Author Archives: writewyattuk

About writewyattuk

This is the online home of author, writer and editor Malcolm Wyatt, who has books on The Jam, Slade and The Clash under his belt and many more writing projects on the go, as well as regularly uploading feature-interviews and reviews right here. These days he's living his best life with his better half in West Cornwall after their three decades together in Lancashire, this Surrey born and bred scribe initially heading north after five years of 500-mile round-trips on the back of a Turkish holiday romance in 1989. Extremely proud of his two grown-up daughters, he's also a foster carer and a dog lover, spending any spare time outside all that catching up with other family and friends, supporting Woking FC, planning adventures and travels, further discovering his adopted county, and seeing as much of this big old world as time allows. He can be contacted at thedayiwasthere@gmail.com and various social media online portals, mostly involving that @writewyattuk handle.

Outside status, inside track – celebrating the continuing rise of Stone Foundation, with Neil Sheasby

Posted on April 8, 2022 by writewyattuk

For a fourth straight album release, Stone Foundation managed to score a top-40 hit last weekend, despite no major label backing, this eight-piece Midlands-based soul band entering the UK charts at No.27 with Outside Looking In, following similar success for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Laville, Melba Moore, Neil Jones, Neil Sheasby, paul weller, Stone Foundation, Sulene Fleming | Leave a comment

Following The Country Line – from The Farmer’s Boys to The McGuilty Brothers with Mark Kingston

Posted on April 3, 2022 by writewyattuk

Whatever happened to The Farmer’s Boys? Those early ‘80s, Norwich-based, unlikely pop stars who found affinity with influential broadcaster John Peel, scoring three indie hits before signing for EMI Records and having a somewhat unexpected crack at the big time. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Americana, Andy Hackett, Aztec Cameras, backs Records, BazFrogMarkStan, Charlie Higson, Cherry Red, Country, East Anglia, Flying Burrito Brothersd, John Peel, Mark Kingston, Norwich, Redemption & Rust, Serious Drinking, Terry Edwards, The Avons, The Byrds, The Daintees, The Fall, The Farmer's Boys, The Great Outdoors, The Higsons, The McGuilty Brothers | 7 Comments

The Undertones / Hugh Cornwell – Manchester Academy 2

Posted on April 3, 2022 by writewyattuk

How I’ve missed this. My 13th live outing since last July’s return following the pandemic shutdown, and the biggest venue faced so far. And while until now I’ve stuck to smaller, trusted venues, this was a blast from beginning to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Billy Doherty, Damian O'Neill, Dig What you Need, Hugh Cornwell, John O'Neill, Kevin Sharkey, Manchester, Manchester Academy, Mickey Bradley, Pat Hughes, Paul McLoone, The Stranglers, The Undertones, Windsor McGilvray | Leave a comment

Return of The It Girl: talking Sleeper & more with Louise Wener – yesterday, today and This Time Tomorrow

Posted on March 27, 2022 by writewyattuk

It seems rather apt that a future Britpop star was born on the day of England’s sole World Cup Final triumph in the Summer of ’66. And yet, it’s fair to say Louise Wener was always about far more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Andy Maclure, Brighton, BritPop, Clare Grogan, David Gedge, Different for Girls, Diid osman, Gants Hill, Geoff wener, George Michael, Inbetweener, Jon Stewart, Kieron pepper, Louise Wener, Mickey Bradley, Roy Boulter, Sleeper, Smart, Stephen Street, Sue Margolis, Surrender Dorothy, The it girl, The Modern Age, The Wedding Present, This Time Tomorrow, Trainspotting, we should Be Together | Leave a comment

The Woodentops /Uhr/ The Amber List – Preston, The Ferret

Posted on March 26, 2022 by writewyattuk

I can’t quite believe this was my first Woodentops sighting in 35 years. Last time was at 1987’s Glastonbury Festival, me a mere 19-year-old (still am in some respects, I know). Truth be told, I’d seen far too many bands … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Frank de Freitas, Live Hynobeat Live, Preston, Rolo McGinty, Simon Mawby, The Amber List, The Ferret, The Woodentops, uhr, Vesa Haapanen, Wayne Urquhart, Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway | Leave a comment

Killing Joke: Beyond the Chaos – the Jaz Coleman interview

Posted on March 19, 2022 by writewyattuk

Uncompromising post-punk legends Killing Joke are on the cusp of releasing their first new material in seven years and embarking on a series of Spring tour dates, their first UK run in more than three years. The ‘Lord of Chaos’ EP, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A Prophecy Fulfilled, Big Paul, Cheltenham, David Lange, Geordie Walker, Honour the Fire, Jaz Coleman, K÷, Killing Joke, London, Lord of Chaos, New Zealand, Notting Hill, Pylon, Ukraine, Youth | Leave a comment

Taking more Hits to the Head with Franz Ferdinand – the Bob Hardy interview

Posted on March 11, 2022 by writewyattuk

With more than 10 million albums sold, 1.2 billion streams, 14 platinum albums, Brit, Ivor Novello and Mercury Prize award wins, Grammy nominations and six million tickets sold for live shows worldwide, it’s fair to say it’s been a busy … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alex Kapranos, Belle and Sebastian, Bob Hardy, Bradford, Chemikal Underground, Domino, Franz Ferdinand, glasgow, Groucho Saint Judes, Hits to the Head, Laurence Bell, Sparks | Leave a comment

Dig your way back out with The Undertones – in conversation with Mickey Bradley

Posted on March 5, 2022 by writewyattuk

As The Undertones gear up for a run of rescheduled UK live dates this month and next, 46 years after their first shows and 22 years after reconvening with a new singer, I felt it was high time I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged BBC Radio Foyle, BBC Radio Ulster, Damian O'Neill, Derry, Dig What you Need, Dig Yourself Deep, Dimple Discs, Feargal Sharkey, Get What You Need, Hugh Cornwell, Hypnotised, JJ Burnel, John O'Neill, John Peel, Northern Ireland, Paul Tipler, Positive Touch, Roger Bechirian, Teenage Kicks, Terri Hooley, The Stranglers, The Undertones | 2 Comments

Altered Images / Scarlet – Manchester Academy 3

Posted on March 4, 2022 by writewyattuk

Four decades after Clare Grogan first came into my life, marking my 14th birthday with a personal greeting from north of the border (that week the first of the four their biggest hit spent in the UK top 10, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alan longdon, Altered Images, Bernard Butler, Bite, Clare Grogan, Happy Birthday, Manchester, Martin Johnston, Mascara Streakz, Pinky Blue, Rosie McClune, Stefanie Black, The Ting Tings | 1 Comment

Altered Images: songs sung blue, pink and with added Mascara Streakz – the Clare Grogan feature/interview

Posted on February 25, 2022 by writewyattuk

Early ‘80s new wave pioneers Altered Images are back, a number of headline shows about to commence, with a new album, Mascara Streakz, landing this summer. Formed in 1979 as teenagers inspired by the punk scene, this Glaswegian outfit – … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Altered Images, Bernard Butler, Bill Forsyth, Bill Paterson, Bite, Buzzcocks, Clare Grogan, Comfort and Joy, Cooking Vinyl, Gregory's Girl, Happy Birthday, John Gordon Sinclair, John Peel, Johnny McElhone, Martin Rushent, Mascara Streakz, Pinky Blue, Red Dwarf, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Stephen Lironi, Texas, The Bluebells, The Cure, The Human League, tony McDaid | 1 Comment