HIGH HOPE
Mason Hill
It’s been a long time coming, but these young Scots are ready to rock and conquer.
MICHAEL BRUCE/PRESS
There aren’t many kids who can say they’ve shared a stage with a guitar legend. James Bird can, having performed live with Zakk Wylde when he was just ten years old. These days he plays with his own band, Mason Hill – Scotland’s rising stars of contemporary, muscular hard rock – but the experience has stayed with him.
“I had long hair and a leather waistcoat, and I was obsessed with Zakk Wylde,” the guitarist laughs. “His tour manager saw me playing at a musical event in Birmingham, and invited me to go meet him. I was watching from side-stage, somebody pushed me on, and Zakk handed me a guitar. It was amazing. I’m glad there’s video footage, because it’s hard to properly remember!”