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.

Tom Seals Presents Noddy Holder – The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays

Posted on July 9, 2023 by writewyattuk

I was in the presence of rock ‘n’ roll royalty last night, following a late doors opportunity to see the living legend that is Noddy Holder, in a welcome stage return for this international treasure. It’s become something of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music, Uncategorized | Tagged Al Jolson, Chas Chandler, Chuck Berry, Diana ross, Elton John, Little Richard, Lowry theatre, Mark Radcliffe, Noddy Holder, Salford, Slade, Status Quo, Stevie Wonder, Tom Seals, Wild! Wild! Wild! | 1 Comment

Reach Out, he’ll be there – understanding Jim Bob’s balcony scene and romantic gesture

Posted on June 29, 2023 by writewyattuk

I started this interview by apologising for dialling in late, having not felt ready to try Jim Bob’s number until the outro to the title track of new LP, Thanks for Reaching Out faded out following my latest listen through. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Boomtown Rats, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, David Bowie, David Essex, Graham Coxon, Ian Dury, Jen Macro, Jim Bob, Les Carter, Mick Jones, Ray Davies, Slade, Steve Harley, Terry Edwards, Thanks for Reaching Out, The Undertones, Tom Waits | Leave a comment

Daylight turns to moonlight – the Mick Talbot interview

Posted on June 23, 2023 by writewyattuk

Mick Talbot was at home when I called, ‘learning stuff, swotting up on homework.’ And four decades after truly making his name with Paul Weller in The Style Council, he tells me he still has ‘various things going on, no … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Cafe Bleu, Damon Minchella, Dexys, Dr Feelgood, Galliano, Geno Washington, Graham Parker, Here Comes the Weekend, Kevin Rowland, Lee cogswell, Long Hot Summers, Mick Talbot, Our Favourite Shop, paul weller, Searching for the Young Soul Rebels, Steve White, Stone Foundation, The Bureau, The Clash, The Jam, The Merton Parkas, The Players, The Style Council, Wilko Johnson | Leave a comment

Uncovered and still out there – back in touch with Steve Harley

Posted on June 15, 2023 by writewyattuk

Steve Harley is deep into a set of Spring and Summer live dates with his acoustic band, a fair few ‘sold out’ signs outside venues before his arrival, having recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the band that helped make … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Andrew Powell, Barry Wickens, Cat Stevens, Cockney Rebel, Crispin Hunt, Geoff Emerick, Les McKeown, Longpigs, Make Me Smile, Paul McCartney, Steve Harley, The Beatles, The Human Menagerie, Uncovered | Leave a comment

And The Beat goes on – back in touch with Dave Wakeling, talking Birmingham, California, and the joy of dogs

Posted on June 10, 2023 by writewyattuk

Ahead of my catch-up with The Beat co-founder Dave Wakeling, I dug out an interview he did with Adrian Thrills for the NME, alongside the sorely missed Ranking Roger when the pair were at the helm of The General Public, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Adrian Thrills, Andy Cox, Annabella Lwin, Asbury Park, Birmingham, Blind Faith, Bow Wow Wow, Buzzcocks, California, Dave Wakeling, David Steele, Everett Morton, Fine Young Cannibals, General Public, Horace Panter, I Just Can't Stop It, Isle of Wight, Los Angeles, Queen, Ranking Roger, San Fernando Valley, Saxa, Southside Johnny, Steve Winwood, Terry Hall, The Beat, The Clash, The Undertones, Three Mile Island, Virgin Records | Leave a comment

Don’t you wonder sometimes about sound and vision? Talking large rock sound systems with Chris Hewitt

Posted on May 16, 2023 by writewyattuk

In the last three years alone, Chris Hewitt has published four mighty tomes neatly summing up his rather niche love of, and involvement with, live sound systems and outdoor music events down the decades. Regular readers may already know the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged 10cc, CH Vintage Audio, Charlie Watkins, Cheshire, Chris Hewitt, David Bowie, Deeply Vale, Ford Transit, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Mark Radcliffe, Northwich, Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, Sex Pistols, Thin Lizzy, Wem | Leave a comment

Far more than mere nostalgia: stepping forward with The Selecter – back in touch with Pauline Black

Posted on April 27, 2023 by writewyattuk

I was briefly reminded of 1969 European sightseeing comedy If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium when I spoke to Pauline Black, OBE, this week. On this occasion, en route to a date at Het Depot, Leuven after a big … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged 2 Tone, Amsterdam, Andy Pearson, Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, Charley 'Aitch' Bembridge, Coventry, Dance Craze, guildford, Lee Horsley, Neil Pyzer, Paradiso, Paris, Pauline Black, Ranking Roger, Rhoda Dakar, Terry Hall, The Selecter, The Specials | Leave a comment

A truly immersive experience: in praise of False Lankum – in conversation with Ian Lynch and Radie Peat

Posted on April 26, 2023 by writewyattuk

Technology, eh. It’s lovely to conduct video interviews these days, but if the connection goes a bit awry, you struggle a bit. It’s not like it was down to mere distance, either. Ian Lynch and Radie Peat, from the Dublin … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Between the Earth and Sky, Cold old fire, Cormac MacDiarmada, Dante's Inferno, Daragh Lynch, Dublin, False Lankum, Go Dig My Grave, Gustave Dore, Ian Lynch, John 'Spud' Murphy, Lankum, Lord Abore and Mary Flynn, Newcastle, Radie Peat, Rough Trade, The New York Trader, Ther Livelong Day | Leave a comment

Getting the run down on The Higsons, four decades on – the Terry Edwards interview

Posted on April 22, 2023 by writewyattuk

Among this weekend’s 2023 Record Store Day releases, I was intrigued to hear word of the vinyl release of a mini-album featuring two cult early ‘80s 12” singles by post-punk/funk pioneers The Higsons, celebrating their brief liaison with 2 Tone … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged 2 Tone, backs Records, Blockheads, Charlie Higson, Colin Williams, dave Cummings, Davey Payne, David Bowie, Del Amitri, Earl Bostic, Gallon Drunk, guildford, Holy Holy, Hornchurch, Jerry Dammers, John Peel, Mark Bedford, Mike Garsoin, Norwich, Paul Whitehouse, Run Me Down, Serious Drinking, Simon Charterton, Stuart Mcgeachin, Terry Edwards, The Curse of The Higsons, The Farmer's Boys, The Near Jazz Experience, The Specials, Tindersticks, University of East Anglia, Waap!, Wah! | 2 Comments

Let me tell you about Sweden (and Denmark, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester …) – catching up with Hugh Cornwell

Posted on March 31, 2023 by writewyattuk

Early May sees the return of former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell to the road for three more UK headline dates, celebrating last October’s acclaimed Moments of Madness LP. Following a 23-date nationwide tour late last year, he has shows in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Films, TV & Radio, Music | Tagged Birmingham, Black and White, Copenhagen, Dave Greenfield, Five Minutes, guildford, Hugh Cornwell, Jet Black, Johnny Soxx, London Lady, Lund, Lytham, Malmo, Manchester, Moments of Madness, Monster, Pat Hughes, raggare, Stockholm, Sweden, The Stranglers, The Undertones, Wilko Johnson, Windsor McGilvray | Leave a comment