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.

Making a vinyl connection with the Bunnyman – back in touch with Will Sergeant

Posted on October 22, 2021 by writewyattuk

Last time I saw Will Sergeant, I was barely two feet away from him on a Sunday night in the snug bar of The Continental, Preston, Lancashire, thrilling to the garage/surf punk spectacle and hearing sensation that is Michael & … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged A Certain Ratio, Adam Peters, Andy Warhol, Bob Parker, Brian Griffin, Bunnyman, Carnglaze Caverns, Crocodiles, Dave Haslam, Echo and the Bunnymen, Glide, Heaven Up Here, Ian Broudie, Inhaler, Kool Aiders, Les Pattinson, Liverpool, Louder than Words, Matt Groening, Mel-o-tones, Melling, Michael & the Angelos, Ocean Rain, Pee-wee Herman, Pete de Freitas, Porcupine, Preston, Preston Pop Fest, Rob Dickens, Steve Hanley, The Continental, The Fall, The Teardrop Excplodes, U2, Will Sergeant | 1 Comment

Celebrating BOB’s Berlin Independence Days 21/10/91

Posted on October 21, 2021 by writewyattuk

“Sink back into time, I’ve been hypnotised; and meanwhile my time’s not my own.” Thirty years ago today, one of the bands that provided a key component of the soundtrack of my 20s stepped on stage at Berlin’s Quartier Latin … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Berlin, BOB, Dean Leggett, Independence Days 1991, Leave the Straight Life Behind, London, Optic Nerve, Queen of Sheba, reading, Richard Blackborow, Simon Armstrong, Wharf Chambers, You Can Stop That For a Start | Leave a comment

The Vapors / Chris Pope & Mic Stoner – Boileroom, Guildford

Posted on October 19, 2021 by writewyattuk

I waited a long time for this. How long? Take your pick – 54 years since my arrival, give or take a fortnight; 41 years since New Clear Days; 39 years since the original split; three years since my last … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Boileroom, Chris pope, Dan Fenton, Dave Fenton, guildford, Magnets, Mic Stoner, Michael Bowes, New Clear Days, One of my Dreams, Steve Smith, The 79'ers, The Chords, The Vapors, Together | 1 Comment

Liam Ó Maonlaí, Jacquelyn Hynes and Clive Mellor / Hungry Bentley – Penwortham, The Venue

Posted on October 16, 2021 by writewyattuk

A night out with Liam Ó Maonlaí is a spiritual affair, and the intimate surroundings of this Lancashire arts centre proved perfect for our Dublin visitor, a sell-out crowd clearly there for a full-on music experience rather than casual chats … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged alman Brothers, Bacharach and David, Badly Drawn Boy, Bob Dylan, Clive Mellor, Don't Go, Dublin, Hothouse Flowers, Hungry Bentley, I Can See Clearly Now, Ian Broudie, Ian Dury, Jacquelyn Hynes, Liam O'Maonlai, Paddy Maloney, Penwortham, Songs from the Rain, The Chieftains, The Venue | Leave a comment

Beyond the lockdowns, Normal service resumes – in conversation with Henry Normal

Posted on October 7, 2021 by writewyattuk

It’s fair to say Henry Normal kept himself busy over the 18 months when the world seemed to stand still, a spell that for this Nottingham-born BAFTA award-winner included publication of two new poetry collections. After more than 30 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alan Bennett, Angela Pell, Baby Cow Productions, BBC Radio 4, Bilko, Blancmange, Brian Patten, Caroline aherne, Chesterfield, Craig Cash, Dig Vis Drill, Gavin and Stacey, Henry Normal, Hovis Presley, Jack Benny, John Bramwell, Julia Davis, Lemn Sissay, Mrs Merton, Nick Cave, Nottingham, Phil Silvers, Philomena, poetry, Pulp, Roger McGough, Serious Drinking, Sheffield, Spike Milligan, Steve Coogan, The Escape Plan, the Mighty Boosh, The Royle Family | Leave a comment

Coming to an understanding of myself – the Liam Ó Maonlaí interview

Posted on October 5, 2021 by writewyattuk

It’s not often that world-renowned singer-songwriters – not least those from Dublin – end solo tours on the outskirts of Preston, Lancashire. But Liam Ó Maonlaí’s rarely one to take a conventional route.Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam’s Routes Music-promoted 11-date tour … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ALT, Andy White, big Love, Bono, Dublin, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Glastonbury Festival, Hothouse Flowers, Hungry Bentley, Inhaler, Jacquelyn Hynes, Kevin Shields, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Martin Stephenson, My Bloody Valentine, Penwortham, The Complex, The Waterboys, Tim Finn, Transatlantic Sessions, U2, White Sail | Leave a comment

Juggling life’s priorities, comedy style – the Steve Royle interview

Posted on October 1, 2021 by writewyattuk

It’s been quite a year for Steve Royle, appearances on prime-time ITV show Britain’s Got Talent attracting a whole new audience, his entertaining performances wowing celebrity judges and TV audiences alike, ensuring a top-three finish after a public vote. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Britain's Got Talent, Camelot Theme Park, chorley, Chorley Theatre, Dan Leno, Dave Spikey, Johnny Vegas, Lytham Hall, Martin Pemberton, Peter Kay, Phoenix Nights, Radio Lancashire, Rochdale, Sean Lock, Slaughterhouse Live, steve royle | Leave a comment

Lighting the Bright Magic lantern – back in touch with Public Service Broadcasting’s J.Willgoose, Esq.

Posted on September 23, 2021 by writewyattuk

On the eve of the release of the fourth Public Service Broadcasting studio album, a celebration of the cultural and political metropolis that is Berlin, and with the London-based outfit set to return to live action, it was time to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Achtung Baby, Andreya Casablanca, Beatles, Berlin, Blixa Bargeld, Brian Eno, Bright Magic, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, EERA, Einstürzende Neubauten, Every Valley, Germany, Gurr, Hansa Tonstudio, Harmonia, Heroes, Inform Educate Entertain, J Willgoose Esq, JF Abraham, Kluster, Kraftwerk, krautrock, Low, Mr B, Neu!, Nina Hoss, Public Service Broadcasting, Statin to Station, The Race for Space, U2, Ultravox, Walter Ruttmann, Wrigglesworth | 2 Comments

The telling adventures of Saint Etienne – the Sarah Cracknell interview

Posted on September 16, 2021 by writewyattuk

Despite there never being more than a seven-year gap between Saint Etienne LPs over their 31-year existence, when I think about this London-rooted outfit – built predominantly around Sarah Cracknell and co-founders Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs – the years … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alasdair McLellan, Andrew Weatherall, Bob Stanley, Derek Cracknell, Foxbase alpha, Golden Brown, Good Humor, Gus Bousfield, Heavenly Recordings, I've been Trying to Tell You, Jeff Barrett, London, London 2012, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Oxford, Penlop, Pete wiggs, Saint Etienne, Sarah Cracknell, Shawn Lee, So Tough, The Cardigans, Vince Clarke, Windsor, You're in a Bad Way | Leave a comment

2-4-6-8 motorway networking with Pip Blom

Posted on September 8, 2021 by writewyattuk

It was a ‘sunny-ish’ day in Amsterdam (her word, not mine) when I caught up with Pip Blom, lead singer and guitarist of the group of the same name, soon to release their second LP. And let’s face it, chatting … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Amsterdam, Big Jelly Studios, Boat, Caesar Edmunds, Danny Griffioen, Darek Mercks, Gini Cameron, Glastonbury Festival, Heavenly Recordings, Isabelle Griffioen, Manchester, National Lottery, Netherlands, Pip Blom, Ramsgate, Revive Live, Sara Elzinga, Tender Blom, Welcome Break | Leave a comment