A powerful musical drama created by County Durham based Golightly Theatre Company is coming to the North East.
Set in North East England during the late 70’s to 80’s, ‘Coal Faces’ follows a family’s trials and tribulations, as they discover the lengths we go to for family. Trimdon based Writer/Director Andrew Golightly interviewed elderly relatives about growing up and working around a dying mining industry.
“We believe that this production will deeply resonate with local communities. The story and issues that are tackled are as relevant now as they were in the 80’s when the play is set. We confront issues of alcoholism and prejudice with love, tragedy and laughter, and just the sheer bloody-mindedness that got people through it.”
“We have been fortunate in getting Arts Council funding to make this production a reality and have utilised so many local people and companies. ‘Coal Faces’ is a small scale production that has professional seasoned actors working alongside local people treading the boards for the first time.”
“We would love to have your support in getting this story heard and thank you for your continued support of local live theatre. We hope to see you in the audience when the curtain goes up!”
27 October, Trimdon Station Community Centre.
28 October, The Greenhills Centre, Wheatley Hill
29 October, Bishop Auckland Town Hall Theatre
30 October, The Glebe Centre, Murton.
31 October, Coxhoe Community Centre.
For more information find ‘Coal Face’ on a facebook page and for booking links go to the official website>>>
‘One of me first jobs was working in a bingo hall then I worked in a care home from 2003.’
She also sold postcards, bookmarks and DVD’s on EBay…..
‘Just as a hobby really but I was making more money doing that so I started selling full time. Been doing it for about 20 years’ explained Dawn.
‘Then in 2020 Covid happened I thought life’s too short. I felt I hadn’t found me real purpose in life. I went to bed one night and said to the universe ‘Any opportunities you send my way I’ll say yes to’ – and luckily, they’ve all been legal.’
Dawn and her mam Maureen Waters
Did any opportunities come your way?
‘The president at Wallsend Spiritualist Church asked me to write a panto for Christmas 2024. I said yes even though I’ve never wrote one in my life. But I’d programmed myself to say yes hadn’t I. So, I asked the universe to send me some help. Next day me mam saw an advert for Peter Mortimer (North East playwrite) he was running a writing course for six weeks in Cullercoats. So, we signed up.’
‘At first Peter wasn’t interested in me talking about panto but when I wrote a few pages, he ended up playing Prince Charming in the read through. When we put ‘Tinderfella’ on in 2024 he came to see it. We’ve since played it twice in Wallsend Spiritualist Church. It went down well. Our biggest show was at Wallsend Memorial Hall in December 2025.’
‘I also got to know Neil Armstrong from Washington Arts Centre, he’s wrote loads of plays and he’s an actor. He advised me about adding extra characters ‘You’ve really got to include a baddie in this Dawn’. I value these opinions and advice. If they’re taking time to read it, I’ll take notice.’
How important is it to work with others?
‘Me mam and me saw an advert for Alison Stanley (Hard, Tits Up) playwriting course, that was six weeks in Cramlington. Names like Alison Stanley and Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay were being mentioned by many people, that’s a sign from the universe to go isn’t it.’
‘So, we started going to Laurel’s and I wanted to put something on. We ended up putting ‘Tinderfella’ on, then we put on a comedy show. Alison has been very supportive. I cannot thank her enough for what she has done.’
‘Also, people like Ed Waugh (Wor Bella, Carrying David, Cramlington Train Wreckers) and Steve Wraith (NE actor) have been very supportive. While some other creatives could see you as competition they don’t, they are very positive. Life works better when you work together.’
Have you found working in creative arts difficult?
‘Since Covid I think you’ve got to find pleasure in every single day and I’m a true believer that your mood is affected by the people you surround yourself with. Your energy is your currency, spend it wisely.’
‘My philosophy is to spend time with people who bring you joy. That’s what I like about the writing. I’m meeting all these creative people and there’s nobody I’ve met who are money orientated. It’s all about the love of creating.’
‘The thing I’m passionate about is helping people’s mental health. Isolation doesn’t help anybody. One of my friends committed suicide during Covid times. He was only 29. It came as a shock. People can put a front on, you think they’re all right.’
‘During that time, we were all focusing on ourself but there were nice things about community coming back. I used to get notes through my door asking if I was ok – I lived in a bungalow then so they must have thought I was old – but it was nice that someone was out there willing to help. So, I’m more community minded now. You know I think why we’re here is to make life easier for each other.’
‘At Wallsend Memorial Centre I run short poetry classes, writing short plays, we’re looking at song writing even a drama class. For writing we are sharing our stories and encouraging each other. It’s amazing seeing people’s confidence coming up. It’s all them, I just facilitate it and give them a space where they are not afraid to have a go. You’ve got to make mistakes.’
‘It’s finding the therapy that works for you. For me, writing funny poetry is a release. If people have a problem, I tell them to write a poem about it and they can’t believe the positive effect it has on it – it’s like magic.’
‘I’ve wrote three books about how to sell on EBay. In 2023 I wrote my fourth book ‘How to Manifest a Life of Pleasure’ and printed it through Amazon. When I got it back, I was so proud I took it all over with me. It’s a self help book it’s not to make money. The book is full of advice and exercises to help you achieve a happy life.’
‘People who have read it say ‘Dawn, it’s so simple. We know this already but have just forgotten.’ It reaffirms things. You can read it in a couple of hours and start to apply the principals to your life and things will change.’
‘We can only create our own pleasure. Nobody will just hand it to you. Writing, comedy, poetry brings me pleasure I’m just enjoying it. Me and my mam also have a radio show on Koast radio in Ashington. We play music and interview guests.’
‘At first, I only went on to talk about my book and they offered me a show. They liked the banter between me and my mam. Well, I was programmed to say yes wasn’t I, so yeh I wasn’t sure if they were serious when they asked me at first, but we do The Positive Vibes show every Saturday 2-4pm. Our guests have included Leah Bell, Trevor Wood, Michael Wood, Helen Atchison and Kelly Rickard.’
What’s next?
‘I’m working on a ‘Tinderfella’ murder mystery which is coming to Wallsend soon and I’d love to see one of my plays on a professional stage like Newcastle Theatre Royal, it’s an iconic building. I’d also like to start my own podcast interviewing local authors, comedians and play writes. We’ve got so much talent up here in the North East. If six years ago you said to me, I would get on stage and do all this creative work I wouldn’t have believed you.’
Catch Dawn on the Comedy Gala Night at Whitley Bay Playhouse on 22 November 2026.
How many books have you published and when was the first?
Four so far Gary. My first book, ‘The Five Stone Steps’, a tale of a Policeman’s life in 1920s South Shields, came out in 2014 and was followed by ‘Blitz PAMS’ (2016) a tale of the Blitz on Shields, then ‘A Chill Wind off the Tyne’ (2018).
My last book, ‘He Wears a Blue Bonnet’ (about Scottish survivors of the Dunbar death march who were sold as indentured servants to work in the salt pans of Shields) – was published in 2022.
What is the new book about?
‘The Pit Boy’ is true story of the early life of my Granda’, Teddy, who was brought up in Wilson Street High Shields in the 1900s. His early days were marked by poverty. His Da’, a rivetter/boiler maker who had moved to Tyneside from Loughborough, died of rheumatics in 1902. Teddy’s Mam, Lizzi, took to the drink, and the family ended up in the Workhouse.
Back on the cobbled streets of Shields, Lizzie took up fish hawking, but when the drink took over, she abandoned Teddy and his brother Alf on a doorstep in Brunswick Street. She was sent down for two months for child cruelty and neglect.
Teddy started as a trapper lad at St Hilda colliery. He worked hard down the pit, went to night school, and when War broke out in 1914, he had become the youngest deputy in the Durham coalfield.
Why do you focus on South Shields?
After my Granda’ died in 1955 when I was six, my Nan, Gertie started coming for tea four times a week. ‘Tea’ went from half past two until six o’clock. She sat in an old wicker chair in the corner, drank tea and never stopped talking in her broad Geordie accent.
Her tales of old Sheelz still ring in my ears – of Dick Borke (Burke) the one-legged bookie, of when they ‘bornt Kredga in the streets’, (effigies of Kruger were hung from lampposts and burnt during the celebrations of the relief of Mafeking.) Although I left Shields in my early twenties, I love the town and the old memories kindled by my Nan.
When writing, is that when you are happiest?
I have always suffered with my nerves and had a breakdown in my second year at Oxford. I was advised to take a year off and went home. After a couple of weeks, me Mam told me that she didn’t want me moping round the house and if I was going to stay then I’d have to get a job and pay keep.
I tripped off down to the old Labour Exchange in Wawn Street and joined the long queues of men drawing their dole. There was only one job going in the whole of Shields – at Wrights Biscuits. I took it and learned more about life there than I ever had at Oxford.
I went back to my studies, and qualified as a Solicitor. I had a second nervous breakdown in my mid forties and have never fully recovered. I started writing as a form of occupational therapy and have kept it up. I am happy sitting at the keyboard researching my stories and then writing them.
It is fascinating to learn how folk lived a hundred years or so ago and then write about it. It’s not all I do but it’s now a settled part of my life.
As well as novels do you write short stories?
My first thought was to answer no – but then I reflected on how I started ‘The Five Stone Steps’. I had been intending to write a whodunit set in 1920s South Shields.
A very good friend of mine, Tommy Gordon, had taught me ragtime piano and I knew that his Da’, also Tom, but only ever called Jock, had been a Station Sergeant in the Shields police. I asked him about policing in the twenties and he went to his bookshelves and produced a dusty, dog-eared manuscript of his Da’s memoirs.
As I read these tales of Old South Shields, very much like those my Nan had remembered, I could almost hear Jock Gordon’s whisky voice as he sat down at a table by the fire to set his memories to paper.
I thought that one particular tale about publicans in old Shields putting out a little jug of whisky for the Bobbies on night shift might make a good story. My first book is in fact a collection of short stories but much like a ‘soap’ on telly all the tales connect-up.
What are your hopes for this book?
All my books are self-published with help from Uk Book Publishing in Whitley Bay, a great team. With the stranglehold Amazon has on the book trade it is nigh impossible for a self-publisher to make any money and the few independent bookshops that are left are reluctant to stock self-published books.
The only place in South Shields where my books can be bought is the Shop at The Word, so I rely on social media and word of mouth for my books to get known.
My hope for ‘The Pit Boy’is that a Tale of Old Shields will capture the imagination of folk and remind everyone of what a vibrant industrial town Shields was in the 1900s – that despite the poverty and hardship, folk stuck together, got on with life, and made the most of things.
I’m often accused of living in the past but we should all remember our forebears and their struggles – without them we wouldn’t be here!
Alikivi June 2026
Search for more John Orton posts on the North East Music & Culture site.
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.
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’.
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.
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 SharonPercy, Libby Walker, Alison Stanley, Jayne Mackenzie and Dawn Wilkinsonwho 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.
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)
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.
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.
Heedfuzz, Wavis, Braddy & Teddy.
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.
Teddy, Braddy & Heedfuzz
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.
Heedfuzz, Braddy, Wavis & Teddy. 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.
Follow up to debut album ‘All the Rage’, post punk three piece Heed Case release new album ‘Mongo’ on Friday 31st October 2025.
Heed Case are former Angelic Upstart guitarist on vocals Newts Newton, bass Si Cadelik and drums Mr Dusty. They squeeze between the bubbling volcanic crack where The Fall and Killing Joke lie.
And who doesn’t love a solid thunderous drum intro? Infectious album track ‘ADHD’ crunches and buzzes in yer ear…. ‘Impulsive can’t sit still, Destructive, too many pills, Can’t sit still for meditation, too much pressure and medication’.
The sheer anthemic guitar calls out…. ‘Cast adrift in a sea of challenges with a feeling of being left to drown. Frantically waving to be rescued. But all the lifeboats have run aground’.
Where did the album title come from?
‘The title ‘Mongo’ comes from a phrase the three of us use to describe our autism and adhd. Example, I have to everything in order. You open a cupboard in my kitchen and all the tins face forward and stacked alphabetically. Instead of saying “Oh that’s just a trait of autism, I’m neurodivergent don’t you know”. I’d simply say that’s just my mongo!’
‘However, it’s original source came from Si’s bass audition. I’d asked people to learn two tracks video themselves playing them and send it within 5 days. Si was the only one who followed the instructions to the letter – his mongo made sure of that.’
‘But when I watched the video he was concentrating so hard he was quite stiff and cumbersome. So much so that he reminded me of Mongo from the film ‘Blazing Saddles’. Hence Mongo became a word our traits and mannerisms associated with being neurodivergent.’
You are open about various medical conditions within the band….
’The broad theme of ‘All the Rage’ was about narcissism and entitlement in modern society. For ‘Mongo’ we chose to write about our experiences of living with autism and adhd whilst using different samples and FX to create soundscapes that reflected what the inside of our head often feels like – at times fecking scary!’
‘The song ‘Manic’ for example, is about how dealing with everyday tasks often feels like being hit with a tornado. A visual representation would be the swirl of colours you see when Henry the mild mannered janitors car, turns him into Hong Kong Phooey in the TV cartoon – and that’s what we tried to recreate with the audio.’
‘You may notice that the guitar isn’t as prominent through the tracks, its being used more as a texture rather than a traditional role in a guitar band. ‘All the Rage’ was a transitional album, ‘Mongo’ goes further down that road towards our aim of broadening our horizons beyond the punk genre.’
With the album in the bag are any live dates planned?
‘Yes, we’ve already played about 17 gigs thus far, including Rebellion Festival, Punk on the Peninsula, Punk & Disorderly Festivals and our last gig was at the Dublin Castle in Camden a few weeks ago. We’ve got a few more coming up and adding dates all the time as we want to keep busy’.
New 10 track album ‘Mongo’ release date Friday 31st October on all platforms, vinyl & CD format.
