THE BATTLE OF BOLINGBROKE – The Borestiffers 50th anniversary gig

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Where were you in the latter half of the 70s? New Rose by the Damned was the first single released by an English punk band, Monty Pythons Flying Circus became as big an influence on TV comedy than The Beatles had on music and before the end of the decade audiences were exposed to their surreal comedy film ‘The Life of Brian’. Sadly, millions mourned across the world as 1977 claimed the life of Elvis Presley.

However, here in South Shields also in 77, boxing’s Heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali visited the town to have his wedding blessed at Laygate Mosque. And legendary punk band Angelic Upstarts formed and within a few year appeared on Top of the Pops and toured the USA. Before making it they gigged at the Bolingbroke Hall in the town. Another crew who played in that hall were The Borestiffers.

Who were The Borestiffers? The Borestiffers featured an early Wavis O’Shave he of later musical fame and appearances on live TV music show The Tube, other members included Heedfuzz, Braddy, Teddy Anteater and John ‘Fig Roll’ Davies who would rarely turn up. February this year was the 50th anniversary of that notorious gig played in front of several rival gangs of the town.

A surreal non-musical skiff-lish group playing empty suitcases, sooty guitars, bullworkers and even a kitchen sink, The Borestiffers in total recorded two cassette albums, played four gigs in South Shields, three at Bolingbroke in 76 and one at The People’s Palace in 77. But it was the initial gig that ended in a riot that remains in folklore memory.

I hear you had some trouble during your Bolingbroke rehearsal?

WAVIS:  Two of hardest men in the town used to work out in the gym there and when they heard us making such a racket they turned up to see what was happening. All of the band went deadly silent and I had to explain. When they asked how much we charged admission I told them, a slice of bread, hard boiled egg or a stick of celery.

HEEDFUZZ: They wanted to sit in on the rehearsal of the first piece of our noise. Once we finished, they silently returned to the gym.

Who and how many turned up – any local ‘celebs’ of the town?

WAVIS: There was a fair turn out from about four different rival town gangs – Whiteleas, Biddick Hall, the Nook and Westoe.

BIG PHIL: There were about twenty members of the Whiteleas Estate Aggro Boys – most of them didn’t have a clue what to expect. I knew it was going to be nuts but the idea of trouble wasn’t in my mind, we were a well-known gang of lads who stood together in times of trouble.

HEEDFUZZ: About 50 or so attendees from various parts of the town. Turf warfare was a common practice during the 70s.

What songs were on the set list?

WAVIS: Most I recall were from the first Borestiffers cassette album ‘Black Shoes and Mongooses’ like Rubber Song where we dropped the stylus onto the rubber turntable and chanted ‘Rubber song’. Three different songs about shoes, one making it to my ‘Anna Ford’s Bum’ album, also Josepheener Tursepheeners with accompanied customised absurd dance.

HEEDFUZZ: We also did The Seven Puppets of Corbett – spoofing the Queen hit, and it was about The Sooty Show. Intro music was the Can Can followed by a loud recording of an outside back yard toilet flushing where we entered the stage, wandered round like lost souls, and then re-entered again.

Can you remember how you were dressed?

WAVIS: I had a Subbuteo floodlight strapped on my head and played a Sooty guitar.

HEEDFUZZ:  I had a top hat with a child’s pink telephone attached around the rim with elastic bands, and a tailcoat.

BIG PHIL: The gig itself was so surreal many of the lads just couldn’t cope with what they had witnessed – the weird outfits, the fact that the group couldn’t play. I was in heaven.

On the night was there a compere?

WAVIS; Nope, we had no one to spare but I doubt anyone would offer if we did, but we did have member of the Sunderland Hells Angels on the door as a bouncer who in later life featured on various TV shows as Martial arts instructor. His jacket was padded out with multiple parts of a lathe.

HEEDFUZZ: Spike Milligan would have been superb but he had earlier wrote to Wavis declining an invite to manage us thinking we were musical.

pic taken in the famous South Shields landmark The Westoe Netty.

Why did you choose to play Bolingbroke Hall?

WAVIS: I had to tell the owners that we wanted it for a poetry recital otherwise I doubt they’d have given it us. Eight quid it cost. I thought it was the perfect size venue for an expected sizeable gathering and if there were any trouble which I’d predicted, they’d be plenty of space for people to fight! It inspired the Angelic Upstarts to book the place.

HEEDFUZZ: It was a suitable size and ideally situated in the centre of town ideal for public transport.

BIG PHIL: At the end it all erupted, and the place got trashed in unison by all the gangs there. On the way home everyone was laughing in bewilderment. We knew we had witnessed something out of the ordinary but most couldn’t grasp what! I was a bit upset about the mini riot but over the moon that I had witnessed so much absurdity in such a short space of time.

HEEDFUZZ: On the way to the show I met a kid who was going and he opened his wallet to prove he had a ticket as well as a slice of bread in there asking if it was really needed. I told him it was a charity gig for the Marine Park wildlife.

Alikivi   April 2026

THREE MINUTE POP SONG with Newcastle singer-songwriter Alan Fish

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In the 1980s Alan was guitarist and songwriter in Newcastle bands Loud Guitars and White Heat – who signed to Virgin records and recorded one album.

For the past 10 years he has toured as a session musician with American singer-songwriter Jesse Terry. He has also produced a number of recordings as The Attention Seekers.

‘The Attention Seekers were formed around 1999, our first album was released in 2002 since then we have released six albums and a seventh is in the final stages.’

‘I am very fortunate in the fact that over the years I have built up a relationship with a number of radio stations in the UK, and USA. I measure the success of my releases by the number of plays they attract. It’s always a thrill to hear one of my songs on the radio like Seven Bridges, The Prudhoe Song, The Girl With The Jukebox Mind and Sweet Anna Brown.’

Watch the video here >>>

The Attention Seekers – Sweet Anna Brown – YouTube

In the 1970s Subbuteo teams and pop singles was what I spent my pocket money on. The first singles I bought were Elected and Hello Hurray by Alice Cooper plus Sweet and Slade who were always on Top of the Pops.

‘Good choices. I was a big fan of Alice Cooper. I discovered them on Old Grey Whistle Test performing Under My Wheels. The album ‘Killer’ is a classic. Slade finally won me over with How Does it Feel – a brilliant song.’

‘Examples of perfect pop singles would be All The Young Dudes – Mott The Hoople, When You Are a King – White Plains, Virginia Plain – Roxy Music, Fire – The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks. My first single was Woodstock by Mathew’s Southern Comfort. To this day it still sounds perfectly crafted.’

Tony Davis & Sam Blewitt, Cluny Studios, Newcastle.

‘In my opinion the three minute pop song is the ultimate art form. This feeds directly into the way I write and record. The flexibility of The Attention Seekers is the perfect vehicle for me to explore this concept. In the studio the song will dictate the line up.’

‘My ‘go to’ musicians include Trevor Brewis, Tony Davis, Sam Blewitt, Jesse Terry, Romaana Shakir, and Niles Krieger. I would definitely feel compromised if I had to use a conventional ‘rigid’ band line up.’

Trevor Brewis, Cluny Studios, Newcastle.

What have you got planned for this year?

‘I am presently in the final stages of completing a new Attention Seekers album, I have recording sessions booked for the end of April. Tony Davis’s Cluny Studio is my studio of choice. I am also working with ’The City Of Newcastle Male Voice Choir’ developing a choral version of ’Seven Bridges’.

‘Recently the choir invited me to play a guest spot at one of their concerts. I enjoyed the challenge of performing ’stripped back’ versions of my songs, and the impact of the choir adding their voices to the choruses was an experience I’m keen to repeat.’

For further information, news, photos, songs, video & gigs contact the official website >>>

Home | The Attention Seekers

Alikivi   April 2026

LET THE MUSIC PLAY – in conversation with Martin Francis Trollope owner of Harbourmaster Studios, South Shields

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The studio in Prospect House, Simonside is handy to get to as Bede metro station is only 5 mins away and it’s just off the main road between South Shields and Jarrow. I was feeling flush so I got a taxi there.

Last time I was in this area it was 1982 and I’d just left school. With proper jobs being scarce at that time there were only Government schemes around like YOP’s – Youth Opportunity Programmes which lasted under a year.

The Careers Office sent me to an office building on Bede Industrial Estate which offered a number of practical courses. I took a 3 month course in Basic Industrial Electronics – how to solder and wire a plug that sort of thing. It’s come in handy.

I’ve been self employed for over 30 years so understand the highs and lows of working in a creative industry. I’ve talked to people on this site about ‘how do you survive in the arts?’ And asked Martin the same question.

Martin Francis Trollope, Harbourmaster Studio pic. Alikivi March 2026

‘With two kids I try to have some structure to my work but am still available via text, email or phone every minute of the day really. The odd email comes in late at night ‘I think we can change the mix on that.’ It’s a 24 hour thing. People with creative brains man, it can happen at all sorts of times.’

Could you see yourself with a ‘proper’ job like an office or factory?

‘I was a very good barman at The Fountain in South Shields. The job wasn’t just about pulling pints. I was quiet at first but learned how to talk to people and have conversations. I’m quite good at making spread sheets, but I’m not sure about an office job.’

For a number of years Martin worked in Customs Space a community recording studio in South Shields, sadly, now demolished.

‘I started recording over 20 years ago at home then went to The Cave youth club with John Clavering (musician/producer) which became Customs Space. Unfortunately, the building was planned to be demolished and no plans were in place for the studio to move. The feeling was that the time was up.’

How long have you been in this studio?

‘Nearly 6 years. It was essentially a Covid thing. When that hit, I knew I wasn’t going to have a job after it. After being on furlough at Customs Space for around 8 months I went freelance. I used that time to get things together, put the wheels in motion and look around for studio space.’

‘Luckily Jen Stevens (vocal coach) and Jordan Embleton (photographer) who worked at Customs Space had found units here in Simonside so asked me to come down.’

Is this your dream job?

‘I’ve never really had ambitions but deep down I really wanted to do it. I suppose you never think it’s viable. The work is great though. It’s so varied from first timers to experienced musicians like Steve Thompson who you’ve interviewed. Not everything is recorded here some people bring stuff over that they’ve recorded in their house and we work on it here.’

As well as recording and mixing Martin offers guitar lessons.

‘I enjoy teaching all ages. I have seven people at the minute but my time is restricted with the amount of recording and mixing that I do. All I want to do is take the music that the musician is hearing in their head and put it down so they hear it back’.

‘I rarely push my ideas on them it’s all their work. They don’t want to take a CD home and wonder why they let the engineer put that sound on! I’m not offended when they say no I don’t want that. Although some have asked me to put a solo on cos they don’t play guitar! A collaboration is fun to do. As long as it comes out the way they want it to, I’m happy.’

Martin Francis Trollope, Harbourmaster Studio. pic. Alikivi March 2026

Do your customers travel far to get to the studio or are most people local?

‘All over the North East is where they mainly come from. There is a death metal band called The Larches from Yorkshire, they should have an EP ready soon. There is also a guy from Leeds called Fun Park Fugitives who comes in and makes really good low fi indie. He’s got a really good ear for a tune.’

It must be worth it for him travelling a 200 mile round trip?

‘Sometimes you make a connection with someone. Making art is a very personal thing. When I make a song, I’m careful who I show it to. You are sharing a private thing. Especially if it’s not fully formed and complete. You have to feel comfortable around someone having bad ideas.’

When you were starting out can saying no to some work be hard to do?

‘When I started doing this, I took on some work teaching music in primary schools – up to 30 kids at a time absolute chaos but they enjoyed it. I said yes to a lot of jobs that’s why I ended up working on a lot of styles of music. That’s the challenge, you learn something. And a new connection can lead you to another job.’

How do you find making contact with other small business and networking at formal events?

‘I’m not great at starting conversations with strangers at these events but I realise the importance of them. But for me going to gigs is my networking event really. My advice to anyone starting a music career for want of a better word, is go to gigs, chat with the band, find out who organised it, see who runs the venue, maybe talk to the sound tech. Straight away you’ve found a load of information.’

‘Social media has its functions my customer base use it so yes for that purpose it’s good, but really talking face to face and experiencing a live gig can’t be beaten.’

For further information check out the official website >>>

http://www.harbourmasterproductions.co.uk

Alikivi   March 2026

SHE’S SO EUROPEAN – New tour planned for UK Rhythm & Blues singer-songwriter Emma Wilson

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Emma Wilson 2026 pic. Paul May

These past few years have been golden for Emma – tours, awards, recording in Memphis, appearing on BBC Radio 2 with Cerys Mathews and in April she is getting ready to represent the UK in the European Blues Challenge in Poland.

‘And In January just gone I went to Memphis in America to represent the UK at the International Blues Challenge. That was great, of all the times I’ve visited Memphis this was the first opportunity I had to play on the iconic Beale Street.’

‘I also played a live session on Memphis Radio with DJ Ric Chetter. He’s championed me for years and always gets me in the studio when I’m over in the States’ said Emma.

‘On a more sombre note, my visit to Memphis coincided with a wake for the late Don Bryant. As you know Don and I duetted on his song What Kind of Love for my ‘Memphis Calling’ album. It was a very moving day and it was a privilege to be there.’

‘I was able to meet up with friends from the record – Scott Bomar and Hubbie Turner. A few of us went out later for some food and to raise a glass to Mr Bryant….Mr.B..’

Since we last spoke you have lost your good friend and fellow vocalist Terry Reid, how has this affected you?

‘It was so sad losing Terry, he really was one of those people you thought would go on forever. He shone so brightly in every way. I was lucky to have him as a friend and mentor. Even writing this hurts, I miss him so much.’

Emma added ‘We used to chat on Whatsapp (he lived in California) and he would tell me all the tales about his life in the 70s with Taj Mahal, Crosby Stills & Nash and David Lindley when they were all young crazy lads. He had some brilliant stories and an incredible memory for detail.’

‘There will be a tribute concert in 2027 which his lovely wife Annette has asked me to perform at. I’ll probably sing the song we wrote together See You in The Morning – if I can hold back the tears.’

You are putting together a new tour for 2026 are you playing any new venues?

‘Yes! It’s great to be expanding my gig repertoire! Of course, Katowice in Poland is new I’ve never played there before. I’m also on a festival in Germany – Dreyland Festival. Then in the UK the Swanage festival, I’ve played as a guest before but this time headlining. And the Beer Blues Festival in Devon is a new one for me’ said Emma.

‘Also, there are a couple of clubs such as The Angel in Bardsey and the Chantry Brewery in Rotherham. It’s fantastic that promoters – some of whom are musicians – are starting new clubs. Then in December I’m back at the 100 Club in London which is always a cool night – the room just throbs with energy.’

For further information on singles, albums and full list of tour dates contact the new official website >>>  www.emmawilson.co 


Listen to the new album ‘A Spoonful of Willie Dixon’ >>> 

https://EmmaWilson.lnk.to/SpoonfulofWillieDixonNE

Alikivi   March 2026

THESE ARE MY BOUNDS – new collection from Jarrow born poet, Tom Kelly

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Playwright, lyricist and poet Tom Kelly who now lives further up the Tyne river at Blaydon, has released a new collection of poems published by Northumberland based Red Squirrel Press.

‘My collection, prior to ‘These Are My Bounds’ was ‘Walking My Streets’ (interview on site July 2024) published in 2024 and from that point I was building up work for my next collection’ said Tom.

‘I prefer to have new work published in magazines and the majority of poems in a new collection have been published. It allows me to see them more objectively.’

‘Once I’ve had a number of poems published, I begin to select which ones may work in the together. Next is the business of the running order. I found with, ‘These Are My Bounds’ they worked best by moving from past to present. I open the collection with a poem using my grandmother, Maggie Henderson, who died in Jarrow in 1969.’

Tom has had fourteen books published by Red Squirrel Press, the first was ‘The Wrong Jarrow’ from Smokestack Books.

‘That was in 2007 and is now out-of-print. Before these collections I had a number of pamphlets published by a variety of small publishers.’

Tom adds ‘My first pamphlet was the ‘Gibbeting of Wm. Jobling,’ published by the Bede Gallery, Jarrow in 1972.The publication was made up of poetry, prose, contemporary documents and illustrated by Vincent Rea.’

What are your hopes for this new collection?

‘I would, like most poets, to find readers who warm to my work with positive reviews and good sales to have my publisher Sheila Wakefield of Red Squirrel Press publish my next collection.’

Quotes and reviews from previous collections.

‘Another consummate, heart-warming collection from the talented Tom Kelly’.

Alan Morrison, in Morning Star.

‘He writes in a simple style, sometimes in the dialect of his native north-east. What he writes about should never be forgotten, though the rich and the powerful do their best to expunge it from collective memory.’ Review of ‘No Love Rations’, short story collection. MQB  

‘Tom Kelly writes poems that are straightforward and about the people and the places he’s known all his life. The North-East is his “small patch” and its history and traditions loom large in just about everything he writes. If the term “regional writer” means anything it certainly applies to a writer like Kelly. You can see and smell and hear both the past and the present as you read the short, jabbing lines with their penny-plain words.’ The Penniless Press 

‘These Are My Bounds’ available from Red Squirrel Press.

Alikivi   March 2026

HOME SWEDE HOME – with singer & songwriter Alan Barker

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Originally from Middlesbrough, for the past 12 years 71 year old Alan has lived in Sweden with his wife Jude.

‘After school I went to train as a school teacher at Durham University then spent my first seven years in the workplace as a teacher then in business for several years in and around the Northeast.’ explained Alan.

‘The first business was an up market private health and fitness Centre in Yarm. It was called Gym and Tonic. My second business was a construction company renovating properties and building new houses’.

When did you first pick up a guitar?

‘When I was 12 year old and sang my first song at the school folk club. It was Bob Dylans Blowing in the Wind. Like everyone else at the time I joined a band at 16 and played a few gigs around the Teesside area particularly Redcar pubs. It didn’t last. We didn’t get a record deal. But I really did enjoy it.’

Was music in your family, did anyone play an instrument?

‘Yes, my mother. She played a mean piano but she had to have her arms twisted too actually do it. She was a musical one. Most family and friend’s parties ended up around the piano with her playing the hits of the day. So, I guess I got my performing bug from her and from her brother. My uncle was a professional singer all his working life.’

‘Fast forward five decades and songwriting has taken over. There was a song in me called Running Man. I wrote it quickly and we recorded it. Since then, I’ve just kept writing.’

‘Jude and I became involved with a professional football club In Sweden and formed a refugee team called The Mighty Cosmos. The original members of this team had all escaped the 2003 and still ongoing genocide with Sudan and Darfur and had an amazing story to tell.’

‘Over two years, they told me their personal stories and every line in Running Man was a part of one of those stories.

One night at the height of the refugee migration across Europe I saw the Hungarian foreign minister say we will build a fence and send them back and that became a line in the middle eight part of the song. The rest of the song came very quickly.’

Alan’s song has received radio airplay in Sweden and he has been interviewed on several radio stations across northern Sweden.

‘Songwriting came to me late, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I think the early protest singer songwriters of the 60s and 70s especially Dylan, Roy Harper, Tom Paxton, Loundon Wainright along with the amazing Leonard Cohen have influenced the way I write.’

‘There’s a rich pallet of subject matter in the world right now so plenty to go at. I have several songs on Spotify now and a whole load lined up ready to be recorded including an EP of four songs of nostalgia about my home town.’

Songs recorded in Studio 306, Ostersund, Sweden. Produced & engineered by Johan Arveli & Anders Lagroix Kronlund. Available to download on all music platforms.

Tracks include Jamtland County, Monster in the Water, War is Cancelled Today, Darfur Wind, Into the light and Lady Liberty.

Alikivi     March 2026

CRIMINAL MIND with Cullercoats author Glynis Drew

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Glynis was born in Cullercoats, a small fishing village on the North East Coast of England.

‘Where I spent a happy, carefree childhood. Cullercoats Bay was, literally, at the end of my street, and the village had a real community feel – it still does. Now aged 63, I haven’t moved too far from where I grew up.’

Her creative writing journey began at the age of eight.

‘In reality, I was copying the themes and formats of children’s authors. At the age of 11, I was still making notes for my first full-length story book – Five at Mystery Camp!’

‘Leaving school, I wanted to do something other than sit behind a desk – so with the qualifications I had, I was encouraged to spend the next 45 years working behind a desk! I also took on part-time work all within the Cullercoats or North Shields area. I was a barmaid, had a go at working as a housekeeper and one job was cleaning a local morgue. The smell was one of bleach and cleaning products but the atmosphere was spooky and spine tingling. I dreaded every shift – my imagination sometimes does get the better of me.’

Who inspired you to start writing?

‘Growing up, I would spend a lot of time in Cullercoats library, and my first real interest in reading came from Enid Blyton mystery stories. By the time I joined Marden High School in North Shields, it seemed my natural reading progression was to jump from Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series to James Herbet – The Rats – a huge leap in genre. My imagination was ignited, and my storytelling went up a few notches!’

‘I created my DCI Caron Dell crime fiction novels in 2005, and have written several short stories – none of which are published. I began taking things more seriously when my daughter, Beth, a singer-songwriter, wrote a piece called Stay Young. Something about that song lit a fire in me—and that spark become the basis for my first novel.’

‘To date, I have written and self-published two books from my DCI Caron Dell series: Dying to Stay Young and Where is January Blue?’ 

Have you surprised yourself?

‘I am surprised at how engrossed I have become in my research, whilst developing personality profiles, locations, and murder! Autopsies were an eye-opener, too!’

‘I’m learning something new each time I delve into the world of DCI Caron Dell – she is a stalwart for justice. And, I’m totally bowled over by the interest and support I’ve received, not just from family and friends, but from people I haven’t even met. So, a huge thank you – genuinely, I value everyone’s support.’

 How was your debut book received?

‘My first book Dying to Stay Young, has good reviews on Amazon and five-star reviews in Goodreads. I am delighted by the feedback. Another huge thanks to those who have taken the time to read my books and to those who have left a review.’

‘At the beginning of March 26, Cullercoats Library hosted an event for me to talk about my DCI Dell novels. The venue was very fitting. Providing more detail about DCI Caron Dell and having a face-to-face discussion has encouraged me to continue my storytelling. For my first event, I was grateful for a full room and an engaged audience.’

While researching have you come across any unusual stories?

‘Not unusual, but more surprising. Whilst listening to Professor David Wilson, a Criminology expert, I was shocked by the low number of convictions for crimes against vulnerable groups. With one statistic flooring me – 2% of abuse against women crimes actually lead to a conviction.’

‘Obviously, there is more to the stats, but what is worth noting is that not all crimes are reported, so what is the real percentage? Is it higher or lower? I don’t think we’ll ever know for certain. My interest was piqued, and my hunger to write psychological thrillers grew.’

Would you like to see any of your books adapted for the stage or TV?

‘Absolutely, that would be utopia!’

For further information and upcoming releases contact the official website >>>

 Drews Fiction

Alikivi   March 2026

TYNESIDE VEGAN & MUSIC FESTIVAL – in conversation with North East Animal Rights founder, Anna Malia

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Anna Malia, Ocean Rd, South Shields. pic. Alikivi Feb 2026

Anna set up North East Animal Rights (N.E.A.R) to campaign and educate about veganism and animal rights. They have around 30 members with branches in Newcastle and Teesside.

On 16th May N.E.A.R are hosting a Tyneside Vegan and Music Festival from 11am-3.30pm at Northumbria University Student Union, Newcastle.

‘We’re expecting the event to be busy. It seems the more we do the bigger and busier we get. We create a family vibe so we get all ages coming along’ explained Anna.

‘This is the seventh Tyneside Vegan festival which first started in Gateshead where the music was so popular that we decided to have live music playing as a regular feature. A lot of the music is original and it will be on through the day, all of the performers are vegan. They will be up on the stage and the main traders will be arranged around the hall.’

‘We try to offer an equal balance between food, ethical traders, music and social justice. It’s all aspects of animal rights as well as the environment – for example we have Climate Action Newcastle coming along as well as lots of charities and animal rights groups.’

‘We hope to attract new vegans who can come and meet others. It’s also a place where long term vegans like myself can safely come to and know there is going to be plant based food stalls with no animal products. Some festivals don’t offer that.’  

‘People can bring their dogs have a browse of the stalls, eat some food and listen to music. A great day out. We also have a few stalls encouraging people to get involved in activism which can be scary for people if they look on-line, but we offer face to face contact which is important so they can meet the people they may end up doing activism with.’

‘I’ve been vegetarian since I was 14 and went vegan about 20 year ago. If people are interested in being vegan, I’d say research it first. Some say veganism is extreme – but there’s nothing extreme about not wanting to use or eat animals. Over the years I’ve seen a big difference in attitudes to veganism and the availability of plant based food.’

‘Veganism is a lifestyle, it’s what you wear and where you shop. A vegan wouldn’t have a leather settee or leather shoes. It’s as far as practical you can go with it – it can be hard living in a (currently) non-vegan world seeing constant adverts everywhere for animal body parts but being vegan itself is actually very easy. It’s not about eating free range this or grass fed that or buying locally. Whether you’ve bought locally or not I’m sure it doesn’t make any difference to the animal when they are on the kill floor.’

‘We actively promote veganism others might call it preaching – and they do. But when you think something is wrong you are morally obliged to do something about it. You act against it or for it. There is a lot of research which shows that if you are going to be violent towards animals you will be violent towards humans.’

‘We are an educational campaigning and pressure group so do not get involved in direct actions although we do support and attend protests and actions by other groups. We are non-violent and non-violence and peace is at the core of veganism – it’s the ultimate peace movement.’

Link to Anna’s interview (2021) with Ronnie Lee co founder of the Animal Liberation Front. Ronnie is a lifelong animal rights campaigner.

NEAR Interview with Ronnie Lee

Anna explained ‘Before social media, groups were forced to take more direct action to raise awareness of cruelty to animals and sometimes this led to them being put in prison. But activists are still being criminalised for animal right actions (and social justice actions) and while we would never condone violence towards an individual, we do support challenging the laws where they need to be. And there are many current cases of where the laws should be and are being challenged.’

‘A classic example of this is the fox hunting laws which are now being reviewed again as they have not worked in the way they were intended and sabs are still being assaulted on a weekly basis. And another is the reclassification of animal testing facilities as life sciences infrastructure in an attempt to stop protests – this is currently being challenged in the courts.’

‘What is our aim? We want to end all animal use. It’s not just about not eating animals it’s about not testing on them, not wearing them, not using them for entertainment, it’s about not seeing them for our benefit.’

To join N.E.A.R contact @northeastanimalrights on social media or contact @tynesideveganandmusicfestival

Links to previous interviews >>>

MEAT IS MURDER – with North East Animal Rights founder Anna Malia | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

BAD EGGS – with Anna Malia founder of North East Animal Rights | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

Alikivi   March 2026

GEORDIE HUNT SABS AT NEWCASTLE TRILLIANS

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The Geordie Hunt Saboteurs are a North East group established to expose illegal fox hunting and other blood sports. The Sabs use non-violent direct action to prevent wildlife from cruelty. Rosie Brock from the Geordie Hunt Sabs got in touch…

‘There are nine hunts in Northumberland who hunt on a Wednesday and Saturday in places like Tyne Valley, Tynedale and Morpeth. We try to get to them all’

‘On these hunts are terrier men who come out on their quadbikes. They bully us, harass us, block us in – tactics like that. They call us vile horrible names – especially the girls. I’ve put up with it for years it just goes over my head now.’

To support the work of the Sabs a gig has been arranged in Newcastle featuring three face peeling punk bands. Rosie added…

‘We have joined up with North East Cosmic Circus to put a night of punk on at Trillians Newcastle. Three bands will be playing for the crowd. The incredible Anti-System are travelling in from Poland to support our cause plus the political Active Minds from Scarborough and Durham’s noisy Bastard Face. All bands are playing this benefit gig and proceeds will go towards the Saboteurs costs.’

‘All the money that we raise goes towards keeping us on the road, we need petrol and paying for repairs after tyres are slashed and windows broken.’

NECC presents Geordie Hunt Sabs at Newcastle Trillians on Sunday April 12th 2026. Doors open 6.30pm. £10 entry.

Alikivi   March 2026

GANNIN’ ALANG THE SCOTSWOOD ROAD with singer & songwriter Alan Fish

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Newcastle band White Heat released three singles and recorded one album, signed for Virgin records in 1980, opened for Judas Priest and headlined London’s Marquee. People remark of a band that ‘shudda made it big’. They set alight to the Tyne but sadly not the Thames.

Previous interviews on this site with guitarist Alan and vocalist Bob Smeaton detail the journey of White Heat and The Loud Guitars who followed.

Bob went onto a successful career in TV & Film while Alan told me ‘The Attention Seekers were formed around 1999, our first album was released in 2002, we have released six albums and a seventh is in the final stages’.

For the past 10 years Alan has also toured as a session musician with American singer/songwriter Jesse Terry.

Alan and Jesse backstage Newcastle Cluny 2023.

‘However, to my surprise, at a number of gigs in the Netherlands audience members shouted out requests for White Heat songs. Nervous Breakdown and 21 and Wasted were hastily added to the set. Our songs had travelled far further than White Heat ever did.’

‘I look back on my time with White Heat and The Loud Guitars with great affection and have revisited and re-recorded a number of songs from those heady days. Promo videos are on You Tube for Chain Reaction, Is It Too Late?, A Long Way From Home, Do Me A Favour and Out Of Me.’

‘Recently I travelled even further back in time to the pre- White Heat days when we were playing under the name ‘Heartbreaker’. I always felt that the song Hard To Lose should have been recorded. My former band members were more than happy for me to reinvent this live favourite and Your Poster On My Wall is the result.

‘In 2017 I was approached by Newcastle Utd to develop a new version of anthemic song The Blaydon Races. My version The Fans – The Blaydon Races was accepted and I was informed they would be using it till the end of the season. It’s now 2026 and still being played at every home game. It’s now officially the most downloaded-streamed version in digital history. As a Newcastle supporter I am beyond proud.’

‘Pre 2017 Newcastle United were a club underperforming and floundering under a curse. A number of theories including ’The Gypsies Curse’, The Witches Curse’, ’The Burial Ground Curse’ were all to blame for this continuing pattern of failure. However, I think the problem lay closer to home.’

‘The version of The Blaydon Races the club were playing pre 2017 was recorded and performed by musician Alan Price (The Animals). I have it on good authority that Alan Price was an ardent Sunderland supporter. This was the problem hiding in plain sight.’

‘It’s no coincidence that since 2017 we have retained our Premier League status returned to the European Champions League and after 70 years in the wilderness have won silverware. Yes, indeed it’s all down to The Fans version of The Blaydon Races and not a Sunderland supporter within sight. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.’

‘The relative success of The Blaydon Races has allowed me to independently fund recording studios and top end musicians – who aren’t cheap. It gives my songs the best chance of having radio appeal. Iconic station Radio Caroline named The Attention Seekers track The Prudhoe Song, song of 2025. Many thanks to presenter Steve Anthony.’

The Prudhoe Song – The Attention Seekers 2025 remix

Multiple media outlets have used recordings from The Blaydon Races sessions including Amazon Prime, BBC, ITV, The Bauer Media Group and the 2024 SELA Quayside 3D light show event. An unofficial Saudi version is on YouTube.

Both The Blaydon Races and the Carry me home outro from The Attention Seekers song Seven Bridges were used creatively on the Carabao Cup ITV video as the soundtrack to the historic Victory Parade.

‘This has raised the profile of the song and recently Newcastle United have asked me to develop a bespoke mix of Seven Bridges to integrate into their half time playlist. It’s now being played. As a lifelong Newcastle United supporter I’m on cloud 9!’

‘One of the highlights of 2025 was performing Seven Bridges with City Of Newcastle Male Voice Choir, Some Voices Choir and St. Teresa’s Primary School Choir as part of their Christmas Charity Concert.’

‘I’m presently working with City Of Newcastle Male Voice Choir, developing a choral arrangement of Seven Bridges to be included in their repertoire and to be recorded and released. It’s quite a departure from the days of White Heat.’

Promo shot of White Heat with Alan on the left and Bob Smeaton on right of picture.

‘The first release of 2026 for The Attention Seekers is Sweet Anna Brown. While unsuccessfully trying to track down an old friend and finding myself disappearing down numerous rabbit holes it occurred to me that this would make an interesting topic for a song.’

‘We step into the controversial world of social media and whether we like it or not it looks like it’s going to be with us for the foreseeable future. The character Anna Brown is one long mystery and doesn’t appear to have any social media presence.’

‘I’m rapidly closing in on a new album to be released later this year. Music continues to colour my life and long may it continue.’

Sweet Anna Brown is now available to stream-download via all usual platforms. The Attention Seekers –  Alan Fish – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Trevor Brewis – Drums, Tony Davis – Piano, Organ, backing vocals. Produced by Alan Fish, engineered by Tony Davis. Recorded at Cluny Studios, Newcastle.

Alikivi   March 2026