Features
A Life in Music (2021)
When chatting with a longstanding fellow writer for her 'A Life in Music' column, in which she talks to a different Pennyblack writer about the impact on music on their lives, Cila Warncke discovers that Denzil Watson doubled as a gigging musician in Sheffield and Lincolnshire.
Related
Interviews
Interview
James Taylor, the keyboardist and the organ player, with legendary 80's garage-rock band The Prisoners talks to Denzil Watson about their reformation for a show at The Roundhouse in London and their forthcoming first album in almost forty years.
Interview
Bringing together members of The Stranglers, The Damned, Ruts DC and Johnny Moped, Wingmen recently completed their debut tour showcasing their acclaimed debut album. Lead singer, guitarist and Stranglers’ frontman Baz Warne chatted to Denzil Watson about the group’s progress
Interview
With new LP ‘Moments of Madness’ in the racks, former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell chats to Denzil Watson about the new album and his time with the legendary punk outfit
Interview with Steve Diggle
Buzzcocks guitarist and vocalist Steve Diggle talks to Denzil Watson about their new album ‘Sonics in the Soul’ and why he has decided to carry on with the band after the death of his co-frontman Pete Shelley in 2018.
Interview with Peter Coyne
Peter Coyne, the frontman with The Godfathers, speaks to Denzil Watson about their critically acclaimed new album, ‘Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta’.
Interview
Denzil Watson speaks to former Mansun frontman Paul Draper about his satirical second solo album 'Cult Leader Tactics' which was completed during lockdown.
Interview Part 2
In the second part of his in-depth interview with ex-Perfect Disaster frontman Philip Parfitt, Denzil Watson speaks to him about his influences and new solo album, ‘Mental Home Recordings’.
Philip Parfitt
Interview Part 1
In the first part of a two part interview, former The Perfect Disaster frontman Philip Parfitt speaks to Denzil Watson about his second solo album, 'Mental House Recordings', and his return to music after an absence of many years.
Spear Of Destiny
Interview with Kirk Brandon
Denzil Watson speaks to Spear of Destiny frontman Kirk Brandon about their classic 1985 third album 'World Service' which is being re-released in a reimagined new version.
Godfathers
Interview
Cult indie rockers The Godfathers are currently celebrating their thirty-fifth anniversary with blazing new single ‘I’m Not Your Slave’/‘Wild and Free’. Lead singer Peter Coyne talks to Denzil Watson about his undying thirst for rock n’ roll and future plans.
Little Man Tate
Interview
Recently reformed Sheffield indie rockers Little Man Tate are due to play their first gigs in eleven years in September. Ahead of the two sold out hometown shows, lead singer Jon Windle chats candidly to Denzil Watson about the group’s split and reformation.
Luke Haines and Peter Buck
Interview
British singer-songwriter and author Luke Haines and ex-REM guitarist Peter Buck speak to Denzil Watson about their new collaborative album, 'Beat Poetry for Survivalists'.
Imperial Wax
Interview
Following the death of The Fall’s legendary frontman Mark E. Smith last year the final, longest serving line up to back him have re-grouped to form new outfit Imperial Wax. Denzil Watson talks to them about their acclaimed debut LP 'Gastwerk Saboteurs' and future plans.
Richie Ramone
Interview
Denzil Watson speaks to drummer Richie Ramone about life in the Ramones and his new autobiography, 'I Know Better Now'.
Stranglers
Interview with Jean-Jacques Burnel
Denzil Watson caught up with legendary bassist and founder member of The Stranglers, Jean-Jacques Burnel, to chat about their current tour, the increasing possibility of a new Stranglers album and the invention of a new word.
Ruts DC
Interview
To celebrate forty years since the release of 'The Crack' Ruts DC take their seminal debut album on the road in February. Denzil Watson caught up with the band’s gregarious drummer Dave Ruffy to speak about the album and 40th anniversary tour.
Batman's Treaty
Interview
Denzil Watson, the front man with long-serving Sheffield punk pop group RepoMen, talks to John Clarkson about forming Batman's Treaty, his first new band in twenty-five years.
Kirk Brandon
Interview
Kirk Brandon speaks to Denzil Watson about how he balances his two bands Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny as well as acoustic project with cellist Sam Sansbury and 'Tontine', Spear of Destiny's recent album.
Damian O'Neill
Interview
Denzil Watson talks to Undertones and That Petrol Emotion guitarist Damian O'Neill about his debut solo album 'Resit Revise Reprise', which is being released under the moniker of Damian O’Neill and The Monotones.
Stranglers
Interview
Denzil Watson speaks to Stranglers front man Baz Warne about the band's forthcoming UK tour and their durability.
Profiles
1938-2022
Denzil Watson pays tribute to Stranglers' drummer Jet Black who died in December.
1956-2021
Denzil Watson pays personal tribute to Cabaret Voltaire frontman Richard H. Kirk, who died unexpectedly in September.
Dave Greenfield
1949-2020
Long-term fan Denzil Watson pays tribute to Stranglers’ keyboard player Dave Greenfield, who died on the 3rd May.
Ten Great Lost Indie Albums
Part 3
Denzil Watson provides the third and final part and the top three albums in his popular 'Ten Great Lost Indie Albums' series.
Ten Great Lost Indie Albums
Part 2
In the second part of his three part feature, Denzil Watson continues to reveal his list of ten obscure and lost indie albums.
Ten Great Lost Indie Albums
Part 1
Denzil Watson takes us on a brilliant journey through 10 lost indie classics, starting here with the first four
Theatre Of Hate
Profile
Denzil Watson reflects on a new expanded five-CD box set from 1980's post-punks Theatre of Hate, which as well as featuring the original 1981 and 1982 live albums 'He Who Dares Wins' recorded in Leeds and Berlin, has three additional gigs recorded between 1982 and 2012
Lou Reed
1942 - 2013
Denzil Watson looks back on the career and life of Velvet underground front man and solo artist Lou Reed, who died at the age of 71 in October
Comsat Angels
Profile
Brooding post-punk 80's and early 90's Sheffield act the Comsat Angels are in the process of having their back catalogue reissued by the Renascent label. Denzil Watson profiles the three latest re-releases, demos and rarities album, 'To Before' and latter releases, 'My Mind's Eye and 'The Glamour'
Live
Brudenell, Leeds, 21/2/2023
Denzil Watson at The Brudenell in Leeds enjoys a self-deprecating and black-humoured set of eccentric rock from Luke Haines and Peter Buck.
Rock City, Nottingham, 23/3/2022
Following the loss of founder member, keyboardist Dave Greenfield and Covid related rescheduling, punk legends The Stranglers make a blazing return to the stage in Nottingham. Denzil Watson reviews.
Albert Hall, Manchester, 19/11/2021
At a concert at the Albert Hall in Manchester featuring classics from their brooding 1987 second album, ‘Darklands',’ Denzil Watson finds The Jesus and Mary Chain rendering a refreshingly subtle and dynamic range.
02 Academy, Sheffield
Denzil Watson watches indie guitar act Little Man Tate make a triumphant return after a twelve year absence across two nights at the Sheffield O2 Arena.
Yardbirds, Grimsby, 29/9/2021
Denzil Watson at Yardbirds in Grimsby watches an emotive performance from Spear of Destiny to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their third album, 'World Service'.
Heaton Park, Manchester, 10/9/2021
Denzil Watson watches New Order play a gripping set at Heaton Park in Manchester in their first home city gig in over four years.
Dubioza Kolektiv
Academy 3, Manchester, 21/2/2020
Denzil Watson watches Balkan ska/punk collective Dubioza Kolektiv play an energetic set at the Academy 3 in Manchester.
Great British Venue and Beyond
4
For the fourth and final part of this four part series, in which our writers and photographers reflect upon great venues, Amanda J Window, Andrew Twambley and Denzil Watson bring things up-to-date with their memories of the Night and Day Cafe and O2 Ritz in Manchester and the Sheffield Leadmill.
Patrick Duff
Greystones, Sheffield, 24/3/2019
Denzil Watson witnesses a raw and intimate Sheffield gig by former Strangelove frontman Patrick Duff.
Stranglers
02 Apollo, Manchester, 30/3/2019
Denzil Watson at the Apollo in Manchester watches the Stranglers play a powerful and often surprising set on the last night of their recent UK tour.
Theatre Of Hate
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 12/12/2018
Denzil Watson watches reformed 80's post punks Theatre of Hate, despite frontman Kirk Brandon battling a stomach bug, play an impressive set at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham.
Dubiosza Kolektiv
Academy 3, Manchester, 7/11/2018
Denzil Watson has fallen in deep, deep like with Balkan ska-rap-punk-Balkan folk act Dubioza Kolektiv. They deliver a barnstorming set in the basement of Manchester Academy.
British Sea Power
The People's Concert, Albert Hall, Manchester, 11/11/2017
Denzil Watson watches British Sea Power play an eccentric but brilliant headline set to commemorate the centenary of the original People's Concert at the Albert Hall in Manchester
Paul Draper
Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 14/9/2017
Denzil Watson at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds watches ex-Mansun vocalist Paul Draper make an understated but impressive return after an absence of fourteen years to full live work to promote 'Spooky Action', his debut solo album.
Kirk Brandon
Greystones, Sheffield, 23/8/2017
Denzil Watson catches the opening night of Kirk Brandon taking his extensive back-catalogue of songs with Spear of Destiny and Theatre of Hate on the road in stripped-down form with vocals, guitar and cello from Sam Sansbury.
Stranglers
Rock City, Nottingham, 13/3/2017
Denzil Watson watches the Stranglers play a powerful set of their hits and also little known material at Rock City in Nottingham
Spear of Destiny
Greystones, Sheffield, 14/10/2014
Denzil Watson watches 80's cult band Spear of Destiny play an explosive set at the Greystones in Sheffield to promote their latest album, '31'
New Order
Apollo, Manchester, 26/4/2012
Denzil Watson watches the reformed New Order, even without the presence of iconic bassist Peter Hook, play an ultimately magical set at the Apollo in Manchester
Billy Bragg
Leadmill, Sheffield, 15/11/2011
Having already played one gig at an Occupy Sheffield demo earlier that day, Denzil Watson finds Billy Bragg to be on still fiery form at a show at the Sheffield Leadmill
Magazine
Sheffield, Plug, 25/10/2011
Denzil Watson finds Magazine to be as relevant now as they were in their late 70's/early 80's heyday at show to promote their first album in twenty eight years, 'No Thyself', at the Plug in Sheffield
Albums
Stranglers
Black and White
In our 'Re: View' series, in which our writers examine albums from the past,Denzil Watson reflects upon the Stranglers' 1978 third album, 'Black and White'
Re : View-Oedipussy
Divan
Oedipussy was the solo project of Phil Parfitt, the frontman with Velvet Underground wannabies, ther Perfect Disaster. Denzil Watson comes across an album "truly worthy of the title of Greatest lost LP of all time" in the shape of their only album, 'Divan
Features
Pennyblackmusic
Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Denzil Watson in celebration of our forthcoming 20th anniversary looks back over his time with Pennyblackmusic by reflecting upon some of the bands he has interviewed or reviewed during his eighteen years writing for us.
Fat White Family
Ten SongsThat Made Me Love...
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Denzil Watson selects ten songs from the Fat White Family, the band that broke his boredom with new music
Joy Division
Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Denzil Watson in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' writes about his favourite songs by Joy Division
Gig of a Lifetime
That Petrol Emotion, Town and Country Club, London, 1988
In our 'Gig of Our Lifetime' column, Denzil Watson writes of attending a gig with Californian/Irish alt. rockers That Petrol Emotion at the legendary Town and Country Club in London
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Joy Division's 'Closer'
In the latest in our 'Soundtrack to Our Lives' series, in which writers describe the personal impact on their lives, Denzil Watson writes about Joy Division's second and last studio album, 'Closer'
Joe Strummer
A Life 1952-2002
Long term Clash fan Denzil Watson looks back and reflects upon on the extraordinary life and the untimely death of Joe Strummer
Photography
Stranglers
Photoscapes
Denzil Watson photographs the Stranglers at a show at the Sheffield Academy on their latest tour in which they performed their seminal 'Black and White' album in its entirety