Related
Interviews
Interview
Mike and Allison Targett from cinematic pop act Heist speak to John Clarkson about their first album in eighteen years, ‘Births, Marriages and Deaths’, and their appearance at the Pennyblackmusic Bands Night at the Water Rats in London on the 10th September.
Pete Berwick
Interview
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Pete Berwick’s triple-threat status is fully explored in his first Pennyblackmusic interview with Lisa Torem.
Joe Gideon
Interview
Back for his sixth interview with Pennyblackmusic, Joe Gideon tells Ben Howarth about his new album 'Armagideon', recorded with Jim Sclavunos and Gris-de-Lin. Having set out to write a set of lighthearted songs, he ended up with an album themed around the upcoming end of the world.
Oldfield Youth Club
Interview
Simon Rivers, the front man with the Bitter Springs, talks to John Clarkson about his decision to form also another band Oldfield Youth Club, and both groups’ forthcoming appearance at the Pennyblackmusic 20th Anniversary gig at the Water Rats in London.
Tomiko Dixon
Interview
In her first Pennyblackmusic interview, Chicago-based singer/songwriter Tomiko Dixon unveils her artistic inspirations and desire to explore experiential themes, whilst carrying on the legacy of her grandfather, Willie Dixon
10cc
Interview
In his second Pennyblackmusic interview, award-winning British songwriter Graham Gouldman discusses with Lisa Torem 10cc’s upcoming UK tour and songs that fired up his youthful imagination
Chesterfields
Interview
Dixie Ernill speaks to Simon Barber, the front man with 80's indie pop act The Chesterfields, about their reformation after an absence of twenty years and their forthcoming appearance at our next Pennyblackmusic Bands Night at Gullivers in Manchester on February 18th
Charlie Big Time
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Matthew Pendlebury from Bolton-based indie pop duo about why his band have always proved more popular in America than Britain and their forthcoming appearance at a Pennyblackmusic Bands Night in Manchester on February 18th in support of the Chesterfields and Karen
Raf and O
Interview
Dominic Simpson speaks to Raf Mantelli from South London-based elecro-acoustic duo Raf and O, who will be performing at the next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night, about their history and soon-to-be-released new album
Black Site
Interview
The Black Site are a new raw blues/avant-garde rock duo which features ex-members of Madam and Sophia. Dominic Simpson talks to them about their forthcoming appearance at our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night
Vinny Peculiar
Interview
Manchester-based singer-songwriter and cult artist Vinny Peculiar, who will be playing our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night, talks to John Clarkson about his new album ‘Down the Bright Stream’
Little Anthony
Interview
In his second Pennyblackmusic interview, 1950's and 1960's soul legend Little Anthony chats to Lisa Torem about his group the Imperials, fifty year career and new autobiography
Horsebeach
Interview
Ryan Kennedy, the front man with rising Mancurian indie pop band Horsebeach, talks to Dixie Ernill about his band's debut album and their forthcoming appearance at the Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night in Manchester on July 5th
Haywains
Interview
Dixie Ernill speaks to Paul Towler from Bristol-based 80's indiepop band the Haywains, who will be playing the Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night on the 5th July as main support to the Brilliant Corners, about their recent reformation
Now
Interview
Justin Paton, the front man with London-based band NOW talks to Dominic Simpson sbout his group's experimental edge, it constantly evolving music and its forthcoming appearance at our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night in November
Tender Trap
Interview
In their third Pennyblackmusic interview, Anthony Strutt speaks to twee pop group Tender Trap about their musical history and forthcoming fourth album, 'Ten Songs About Girls'
Pete Fij/Terry Bickers
Interview
Peter Fij was the front man in Adorable and Polak, and Terry Bickers the guitarist in the House of Love and Levitation. The new duo, who will be playing the next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night, reflect on their years on Creation Records and forthcoming debut album, 'Broken Hearted Surgery'
Last Harbour
Interview
In our fourth interview with them, John Clarkson talks to Kev Craig, the front man with Manchester alternative rock collective Last Harbour, who will be playing our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night', about their new album, 'Your Heart, It Carries the Sound', which was recorded in a church
Owl Service
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Steven Collins about his folk rock seven-piece band the Owl Service, who will be playing the Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night on the 24th March, and why they have decided to make this their last show
Experimental Pop Band
Interview
Davey Woodward from the Experimental Pop Band speaks to Dixie Ernill about his group's appearance and his own solo set at the Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night in Manchester on November 19th and their forthcoming new album which is due out next year
Profiles
(With The Volunteered and Simon Bromide), The Water Rats, London, 10/9/2022
We preview the next Pennyblackmusic Bands Night which will take place with Heist, Idiot Son, The Volunteered and Simon Bromide at The Water Rats in London on the 10th September 2022.
(With Morton Valence, The Volunteered and Simon Bromide), Water Rats, London, 29/1/2022
We preview the next Pennyblackmusic Bands Night which will take place with Idiot Son, Morton Valence, The Volunteered and Simon Bromide at The Water Rats in London on the 29th January 2022.
'Wintertime' Video Premiere
Pennyblackmusic is proud to premiere the video for 'Wintertime', the third single single from Nashville-based singer-songwriter and writer Doug Hoekstra's forthcoming first album in ten years, 'The Day Deserved'.
One Year On
Last April Cila Warncke for an article at Pennyblackmusic spoke to several people who worked in production and behind the scenes in music about the devastating impact that the Coronavirus crisis was starting to have on them. A year on she revisits them and others in the same situation to find out where they are now.
1950-2021
Nicky Crewe pays tribute to her friend and Pennyblackmusic writer Keith How who died unexpectedly in January.
Stephen McLaren
'Put Me On The Television' Video Premiere
Pennyblackmusic is proud to premiere the video for 'Put Me On The Television', the debut single from Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Stephen McLaren's forthcoming dream-pop second album 'They Don’t Put Any Money in Your Pocket'.
Cliff Richard and The Shadows
Facing Up to the Competition
In his second feature for Pennyblackmusic on Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Bob Nicholson reflects on their career post the summer of 1963 and up against Beatlemania.
John Clarkson
Interview
Pennyblackmusic magazine editor John Clarkson talks to Lisa Torem on its twentieth anniversary about the formation and history of our website.
Alice Cooper
50th Anniversary of the Alice Cooper Group Original Line-Up Celebration Part 1
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Alice Cooper Group, Pennyblackmusic has assembled greetings from essential friends and players.
Mary O'Meara
Interview
Pennyblackmusic writer Mary O'Meara, who has previously published ‘Between the Lines: A History of Haven’, a 2012 music biography and personal memoir about 90s indie/alternative band Haven, speaks to John Clarkson about her debut novel, 'A Certain Kind Of Light'.
Mary O'Meara
A Certain Kind of Light
John Clarkson examines 'A Certain Kind of Light', the debut novel of Pennyblackmusic writer Mary O'Meara
David Bowie
Writers and Photographers' Tributes
Pennyblackmusic’s writers and photographers give some of their recollections of the late David Bowie
Mary O'Meara
Interview
John Clarkson talks to Pennyblackmusic writer and author Mary O'Meara about her biography on 90's indie/alternative rock band, Haven
Nicky Crewe
Interview
Pennyblackmusic writer Nicky Crewe talks to John Clarkson about some of her musical memories of Manchester between the 1960s and 1980s, which include touring with Captain Beefheart, sharing a house with Martin Hannett, knowing Tony Wilson and working at the Hacienda on its opening night
Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night
Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 5/7/2014
Dixie Ernill looks back on our recent Pennyblackmusic Bands Night in Manchester, which saw sets from the reformed Brilliant Corners, the Haywains and Horsebeach
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night
Lexington, London, 31/5/2014
Dominic Simpson looks back on Pennyblackmusic's 15th Anniversary show at The Lexington in London, which saw sets from Madam, Morton Valence and Rotifer
Pennyblackmusic
15th Anniversary
Some of Pennyblackmusic's favourite artists and labels help us celebrate our 15th anniversary by sending us their birthday greetings
Pennyblackmusic Memories
1
Twenty-five of our writers and photographers reflect on some of their personal highlights of Pennyblackmusic during the last fifteen years
Profile
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night
We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night which run with the Wickerman Festival will take place at The Bay in Glasgow on June 15th, and will feature sets from Duncan Maitland, the Cathode Ray, Roy Moller and Nicola Black
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night
Half Moon, London, 24/3/2011
Jamie Rowland reflects on our Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night on March 24th at the Half Moon in South London with Pete Fij and Terry Bickers, Last Harbour, the Owl Service and Roshi ft. Pars Radio
Live
Talks
Steampunk Cafe, Glasgow, 5/4/2014
New Pennyblackmusic writer Jessica Combe watches rising Hull-based ska group the Talks play an energetic set at the Steampunk Café in Glasgow
Photoscapes
Hadouken!
New Pennyblackmusic photographer Catherine Christofis photographs dance punk/grimecore act Hadouken! at a show in their native London
Photoscapes
Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 1
Over twenty years between 1989 and 2009, former Pennyblackmusic writer Gilbert Blecken took portrait shots and interviewed mainly British and American musicians as they toured through his native city of Berlin. The photographs in these four galleries chronicle some of those encounters and interviews
Eugene McGuinness
Parr Hall, Warrington, 17/8/2012
New Pennyblackmusic writer Harry Sherriff watches singer-songwriter Eugene McGuinness play an intense, but attention-demanding set at a gig at the Parr Hall in Warrington in support to Miles Kane and to promote his new album, 'The Invitation to the Voyage'
Photoscapes
Lovely Eggs
New Pennyblackmusic photographer Darren Aston photographs Lancaster indie rock duo ata a gig in Liverpool
Kill It Kid
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, 22/9/2011
In his first review for Pennyblackmusic, photographer Steve McDermott watches a stunning set of indie blues rock from young Bath-based indie blues band Kill It Kid at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff
Joana and The Wolf
Lexington, London, 15/8/2011
New Pennyblackmusic writer Tom Fogarty watches London four piece Joana and The Wolf combine mythology and electronica to superb effect in a show at the Lexington in London
Idiot Son
Slaughtered Lamb, London, 6/4/2009
At the Slaughtered Lamb in London, Ben Howarth enjoys intimate local group Idiot Son's first gig since a Pennyblackmusic Bands Night two years ago, but wishes that they would play together a little more often
Leonard Cohen
02, London, 17/7/2008
New Pennyblackmusic writer Anthony Middleton is thrilled by Leonard Cohen at his first London show in fourteen years in a happy, thoughtful and emotional evening at the O2
Kelman and Joe Gideon and the Shark
Albany, London, 11/10/2007
At a show at the Albany in London organised by the Uptight club, Ben Howarth watches one-time Pennyblackmusic Bands Night stars Kelman and Joe Gideon and the Shark play high quality sets
Gym Class Heroes
Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, 4/2/2007
New Pennyblackmusic writer Paul Raven remains distinctly unmoved by the brash New York-style ghetto-pop of Gym Class Heroes at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth
Viarosa
Night and Day, Manchester, 10/12/2006
In a show at the Night and Day in Manchester Helen Tipping finds forthcoming Pennyblackmusic Bands Night headliners Viarosa's unique brand of dark alt. country an encapsulating experience
Hundred Reasons
Leadmill, Sheffield, 17/1/2007
New Pennyblackmusic writer Russell Ferguson is impressed by punk/metal act Hundred Reasons' passion and energy at a gig on their latest tour at the Sheffield Leadmill
Loves
Bethnal Green Pleasure Unit, London, 11/11/2006
New Pennyblackmusic writer Sarah Maybank watches Welsh pop art punks the Loves play a vibrant and exciting set at Bethnal Green Pleasure Unit in London
Superkings, Brides of Neptune, Fultons Point and Baxter Trappe
Dry Bar, Manchester, 9/11/2006
After an evening of bland supports, new Pennyblackmusic writer Emma Dawson watches rising indie group the Superkings play a charismatic and powerfully intense set of songs at the Manchester Dry Bar
Experimental Pop Band
Summerseat, Bury, 19/5/2006
Pennyblackmusic writer Dixie Ernill is putting on his own gig in Bury near Manchester with Bristol indiepop group, Experimental Pop Band. More details can be found here
Leeds Festival
Leeds, 26/8/2005
New Pennyblackmusic writer Adrian Huggins had to deal with his car being towed back to the garage before he finally made it to the Leeds Festival. He, however, enjoys sets from Iggy and the Stooges and Incubus in what became an otherwise very expesnive da
Phantom Planet
Water Rats, London, 26/3/2004
At the excellent finale to a European tour, new Pennyblackmusic writer Emma Haigh finds edgy LA 5-piece Phantom Planet's blend of garage rock both gritty and polished
Baptiste
The Final Gig, London Underworld, 19/3/2003
Recent stars of the first Pennyblackmusic night, Baptiste have decided to call it a day and split up. Olga Sladeckova watches them perform their last ever gig at the London Underworld
Silver Surfer
Half Moon , London
One of the highlights of the recent Pennyblackmusic Night, Silver Surfer played the second date of their British tour at the London Half Moon. Olga Sladeckova watches the Portland, Orgegon shoegazers play another sparkling set
Albums
Tori Amos
Little Earthquakes
In our Re : View section, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, new Pennyblackmusic writer Lisa Torem assesses Tori Amos' first album, 'Little Earthquakes'
Bob Dylan and The Band
The Basement Tapes
In our 'Re : View' section, in which our writers look back at albums on the past, new Pennyblackmusic writer Jeff Thiessen examines Bob Dylan and The Band's sprawling 1975 album, 'The Basement Tapes', and finds, underneath all its seeming looseness, a surprising sense of structure and deliberateness
Heavenly
P.U.N.K. Girl EP
New Pennyblackmusic writer Rachel Williams reflects on Oxford-based twee pop act Heavenly's dark 1993 'P.U.N.K. Girl EP'
Steve Robinson
Away for the Day
In the latest in our Re : View series, in which our writers re-examine albums from the past, Malcolm Carter looks at British-born, but American-based singer-song writer and recent Pennyblackmusic interviewee Steve Robinson's debut solo album, 'Away for the Day'
Feeder
Echo Park
In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, new Pennyblackmusic writer Sara Thomson reflects on Feeder's 2001 third album, 'Echo Park'
Teenage Filmstars
Lift Off Mit Der Teenage Filmstars
In the latest in our Re : View series, in which writers look back on albums from the past, new Pennyblackmusic writer Cyrus Pearce examines the Teenage Filmstars 'Lift Off Mit Der Teenage Filmstars', which featured the Television Personalities' Ed Ball and came out on Creation in 1992
Re : View-Thrice
The Artist in the Ambulance
In his first article for us new Pennyblackmusic writer Andy Vincent writes about the impact hardcore/punk band Thrice's album 'The Artist in the Ambulance' had on him after he unexpectedly discovered them at the start of his college's summer holidays
Re : View-Talking Heads
Fear of Music
In his first article for us new Pennyblackmusic writer Jamie Rowland examines the still seminal impact 26 years on of Talking Heads' classic 1979 album 'Fear of Music'
Re : View-Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run
In the latest in our 'Re : view' series, in which our staff reflect on albums that they feel deserve further appraisal, Pennyblackmusic photographer Matt Williams explains why Bruce Springsteen's classic 'Born to Run' rarely leaves his turntable
Features
A Life in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she speaks to Pennyblackmusic staff about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke talks to Editor John Clarkson.
A Life in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she speaks to Pennyblackmusic staff about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke talks to Steve Miles.
A Life in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she speaks to Pennyblackmusic staff about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke talks to Nick Dent-Robinson.
Get Some of This in Your Life
In his regular 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column Spencer Robertshaw writes of Pennyblackmusic's latest recruit, his new dog Norman.
A Life in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she speaks to Pennyblackmusic staff about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke talks to our Swedish writer Tommy Gunnarsson.
A Life in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she speaks to Pennyblackmusic staff about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke talks to our writer Ben Howarth.
A Life in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she speaks to Pennyblackmusic staff about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke talks to our photographer and writer Andrew Twambley .
A LIfe in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she speaks to Pennyblackmusic writers about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke talks to our long-term American writer Lisa Torem.
A Life in Music
In her series 'A Life in Music', in which she talks to Pennyblackmusic writers about the personal impact and influence of music on them, Cila Warncke, discusses with Mark Rowland his changing musical tastes, the importance of solid music journalism and the hypocrisy of rock mythology.
A Life in Music
In her series, 'A Life in Music', in which she chats to Pennyblackmusic writers about how music has affected and influenced them, Cila Warncke speaks to our Irish writer Eoghan Lyng.
U2
Every Album, Every Song
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem examines a comprehensive volume about the work of Irish rockers U2 recently penned by Pennyblackmusic writer Eoghan Lyng
Band Of Holy Joy
(With Moon Under Water and Dream Maps), Water Rats, London, 17/1/2020
We profile our next London Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place with The Band of Holy Joy, Moon Under Water and Dream Maps at the Water Rats on the 17th January, 2020.
Popguns
(With Davey Woodward and The Winter Orphans and Oliver Winder), Peer Hat, Manchester, 18/10/2019
We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night which will take place at The Peer Hat in Manchester and, a night of indie pop, which we are promoting with our writer Dixie Ernill, will feature sets from The Popguns, Davey Woodward and The Winter Orphans and Oliver Winder.
Carl Bookstein
Ticket Rewind
In the latest edition to our new column 'Ticket Rewind', Pennyblackmusic writer Carl Bookstein looks back at concert tickets from his past.
Band Of Holy Joy
(With the Cathode Ray), Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, 10/12/2017
We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands Night which will take place with The Band Of Holy Joy and The Cathode Ray on the 10th December at the Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh.
Fiona Hutchings
Vinyl Stories
In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin talks to Pennyblackmusic writer Fiona Hutchings about her passion for Madness, Queen and Mark Morriss whose records are amongst her favourite albums
Chesterfields
(With Karen and Charlie Big Time), Gullivers, Manchester, 19/2/2017
Dixie Ernill declares our recent Pennyblackmusic Bands Night, which featured performances from the Chesterfields, Karen and Charlie Big Time, the gig of the year
Anthony Strutt
Vinyl Stories
In 'Vinyl Stories' Dave Goodwin talks to Anthony Strutt, one of Pennyblackmusic's oldest writers, about his favourite vinyl records, which include LPs by the Doors, the Pretenders, the Smiths, the Cure and the Beatles
Chesterfields
(With Karen and Charlie Big Time), Gullivers, Manchester, 18/2/2017
We profile our next London Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place at Gullivers in Manchester, and will feature sets from The Chesterfields, Karen and Charlie Big Time
Madam
(With Idiot Son and Dream Maps), Sebright Arms, London, 1/10/2016
We profile our next London Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place at the Sebright Arms in London, and will feature sets from Madam, Idiot Son and Dream Maps
Photography
Barenaked Ladies
Photoscapes
New Pennyblackmusic photographer Andrew Twambley photographs Canadian rockers Barenaked Ladies at the Ritz in Manchester.
Karen
Photoscapes
Marie Hazelwood photographs Karen, the new band of Brilliant Corners and Experimental Pop Band front man Davey Woodward, at our recent Pennyblackmusic Bands Night at Gullivers in Manchester
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night, Glasgow 1
Photoscapes
Over two galleries Bill Gray photographs some of the highlights and acts of our seven-act Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night at The River in Glasgow on June 7th
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night, Glasgow 2
Photoscapes
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night, Glasgow 2