Author Archives: writewyattuk

About writewyattuk

A freelance writer and family man being swept along on a wave of advanced technology, but somehow clinging on to reality. It's only a matter of time ... A highly-motivated scribbler with a background in journalism, business and life itself. Away from the features, interviews and reviews you see here, I tackle novels, short stories, copywriting, ghost-writing, plus TV, radio and film scripts for adults and children. I'm also available for assignments and write/research for magazines, newspapers, press releases and webpages on a vast range of subjects. You can also follow me on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/writewyattuk/ and on Twitter via @writewyattuk. Legally speaking, all content of this blog (unless otherwise stated) is the intellectual property of Malcolm Wyatt and may only be reproduced with permission.

Back with a Special Beat Service – the Dave Wakeling interview

Posted on April 20, 2018

It gets a tad confusing with a few of the bands doing the rounds again all these years on, not least when original members have gone their separate ways, starting their own versions of the same group. Take The Beat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged 2 Tone, California, Dave Wakeling, Fine Young Cannibals, General Public, Here We Go Love, I Just Can't Stop It, John Peel, Mick Jones, OTT, Ranking Roger, Roddy Radiation, Saxa, Special Beat Service, Stand Down Margaret, The Beat Birmingham, The English Beat, The Selecter, The Specials, The Undertones, Tiswas | Leave a comment

Return to Deeply Vale – in conversation with festival pioneer Chris Hewitt

Posted on April 12, 2018

Forty years ago, an estimated 20,000 punters congregated in the North West of England for the third of the legendary if somewhat quirky Deeply Vale free festivals, just two years after 300 attended the first. Those looking on and duly … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Deeply Vale, Freddie Mercury, Glastonbury Festival, Gong, Graham Massey, Here and Now, Heywood, Ian Dury, John Peel, Morrissey, Nik Turner, Pink Floyd, Rochdale, Steve Hillage, The Fall, The Ruts | Leave a comment

Refit, Revise, Reprise by Damian O’Neill and the Monotones – a writewyattuk appreciation

Posted on April 6, 2018

The term ‘reluctant frontman’ seems to neatly describe unassuming Undertones guitar hero and songwriter Damian O’Neill. Whatever bands he’s featured with over the years – not least fellow notables That Petrol Emotion and The Everlasting Yeah – he’s always been … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Andy Ramsey, Brendan Kelly, Damian O'Neill, It's Gonna Happen, John O'Neill, Kev Hopper, Pledge Music, Press Play Studios, Rare, Refit Revise Reprise, Sean O'Hagan, That Petrol Emotion, The Everlasting Yeah, The Love Parade, The Undertones, The Wesleys, Val Doonican | 2 Comments

Studying the big Interrobang‽ theory – in conversation with Dunstan Bruce

Posted on March 30, 2018

By the time I picked up the phone to reach Dunstan Bruce, I’d given the eponymous LP by his new band Interrobang‽ nigh on three listens, and was loving it. In the words of the mighty Stump – somewhat channeling … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Alice Nutter, Billingham, Boff Whalley, Brighton, Chumbawamba, Daisy Asquith, Danbert Nobacon, Dunstan Bruce, Interrobang, Lancaster, Leeds, Mark Chadwick, Sham 69, The Levellers, Tubthumping | Leave a comment

Symptomatic for the People – researching The Common Cold with Ajay Saggar

Posted on March 22, 2018

While his working hours are spent at renowned Amsterdam concert venue The Paradiso, producer, sound engineer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ajay Saggar remains proud of his Lancashire past, 30-plus years after his introduction to the North West indie scene while promoting … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Action Records, Ajay Saggar, Amsterdam, Cornershop, Dandelion Adventure, Deutsche Ashram, Jean-Jacques Burnel, John Peel, King Champion Sounds, Lancaster, Marcus Parnell, Mark E Smith, Preston, The Clash, The Common Cold, The Continental, The Fall, The Stranglers | Leave a comment

Continuing Songs of The South – in conversation with Gaz Birtles

Posted on March 15, 2018

When founder member Dave Hemingway and long-serving keyboard player Damon Butcher called time late last year on live involvement with The South – the band that rose from the ashes of The Beautiful South – discussions followed about what to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Alison Wheeler, Andy Mackay, Crazyhead, Damon Butcher, Dave Hemingway, David Rotheray, Fun Boy Three, Gaz Birtles, Laurel Aitken, Leicester, Paul Heaton, Roxy Music, Su Robinson, The Beautiful South, The Housemartins, The South, The Specials, The Swinging Laurels | Leave a comment

Suggs – What a King Cnut, Preston Charter Theatre (Nights at the Theatre, pt.2)

Posted on March 9, 2018

Fast forward four nights and I’m closer to home at the Charter Theatre (‘We were so close it was scary, we were that close I couldn’t tell you’). Regarding the venue, in this case we’re barely talking a 45-year history, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Football, Music | Tagged Brian May, Camden, Chelsea, David Baddiel, London, Madness, Preston, Preston Charter Theatre, Soho, Suggs, Suggs and the City, That Close, What a King Cnut | Leave a comment