It has been responsible for some of the wildest nights in Huddersfield.

And now the modestly-sized Parish is celebrating its 10th year in action – and status as the most no-holds-barred, rock out venue in town.

The pub site has undergone massive changes since it first opened its doors in 2006, which most notably included the renovation of a disused function building into its now world-renowned and Pure Rawk award-winning gig space.

Its events manager, Mikey Baird, has announced 10 concerts with some of the region’s and nation’s cult bands.

“It all started when the current owner, Thomas Simpson, bought it,” said Mikey.

Read more:

Read more:

“I joined in 2007 to book bands and work behind the bar, when the gig venue was still a function room. There was no real stage and it was very basic.

“I found it nerve wracking at first but it soon took on a life of its own.

“We never thought it would get to where it is today.

“We put in a stage, lights, a bar and soundsystem.

“I wanted us to get on the UK circuit and gave myself a year to do it but we did it quicker in six months. That was when bands and agents started to contact us.

“Now there are bands all over the world who message us to ask if they can play here after hearing about it from other musicians.”

Read more:

Read more:

Mikey described the rise of the venue.

“In the first year we probably had about five to six gigs a month.

“But now we have an average of 20 gigs, with 80 bands.

“The first few bands we put on were local and they still remain our bread and butter now. It’s important to have a space where musicians can learn their craft and get exposure.

“Our first big booking was Voodoo Glow Skulls in summer 2008 and my first sell out was While She Sleeps.

“We had lots of amazing musicians play here in the first couple of years, including Sonic Boom Six, Blaise Bailey from Iron Maiden and Random Hand.

“Now we get people like the Bronx, Evergreen, Lower than Atlantis, Wheatus, OPM, Cancer Bats and Wednesday 13.

“I know we’re a small venue but I don’t think that should make it so bands can’t say yes to us.

“I ask the bigger bands to come and play here when I know they’re touring and have got a night off.

“Being cheeky has always worked for me.”

Bands are looked after with a welcome buffet, evening meal, a place to stay over, which includes an arcade game room.

The venue, has withstood the test of even the most raucous bands.

“We’ve had gigs where people were hanging off the beams.

“The members of Heck were hanging upside down off them, took their whole kit off stage into the crowd and then moved outside to the beer garden and then one of them went behind the bar and started downing shots.

“Last year Mac Sabbath (a comedy Black Sabbath tribute band featuring warped McDonalds’ characters) played and on stage they had a fake bbq and two Ronald McDonalds skulls for faces and lasers coming out of their eyes.

“But we don’t just put on rock, we put on all sorts like indie, reggae and more because we want to be open to all original music.”

Read more:

Read more:

Mikey mused over the more unusual bands who’ve passed through the Parish doors.

“We had a black metal band who were very satanic.

“They were very serious and they put their band room all in darkness apart from a few candles and they sat cross legged on the floor.

“Then they went on stage and started drinking out of a goblet, which the crowd later found out contained pigs’ blood.

“Some bands put in jokey requests but we like to go all out and fulfil them – I wrote a letter from the dad’s of one band saying how proud they all were of their son’s life choices because they requested it.

“Some have given us riders which end up costing as much as the cost to book them, but you’ve got to do it because it shows that we’re serious.

“Luckily we make money off the bar.”

The 10th anniversary shows will kick off on May 6 with ska group The Skints, after the venue undergoes renovation.

“We’re getting a new PA system and a full bar.

“We’ve been waiting for a time to do this.

“Evile will be playing here for the first time, we’ve got InMe, Snuff, The Wave Pictures and loads more.

“But we’re also going to do four charity shows for Syrian refugees and for Kirkwood Hospice because the community is what we’re about at heart.

“Local bands will play at each – there’s a lot of talent in this town.”

Mikey’s hopes for the next decade are simple.

“I want it to become the best venue of its kind in the UK,” he said.

The Parish will soon launch a competition on its Facebook page, with tickets to all 10 shows for 10 winners.