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.

Examining Extraordinary Times – exploring James’ world with Saul Davies

Posted on August 2, 2018 by writewyattuk

After 19 UK top-40 singles and 14 top-40 albums in 32 years, you’d think North West outfit James might be happy enough just playing their greatest hits these days. Not a bit of it though. For while this Manchester success story … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged alt-J, Band on the Wall, Beni Giles, Better Than That, Charlie Andrew, Girl at the End of the World, Hank, James, Jim Glennie, Larry Gott, Living in Extraordinary Times, Manchester, Mark Hunter, Saul Davies, Sheffield, Swaledale, The Charlatans, Tim Booth, Wolf Alice | 1 Comment

Raindrops splash rainbows – revisiting the Lightning Seeds with Ian Broudie

Posted on July 29, 2018 by writewyattuk

It’s been a happening summer for Ian Broudie, back in the limelight with the ‘Three Lions’ single amid a number of festival and studio commitments, topping the charts for a third time on the back of a successful England … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Football, Music | Tagged Big in Japan, Cloudcuckooland, David Baddiel, Echo and the Bunnymen, Frank Skinner, Ian Broudie, Ian McNabb, James Walsh, Jollification, Lancaster Library, Lightning Seeds, Pale Fountains, Shack, Tales Told, Terry Hall, The Bodines, The Wedding Present, Three Lions | 4 Comments

Celebrating The Day I Was There – the Neil Cossar interview

Posted on July 19, 2018 by writewyattuk

Music was always a passion for Neil Cossar, from teenage years learning guitar and dropping by at a record stall on Stockport Market through to minor early ’80s success with his band, a move into radio and establishing his This … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Absolute PR, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Craig Cash, David Bowie, E Street Band, I Was There, John Wadlow, KFM Radio, Manchester, Neil Cossar, Richard Houghton, Space Oddity, Stockport, The Cheaters, This Day in Music | 1 Comment

And I thought you might like to know – the Jim Lea interview

Posted on July 13, 2018 by writewyattuk

It’s not, erm, everyday you get to talk to a childhood hero, but Jim Lea definitely falls into that category for me. I was barely four when his band scored the first of six UK No.1 singles with ‘Coz I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged 'N Betweens, Bilston, Chas Chandler, Dave Hill, Dementia UK, Don Powell, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Jim lea, Jimi Hendrix, Noddy Holder, Robin 2, Slade, Staffordshire, The Dummies, The Undertones, When the Lights Are Out, wolverhampton | 7 Comments

The healing power of music – talking Trouble Songs with Stuart Bailie

Posted on July 9, 2018 by writewyattuk

Stuart Bailie was chasing invoices when I called him in Belfast, facing up to one of the less glamorous facets of life as a freelance writer, yet part of the job he reckons takes up most of his time. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Ash, Belfast, Bloody Sunday, Bono, BritPop, Christy Moore, Derry, Donegal, Dr Feelgood, Good Vibrations, London, Miami Showband, NME, Northern Ireland, Oh yeah Music Centre, Robert Kee, Rudi, So Hard to Beat, Stiff Little Fingers, Stuart Bailie, Terri Hooley, The Clash, The Undertones, Thin Lizzy, Trouble Songs, U2, Van Morrison | 3 Comments

The Vapors – Manchester, The Ruby Lounge

Posted on July 6, 2018 by writewyattuk

This was my first rail outing to Manchester since Public Service Broadcasting at the Ritz three years ago ended with the dreaded Bus Replacement Service return-trip, and came 18 months after my last Ruby Lounge visit, for The Blue Aeroplanes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged David Fenton, Ed Bazalgette, Magnets, Manchester, Michael Bowes, New Clear Days, Rothman Jack, Ruby Lounge, Steve Smith, The Shakespearos, The Vapors, Turning Japanese, Wilko Johnson | 2 Comments

One Man’s Madness (I call it gladness) – the Lee Thompson interview

Posted on June 28, 2018 by writewyattuk

Lee Thompson was at home when I called, ‘sort of just inside 12 o’clock on the M25,’ where he’s been based around 30 years now. Born in St Pancras, NW1 in 1957, this esteemed saxophonist/songwriter’s postcode is EN5 rather than that … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged Blockheads, Dave Peacock, Dave Robinson, graffiti, Ian Dury, Jeff Baynes, Kilburn and the High Roads, Lee Thompson, London, Madness, Mike Barson, Prince Buster, pub rock, Robert Elms, ska, Stiff, Suggs, The Clash, The Liberty of Norton Folgate, The Silencerz, The Writing on the Wall, Top of the Pops | 3 Comments

Where the Solid Gold Easy Action is – in conversation with Gordon Gibson

Posted on June 22, 2018 by writewyattuk

Getting on for four decades after he sold his first vinyl, I’m pleased to say that Gordon Gibson shows no sign of wanting to step away from Action Records in Preston. The much-revered Gordon, originally from Stranraer, has been in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Action Records, Blackpool, Bob Harris, Chased by Nuns, Cornershop, Dandelion Adventure, Gordon Gibson, Mark E Smith, Preston, Stranraer, T.Rex, The Alarm, The Boo Radleys, The Common Cold, The Damned, The Fall, The Genocides | 6 Comments

Going North, South, East and West with The Members – in conversation with JC Carroll

Posted on June 16, 2018 by writewyattuk

You could say Jean-Marie Carroll’s musical education started in November 1970, when he caught T. Rex live at Guildford Civic Hall. Within a week, Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn had their first top-10 hit with ‘Ride a White Swan’, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged At the Chelsea Nightclub, Blackpool Rebellion, Bruce Springsteen, Camberley, Chris Payne, David Bowie, Going West, Graham Parker, guildford, JC Carroll, Nicky Tesco, Offshore Banking Business, Solitary Confinement, T.Rex, The Clash, The Dispensary, The Members, The Sound of the Suburbs | 6 Comments

Why Chas & Dave Mustn’t Grumble – in conversation with Dave Peacock

Posted on June 7, 2018 by writewyattuk

When Dave Peacock lost his wife Sue to cancer in 2009, it seemed to mark the end of the Chas & Dave story, ending their professional partnership after 34 years. But a year later the pair announced a tour … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged Ain't No Pleasing You, Big Jim Sullivan, Blackburn, Chas and Dave, Chas Hodges, Dave Peacock, Enfield, Gertcha, Harry Champion, Heads Hands & Feet, Heretford, Ian Dury, Liverpool, London, Muswell Hillbillies, Ponders End, Rabbit, Spike Island, The Kinks, Tottenham Hotspur. Ossie Ardiles | 3 Comments