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.

Years on the clock, but magic in the songbook – the Craig Reid interview

Posted on August 1, 2019 by writewyattuk

It’s been a busy year for The Proclaimers, still promoting last year’s mighty Angry Cyclist album with live dates here, there and everywhere, clocking up a hell of a lot more than 500 miles and 500 more so far. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged Angry Cyclist, Charlie Reid, Craig Reid, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Glastonbury Festival, Mary's Meals, Stephen Greenhorn, Sunshine on Leith, The Proclaimers, This is the Story | Leave a comment

The Wedding Present / Vinny Peculiar – Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool

Posted on July 29, 2019 by writewyattuk

Thirty summers ago I saw the semi-legendary Wedding Present play to possibly their largest audience thus far at Reading Festival, and certainly a bigger crowd than when I saw them at Glastonbury two years earlier. It had been an amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Bizarro, Blackpool, Charles Layton, Close Lobsters, Danielle Wadey, David Gedge, Keith Gregory, Melanie Howard, Pete Solowka, Return of the Native, The Wedding Present, Vinny Peculiar, Waterloo Music Bar, While You Still Can | 4 Comments

Even Better with The Real Thing – in conversation with Chris Amoo

Posted on July 25, 2019 by writewyattuk

Almost five decades after their debut single, The Real Thing are still out there, treading the boards, with no intention of slowing down for co-founders Chris Amoo and Dave Smith. The passing of Chris’ older brother Eddie Amoo in February … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Can You Feel the Force, Children of the Ghetto, Chris Amoo, Curtis Mayfield, Dave Smith, David Essex, Eddie Amoo, Four From Eight, Jeff Wayne, Liverpool, Liverpool 8, Opportunity Knocks, Temptations, The Beatles, The Chants, The Real Thing, Tony Hall, Toxteth, You to Me are everything | 1 Comment

Still living the Impossible Dream – the Bez interview

Posted on July 17, 2019 by writewyattuk

Four decades after crossover indie/dance combo Happy Mondays set out on their initial adventure, and 30 years after their biggest-selling LP, the legendary Manc outfit have announced a marathon greatest hits tour for October, November and December this year. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged 24 Hour Party People, Bez, Black Grape, Carl Hunter, Chris Cogshill, Factory Records, fracking, Herefordshire, Joe Strummer, Kermit, Madchester, Manchester, Manchester Academy, Mark Berry, Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches, Rowetta, Shaun Ryder, The Farm, The Roundhouse | Leave a comment

Kooks still hung up on romancing – in conversation with Hugh Harris

Posted on July 12, 2019 by writewyattuk

It’s been 15 years since The Kooks took shape, and while this Brighton outfit increasingly distanced themselves from their initial sound, the latest singles suggest they’ve returned to their roots. As co-founder Hugh Harris puts it, new single ‘So Good … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Hugh Harris, Kooks | Leave a comment

Introducing West London’s Magnificent Six – back in touch with Matteo Sedazzari

Posted on July 9, 2019 by writewyattuk

Three years after our last conversation on these pages, WriteWyattUK got back in touch with author and Zani website creator Matteo Sedazzari, following the publication of his second novel, Tales of Aggro. Following 2015’s A Crafty Cigarette – Tales of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged A Crafty Cigarette, Casuals, Irvine Welsh, Mark Twain, Matteo Sedazzari, Mods, paul weller, Sex Pistols, Shepherd's Bush, Stay Free, Tales of Aggro, The Clash, The Jam, Walton-on-Thames, West London, White City | Leave a comment

Still winning Hearts and Minds – in conversation with Carl Hunter

Posted on July 5, 2019 by writewyattuk

Carl Hunter was stir crazy at the airport when I tracked him down, delayed an hour and condemned to sit around talking to me while drinking Yorkshire tea, his days of rock’n’roll excess with The Farm possibly behind him. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged Alan McGee, Ben Leach, Bill Nighy, Bootle, Carl Hunter, Crosby, Edge Hill University, Edwyn Collins, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Grow Your Own, Happy Mondays, Jet Black, Keith Mullin, Liverpool, Peter Hooton, Roy Boulter, Sometimes Always Never, Spartacus, Steve Grimes, The Clash, The Farm, The Stranglers, The Undertones, The Unforgotten Coat, Tim McInnerny | 1 Comment

Sex Pistols / The Clash, The Black Swan, Sheffield, July 4th, 1976 – an extract from This Day in Music’s Guide to The Clash

Posted on July 4, 2019 by writewyattuk

‘Things went wrong during the evening, and Mick had to come over and tune my guitar, but it didn’t bother me. I just wanted to jump around, but Mick wanted it to be in tune.’ (Paul Simonon, The Clash: Strummer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged 1976, Bernie Rhodes, Joe Strummer, John Lydon, Keith Levene, Malcolm McLaren, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, punk, Sex Pistols, Sheffield, The Clash | Leave a comment

Our first year with Tom – part one of the handsome dog’s tale

Posted on July 3, 2019 by writewyattuk

I find it hard to believe it’s a year since we first met Tom. It’s difficult to remember a time when he wasn’t such a key part of our family life. Sunday, June 17th, 2018 was the day, barely 20 … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure & Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged Collie cross, dogs, lancashire, Lancaster, rescue dogs, Wolfwood | 1 Comment

Just past the crossroads – back in touch with Mark Radcliffe

Posted on June 29, 2019 by writewyattuk

When much-loved BBC radio and TV broadcaster, musician and writer Mark Radcliffe announced on air he was receiving treatment for cancer, I think we all feared the worst. Boltonian Mark, this weekend co-presenting TV coverage of the 2019 Glastonbury Festival, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged #SpeakOut, Bluedot Festival, Cotton Clouds, Crossroads, Galleon Blast, Glastonbury Festival, John Peel, Kendal Calling, Kraftwerk, Mark Radcliffe, Noddy Holder, North West Cancer Research, Paul Langley, Roy Wood, Stuart Maconie, The Folk Show, Tools You Can Trust, Une | Leave a comment