ROKER ROAR with Sunderland poet Ronnie James

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Ronnie is in his mid 40s and was educated at Monkwearmouth school. He worked as a mental health therapist for 20 years.

“After leaving my professional life behind I decided to focus on myself and had some counselling and in the sessions found myself writing about the past.”

When he was young Ronnie had a traumatic experience where two of his friends were murdered.

“Talking about the horrendous murders that took place and the lads I knew hasn’t been easy to revisit. But the truth never is. It naturally pushed me towards writing.”  

“Also, in my youth I made a million bad decisions which resulted in a little holiday in the old mental health unit Cherry Knowles in Ryhope. This was also inspiration behind my writing.”

Earlier this year Ronnie met up with a couple of friends who have been supportive of his work. Two examples are added below. He is now looking to get some of his poems and a short story published.

“My friend has helped a lot with telling my story and I’ve really taken to poetry and bending words, its great fun.”

“This has all started to come together the last few months, I’ve got a couple of great editors working on the short story. The poems haven’t been edited yet.”

“We’ve had some really good feedback but if I’m honest, I think the story was born in Sunderland and I would like it continue to have a North East connection.”

What are your hopes for the work when it is published?

“I’m hoping the overall work of the two books is a positive message. Even when you think you are at rock bottom, believe it or not you can bounce back.” 

Alikivi    June 2024

This evening by Ronnie James

I wonder the meaning.

As I’m cleaning.

Am I right in believing.

This evening.

Isn’t for thieving.

Its for believing. 

My mate knows the meaning of this evening.

Talking goods times and current achievements

Its not for screaming or disbelieving.

Its time for escaping the machining.

And giving the evening a meaning

Mad Matty by Ronnie James

He resided in the bed next to me.

Long jet black crazy curly hair. As if he’d been electrocuted. God knows why he was there we never spoke. Apparently, I heard some horrible violence some staff I heard saying.

He was drugged to the point he couldn’t talk just laugh and giggle. He needed constant attention from staff. 

He would sleep under my bed at night.

I’d waken to hear a giggle. I’d look to my left and his bed would be empty. Bastards under my bed. I looked under upside down there he is. Giggling laughing, insanity, crazy eyes, evil. This happened a few times.

I went from trying to be his mate to him hissing like a wild cat at me under my bed to me completely exploding with anger to which either situation me being restrained by 3 or 4 men and Matty getting carted off to where ever.

After a few times of that and other situations 1 day he never came back. Apparently, he hung himself. He never got out the asylum.

SAME REFRAIN new track by Sunderland punks Slalom D

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Back left: Lisa Lindstedt (keyboards), back right: Tony Lindstedt (bass)
Front left: Antony Bircham (guitar), front middle: Iain Murray (drums)
Front right: Fiona Duncan (vocals)

Bassist Tony introduces the band…

‘We formed in 2017 as a vehicle for original singer Craig Macbeth’s political rants. When Iain and I joined, gigs were arranged despite Craig’s protest as he never wanted to play live – he did learn to enjoy it. But sadly, he died in 2019.’

‘His good friend Fe was asked to step in when the band decided they wanted to carry on. They have been gigging and recording ever since. There have been a few line up changes along the way.’

‘We all have day jobs so our gigs are mainly in the North East, but we have ventured up to Scotland a handful of times as well as playing Blackpool’s Rebellion festival four times, Manchester punk festival in 2024 and Bearded Theory this year.’

‘We try to get out and about as much as our jobs will allow. In March we played Leicester and Northampton and we have other gigs out of town planned.’

What type of audience do the band attract?

’We have a varied audience. We do get the older punks coming to see us but we also have some really young local bands who come to our gigs as well. It’s heartening that all walks of life seem to ‘get us’.

Link >>> Slalom D: Same Refrain Official Music Video

The new track Same Refrain has been released. What is the story behind it?

Tony explained ‘Same Refrain was one of the first songs written for our third album ‘I Choose My Own Way to Burn’ which should be out this summer. The music is nearly three years old and Fe wrote the lyrics soon after.’

‘The song is about my dad receiving a diagnosis for Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnosis and how he now often repeats the same stories.’ said Fe. ‘I was always told how it could be annoying to have to listen to the same things over and over again. I haven’t found it like that, I’m just happy when he is talking and how happy he is when he’s back living those old memories.’

‘It’s a love letter to anyone who is going through the same and to my dad, to let him know I’ll always be here to listen, even if I’ve heard it all before.’

‘My long time friend Gavin Selby wrote, directed, shot and edited the video. Apart from our very first one, he’s done all our videos and we credit him with being part of the Slalom D family now. He really knows what we’re trying to say and he can interpret them perfectly.’

Have you got any gigs planned this summer?

We have dates in June, a few festival dates in July and in August in Newcastle at Trillians then a date in The Globe opening for TV Smith on September 6th. More to be confirmed.’

The album launch is on 12th September at Diego’s in Sunderland.

For more information contact the band on social media.

Alikivi   June 2026

SOLIDARITY IN SUNDERLAND

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Punk bands Sanction This, Red London and Slalom D will be playing at Sunderland Museum Vaults on 21 June. The gig is to raise funds to build a community monument to remember the International Brigade Volunteers from Sunderland who fought the rise of fascism during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.

Slalom D vocalist Fi Duncan talked about how the gig came about…”We’re good friends with Julio, one of the main organisers. He asked us because we’ve always taken a stance against racism and fascism. Especially at a time like this, we all have to stand up for what is right.”

“The International Brigade will always be an inspiration for people wanting to be on the right side of history. It’s an excellent cause, in one of our favourite venues, surrounded by our mates, it’s going to be a great gig”.

Entry is £10 on the door. Museum Vaults, 33 Silksworth Rd, Sunderland SR1  

For more information contact >> Solidarity Sunderland – Solidarity Park

Alikivi   June 2026

DEMENTIA MATTERS – From Dialogue to Monologue in Newcastle’s Tyneside Irish Centre

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North East playwright Arthur Mackenzie has had a great career as a writer penning many episodes of TV classics such as ‘Casualty’ and ‘The Bill’. In 2024 he wrote a book of monologues for female actors to raise money for a dementia charity but asked the publisher to omit his name from the cover as he wished to remain anonymous.

All proceeds from the book were donated to ‘Dementia Matters.’ Arthur’s wife has dementia which is what inspired him to write the book ‘From Dialogue To Monologue.’ 

With the help of the North East Acting & Writing Hub, this Friday 5th June from 7pm five of those scripted pieces are being performed in Newcastle at The Tyneside Irish Centre to raise money for Age UK North Tyneside which helps dementia patients in the region.


Arthur Mackenzie explained “I’m delighted that Steve Wraith from the ‘North East Acting and Writing Hub’ in Gateshead offered to promote a showcase of my monologues. There may be laughter and tears but I hope people take something from the evening.” 

Photo left to right Steve Wraith, Libby Walker, Sharon Percy, Arthur Mackenzie, Jayne Mackenzie, Alison Stanley and Dawn Wilkinson.

Steve said “I’ve known Arthur for over 38 years now. I did my first play for him aged 16 playing the part of the Lord Mayor in ‘Exclusive’ at The Peoples Theatre. In 2014 I debuted a play about speed dating for him at South Shields Customs House called ‘GSOH Would Like To Meet’. So, I was only too pleased to help Arthur with this project.”

Steve added “Two year ago I published the monologues for him anonymously at his request to raise money for ‘Dementia Matters.’ Now Arthur has agreed to put his name to the project and myself, Neil Jackson and Catarina De Cezzane at the North East Acting and Writing Hub in Gateshead have pulled the project together.”

“We have a very talented group of Actors including Sharon Percy, Libby Walker, Alison Stanley, Jayne Mackenzie and Dawn Wilkinson who have kindly given up their time for free which means we shall raise some much needed funds for Dementia Patients.”

All proceeds from the evening will go towards Age UK North Tyneside. Tickets are £5 on the door. 

June 2026

THE MERCHANT OF GATESHEAD – New Acting & Writing Hub to Launch this Summer.

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Photo LtoR Steve Wraith, Martin Hylton (CEO Gateway Studio), Catarina De Cezanne and Neil Jackson

A new initiative for actors and writers is set to launch in Gateway Studio on Gateshead High Street this summer. The Hub is designed to give local playwrights the opportunity to hear their work performed to a live audience, and giving actors a professional stage to ply their craft.

The team behind the new initiative are award-winning Portuguese screenwriter and film maker Catarina De Cezanne, producer and filmmaker Neil Jackson plus Steve Wraith, Actor and Writer who explained…

There is a wealth of creative talent in the North East but a lack of opportunities for those creatives to express themselves. We approached Gateshead Council with our project and they helped us get the ball rolling.

It is so important for writers to hear their script read and performed by actors. If gives them a chance to hear audience reaction, what they like, what they don’t like, what makes them laugh or cry and what does and doesn’t work. 

Have any dates been planned for shows?

We have 5 dates filled already. We are launching with a comedy that I have written called ‘The End Of Our World’ which will be performed by Rod Glenn and Kathryn Sabourn on July 29th at 6pm. This will be our official launch night which will also see us officially launch our film company ANBOC Films Ltd. 

Is it free to enter and do the creatives get paid?

It is free and people can enter all year round. All script writers selected and actors cast will all be paid a fee for their work and performance. 

Has this initiative been done in Gateshead before?

There have been initiatives of this type across the region but this is a first for Gateshead town centre. 

What are your hopes for the project?

We hope to discover new talent across the region. We certainly feel that there is a gap in the creative world for this type of scheme. My experience of theatre locally as a professional actor is that it is very much a closed shop to the majority and it is difficult to get a break. We will be looking to break new talent each month and giving them a chance to gain some experience. Long term we would love to expand this across the borough of Gateshead. 

The scheme has secured backing from Gateshead Council, with funding provided through the North East Combined Authority (NECA). For more information contact >>>

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Alikivi   June 2026

REIVER READS – with Hexham author, historian & book dealer Robb Turnbull

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57 year old Robb Turnbull read history at Ruskin College Oxford and Northumbria University. He is author of two books ‘Left for the Rising Sun – Right For Swan Hunter’, also, the follow up biography of Noah Ablett, ‘Climbing Mount Sinai’.

‘I’ve previously written for TLS, BBC History Magazine, Medieval History, Jacobin, The Morning Star, Medieval Living; and have just written a book aimed at teenagers and young people on the bloody history of the 14 C Scottish Borders – ‘Flight of the Frescobaldi’ will be published later this year” said Hexham born Robb.

“I still live there along with my wife Kim, who is part of Reiver Reads.”

What is Reiver Reads and what are its main aims?

‘Reiver Reads is a radical and socialist bookshop based in Carlisle’s historic Victorian Market Hall. The shop was opened by Kim and I in July 2023. Our aim is to provide a space for discussion and debate in a friendly and welcoming environment, and to act as a counterweight to the advance of the far right who are rapidly gaining ground in Carlisle.’

‘As the parents of an openly gay child, Kim and I are acutely aware of the rising tide of hostility directed at anyone who may appear different, and so Reiver Reads if it is about anything, is about education to counter that prejudice. As a result, we have recently teamed up with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and will shortly be selling their merchandise.’

Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was attacked by a gang of boys in 2007 for being different. Link to full story and website >>>  The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

My house is full of books, have read since I was a kid and still go to the library. Are people like me a dying breed?

‘You raise an interesting point. I would say the majority of our customers are in the 40 plus age bracket which suggests that children and young people are not reading. I think it’s more nuanced than this. I was in Newcastle yesterday with our two year old grandson and the children’s section in Waterstones was busy.’

Regarding future plans we are hoping to start a book delivery service around Carlisle for those with limited mobility. The idea came via a good friend of ours who struggles to walk. It still needs work, but the idea is there.

‘As regards our First Saturday Talks, we are looking to increase our range of speakers, and subjects. I would love it if we could have Dr Janina Ramirez for example.’ 

For more information on Reiver Reads contact the Facebook page.

More reading from Robb Turnbull:  

‘Left for the Rising Sun- Right For Swan Hunter’ – The Plebs League in the North East of England 1908-1926 (Five Leaves Press, Nottingham 2014).

‘Climbing Mount Sinai’ biography of Noah Ablett 1883-1935, (Socialist History Society 2017)

Alikivi   June 2026

TOUCHED BY CANCER – Tits Up on tour with actress, writer & theatre producer Alison Stanley

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Alison Stanley, Katie Potts, Crissy Rock & Leah Bell.

A UK tour is planned for ‘Tits Up.’ The play is based on the real life story of women with breast cancer. It’s written by Alison Stanley and Leah Bell who also star in the show along with Crissy Rock and Katie Potts. 

The show played at a sold out North East venue this year. You must be pleased with this Alison?

I’m really pleased with how everything is going. The audiences have been great and the reviews have been amazing. I think the subject matter (breast cancer) is relatable to so many people, in fact I really don’t know many people whose lives haven’t been touched by cancer in some way.

I think this play is really important in raising awareness, it looks at the lives of very different women. It looks at women who have caring responsibilities as well as dealing with their diagnosis. This puts an entirely different slant on dealing with cancer when you have to care for others as well.

We also wanted to look at breast cancer in very young women. Most people think breast cancer is an older person’s disease but the fact is young women can get this too. We hope that this play encourages young women to check themselves.

Are you looking forward to the tour and taking the show to new venues?

I’m really looking forward to touring. This tour goes all over the UK in October to coincide with breast cancer awareness month. I’m looking forward to new theatres and new audiences also playing some old favourites. There are some really beautiful theatres in the UK.

We’re also playing in the North East at Alnwick Playhouse, South Shields Customs House and Live Theatre in Newcastle, so it’s great to be showing out on home turf. 

What type of audiences do you think the show will attract?

Cancer affects everyone so we have people who have their own cancer journeys, their families, health professionals and theatre goers who want to be entertained by a great story. All very different audiences of all types of people. The play is raw, honest, heartfelt and at times hilarious. 

‘Tits Up’ starring Crissy Rock, Katie Potts, Leah Bell & Alison Stanley is playing across the UK in October 2026.

Alikivi   May 2026

Links to previous interviews >>>

CLASS ACT in conversation with Newcastle actor, writer & theatre producer Leah Bell | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

RISKY BUSINESS – in conversation with writer, actor & theatre producer Alison Stanley | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

THE NAME OF THE GAME with Writer & Theatre producer Alison Stanley | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

FAMILY TIES with Newcastle singer-songwriter Simon Taylor

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48 year old Simon Taylor is a singer songwriter based in Newcastle.

“But, cliche alert, music seems to make me younger every day – mentally anyway.”

Is music in your family?

Yes, my Grandad played piano beautifully in his council house in Longbenton. Classics like Debussy and Ravel. He was a genius really, he was brilliant at science as well, entirely self-taught.

That musical side was passed on to my Mum who also plays piano. I used to love listening to her play as a young boy, maybe a connection was made right back then. On my father’s side my Gran sung at Hexham Abbey and I notice I probably get a bit of my voice from her when I go into my falsetto – er not very often.

Finally, my brother has taken after my Mum and Grandad and is a very well-regarded classical/ jazz piano improviser who plays concerts at venues across the UK and also in Europe. A much more skilled musician than me.

When was the first time you picked up a guitar?

I really got the idea of playing guitar at the age of nineteen when I was on holiday in Benidorm with my girlfriend of the time. I saw a flamenco teacher in a little plaza teaching a student and the image absolutely resonated with me and practically stopped me in my tracks.

I must have decided not long after to learn guitar because I got my first acoustic for my birthday two months later. It might well have been my ex-girlfriend’s lovely father who bought it – I forget. He gave me some early lessons anyway.

I kind of messed about with it for a couple of years from the age of 20 but then it was leaning against the wall of my bedroom for two years, untouched. The decision to then pick it up again at the age of 24 was one of the best I ever made. Almost immediately I realised I could compose melodies and that was how the whole songwriting thing started for me.

What studios have you used or do you record at home?

I have recorded at home, (I made two e.ps around Covid times this way), but decided I was probably better off personally working with a skilled producer on my projects in future. Recently these have included Lisa Murphy and John Martindale at Blank Studios and Ziad Jabero at Chilli Studios. I absolutely love recording and have also recorded at Loft Music Studios in Newcastle and the Old Church Studios in Thropton, Northumberland which were both also excellent.

What is your latest release?

I’m releasing a single whose title is inspired by my recent difficult domestic troubles called Bad Vibes Boulevard. A curator described it recently as ‘alt-pop’, maybe it is, I don’t know. I recorded it with Ziad Jabero at Chilli Studios he also played electric and 12 string guitar on it so I was very lucky to have his assistance there. It’s out on Wednesday 1st July.

When are your next gigs?

I have a couple of gigs coming up but they may have passed by the time this goes to press. The next one after that is an exciting one for me as it will be my first gig with a band performing my music in over eight years. It hasn’t been announced yet so I’d better keep schtum but we’ve been rehearsing at First Avenue Studios and are close to ready for that.

It’s been very gratifying to hear my songs live with added instrumentation as most of them were designed to be performed so we’ll see where that particular avenue of my life leads.

For more news/music/photos contact the official website >> http://www.simontaylormusic.com

Alikivi   May 2026

NEW ROAD MOVIE – new album from Autoleisureland

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In 2022 vocalist Paul Woods and multi-instrumentalist David Brewis released Autoleisureland’s debut album ‘Infiniti Drive’ – now they are ready to release their second album ‘New Road Movie’.

Paul explained “I guess our hopes for the album are just to reach a wider audience. We’re building a little bit of a community of listeners through Last Night From Glasgow, also having a number 1 on Mike Read’s Heritage Radio with our single ‘All the World Over’ has helped too. We’re just getting our music and name out there and then see what happens.”

All the World Over official Autoleisureland video

Back in the 80s David and Paul were founding members of  chart regulars The Kane Gang who formed in Seaham, County Durham in 1982 and signed to Kitchenware & London record labels.

Alongside vocalist Martin Brammer, the group racked up UK and European hits including Closest Thing To Heaven, Respect Yourself and Gun Law. They also scored a US pop hit with Motortown and a US dance No.1 with Don’t Look Any Further. And still spinning in 2026 the debut album released in 1985 ‘The Bad and Lowdown World of The Kane Gang’.

“Martin is busy with us in The Kane Gang. That’s the other great thing happening for us” said Paul. “In the last year or so the KG played two shows at Sunderland’s Fire Station, and at Dingwalls, London, and St Luke’s, Glasgow, aided and abetted by Field Music, We’re also writing and recording a new album with Field Music that we are a good way into. It’s all good”

Autoleisureland’s new release ‘New Road Movie’ is packed with effortless vocals by Paul Woods blended with David Brewis’ deep pop sounds and hooky tunes all wrapped up in an eazy-breezy West Coast feel. Are there any plans to take it out on the road?

Paul added “At the moment we have no plans to play live. We want to concentrate on writing and recording as many albums as we can. Things can change though.”

The 11 track album is released by Last Night From Glasgow on Transparent Amber vinyl, Transparent Red vinyl, CD & digital formats on 15 May 2026.

Alikivi   May 2026

Links to previous interviews >>>

AUTOLEISURELAND – new album by ex-Kane Gang duo | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

THE KANE GANG: On ‘80s Live Music Show The Tube | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

NORTHERN MELODY with North East musician & ex- Kane Gang member, David Brewis | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

BULLFROG 50 YEARS ON with North East songwriter & producer Steve Thompson

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Apprentice steelworkers and musicians Steve Thompson and Robin Hird formed Bullfrog in 1969. Being a Consett band their first ever gig was in The Freemasons Ballroom. Reportedly a wild west of a venue! Bullfrog played all over the North East gaining a huge following, and supporting big names including The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Hot Chocolate and Wishbone Ash.

Bullfrog finally attained the holy grail of a record deal but sadly failed to turn North East popularity into global stardom.

Steve(bass) takes up the story …“Ultimately, we had two record deals on offer from EMI and Cube. After a few years slogging around pubs and clubs in the North East we decided we needed to cut some demos and go after a record deal. So off we went to Multicord studios in Sunderland and laid down our entire repertoire of original songs.”

“We had also come second in a national competition and the prize was a recording audition at EMI Studios. EMI liked the recordings and started discussing a deal. Then we heard from Cube. They liked the demos we had sent and wanted to come see us at a live gig.”

“They came to Wingate Constitutional Club. It couldn’t have worked out better. They were swinging from the rafters and the band were going down great. Girls were banging on the dressing room door desperate to ravage our young bodies.”

“The Cube dudes were impressed and wanted to sign us there and then. We mentioned the interest from EMI. They said at EMI we would just be a small fish in a big pool. Come with us, they said, we’re smaller and can give you individual attention. They convinced us and we agreed to sign.”

“In due course we were booked into Island Records’ Basing Street studios. Many of our heroes had recorded there so it was quite exciting. Our producer was Roger Bain who had produced Black Sabbath of whom we were fans so another plus. Roger’s mate came along for the sessions, a guy called Gus Dudgeon with whom I was to work with several years later. Unfortunately, we made a string of dumb moves.”

“Dumb move one – we wrote a joke song called ‘Ridley Tiddly Tum’. Dumb move number two – we made a demo recording of the joke song. Dumb move number three – we played it to the record company. They declared it would be a massive hit and it was to be our first single. We were horrified but we couldn’t talk them out of it. But they were wrong it wasn’t a massive hit.”

“On reflection something else we did was probably a dumb move too. When you’re young you have a huge propensity for doing dumb things. We declared the single was a double A side and at every opportunity we promoted the actual B side a song called ‘In The City.”

“We did a film for BBC’s Look North driving around Newcastle in an open top car with ‘In The City’ blasting out. At every opportunity and interview we promoted the B side of the single. Our record company must’ve loved this. And so, it wasn’t to be and finally the band broke up in 1974.”

Steve then decided to concentrate on songwriting which led him to Wallsend’s Impulse Studios as House producer and eventually the legendary Neat Records who were responsible for launching the big four North East rock bands – Fist, Venom, Raven and Tygers of Pan Tang.

Steve explains his new project “It’s been over 50 years since Bullfrog’s first gig with 50 being a magic number in the music business. It’s the amount of years that must pass before recordings drop out of copyright. So finally, Bullfrog are free of that ill fated record deal so I’ve dug out the old master tapes and dusted them off”.

Steve added “These remixes of our 1972 demo tapes have been assisted by AI and I’ll own up to a small number of 2025 overdubs. The band now sounds how it would have done if modern day recording studios had been available when we first cut the demo tapes. And now you can enjoy the songs too – 50 Years On” 

Bullfrog 50 Years On is available on 12 inch Vinyl album and a CD (with bonus tracks). You can hear previews of the songs and purchase your copy here >>>

https://elasticstage.com/bullfrog

Alikivi   May 2026