Category Archives: Music

Singing the praises of Reef’s return – the Gary Stringer interview

Posted on February 25, 2016 by writewyattuk

Gary Stringer was at home in Somerset earlier this week, making last-minute preparations ahead of Reef’s latest UK and Irish tour, which commences tonight (February 25th) at The Hub in Plymouth. The 42-year-old vocalist is joined by Jack Bessant (bass), … Continue reading →

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High Life, high fidelity – back in touch with The Puppini Sisters

Posted on February 18, 2016 by writewyattuk

The past decade has proved a blast for The Puppini Sisters, this close harmony trio amassing gold and multi-platinum discs, and enjoying famous collaborations with everyone from Cyndi Lauper and Michael Bublé to The Manhattan Transfer. There have been lots of … Continue reading →

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The Everlasting Yeah – The Lexington, Islington

Posted on February 12, 2016 by writewyattuk

I’d waited two and a half long years to catch The Everlasting Yeah (four-fifths of That Petrol Emotion, for those out of the loop) live, but there was a worry at one stage last weekend that I wouldn’t even get … Continue reading →

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Meeting Himself, coming back – the Gilbert O’Sullivan interview

Posted on February 11, 2016 by writewyattuk

According to my battered copy of British Record Charts 1955-1979, Gilbert O’Sullivan sold more UK singles than any other solo male artist in 1972, seeing off the likes of fellow top-10 acts Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Donny Osmond, David Cassidy … Continue reading →

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Reliving The Kinks’ golden years – the Mick Avory interview

Posted on February 10, 2016 by writewyattuk

He may have been outside The Kinks for three decades now, but Mick Avory was there when it mattered, overseeing a happening 20-year period with this most quintessential English outfit. While it was his difficult relationship with guitarist Dave Davies … Continue reading →

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Me and Mr Jones – the Howard Jones interview

Posted on February 5, 2016 by writewyattuk

Can it really be more than 30 years since Howard Jones first arrived on our TV screens, with that cutaway t-shirt and distinctive split-level dyed-blond spiky hair, amid a bank of synthesisers performing New Song on Top of the Pops? … Continue reading →

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They Might be Giants – Manchester Academy 2

Posted on February 2, 2016 by writewyattuk

Ever tried explaining They Might Be Giants to anyone not in the know? I have, and strongly advise that you shouldn’t bother. Just give people links to a few tracks and let them work it out for themselves. I’m guessing … Continue reading →

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From The Jam / Nine Below Zero – Colne, The Muni

Posted on February 1, 2016 by writewyattuk

Any musician worth their salt will have learned a great deal by getting along to the mystical East at the weekend (well, East Lancashire, any road), for a masterclass in maximum r’n’b and impassioned post-punk. While The Jam material played … Continue reading →

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Giants’ steps lead to Manhattan transfer – the John Flansburgh interview

Posted on January 28, 2016 by writewyattuk

The signs weren’t so good when I made contact with John Flansburgh in Manhattan last week. He sounded affable enough, but he’d already had a hard morning fielding questions from UK journalists. “I’m completely bored of myself. I’m just going … Continue reading →

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Now the time has come – back in touch with Bruce Foxton

Posted on January 21, 2016 by writewyattuk

After an extended festive break, Bruce Foxton is all set for another punishing year for his band, with 100-plus gigs already arranged and a brand new album on its way. If anything, the anniversary circuit is old hat for Bruce … Continue reading →

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