Category Archives: Music

Four-eyed handsome men – introducing Doug Perkins and the Spectaculars

  I wouldn’t expect the fervour of a 1950s audience when Doug Perkins and the Spectaculars make their latest return to Chorley Little Theatre this weekend. For the sake of the team at this Lancashire venue you’d hope those days of … Continue reading

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Sofa, so good – talking about The Chesterfields with Simon Barber

With his monthly magazine deadline approaching, Simon Barber could probably do without a long chat with me about The Chesterfields. The 58-year-old – born the day after Paul Weller in the same Surrey town – is these days at the … Continue reading

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Strictly for Dance Lovers – in conversation with Brendan Cole

Brendan Cole made his British television debut 21 years ago, and has been a Strictly Come Dancing draw since the Saturday night prime-time BBC One show’s 2004 debut. But forget the small screen for a moment. Right now he’s treading … Continue reading

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To Be Someone – Talking about The Jam with Den Davis

When a 1,500kg truck bomb was detonated in central Manchester in June 1996, the collateral damage included a vast collection of vinyl rarities belonging to Den Davis, collector and avid fan of The Jam. A few weeks passed before Den … Continue reading

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Rose McDowall/Vukovar/Zvilnik – Preston, The Continental

A top night unfolded at the Continental in Preston as former Strawberry Switchblade and Sorrow chanteuse Rose McDowall visited en route for a Celtic Connections date in Glasgow. Rose was up to Lancashire from her adopted Oxfordshire for another Tuff … Continue reading

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By any other name – beyond Strawberry Switchblade with Rose McDowall

While Rose McDowall is best known for her work with early ’80s crossover indie pop act Strawberry Switchblade, she’s made many cult solo recordings over the years. Starting out as a stand-up drummer in Glasgow proto-avant-garde punk trio The Poems … Continue reading

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The Blue Aeroplanes – Manchester, The Ruby Lounge

It’s official. The Blue Aeroplanes are no less a beguiling sight and feast upon the left-over mince pies now as they were three decades before. This Bristol septet have just delivered the finest LP of the year (it’s only January, … Continue reading

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Moving the room with the James Taylor Quartet

There was some serious attention seeking going on when I called James Taylor at his home studio in Kent. It wasn’t down to him though, but his Cairn terrier, Heidi, after he shut her out of his studio in a … Continue reading

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The Blue Aeroplanes – Welcome, Stranger!

The Blue Aeroplanes are back after a five-year wait, and have delivered the first great album of 2017. This is a band that always understood the importance of a strong first line. Take 1990’s Jacket Hangs for example. And this album … Continue reading

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Further entries from the journal of an airman – in conversation with The Blue Aeroplanes’ Gerard Langley

The Blue Aeroplanes pride themselves on fusing elements of rock, folk, poetry, punk, dance and art, and were acknowledged as favourites of the likes of Radiohead and REM back in the day. Their lead singer also lectures on songwriting, his … Continue reading

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