Tag Archives: The Smiths

Lights still turn green at their convenience – talking BOB with Dean Leggett

Posted on November 14, 2019 by

Cast your mind back three decades or so. My diaries suggest I saw 148 gigs in the last three years of the 1980s, so inevitably recollections of some are cloudy. But many stick in the memory, not least those documented … Continue reading →

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Understanding Vinny Peculiar – in conversation with Alan Wilkes

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

It would be all too easy to point out that Alan Wilkes, the inspiration behind Vinny Peculiar, has flirted with indie stardom but never quite attained that elusive crossover fame. But don’t think for one moment this Worcestershire-born and bred … Continue reading →

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Nouvelle Vague – Manchester Gorilla

Posted on May 5, 2019 by

I’ve witnessed some effective starts to live shows lately, with the arrival of Mélanie Pain and Phoebe Killdeer to the stage at The Gorilla particularly jaw-dropping. The price of the drinks already had me a little dazed, but this was … Continue reading →

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The Cardigans: from indie roots to Gran Turismo and beyond – the Nina Persson interview

Posted on November 23, 2018 by

Nina Persson was between rehearsals with The Cardigans at home in Malmö when I called, getting set for four UK dates revisiting the band’s best-selling album Gran Turismo in full, 20 years on. Including the singles ‘Hanging Around’, ‘Erase/Rewind’ and ‘My … Continue reading →

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From record shop pilgrimages to transatlantic discovery – talking The Decemberists with Colin Meloy

Posted on November 1, 2018 by

This weekend, The Decemberists leave Portland, Oregon for their latest UK and mainland European tour. But don’t expect them to have worked on the set these last couple of weeks. As vocalist/guitarist and occasional children’s author Colin Meloy explained, “We’ve been … Continue reading →

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