WRITING

UP THE NORTH with writer & theatre producer Ed Waugh in Northern Ireland

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A hit play about North East miners imprisoned for derailing the Flying Scotsman during the 1926 General Strike is transferring to Northern Ireland before it plays the prestigious Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Playwright Ed Waugh (Carrying David, Wor Bella) was invited to talk about the play at two Irish venues last week.

Firstly, how did you get there Ed?

‘I flew! It only takes 40 minutes from Newcastle to Belfast International Airport. My Metro journey from Newcastle Airport to South Shields took much longer!’

‘I spent a couple of nights in Derry but while in Belfast, and Derry, there was lots of talk about the race riots. Theatre shows were cancelled and the bars weren’t up to their usual capacity. I was told people are reticent about coming out of their homes to socialise publicly at the moment.’

pic. Playwright Ed Waugh in The Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

How did the Ireland connection come about?

‘I was approached by Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) who have a membership of 47,000 and are the biggest Northern Ireland-based trade union.

They were instrumental in getting additional trade union support from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ITUC), Unite, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Unison. The latter have 50,000 members in Northern Ireland and are based across the UK.’

Along with the talks Ed was interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster in Belfast and BBC Radio Foyle in Derry.

‘I was amazed by the BBC presenters who interviewed me in Belfast (BBC Ulster) and Derry (BBC Foyle). They had obviously done their homework and their preparation was brilliant, they were good interviews. I was impressed.’

‘I was able to get the point across about the need for workers’ unity and the importance of trade unions in this, to cut across racial, religious and gender bigotry.’ 

‘These disgusting prejudices are whipped up by the representatives of the wealthiest 1 per cent to detract from the growing inequalities in society. It’s the traditional ‘divide and rule’ tactic to scapegoat minorities rather than the real culprits.’

pic. Playwright Ed Waugh outside Derry Playhouse.

How did you find Belfast and Derry?

‘Both Belfast and Derry are highly political cities. There are political murals everywhere and every family was affected by the troubles.’

‘Despite these historical injustices, Belfast is a brilliant place. I’ve been a number of times and it reminds me of Newcastle. People are very friendly and the place has a buzz.’

‘Mind you, Derry blew me away. What a fantastic place! I paid tribute to the Undertones mural before heading to the BBC to be interviewed but en route people would just say “hello” and smile. it was lovely.’ 

‘It was announced before the BBC Radio Foyle (Derry) interview that I was speaking and there to meet me at the station to say hello was a chap from Wallsend. He’d emigrated in 1973 but still had his Geordie accent.’ 

Would you call the visit successful Ed?

‘When I got the taxi home in the evening the taxi driver asked me what I was doing in Derry and when I told him he said he’d be at the front of the queue if there was another general strike.’ 

The Cramlington Train Wreckers is playing Derry Playhouse on July 8 and Waterford Hall, Belfast, on July 9, before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal on July 12. The two shows at Newcastle will be at 3pm and 7.30pm. There is limited ticket availability for both shows.

For tickets and more information, visit: 

www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/cramlington-train-wreckers.

Alikivi  June  2026 

Link to previous interviews for The Cramlington Train Wreckers >>>

NE tour for new play – THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS starring Alexandra Tahnee | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

WHO WERE THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS? | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

PIT BOY – new book by former Sand Dancer John Orton

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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.

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

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 >>>

Home

Alikivi   June 2026

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

ELECTRIFYED – new record & new guitarist for Tygers of Pan Tang

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John Foottit was born and bred in York in 1960 and now lives in Darlington with his wife Sandra.

I have been in Darlington for about 30 years.

Is music in the family?

There is no musical history in my family so I am not sure where it has come from. I had a couple of toy guitars as a kid and apparently my mother said I used to play nursery rhymes on one string.

Who were your influences?

Back in the day I loved Hank Marvin and the Shadows and I wanted to play guitar. I broke my ankle at 14 and I asked my mother for a guitar. That was it. The bug was there and I started to learn. I’m self taught and practice for hours. No instructional videos, dvd’s, YouTube etc it’s all by ear and books.

When I started an apprenticeship at 16, I was getting into early Queen, Thin Lizzy, Priest. I was lent an album by UFO featuring Michael Schenker. That was when serious practicing started.

When were your first gigs?

I was in my first gigging band at about 18. Nerve Senta we were called. We just played local gigs in York which had a good music scene back in the day.

I have been in some quite successful bands throughout the years with lots of material on YouTube. Mai Rouge, Change of Heart, Chrome Molly and my own instrumental album called ‘Equilibrium’. It is very influenced by my guitar hero’s Michael Schenker, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Randy Rhodes and George Lynch.

How did the job with the Tygers come about?

The Tygers job came through knowing Huw (Holding) the bass player who I’ve known a few years. We play in a covers band together and one evening he asked me if I was interested in a guitar position that had become available with the Tygers. I knew a few of the band already through gigging and festivals. They knew me and knew I could play so there was no audition as such. We met and it was mainly about how we would get on as people working and travelling together.

What’s next for the Tygers?

The new album is recorded and the first single comes out on May 4th. It’s titled Electrifyed. As is the album. The album was recorded remotely, due to the logistics of the band being so far apart. Some was recorded in Italy, the Netherlands and back home in the North East. It was completed at Christmas.

The songs were pretty much written prior to me joining but I played all the rhythm guitar parts along with Robb (Weir) and 80% of the leads were mine.

It’s a bit heavier than a lot of the albums but is full of catchy hook lines and still has the character of a Tyger’s song. I think it will be received well by the Tyger’s fans. The people that have heard it really like the single Electrifyed. Did I say it is due out on 4th May!

Any gigs lined up this year?

We have just completed a four day Spanish tour supporting FM. It went really well and I’m starting to bed in with the rest of the band now.

We have three UK shows coming up this week. Shows in Europe for the festival season are arranged and we have a South American tour at the end of May for 10 days.

For more news/gigs/photos/shop contact the official website >>>  Tygers Of Pan Tang – The Official Site

Alikivi   May 2026

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.

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.

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.’

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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 >>>

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Alikivi   April 2026