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.

Celebrating the Best of Times – the Glenn Tilbrook interview

Posted on November 3, 2016 by writewyattuk

Glenn Tilbrook’s clearly not one for putting his feet up at home. Barely off the plane a few days after a major US tour with Squeeze, he’s already on the road again. What’s more, he’s fielding calls from the likes of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Best of Times, Chris Difford, Cradle to Grave, Cradle to the Grave, Danny Baker, George Harrison, Glenn Tilbrook, Happy Ending, Liverpool Philharmonic, Lucy Shaw, nine Below Zero, Simon Hanson, Squeeze, Stephen Large, The Fluffers | 3 Comments

Un-Peeled 2016 – Preston, The Continental

Posted on October 31, 2016 by writewyattuk

Something for everyone … or at least anyone with taste. And all for £12.50 – 10 quality acts, the common denominator an invitation to record sessions for John Peel back in the day. If you don’t know the history, Un-Peeled … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | 4 Comments

True Confessions, Undertones style – the Billy Doherty interview

Posted on October 28, 2016 by writewyattuk

With The Undertones’ mighty 40th anniversary jaunt returning to the North of England this weekend, drummer Billy Doherty is hoping he won’t be needing a paramedic this time. The Northern Irish five-piece follow sell-outs in Gateshead and Holmfirth with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Billy Doherty, Bruce Foxton, Damian O'Neill, Derry, Feargal Sharkey, Joe Strummer, John O'Neill, John Peel, Mickey Bradley, Paul McLoone, The Clash, The Jam, The Membranes, The Rolling Stones, The Undertones | 4 Comments

The Time Has Come – the P.P. Arnold interview

Posted on October 27, 2016 by writewyattuk

‘I’m doing fine! I have to go out this morning and see a tailor who is hemming a dress for me. We’ve had two days off organising all this luggage I’m carrying around. I am the original bag lady! I’ve got … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Barry Gibb, First Cut is the Deepest, Graham Nash, Ike & Tina Turner, Immediate, Jimi Hendrix, Los Angeles, Mick Jagger, Mike D'Abo, Paul Jones, PP Arnold, Ram John Holder, Rolling Stones, Small Faces, Steve Cradock, Steve Marriott, The Manfreds, Tom McGuinness, Zoot Money | 2 Comments

Remembering a Stupid Boy made good – a tribute to Jimmy Perry

Posted on October 24, 2016 by writewyattuk

The following tribute started out as a re-write of my respectful nod to Clive Dunn on these pages in November 2012, Permission to Pay a Tribute, Sir. But today I’ve adapted it to mark the passing of the man who created … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre | Tagged Arnold Ridley, Arthur Lowe, Bill Pertwee, Clive Dunn, Colin Bean, Dad's Army, David Croft, Frank Williams, Hi-de-Hi!, Ian Lavender, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, James Beck, Janet Davies, Jimmy Perry, John Laurie, John Le Mesurier, M'lord?, Michael Bates, Pamela Cundell, Will Hay, Windsor Davies, You Rang | Leave a comment

Drawing from experience – the Michael Foreman interview

Posted on October 20, 2016 by writewyattuk

It’s been 55 years since Michael Foreman’s first book was published, yet this genial, engaging septuagenarian author and illustrator retains a major passion for his creative endeavours. Perhaps best known for his evocative drawings in works by former children’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Football, Music | Tagged A Life in Pictures, Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Charlie Watts, Cornwall, Daphne du Maurier, Edward Ardizzone, Harris Museum & Gallery, Michael Foreman, Michael Morpurgo, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norwich City, Pakefield, Preston, Roald Dahl, Seven Stories, St Ives, Suffolk, Terry Jones, War Boy, War Game | 2 Comments

The Magnetic North – Liverpool Central Library

Posted on October 17, 2016 by writewyattuk

You’ve got to love the kind of concert where the band puts a bottle of whisky at the front of the stage for their sell-out audience to share. Now that’s what I call intimate. What’s more, at around half past … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Erland Cooper, Frank Cottrell Boyce, George Harrison, Get it Loud in Libraries, Hannah Peel, Libraries, Liverpool, McCoy Wynne, Orkney, Simon Tong, Skelmersdale, The Magnetic North, The Unforgotten Coat, The Verve | 6 Comments

Beyond The Beautiful South – in conversation with Alison Wheeler

Posted on October 13, 2016 by writewyattuk

After a successful few years revisiting a classic song catalogue while spreading the word about 2012 LP Sweet Refrains across Europe and the UK, The South are ready for a three-week autumn tour and are keen to talk about a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Alison Wheeler, Briana Corrigan, Cambridge, Dave Hemingway, Dave Stead, Jacqui Abbott, Nick Heyward, Paul Heaton, Phil Barton, The Beautiful South, The South, The Topers, Virginia | 2 Comments

Kodiak Island –The Golden Section (Musical Bear Records, 2016)

Posted on October 7, 2016 by writewyattuk

The digital version of the debut long player from Kodiak Island is set to sweep in on the web-surf this weekend. And as befits the album’s title, those shelling out should quickly get the bigger, aesthetically-pleasing picture. The Golden Section … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Alaska, Bluetrain, Gareth Palmer, It's Jo and Danny, Jo Bartlett, Kodiak Island, Mike Muggeridge, Musical Bear Records, Richard Handyside, The Golden Section | Leave a comment

Present company accepted – having words with UB40’s Jimmy Brown

Posted on October 7, 2016 by writewyattuk

You probably know about the legal dispute rocking reggae behemoths UB40, two factions of the band at odds with each other over the use of the name. But while all that rumbles on, the show goes on for the five remaining … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Ali Campbell, Astro, Birmingham, Bob Marley, Brian Travers, Duncan Campbell, Earl Falconer, Jeremy Corbyn, Jimmy Brown, Mickey Virtue, Moseley School of Art, Norman Hassan, One in Ten, Present Arms, Robin Campbell, Rock Against Racism, Steel Pulse, UB40 | 1 Comment