Tag Archives: Book Club

Daily Thread

Excellent book: ‘Twentieth Century Leatherman’ by Drew D. Kramer

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I just finished a fantastic book by Drew D. Kramer, “Twentieth Century Leatherman: An Argument, A History, A Love Story.”

Drew is a seasoned BDSM veteran who recounts his exploits at several legendary NYC establishments including the Mineshaft. There is some hot bondage, as well as lots of flogging and whipping. The story, lovingly told, takes place over several decades.

A semi-autobiographical novel depicting the life, loves, joys, and heartbreaks of a gay man as he evolves from novice submissive in 1970s New York City to mature leatherman in early 21st-century Palm Springs, California

I was greatly moved by his book, and I hope the author writes another one soon! You can purchase ‘Twentieth Century Leatherman’ on Amazon. Highly recommended!

Daily Thread

‘Confess’ by Metal God Rob Halford

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Rob Halford is the lead singer of Judas Priest. He’s famous for riding a motorcycle on stage for the British heavy metal band’s live shows, and for wearing full leather. In 1998, during an interview on MTV, he came out.

In a cleverly titled autobiography, “Confess,” published in 2020, Mr. Halford tells his life story. It is at times triumphant, other times tragic. He describes growing up in Walsall, England. As a schoolboy he discovered his talent for singing. He eventually joined the band Judas Priest, known by fans as Priest, and he talks about the band’s ups and downs over the decades. He talks about what it was like to record albums and go on tour. All the while, he was living with a secret. More precisely it was something that everyone in his orbit seemed to know but nobody talked about. He says not being open about his sexuality contributed to his feelings of loneliness and isolation and contributed to his own alcohol and drug abuse. He had several male companions over the years, one of whom died by suicide. In 1986 he got sober and has remained so ever since.

Confess Rob Halford book review

This was a wonderful book to read. I was greatly moved and was in tears on several occasions. A number of photographs are included. My two favorites are a 1977 band publicity shot in which the guys are wearing leather jackets and mirrored sunglasses; and a picture from the desert southwest of Mr. Halford with Thomas, the hunky ex-Marine he found happiness with.

Here are a few more notes about Mr. Halford, according to his excellent book:

  • He wrote most of the lyrics for Judas Priest’s songs, many of which became huge hits, songs like “Living After Midnight,” “Breaking the Law,” “Electric Eye” and “Turbo Lover.”
  • The band has recorded more than a dozen albums, some of the more popular of which include “British Steel” and “Screaming for Vengeance.”
  • The movie “This is Spinal Tap” pokes fun at Judas Priest in many ways, including its revolving cast of drummers over the years.
  • He says when he revealed his sexual orientation during the MTV interview, a producer dropped her clipboard.
  • In the early 1990s Mr. Halford left Judas Priest and embarked on a number of solo projects. He has since reunited with the band.
  • He recorded two Christmas albums as solo projects.
  • He’s a fan of Madonna and Lady Gaga and many other pop stars.
  • He once met the Queen of England, who asked him why metal music must be played so loud!

The most surprising thing to me, is that Mr. Halford says that he is more into vanilla sex than BDSM or kink! He explains the leather and chains are the look for the band. If you ask me, he sure looks comfortable in his leather, as evidenced by an interview he did in 1989 for a local television program in Arizona (see the video embedded below). If you ask me, he looks like he wears leather all the time. I think he’s damn sexy.

Whether the “Metal God” is the kind of guy who would read the Metalbond site or not does not matter. This is an excellent book, and I am so glad I took the time to read it.

 

Story

Master Eb’s Spirit

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By ty dehner

ty dehner authorThis is a Metalbond exclusive excerpt from ty dehner’s all new holiday novel, Master Eb’s Spirit. This story is set in our current day leather community, based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. After having spent a portion of Christmas Eve in his local pub, The Regents’ Boot, Master Eb is returning home to spend the remainder of the holiday night alone. Well, at least that is what he had planned…

The Warning

Master Eb exits The Regents’ Boot.

Zipping up his leather jacket, the Master steps into the air that has cooled with the waning night. He pauses as his breath floats before his face before lifting up to the low clouds that cover London town. Putting his gloved hands deep in his jacket pockets, Eb notices a lightness to the surroundings as the snow has covered the cobblestones completely, reflecting the city lights to the low clouds creating a blue glow to the city on this Christmas Eve.

Continue reading Master Eb’s Spirit →

Story

Enter Reality – Part 03

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By ty dehner

Exposed

ty dehner gay bondage storiesThe ride through the metro area was interesting as Chris controlled the conversation. He had questions about my stories which let me know he had spent a great deal of time keeping up with my imagination. I felt safe during the ride, secured in the leather straitjacket and muzzle, and a bit excited with the unknown of all this. As we exited the freeway, I didn’t know where he lived as he didn’t discuss much about himself when we have talked. During the drive when I responded to his questions I mumbled through the gag, my throat getting dry as it had been a while since I had anything to drink, not even water. But I was glad we weren’t sitting in silence this entire time.

Driving down Riverside Drive, the road was on the edge of the Los Angeles River along the edge of the mountains in Griffith Park.

Continue reading Enter Reality – Part 03 →

Story

The Trainer

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By Alex Ironrod

This is a special adaptation of the opening chapters of “The Trainer” by Alex Ironrod for MetalbondNYC,com, posted here by special permission.

PART ONE – BASIC TRAINING

I owe my life to one man. my life – and much more. He saved me. He trained me. He educated me. He loved me and had to let me go. Shit, how much I regret never having told him I loved him – until it was too late.

My name is Dave Coyle. My real life started only a year ago, when I met Mike Harrow. I was a mess. I had been doing drugs, when I could find the money. When we met, I was homeless, living on the streets. One summer morning, I was desperate enough to try to hold up this convenience store. You know the kind. They sell everything from liquor to washing powder. Anyway, I stuck this thick stick under my grubby tee shirt, and picked a quiet mid-morning time, after the breakfast rush.

I was lucky, the place seemed empty. So, I marched up to the counter and growled at the clerk, “OK, this is a stick-up. Hand over your cash right now or I’ll blow you to….”

Continue reading The Trainer →

Daily Thread

‘The Man and the Mask’ by Alex Ironrod

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Alex Ironrod, who has allowed selections of his male BDSM fiction to be shared here on the Metlbond site, has another title available, called “The Man and the Mask” which was previously published as “Stand and Deliver”

Alex Ironrod book

 

This novel is available as a paperback and as an e-book on both Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

About the author

Alex Ironrod grew up in Northern England and attended Oxford University. He has lived in Southern California for many years, enjoying the rich variety of lifestyles. From reviews, speeches and reports to scripts for film, theatre and television documentaries, Alex has been writing all his life. After retiring from his professional career, he finally started writing fiction and developed a particular interest in Gay BDSM relationships.

Alex Ironrod’s first novels, the successful trilogy SUBMISSION, DOMINATION & OBSESSION were finalists for the International Leather Coalition’s 2010 prize for fiction.

His current series has led two young LAPD homicide detectives through the worlds of murder, fast cars, kinky lawyers and unusual businessmen. Starting with LEATHER NIGHTS and LEATHER DAYS, the detectives find a common interest in leather and form a leather relationship.  Danger and challenges lead them to leave the department and become private investigators.  DECEPTION-PALM SPRINGS and CAGES-CATHEDRAL CITY bring the two out to the desert resort area, where they find intriguing new problems and interesting new clients.

Alex likes to vary his genres.  He has written two historical novels. RED KNIGHT RISING is the product of his interest in life during the Middle Ages. The story follows the challenges that face two young gay men, as knights under King Richard the Lionheart, when they follow him across Europe and into battle during the Third Crusade.  Ironrod’s novel, THE HIGHWAYMEN, takes readers into the bawdy and dangerous world of London during the mid-Eighteenth Century.  Two very different men meet under surprising circumstances in the book. They bond together, but are forced to flee to the American colonies, when one is sentenced to death.  Additionally, Ironrod has two volumes of short stories set in different countries and centuries – THE IRONROD CHRONICLES, Part I & Part II.

Details of all his books can be found on at www.alex-ironrod.com.

In addition to giving readings of his novels at bookstores in the Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Palm Springs desert resort area, Ironrod has taught workshops and classes on various aspects of the leather lifestyle and appeared on panels related to gay and erotic fiction. Ironrod is often visible at such events as International Mr. Leather (IML-Chicago), Mid Atlantic Leather (MAL-Washington DC), Kinky College (Chicago), CLAW (Cleveland), International Leather/boy (San Francisco) and Desert Fetish Authority (Palm Springs).

Now semi-retired, the author relishes other activities, including acting and directing in theatre (Three Desert Theatre League Awards), researching projects, participating as a charity board member and mentoring aspiring young actors. He has a passion for western style horseback riding. Most important are the relationships in his life, particularly with his new partner Michael and butch, as well as enjoying the camaraderie and support of friends across the world.

www.alex-ironrod.com

alexironrod@aol.com

ALEX’S BOOKS IN PRINT

DECEPTION – PALM SPRINGS

CAGES – CATHEDRAL CITY

LEATHER NIGHTS

LEATHER DAYS

RED KNIGHT RISING

THE HIGHWAYMEN

OBSESSION*

SUBMISSION*

OBSESSION*

[* A trilogy subtitled LEATHER MASTERS and slaves]

THE IRONROD  CHRONICLES – PARTS I and II