Rock Generation – feels more like a 30-week hiatus augmented by a supreme confidence. Led by founding frontman Stephen “Hamie” Hayman, featuring Dave “Davo” Aitken and Richie “St. James” Dews on guitars and backing vocals, plus David “Boycee” Boyce on bass and Mick “The Wizard” Ivory on drums, Rock Generation is a sonically-superb, classic song-strong rock ‘n’ roll return to that glorious slipstream between Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy. The ten cuts bristle with full-frontal attitude and powerful melodies. Take the title track, with its hip swinging anthemic swagger, there’s “Oblivion” with guest vocals from Roni Lee, which carries a true Celtic swing in its groove, plus an addictive singalong chorus, while “X-Rated” fuses the attitude of Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street with the punch and panache of the Sunset Strip.
Made in Glasgow at Morsecode Studios and produced with a timeless sheen by Ciarán O’Shea, make no mistake, Rock Generation is only interested in bringing you on a thrill-ride through the carefree sweat and leather landscape of cut-loose heavy rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a mission which will demand -and receive- your willing acquiescence.
To mark the release of their brand-new album, Heavy Pettin will embark on a 14-date tour with rock legends Uriah Heep and April Wine, hitting venues in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland—more dates to be announced soon.
- OCT 23 – Metropole, Lausanne (Switzerland)
- OCT 24 – Gasometer, Vienna (Austria)
- OCT 25 – Postof, Linz (Austria)
- OCT 27 – Circus Krone, Munich (Germany)
- OCT 28 – Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt (Germany)
- OCT 29 – Stadthalle, Stuttgart (Germany)
- OCT 30 – Uber Eats Music Hall, Berlin (Germany)
- NOV 1 – Ruhrcongress, Bochum (Germany)
- NOV 2 – Docks, Hamburg (Germany)
- NOV 3 – Capitol, Hannover (Germany)
- NOV 5 – Stadthalle, Furth (Germany)
- NOV 6 – Volkshaus, Zurich (Switzerland)
- NOV 8 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig (Germany)
- NOV 9 – Hala Orion, Wroclaw (Poland)
For tickets and more information, visit: www.heavypettin-official.com
Interview: Stephen “Hamie” Hayman of Heavy Pettin
Musical Legacy, Eurovision Memories & A Triumphant Return
Words: Mark Dean | Antihero Magazine
Few bands embody the untamed spirit of ‘80s melodic rock quite like Heavy Pettin. Bursting out of Glasgow with stadium-sized hooks and an edge that set them apart from the hair-metal crowd, the band’s story is one of fire, fallout, and fierce resilience. After decades away from the studio, Heavy Pettin has returned with a brand-new album that both honors their past and redefines their sound for a new era.
Antihero’s Mark Dean sat down with frontman Stephen “Hamie” Hayman to discuss the band’s evolution, their infamous brush with Eurovision, and how it feels to be back in the spotlight after thirty years.
Musical Legacy & Evolution
“It’s in our DNA. We’ve always been melodic heavy rock, and this new album continues that with great success.”
ANTIHERO: Heavy Pettin’s sound has always danced between melodic rock and metal—how do you personally define the band’s sonic identity today compared to the early days?
Hamie: To me, sonic identity should be a natural extension of the band’s values, identity… ours has always been melodic heavy rock. It’s in our DNA. And this new album, I think we have continued this with great success.
ANTIHERO: Looking back at the 1980s, what do you think set Heavy Pettin apart from other rising UK rock acts, and do you feel that distinction still resonates with fans today?
Hamie: I think our songs set us apart from the others. And being in the right place at the right time didn’t hurt. Our first albums still resonate with fans all over the world.
ANTIHERO: Is there a particular track from your early catalogue that you feel was misunderstood or underappreciated at the time, but has aged beautifully?
Hamie: One of my favorites was always “China Boy,” and it goes down a storm now in our live shows.
ANTIHERO: How has your vocal approach evolved over the decades, and are there techniques or influences you’ve embraced recently that would surprise longtime fans?
Hamie: I think my voice is stronger now than it ever was, and that’s because I do my vocal exercises and look after myself.
ANTIHERO: If you could re-record one classic Heavy Pettin song with today’s lineup and production, which would it be—and why?
Hamie: There’s a few… “China Boy” would be one. It would be awesome to make this huge, bombastic, over-the-top song again.
Eurovision Reflections
ANTIHERO: Your brush with Eurovision in the 1980s was a bold move for a rock band—what do you remember most vividly about that experience?
Hamie: The thing I remember most vividly is that I didn’t want to do it. But it was fun doing the TV shows.
ANTIHERO: Do you think Eurovision helped or hindered the band’s trajectory at the time, especially within the rock and metal community?
Hamie: It destroyed the band in the UK.
ANTIHERO: If Heavy Pettin were invited to perform at Eurovision today, would you accept—and what kind of song would you bring to the stage?
Hamie: We wouldn’t do it. Not interested.
ANTIHERO: How do you view Eurovision’s evolution over the years, and do you think it’s become more open to rock and alternative acts?
Hamie: I think it’s evolved as far as rock bands doing it and not taking the amount of heat that we did.
ANTIHERO: Were there any behind-the-scenes moments during the Eurovision selection process that fans would be shocked to hear about now?
Hamie: There was a whole lot of craziness around that process, especially with us having way too much fun and upsetting people at the BBC.
New Album & Creative Process
“It’s the first new album in 30 years, and it shows we’re back with a bang—relevant, hungry, and ready to hit the stage again.”
ANTIHERO: The new album feels like both a revival and a reinvention—what was the emotional or creative spark that kicked off its writing process?
Hamie: The new album definitely is a revival and reinvention of the band. It’s the first new album in 30-odd years. It started with Dave and myself sitting down and talking about what we wanted the new Heavy Pettin to be and sound like in our songwriting.
ANTIHERO: Did you approach the lyrics on this album differently than in the past—perhaps with more introspection, storytelling, or social commentary?
Hamie: Davo and I both wrote lyrics for the album, and we wanted it to be all of the above, really.
ANTIHERO: How did the chemistry in the studio compare to the band’s earlier recording sessions—was it more collaborative, more experimental?
Hamie: The chemistry in the studio was awesome. We were all happy and excited. Even though Davo and I wrote the songs, it was all very collaborative.
ANTIHERO: Are there any unexpected musical influences or guest collaborators on the new record that fans might not anticipate?
Hamie: Well, we have a song called “Oblivion” on the album, and I have a female singer singing with me. Her name is Ronni Lee, and I think it’s turned out fantastic.
ANTIHERO: If this album marks a new chapter for Heavy Pettin, what do you hope it says about where the band is headed next?
Hamie: It’s definitely a new chapter in the life of the band. I hope it shows the world that we are a band that is back with a bang—relevant and not just living off its legacy and history—and that it’s a band people will still want to come out and see live.
Closing Thoughts
Heavy Pettin’s latest release proves that true rock spirit doesn’t fade—it refines, rebuilds, and roars back louder than ever. With Hamie and the band steering into this new era, their music bridges generations of fans who never stopped believing in the melodic fire that defined them.
Heavy Pettin are:
Stephen “Hamie” Hayman – vocals
Dave “Davo” Aitken – guitars, backing vocals
Richie “St. James” Dews – guitars, backing vocals
David “Boycee” Boyce – bass
Mick “The Wizard” Ivory – drums
Follow Heavy Pettin on:
- www.facebook.com/HeavyPettin2023
- www.instagram.com/heavy_pettin_official
- www.x.com/heavy_pettin
- www.heavypettin-official.com
Rock Generation will be available as a vinyl, CD, and on digital formats. Pre-order here
Track-listing:
- Rock Generation
- Faith Healer (Kill My Demons)
- Brother Sister
- Oblivion
- Mother Earth
- X – Rated
- Bullets and Pills
- Line in the Sand
- Live UR Best Life
- This Life
