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.

Stepping Stones to the big time – the Paul Carrack interview

Posted on October 31, 2014 by writewyattuk

When I introduce myself to Paul Carrack on the phone, telling him I’m putting together something for a Lancashire publication, his gruff Northern response is, “You don’t sound very Lancastrian.” I add more detail, explaining how I’ve got around a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Ace, Burnley, Glenn Tilbrook, Mike + The Mechanics, Mike Rutherford, Paul Carrack, Preston, Sheffield, Sheffield Wednesday, Squeeze, The Eagles, Warm Dust | 6 Comments

Rock’n’roll royalty – In conversation with The Subways’ Billy Lunn

Posted on October 24, 2014 by writewyattuk

The words exciting, explosive and thrilling get used a lot when The Subways are brought up in conversation. A lot of exclamation marks are used too, especially when you’re in conference with the band’s front-man Billy Lunn via an email … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged 53 Degrees, Billy Lunn, Butch Vig, Charlotte Cooper, Green Day, Ian Broudie, Josh Morgan, Preston, Rock'n'Roll Queen, Stephen Street, The Subways, Welwyn Garden City | 2 Comments

Really Glad You Came – a re-appraisal of the Ian Dury record collection

Posted on October 22, 2014 by writewyattuk

I finally got around to seeing 2010 Ian Dury bio-pic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll a couple of weeks ago. I’d resisted before, having read Richard Balls’ 2000 excellent Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll: The Life … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Comedy & Theatre, Music | Tagged Apples, Blockheads, Charley Charles, Chaz Jankel, Davey Payne, Edsel Records, Frances Rufelle, Ian Dury, John Turnbull, Kirsty MacColl, Merlin Rhys-Jones, Michael McEvoy, Mickey Gallagher, Mr Love Pants, New Boots and Panties, Norman Watt-Roy, Wilko Johnson, Wreckless Eric | 6 Comments

Open season for the trunk of funk – the Craig Charles interview

Posted on October 17, 2014 by writewyattuk

According to your spheres of interest, you may know him best as Coronation Street’s Lloyd Mullaney or Red Dwarf’s Dave Lister, or just as that cheeky Scouse lad off Robot Wars or Takeshi’s Castle. But many more of us know … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged 6 Music, Coronation Street, Craig Charles, Funk, John Peel, Liverpool, Northern Soul, Radio 2, Red Dwarf, Robot Wars, Soul, Takeshi's Castle | Leave a comment

Guitar-wielding visiting author proves a hit – the John Dougherty interview

Posted on October 14, 2014 by writewyattuk

Children’s author, poet and songwriter John Dougherty is a regular on the school visit circuit, and was in Lancashire recently, helping promote the Fantastic Book Awards. You might have spotted a few of his books, like Zeus on the Loose, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio | Tagged badgers, Emma Barnes, Fantastic Book Awards, John Dougherty, lancashire, Larne, Libraries, Philip Reeve, schools, Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face, Zeus on the Loose | 3 Comments

From The Jam / Deadwood Dog – Preston 53 Degrees

Posted on October 12, 2014 by writewyattuk

After a winning set by locals Deadwood Dog and a stirring late ‘70s/early ’80s soundtrack between, there was more than a frisson of excitement around 53 Degrees as The Gift’s upbeat instrumental Circus signalled the arrival of the main act. Bass … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged 53 Degrees, Bruce Foxton, Deadwood Dog, From The Jam, paul weller, Preston, Russell Hastings, Setting Sons, Smiley, Steve Barnard, The Jam, Tom Van Heel | 2 Comments

Big Country show their Steeltown mettle – the Bruce Watson interview

Posted on October 10, 2014 by writewyattuk

Be honest. What do you think of if someone mentions Big Country? The band that is, not the 1958 Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons film success based on Donald Hamilton’s novel, with that fantastically-evocative and stirring musical score. Do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Big Country, Bruce Watson, Derek Forbes, Dunfermline, Jamie Watson, lancashire, Mark Brzezicki, Mike Peters, Scotland, Simon Hough, Steeltown, Stuart Adamson, The Crossing, The Skids, Tony Butler | 4 Comments

Preston’s Got Soul: Judy Street – 53 Degrees

Posted on October 7, 2014 by writewyattuk

In case you didn’t realise, there’s something of a Northern Soul revival going on at the moment, no doubt stoked by the likes of Duffy and John Newman on the mainstream scene. And the forthcoming, much-anticipated film that takes this … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged 53 Degrees, Cher, Dustry Springfield, Eddie Holman, Glenn Walker-Foster, HB Barnum, Judy Street, Northern Soul, Preston's Got Soul, Russ Winstanley, Wigan | 2 Comments

When Setting Sons rise again – the Bruce Foxton and From the Jam update

Posted on October 3, 2014 by writewyattuk

Thirty-five years ago next month, The Jam released their fourth long player, Setting Sons, a further high point in an already stellar career. After their explosive debut, In The City, in 1977, the Woking three-piece gave us the not-quite fully-baked follow-up … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged All Mod Cons, Bruce Foxton, From The Jam, In The City, paul weller, Rick Buckler, Russell Hastings, Setting Sons, Sound Affects, Steve Barnard, The Jam | 3 Comments

Legendary poet redefines Black History Month – the Benjamin Zephaniah feature

Posted on October 3, 2014 by writewyattuk

It made perfect sense to invite legendary dub poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah to launch Lancashire’s Black History Month celebrations. But somehow there was no real surprise that the star attraction was soon questioning the validity of the event he … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Benjamin Zephaniah, Birmingham, Black History Month, Bob Marley, Elean Thomas, Handsworth, John Gillmore, Louise Bennett, Marcus Garvey, Maya Angelou, Mervyn Peake, Nelson Mandela, Preston, Spike Milligan, Terror Kid, The Wailers | 1 Comment