Behind The Curtain Podcast

Northern Soul DJ & pioneer Richard Searling joins me for episode 124! We spoke about how he got into Motown & Soul music, collecting records, going to America to find records, finding Gloria Jones’ ‘Tainted Love’, his first DJing residency at Va-Va’s, his residency at Wigan Casino, the controversy at the end of Wigan Casino, his role in the start of Joy Division’s career, his events & radio work these days & loads more!

Richard’s Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/spurs1961/

Richard’a radio show on Solar Radio: https://solarradio.com/class/richard-searling-3/

Richard’s In...

Happy Mondays guitarist Mark Day joins me for episode 123 of the podcast! We spoke about his childhood and early musical influences, how & why he started playing the guitar, meeting Shaun & Paul Ryder, the bands early rehearsals & gigs, their hooligan image, signing to Factory, recording the Squirrel & G-Man album with John Cale, how he held a day job at the post office whilst also being in the Mondays, music videos, recording Bummed with Martin Hannett, the success of Pills n Thrills, the implosion of the band at the time of the Yes Please album, his life in the 17 years between...

Simon Mason joins me for episode 122! We spoke about his tough childhood, how music and football was his saviour, meeting Oasis & his memories of his time hanging out with the band, Britpop, his drug addiction & recovery, his brilliant book ‘Too High, Too Far, Too Soon’, his band ‘Hightown Pirates’, his life these days & loads more!

Simon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hightownpirates?igsh=MTB5ZXl6Njh1bndwcA==

Simon’s book ‘Too High, Too Far, Too Soon’ is available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Too-High-Far-Soon-Dubious/dp/1780576315

Hightown Pirates’ Bandcamp: https://hightownpi...

DJ Jon Dasilva joins me for episode 121! We spoke about Jon’s early life and musical influences, how he started DJing, getting his residency at the Hacienda, HOT nights, the fall of the Hacienda, 1988/89 ‘second summer of love’, ecstasy, touring with New Order & with Todd Terry & Roger Sanchez, playing all over the world, the scene these days & loads more!

Jon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jondasilva___?igsh=MTZkemQ0aXYydmxyaA==

Jon’s Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/jondasilva/

Jon’s Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jon-dasilva

Watch the podcast epis...

Music journalist & author Ted Kessler joins me for episode 120 of the podcast! We spoke about Ted & Hamish’s new Oasis book ‘ A Sound So Very Loud’, the Oasis reunion, his experiences interviewing & partying with Oasis, Ted’s career in music journalism working at NME & Q, the rise & fall of music magazines, his books & loads more!

Ted & Hamish’s new Oasis book ‘A Sound So Very Loud’: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/ted-kessler/a-sound-so-very-loud/9781035078257

Ted’s autobiography ‘Paper Cuts’: https://store.whiterabbitbooks.co.uk/products/paper-cuts

Ted’s Billy Childish biography ‘To Ease My Troubled Mind...

With the Oasis reunion starting next week, I thought I would do a video predicting the setlist that the band will play. Let me know in the comments if you agree/disagree with my prediction and what songs you’d change!

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheCurtainPodcast-

Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_curtain_podcast?igsh=MXhzZ21kdTAwemU4dA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Follow the podcast on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behindthecurtainp?_t=8rxVQwxEDzc&_r=1

If...

John Robb joins me for episode 119! We spoke about his new Oasis biography, his now famous interview with Noel Gallagher, the Oasis reunion, his memories of Noel Gallagher & the band, Creation Records, his journey into music journalism, being the first person to interview Nirvana, Louder Than War & loads more!

John’s new Oasis biography ‘Live Forever: The rise, fall & resurrection of Oasis: https://linktr.ee/LiveForeverBook?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Lori Goldston joins me for episode 118 of the podcast! We spoke about Lori’s early life in New York, her earliest interest in music, how & why she started playing the cello, moving to Seattle, The Black Cat Orchestra, how she joined Nirvana, playing shows and being on tour with Nirvana, Nirvana’s iconic MTV Unplugged performance, Kurt Cobain, film scores, her solo work & loads more!

Lori’s Website: https://www.lorigoldston.com/

Lori’s Bandcamp: https://lorigoldston.bandcamp.com/

Lori’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legoldston?igsh=NnlseWpmaXhxbHE4

Watc...

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 & The Human League joins me for episode 117! We spoke about the legacy of Brian Wilson & how he inspired Martyn to start music production, Martyn first interests in music, the start of The Human League & Phil Oakey, leaving the Human League & starting Heaven 17, Penthouse & Pavement album, Temptation, recording ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas Time?’ with Band Aid, his production work with Tina Turner & Terence Trent D’arby, the reunion of Heaven 17, their upcoming shows & loads more!

Heaven 17 website & upcoming shows: https://www.heaven17.com/live-dates

Martyn’s Instagram: https://www.instag...

Chris O’Dell joins me for episode 116 of the podcast! Chris was at the centre of rock n roll in the 60’s & 70’s! We spoke about Chris’ new documentary ‘Miss O’Dell’, moving from Arizona to London to work at Apple, living with George Harrison, being in the studio with The Beatles, being on the roof when they performed their rooftop gig, working with The Rolling Stones, living with Eric Clapton & The Dominoes, touring with acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, her life after her time in the music business, groupies & loads more!

Chris...

‘The Governor’ Vanessa Frake joins me for episode 115! We spoke about the success of her brilliant book ‘The Governer’, what made Vanessa want to join the prison service, starting at Holloway, her early encounter with Myra Hindley, her experience of Rose West, true crime, moving to Wormwood Scrubs, drugs & gangs in prisons, dealing with Pete Doherty, Vanessa’s life these days & loads more!

Vanessa’s book ‘The Governor’ is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/etSWjX4

Vanessa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vfh12?igsh=d2liYXpkY3VuaThj

Vanessa’s X: https://x.com/van...

Steve Levine joins me for episode 114! We spoke about Steve’s first interest in music production, how he got his first job at CBS, working with The Clash, punk, working with Culture Club, the success that followed ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’, working with The Beach Boys & Stevie Wonder, starting his own record label ‘Baltic Jazz Recordings’ current bands & artists he’s working with & loads more!

Steve’s Website: https://stevelevine.co.uk/

Baltic Jazz Recordings Website: https://balticjazzrecordings.co.uk/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKutIhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp4YOiAUPK-UQN1PBdaNud9gB8HJi0mdO87Q1eouTHKa0NF6-uB...

Richard Jobson of Skids joins me for episode 113! We spoke about Richard growing up in Scotland, how Richard first got into music, punk, songwriting, how Skids formed, early Skids gigs, his friendship with Stuart Adamson, Scared To Dance, Richard’s ventures outside of Skids, Richard’s life these days & loads more!

Skids’ Website: https://skidsofficial.com/

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheCurtainPodcast-

Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_curtain_podcast?igsh=MXhzZ21kdTAwemU4dA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

...

Steve Queralt of Ride joins me for episode 112! We spoke about Steve’s new upcoming solo debut album (out June 13th), his 2 singles from the album, how Ride formed in 1988, signing to Creation Records, shoegaze, what it was like recording Ride’s albums ‘Nowhere’, ‘Going Blank Again’, ‘Carnival Of Light’ & ‘Tarantula’, the bands split, how Ride got back together & loads more!

Steve’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/stevequeraltswallow

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheCurtainPodcast-

Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_curtain_podcast?igsh=M...

Russell Lissack of Bloc Party joins me for episode 111 of the podcast! We spoke about Bloc Party winning an Ivor Novello award, Russell’s first interests in music, the start of his journey as a guitarist, the start of Bloc Party with Kele Okereke, the bands early writing sessions & gigs, getting the bands name out their in the early days, recording Silent Alarm, the success of the album, Glastonbury, going down a different path with ‘Weekend In The City’, their beef with Oasis, recording new music & loads more

Bloc Party’s website: https://blocparty.com

Wa...

Sonya Madan & Glenn Johansson of Echobelly join me for episode 110 of the podcast! We spoke about how Sonya & Glen first got into music, how they first met, their early writing sessions, 30 years of their iconic Britpop album ‘On’, Britpop, weird fan experiences, Dumb & Dumber, new music & loads more!

Echobelly’s website: https://www.echobelly.com/

Echobelly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echobelly_official?igsh=MWx1MTNwbDZuZ3RhYw==

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheCurtainPodcast-

Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behi...

I recently spoke to James Brown of Loaded Magazine on his life and career and as we’re both Leeds United fans, we also spent a lot of time talking about Leeds United & football so I have done this as a football special episode! In this football special me and James Brown talk about life as a Leeds United fan, James’ first Leeds United game, growing up in the Don Revie era, his experience going to a non league game, his addiction to EA FC 24 career mod, his ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds’ fanzine, Marcelo Bielsa, Jesse Marsch & more!

James’...

Loaded magazine founder James Brown joins me for episode 108! We spoke about James growing up in Leeds, starting his career at Sounds & NME, the start of Loaded, Loaded front covers, the crazy years at Loaded, why the sexist tag that Loaded gets is wrong, mixing with A-list celebrities, leaving Loaded, his life now & loads more!

James’ book ‘Animal House’ is available here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Animal-House-James-Brown/dp/1787477908

James’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesjamesbrown?igsh=a2Yxb2UxdWhudm5u

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.yout...

Punk legend & Stiff Little Fingers front man Jake Burns joins me for episode 107! We spoke about his early life and growing up in Northern Ireland, songwriting, the bands early gigs, Inflammable Material, Rough Trade, Chrysalis, Nobody’s Heroes, playing top of the pops, the Go For It & Now Then albums, the bands split in 1982, the reunion, life in SLF now & loads more!

SLF website: https://slf.rocks/home-base

SLF/Jake Burns’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeburnsnufc?igsh=Yzd6ZzQ3dHp3M2Z4

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.y...

Rock Icon Suzi Quatro joins me for episode 106! We spoke about her new book ‘Grave Undertakings’, the start of her music career in ‘Pleasure Seekers’ with her sisters, going solo and moving to London, her chart success, being the first female rockstar, her iconic jumpsuit look, the influence she had on female musicians such as Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde & Joan Jett, playing live, work on a new album & loads more!

Suzi’s book ‘Grave Undertakings’ is available here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/grave-undertakings/suzi-quatro//9781915975119

Suzi’s website: http://www.suziquatro.com/

Suzi’s Ins...

Pamela Des Barres joins me for episode 105! We spoke about Pamela’s upcoming show in London, the scene in California & on Sunset Strip in the 60’s & 70’s, Gram Parsons, Keith Moon, Jim Morrison & Jimmy Page, her groupie supergroup ‘GTO’s’ that was put together by Frank Zappa, being on stage with Led Zeppelin & The Rolling Stones, the backlash she got from her ‘I’m With The Band’ book & loads more!

Tickets to Pamela’s show in London: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westhampsteadartsclub/1612764

Pamela’s website: https://www.pameladesbarresofficial.com/

Pamela’s Instagram: ht...

Jenny Boyd joins me for episode 104! We spoke about Jenny’s childhood in Africa, moving to England, modelling, her sister Pattie Boyd, going to San Francisco as the Hippie culture was taking off, going to India with The Beatles, Maharishi, her marriage with Mick Fleetwood, Fleetwood Mac, her work in psychology & addiction therapy, her books her life these days & loads more!

Jenny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenny_boydlevitt?igsh=YmRpZm4ybjV0MXEz

Jenny’s website:

https://thejennyboyd.com/

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtub...

Ex Soccer AM star & YouTuber Robbie Knox joins me for episode 103! We spoke about how Robbie started working at Soccer AM, booking guests for the show, sorting the music for the show, partying with bands, getting recognised by fans, his favourite moments at Soccer AM, why he left the show, why he doesn’t watch much Premier League football anymore,

starting his YouTube channel, co-hosting Jaackmate’s Happy Hour podcast, his advice for new YouTubers & loads more!

Robbie’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@robbieknox?si=89gYhb1BNoSSwRed

Robbie’s Instagram: https...

Dolan Hewison of New Fast Automatic Daffodils joins me for episode 102 of the podcast! We spoke about Dolan’s early musical influences, moving to Manchester and forming New Fast Automatic Daffodils, their early gigs, songwriting, recording, their final ever gig at The Hacienda, the bands split, Dolan’s solo work & other musical projects & more!

Au-turn: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YP5BzS83gk6lOJjgtoPoi?si=ZjEJX1faTUKORyso8AwgKQ

The Concrete Society: https://theconcretesociety.bandcamp.com/album/supercolour

New Fads (Live): https://newfastautomaticdaffodils.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-hacienda

New Fads (S...

Graham Massey of 808 State joins me for episode 101! We spoke about his journey into music, his band early ‘Biting Tongues’, the start of 808 State, recording their debut album ‘Newbuild’, A Guy Called Gerald, Pacific State & going from an underground to commercial group, Madchester & Acid House, playing G-mex & Glastonbury, touring America, ‘The North At It’s Heights’ album with MC Tunes, the ‘Ninety’ & ‘Ex:el’ albums, working with Bjork, 808 State these days & loads more!

808 State’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/808stateofficial?igsh=MW5nMnVneXN6OWkwZQ==

Graham’s monthly radio show on Reform on Mixcloud:

https://ww...

Episode 100! Thank you to everyone who has listened, reviewed & followed the podcast! The support is always much appreciated! Joining me for episode 100 of the podcast is The Beatles’ hairdresser Leslie Cavendish! We spoke about how he learnt his trade as a hairdresser at Vidal Sassoon’s salon, cutting hair for the big names of the 60’s at this salon, how a chance haircut with Jane Asher led to him cutting hair for Paul McCartney and the rest of The Beatles, being in the recording studio with The Beatles, cutting hair in Israel, going on the Magical Mystery Tour, Hell’s Angels...

Den Browne joins me for episode 99 to talk about his time living with music’s most famous & notorious couple Sid Vicious & Nancy Spungen! We spoke about what Den’s life was like up to the moment of meeting Sid & Nancy, his first meeting with Sid & Nancy, how Sid & Nancy ended up moving in with Den & his girlfriend, a typical day in their lives at the time, Den sleeping with Nancy, Sex Pistols, the Sid Vicious behind closed doors and the Sid Vicious in public, Sid pulling a knife out on Den the last time he saw Sid & Nancy & loads more...

Kev Roberts joins me for episode 98! We spoke about Kev’s first interest in Motown & Soul music, his first time at a Northern Soul night, collecting records, how his DJ career started, DJing at Wigan Casino & other venues across England, the Northern Soul Scene these days & DJing in countries such as Italy & Czech Republic, why his career as a music producer didn’t work out & loads more!

Kev’s website:

https://www.kevroberts.com/

Kev’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevrobertsdj?igsh=MTgybHhxb2JiOTgxZw==

Kev’s Facebook:

https...

Shirley Lewis joins me for episode 97! We spoke about how she started her career in music, her sister Linda Lewis, performing at Live Aid with Spandau Ballet, meeting George Michael, performing with Wham at Wembley for their final concert, being the only backing vocalist on George Michael’s solo debut album ‘Faith’, watching George’s creative process in the studio, recording ‘Listen Without Prejudice’, why Shirley preferred a career as a backing singer rather than a solo career, the last time she saw George, The George Michael Singers upcoming tour & loads more!

Shirley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram...

Mark Reeder joins me for episode 96 of the podcast! We spoke about Mark growing up in Manchester before moving to Berlin because of his fascination with German electronic music and German history, being in a band with Mick Hucknall, working for Factory Records as a German representative, his friendship with Ian Curtis & Bernard Sumner of Joy Division, sneaking music into East Berlin & putting on illegal punk gigs in East Berlin, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the explosion of Techno in Berlin, how he was behind the idea of

Trance music, how he discovered and helped the...

Legendary guitarist of Slaughter & The Dogs Mick Rossi joins me for episode 95! We spoke about Mick’s childhood in Manchester, his first interest in music, the early days of Slaughter & The Dogs, supporting Sex Pistols at Lesser Free Trade Hall, recording ‘Do It Dog Style’ & Mick’s hero Mick Ronson playing on the album, Wayne Barrett leaving the band, recording second album ‘Bite Back’, his fallout with Wayne Barrett, why Morrissey didn’t work as the lead singer in Slaughter & The Dogs, his album with Gary Holton, his solo career, Slaughter & The Dogs these days & loads more!

Keep up to d...

Tom Atkin of The Paddingtons joins me for episode 94! We spoke about how The Paddingtons started, their first rehearsals and early writing, their first gigs in Hull and getting gigs outside of Hull, what is was like as part of that 2000’s indie scene, getting signed by Alan McGee, recording their debut album ‘First Comes First’ with Owen Morris, their upcoming tour celebrating 20 years of ‘First Comes First’, the shift in the music business, their second album ‘No More Mundane’, Tom’s life now, new music with The Paddingtons & loads more!

The Paddington’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...

Dermo & Rob of Northside join me for episode 93 of the podcast! We spoke about how rehearsals are going for Northside’s upcoming tour and if we’ll hear any new Northside music, Rob joining the band, how the band originally came to be in the late 80’s, Tony Wilson & signing to Factory Records, the Madchester scene, Northside’s brilliant album ‘Chicken Rhythms’, the second Northside album that got shelved & loads more!

Keep up to date with everything Northside on their social media below:

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Northside-Band-100090821764742/?hr=1&wtsid=rdr_0YzeiuLD7ZJkQ...

Engineer & Producer Nick Brine joins me for episode 92 of the podcast! We spoke about how Nick first got a job at the iconic Rockfield studios, working with The Stone Roses on Second Coming as one of his first jobs, working with Oasis on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? & Be Here now and all the chaos that brought working with the biggest and most famous band of that time, working with bands and acts such as Ash, Bruce Springsteen, The Verve & Teenage Fanclub, Nick’s life these days recording and writing a book & loads more!

Keep up t...

Tjinder Singh of Cornershop joins me for episode 91 of the podcast! We spoke about Tjinder’s upbringing in Wolverhampton, his early music influences, when Tjinder started playing music, the early days of Cornershop, Cornershop’s albums, the history and current day of Cornershop, songwriting & loads more!

If you enjoy this podcast episode please leave a review and follow!

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The Farm frontman Peter Hooton joins me for episode 90! We spoke about Peter’s journey into music, his fanzine ‘The End’, The Farm’s highs and lows including going to number 1 with Spartacus to not being able to get a record deal 3 years later, their three albums from the 90’s, the baggy indie scene, the reason the band came back together in 2005, new Farm music and upcoming album, Liverpool FC, the Hillsborough disaster & loads more!

The Farm’s website: https://thefarmmusic.co.uk/

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheCur...

Music video director & album/single sleeves designer Nick Egan joins me for episode 89 of the podcast! We spoke about how punk gave him the start in his career in music, his first job designing t shirts for The Ramones, how Malcolm McLaren was his mentor, his singles and albums covers for acts and bands such as The Clash, The Sex Pistols Iggy Pop & Bob Dylan, his music videos for bands and acts such as Oasis, Alanis Morrisette, The Seahorses & Duran Duran, his life in LA these days & loads more!

Nick’s website: https://www.nickegan.com

Tony Butler of Big Country joins me for episode 88 of the podcast! We spoke about Tony’s contribution on the new ‘Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s’ album to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s, how Tony got into playing the bass, his work as a session musician, Big Country, The Crossing, music videos, Stuart Adamson, Tony’s solo work, his upcoming new solo album & loads more!

The ‘Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s’ album is available to buy here: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/2025/01/limited-edition-album-think-loud-to-support-cure-parkinsons/

Listen to the ‘Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s’ album here: https://open.spotify.com/album/5XuxcW...

Simon Wolstencroft of The Fall joins me for episode 87 of the podcast! We spoke about Simon’s first interest in music, his early band ‘The Patrol’ with his schoolmates Ian Brown & John Squire of The Stone Roses, being the first drummer to record with The Smiths, turning down The Smiths, his time in The Fall, Mark E Smith, his new band House Of All & loads more!

Simon’s book is available here: https://www.route-online.com/all-books/you-can-drum-but-you-cant-hide

Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheCurtainPodcast-

Follow the podc...

Jessica Greenfield of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds & Wonder 45 joins me for episode 86! We spoke about Jess’ early interest in music, the start of her career playing covers at weddings and birthday parties, getting her break and performing with John Illsley of Dire Straits, joining Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, playing live, recording ‘Council Skies’ & EP’s, Oasis reunion, her groups ‘The Kondoors’ & ‘Wonder 45’, songwriting, juggling family & music & loads more!

Wonder 45 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6k1Qbba3pn2wHLu7A2m95Q?si=mEfJzyKNTp6_pnC8Iixyhg

The Kondoors Spotify: https://open.spotify...