Covered
After turning down The Smiths, Si went to a few auditions: ABC, Prefab Sprout, then a band called The Colourfield. The band was fronted by Terry Hall (The Specials & Fun Boy Three). Terry hired Si to do a live TV show in Newcastle for The Tube. However, rehearsals in […]
Beehive Mill, a Grade II listed former cotton mill, is located on Jersey Street in Ancoats, Manchester. It was the building where The Smiths recorded their first professional studio session, at Decibelle Studios. Johnny Marr called Si to say he had a new band called The Smiths and asked him […]
As teenagers, Simon Wolstencroft, John Squire and Ian Brown used to come to The Vine Pub in Sale, planning world domination for The Patrol. A guy called Dave called by to tell Si about an amazing guitarist called Johnny Marr. He was looking for a drummer for his band and […]
In late 70’s, The Clash were playing at the Manchester Apollo. They had a spare night off before being booked in to record their next single. The recording studio, Pluto on Granby Row in Manchester, is up the road from Rafters Club, so they played a gig there. Pluto Studios […]
Manchester Apollo brings back memories. Aged 16, Simon and John Squire used to come to the backstage area to help push the boxes in for The Clash. The Apollo backstage is next to the Apsley Cottage. Si recalls actor Ray Winstone, in his unmistakable Cockney voice, dragging him off for […]
The Patrol was an early incarnation of the Stone Roses. Back in the summer of 1980, the band performed several live shows including at Dunham Massey Village Hall, in Cheshire. A very diverse venue! On one side, the Women’s Institute meetings, weaving wicker baskets and jam-making. On the other, […]
The latest advice from Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick is that “homebuyers and renters should, where possible, delay moving to a new house while measures are in place to fight coronavirus.” The news has already caused some lenders, such as Virgin Money to suspended all new mortgage applications until the […]
UK Government playing hardball with airlines amid coronavirus crisis is a huge gamble, says GlobalData Following the announcement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak that the UK government will only step in to support airlines as a last resort, it is a clear divergence from the stance of other governments. Nick Wyatt, […]
Commenting on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement regarding funding for sole-traders and self-employed people, Sam O’Connor, CEO, Coconut said: “We commend the Chancellor for providing a generous package of funding support for self-employed people. However, there are millions who cannot wait until June to receive support. They are struggling today […]
Why being nice to each other is more important than ever! Discrimination in the workplace is a rising cause for concern in the UK, as the Covid-19 pandemic places the country on a lockdown. While those identified as ‘keyworkers’ have been told to continue going to work, there’s increasing concern […]
