Bristol's Metal Duo Rocks the City with Records and Rockin' Pints

David Savage and John Ashby are two passionate metal music fans who have helped create a special community in Bristol. Both men have long hair and wear black shirts, showing their love for the metal scene. David owns Black City Records, a unique record shop in Bristol that focuses only on metal music. This shop is the only one in Bristol to be nominated for the Love Your High Street Award, which celebrates local businesses. Just down the road is The Gryphon, a heavy metal pub run by John Ashby. Together, these two places form what is now known as the Bristol Metal Quarter, a space where metal fans can gather, make friends, and even start bands. David says that the metal scene is close-knit, with people supporting each other and forming strong friendships.

David’s love for metal music began when he was 14 years old. He remembers buying an Iron Maiden cassette because the cover art caught his eye. At first, he enjoyed the music, but soon he realized that being part of the metal community was even more important to him. He compares the metal scene to a family, where everyone looks out for each other. In 2017, David moved to Bristol and discovered The Gryphon pub, which quickly became one of his favorite places. Before opening his record shop, David worked in finance, but after suffering a heart attack at age 45, he decided to change his life. He used his savings to open Black City Records in April 2021, right after the lockdown ended. The shop was nominated for a major award in August, and David says he is more interested in building a community than making money. He wants people to feel welcome and to make new friends through music.

John Ashby has been running The Gryphon since 2010. He first got into metal music during his university years in Birmingham, and he always dreamed of owning a metal pub. When David opened his record shop nearby, the two quickly became friends and started working together to build the Bristol Metal Quarter. John has noticed that metal music is becoming popular again, thanks in part to TV shows like Stranger Things, which feature bands like Metallica. Sometimes, people come to The Gryphon for a drink and end up discovering a love for metal music. John says, 'We are heavy metal, that's what we do. ' The Bristol Metal Quarter is now a welcoming place for metal fans to meet, share their passion, and enjoy music together.