Andy Stains


Andy Stains is one of Cold Steel's two guitarists. He's a contrast, a foil and sometimes a friend to Vince Fire. They're unbeatable as a team, but they're also individuals.
Unlike a lot of metal bands, Cold Steel have had no line up changes, so Andy's been with the band since the beginning. His story is the real rags to riches rock star dream. He grew up on a council estate, left school as soon as he could, and playing guitar was his only ambition. He had no breaks, no help, no support, a polar opposite to Vince Fire in many ways,  which probably causes a lot of their animosity. And although they seem to patch up their differences in We Are Cold Steel, how long that will last, who can say.
Andy could be any one of us. He never learned music, at least not sheet music. He's a self taught musician, and the fact that he made it in the world on his own terms, with no help, has made him hostile to most people around him. If he made it, why can't they?
Andy's talent is raw, untamed and visceral, a complete contrast to Vince's polished playing. He usually plays a Fender Stratocatser, and his playing is instinctive, improvised.
His belligerence sometimes spills over and his short temper is legendary, although there are limits. While he's always ready to have a fight, it's only for as long as there are no guns involved, at which point his bluster disappears completely.
His fierce individualism has affected his social skills, and he can be easily led, especially by women. But it's always his music, and the band, which eventually brings him back to reality.
So who could play Andy Stains if my books were ever filmed? I'm thinking Chris Hemsworth. He rocks the long hair look in Thor, and I think he'd manage the punchy and vulnerable side to Andy really well.



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