Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls - Greystones, Sheffield, 21/9/2017
by Nicky Crewe
published: 31 / 10 / 2017

intro
Nicky Crewe watches Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls play a humorous and acoustic set of Wonder Stuff classics and songs from their new CD, 'We Came Here to Work'.
I recently reviewed Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls' new CD, 'We Came Here to Work'. Having really enjoyed listening to their new material, I was looking forward to seeing them live. The Backroom at the Greystones pub is a great small venue, big enough for a decent crowd and small enough to create an intimate atmosphere. It had sold out and the place was packed with fans of Miles Hunt, Erica Nockalls and the Wonder Stuff. Miles and Erica had created new songs for their acoustic gigs, aiming them at a more "genteel audience" in Miles’ words. Perhaps a little tongue in cheek, but everyone was ready to listen and there to support. Will Hunt took the stage first. He’s Miles’ cousin and there was something familiar about his looks and the quality of his voice. His set of very personal songs set a thoughtful tone. Once he’d finished, Miles came on stage to set up with no fuss and no announcement. The audience were busy going back and forth, greeting friends, buying drinks. Very relaxed. Very genteel. Miles and Erica took the stage and, after some monitor issues, launched into 'When Currency Was Youth' from the new album. They make a big sound. It’s hard to believe there’s only the two of them. Their distinctive vocals and guitar and fiddle instrumental arrangements create a connection between their new songs and their Wonder Stuff history. Miles talked about the new album, about politics seeping into his lyrics, about his socialist family background. He warned us that they weren’t going to play the whole of the new album, though I would have been more than happy if they had. 'We Came Here to Work', 'Witnesses', 'Matter of Circumstance' and 'The Sweetest of Bitterest Ends' followed. He was self-deprecating - "That’s the last of the new songs and then we’ll play something you like." He needn’t have apologised. The new songs sounded great. Old favourites followed including 'Unfaithful', 'Mission Drive' and 'Circlesquare' from Wonder Stuff days. People around me were singing along. Erica took a break and Miles regaled us with tales from the Wonder Stuff diaries. He wrote two more volumes alongside writing the new album earlier this year. Back when the band were living like the Monkees in a swanky five bedroom apartment on Bolsover St. in London. Needless to say, the adventures were hilarious. I’m looking forward to listening to Miles talk about these diaries at Manchester’s Louder Than Words festival in November. Back to the music, Vent 414’s 'Fixer' followed by 'Here Comes Everyone'. For the encores Miles invited the audience to shout out requests, performing 'Maybe' and 'Room 512'. This was a concert that more than met expectations. The audience were anything but genteel in their appreciation. A major power cut at home meant I had to make a quick getaway. Thank goodness. it didn’t take out the Greystones. I would have loved to have thanked Miles and Erica for a great evening, and I look forward to hearing more about the Wonder Stuff diaries and their song writing when I see him in conversation at Louder Than Words.
Also at Greystones, Sheffield
Band Links:-
http://thewonderstuff.co.uk/home/miles-erica/https://en-gb.facebook.com/thewonderstuffofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/miles.hunt.54
https://twitter.com/mileshuntTWS
https://twitter.com/Erica_Nockalls
https://twitter.com/Erica_Nockalls
Picture Gallery:-

most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Gary Numan - Berserker
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Roberta Flack - 1937 - 2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Susie Hug - Interview
Chuck Prophet - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Ray Humphries - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Little Simz - Lotus
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart