Tag Archives: The Membranes

Hot desking it in Nuevo Cottonopolis – examining John Robb’s continued belief in the power of rock ‘n’ roll

Do You Believe in the Power of Rock ‘n’ Roll? John Robb does, and I’ve got to realise in recent years that you don’t have to do quite so much preparation for a chat with this ever-entertaining Manchester-based, Fylde coast-born … Continue reading

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Journey to the Art of Darkness – talking The History of Goth with John Robb

Ah, the dreaded label. An integral part of music culture down the years, but an all too easy way to categorise, and often proving nonsense. Punk, post-punk, alternative, indie, indie pop, twee pop, shoegaze, soul, funk, jazz funk, heavy soul, … Continue reading

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On the frontline, embracing the future – putting the world to rights with John Robb

Music writer, Louder Than War founder, Membranes/Goldblade bass player/vocalist and eco campaigner John Robb was on his bike when I called, dismounting to answer his phone, the two of us quickly getting on to the Government postponing its so-called ‘Freedom … Continue reading

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Ever redefining: from The Continental to The Colossalist – the Vukovar feature

Remember live music? It’s been a while. Come mid-March it’ll be a year since my last gig, and slightly longer since my most recent visit to cherished Lancashire arts venue The Continental in Preston, where at one stage it seemed … Continue reading

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A passage to indie garage psych-punk rock’n’roll – introducing Ginnel

I can’t really think of a more Northern band name than Ginnel, and in a sense this emerging Lancashire four-piece offer – as per the dialect definition behind their handle – a passageway between the houses. While they’re fairly new … Continue reading

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Forever, after and before – talking Folk Devils with Nick Clift

At a time when so many of us are suffering withdrawal symptoms from missing live music at our favourite venues, it’s odd to think back to a time when we more or less took for granted the fact that there … Continue reading

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Fylde under nature – talking The Membranes’ new record and much more with John Robb

It’s 35 years since music writer, Louder Than War founder and Membranes/Goldblade bass player/vocalist John Robb left the ‘Tatty Seaside Town’ later celebrated on 1988’s Kiss Ass … Godhead! LP. But he clearly still has plenty of time for his … Continue reading

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Tripping the dark fantastic with The Membranes – in conversation with John Robb

It’s fair to say that the bands topping the bill at this weekend’s Un-Peeled Christmas Party at The Continental, Preston, Lancashire, are enjoying something of a renaissance. Post-punk outfit The Membranes and C86 outsiders The Wolfhounds have both released LPs … Continue reading

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True Confessions, Undertones style – the Billy Doherty interview

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

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Beyond the Dandelion Adventure – having words with Ajay Saggar and Marcus Parnell

This story starts with The Membranes, because without that Lancashire post-punk band a singer known as Fat Mark and a lanky Asian indie kid called Ajay might never have met. That initial meeting came sometime in the mid-‘80s amid an … Continue reading

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