Features
A Life in Music (2022)
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.
Related
Interviews
Interview
Edinburgh-based post-punk musician Norman Rodger talks to John Clarkson about fronting the highly acclaimed TV21, and his current band The Normans who will be playing our gig on November 1st .
Interview
Former Love and Money and Friends Again keyboardist Paul McGeechan speaks to John Clarkson about his orchestral project Starless and their third album 'Returning 'Home'.
Interview
Kathryn Smith, the vocalist with Bristol indie pop/shoegazing group and former Sarah Records band Secret Shine, speaks to John Clarkson about her band's long career and its appearance on both the 'Under The Bridge' compilations.
Interview
Orchids frontman James Hackett and former St. Christopher guitarist Mark Tranmer talk to John Clarkson about their project Vetchinsky Settings, and its contribution to the 'Under The Bridge 2' compilation.
Interview
Former Sugargliders vocalist and guitarist Josh Meadows talks to John Clarkson about his memories of Sarah Records, his new band Leaf Mosaic and 'The Branch Line', its contribution to the new 'Under The Bridge 2' compilation.
Interview
Caron and Michele Maso from early 1980's Los Angeles satirical group The Little Girls speak to John Clarkson about their new compilation 'Valley Girls'.
Interview
Singer-songwriter Jack Roscoe talks to John Clarkson about releasing his first album 'Out of the Woods' at the age of 57 and the heart attack that changed his life for the better.
Interview
Keyboardist Allan Dumbreck talks to John Clarkson about his Edinburgh-formed post-punk outfit Autumn 1904's return forty years after they broke up and the recent release of their album. 'Tales of Innocence'.
Interview
Bitter Springs frontman Simon Rivers speaks to John Clarkson about his latest project Oldfield Youth Club and their debut album, ‘The Hanworth Are Coming’.
Interview
Portsmouth-born but now London-based singer-songwriter Mark Vennis talks to Andrew Twambley and John Clarkson about his band A Different Place’s new mini-album ‘Small Town Vampire’, which reflects on the boredom of small town life.
Interview with Chris Thomson
Chris Thomson, the frontman with acclaimed Scottish act The Bathers, speaks to John Clarkson about their first album in 24 years,, 'Sirenesque'.
Interview with John Andrew Fredrick
John Andrew Fredrick, the frontman with LA cult band the black watch, talks to John Clarkson about his book trilogy, 'The King of Good Intentions', which is about a 90's indie rock band, and his group's two forthcoming albums, 'The Morning Papers Have Given Us the Vapours' and 'Weird Rooms'.
Interview
Band of Holy Joy frontman Johny Brown talks to John Clarkson about his group's latest album 'Fated Beautiful Mistakes' and his forthcoming debut solo album 'Gut Feels'.
Interview
Writer Jane Duffus speaks to John Clarkson about her new book on Sarah Records, 'These Things Happen'.
Interview
Edinburgh-born singer and songwriter Roy Moller speaks to John Clarkson about his new album ‘Be My Baby’,which is about his discovery that his birth parents were Canadian and that his mother flew from Toronto to Edinburgh to give birth to and put him up for adoption.
Interview
Experimental musician Mark Scanlan talks to John Clarkson about his project Black Hill Transmissions and its new release 'Transmissions #3'.
Interview
Aberdee singer-songwriter and former Only A Ghost frontwoman Louise McCorkindale talks to John Clarkson about her debut solo release, EP ‘Her Art’.
Interview
New Glasgow-based band NOISE speak to John Clarkson about their experimental debut EP, 'Not Until Tomorrow Night'.
Interview
Robert 'Hacker' Jessett from 'urban country' group Morton Valence speaks to John Clarkson about their self-titled eighth album and their unusual interpretation of Americana.
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to music journalist Richard Cabut about his reissued debut novel, ‘Looking for a Kiss’ and its forthcoming film adaption.
Profiles
Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
John Clarkson examines Simon Heavisides' sympathetic biography of Sound frontman and solo artist Adrian Borland
Ten Seconds In Between
John Clarkson examines Nashville-based singer-songwriter and author Doug Hoekstra's haunting new collection of short stories.
John Howard
Illusions of Happiness
Returning with the second volume of a three-part autobiography, John Howard takes Ben Howarth and John Clarkson on a compelling guided tour of the fringes of the late-70s, early 80s music industry, while also navigating an increasingly complex personal life in the shadow of the Aids crisis.
Big Gold Dreams
Profile
John Clarkson examines new five-CD box set 'Big Gold Dreams', which documents Scottish punk and independent music between 1977 and 1989, and proves to be the definitive account of a definitive era.
Doug Hoekstra
Unopened
John Clarkson reflectson 'Unopened'. the debut poetry collection of Nashville-based singer-songwriter Doug Hoekstra.
John Clarkson
Interview
Pennyblackmusic magazine editor John Clarkson talks to Lisa Torem on its twentieth anniversary about the formation and history of our website.
Anthony Strutt
1962-2018: An Appreciation
Editor John Clarkson reflects on the music writing and his own friendship with our long-term writer Anthony Strutt, who died on March 25th after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Mary O'Meara
1966-2017: An Appreciation
John Clarkson pays tribute to our writer and his friend Mary O'Meara who died in December.
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
Kimberly Bright
Interview
Kimberly Bright speaks to John Clarkson about her biography 'Chris Spedding: Reluctant Guitar Hero', which has just been reissued in a tenth anniversary revised edition, and the difficulties of self-publishing
Rosie Wilby
Profile
John Clarkson reflects on musician-turned-comedian Rosie Wilby's new stand-up show, 'Nineties Woman'
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
DVD
Broken
John Clarkson enjoys new DVD and coming-of-age drama 'Broken', which includes a soundtrack that involves Damon Albarn
Janice Long
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to influential DJ and presenter Janice Long about her lengthy career and new television series, 'The Janice Long Review Show'
Book-Mike Scott
Adventures of a Waterboy
John Clarkson is impressed by the honesty of Waterboys' front man Mike Scott's new autobiography,'Adventures of a Waterboy'
Profile
Outsiders
John Clarkson looks back on the career of 70's band the Outsiders, which was the first group of Adrian Borland from the Sound, and who are often seen as being the the first punk band to self-release an album
Comment
The Decline and Fall of the NME
With circulation figures at a low, Jon Rogers, Mark Rowland and John Clarkson discuss the reasons for the decline and fall of the UK's only surviving music weekly, the 'NME'
Profile
Pete Weiss
John Clarkson finds Vermont-based producer and musician Pete Weiss to have moved away from his surrealist humorous past and to be in more serious frame of mind on both his bands, the Weisstronauts and Sool's latest EPs, 'The Wisstronauts in Memphis' and 'A Touch of Sool'
Live
(With Cowboy Mouth and Sugartown), Strathaven Hotel, Strathavan, 17/6/2022
John Clarkson enjoys sets from The Bathers, Cowboy Mouth and Sugartown in the unusual setting of the Strathaven Hotel in South Lanarkshire.
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 4/5/2022
With photos by Andrew Twambley, John Clarkson enjoys a compelling show from Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets of the music of the early Pink Floyd at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
Great British Venue and Beyond
2
In the second part of our series, in which our writers and photographers reminisce upon great venues, past and present, Nicky Crewe, John Clarkson and Cila Warncke remember The Hacienda in Manchester, the 1980's Loughborough University Students' Union and the 1990's London Camden Palace.
Moon Under Water
Cavern, London, 25/4/2019
John Clarkson watches Moon under Water play their official debut show in London at a tribute gig to Sound frontman Adrian Borland to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of his death, and sees them reunite his and drummer Adrian Janes' old band The Outsiders for the first time in forty years
Echo And The Bunnymen
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 23/5/2018
John Clarkson at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh watches Echo and The Bunnymen play a gripping set which finds them reinterpreting for a new album their back catalogue with a strings section.
Damned
Hydro, Glasgow, 19/6/2018
John Clarkson at the Hydro in Glasgow watches punk legends the Damned in a set in support of the Hollywood Vampires play a set of their classic singles and songs.
New International
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 5/2/2018
John Clarkson watches semi-orchestral Glasgow/Edinburgh band A New International at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh preview a set of songs that they are collaborating on for a pop opera and theatre production which will tour nationally next year.
Cathode Ray
Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 13/11/2016
John Clarkson at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh watches alternative rock act the Cathode Ray play a forceful show in support of the Monochrome Set to finish the promotion of their second album 'Infinite Variety'
Cathode Ray
Basic Mountain, Edinburgh, 26/3/2016
John Clarkson watches alternative rock outfit the Cathode Ray play an impressive but unusual gig at Basic Mountain in their native Edinburgh
Stereogram Revue
Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 2/12.2015
John Clarkson at the Voodoo Rooms is impressed by the Stereogram Revue, a showcase gig for several of the acts on rising local label Stereogram Recordings
Rezillos
Liquid Room, Edinburgh, 11/12/2015
John Clarkson at an over-packed Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh watches 70's punks the Rezillos, back with 'Zero', their first album in thirty-seven years, play an excellent set
Tom Robinson
Queens Hall, Edinburgh, 6/11/2015
John Clarkson watches protest musician and singer-songwriter Tom Robinson play an impressive show at the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh on his first tour in almost twenty years to promote his album 'Only the Now'
Martin Metcalfe and the Fornicators
Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 30/6/2014
John Clarkson watches former Goodbye Mr Mackenzie front-man Martin Metcalfe play a career-defining set of both old and new material with his latest band the Fornicators in his first home town show in three years at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh
Chris Farlowe
(Solid 60's Silver Show) Playhouse, Edinburgh, 24/2014
John Clarkson at the Playhouse in Edinburgh is impressed by the Solid Silver 60’s Show, which now in its 29th year features original 60's artists, and which included a strong set from blues legend Chris Farlowe
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, 20/11/2013
John Clarkson finds super group Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings outstanding in the only Scottish show of their recent tour at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline
Parlour Flames
Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 3/6/2013
John Clarkson watches Parlour Flames, the new band of former Oasis rhythm guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs and cult Manchester-based singer-songwriter Vinny Peculiar, play an electrifying set at the Voodoo Rooms in Wdinburgh
Godfathers
Picture House, Edinburgh, 1/3/2013
At a support date to the Stranglers at the Edinburgh Picture House on the first night of a three week tour, John Clarkson sees the reformed Godfathers, back on the road to promote their first album in seventeen years, play a fantastic set
Cathode Ray
Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, 7/9/2012
John Clarkson finds enthralling the Cathode Ray's intense post punk at a gig at the Wee Red Bar in their native Edinburgh
Skinner
Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 17/2/2012
Grahame Skinner was the front man with 1980's chart band Hipsway and obscure 1990's art rock project Cowboy Mouth. John Clarkson at the Electric Circus finds him with his new band Skinner and at his first show in Edinburgh to be on unpredictable, but brilliant form
Big Dish
ABC, Glasgow, 21/1/2012
John Clarkson finds Scottish cult act the Big Dish's songs have lost none of their quality, but the Airdrie group lacking some faith in themselves in their first show in twenty years at the ABC in Glasgow
Albums
The Year of the Ox
John Clarkson ref;lects on Edinburgh-based band New Leaf's fourth album 'The Year of the Ox', which recorded originally in 2001, has finally seen release twenty years later.in an updated version.
Ian Dury
Hit Me! The Best of Ian Dury
In our Re:View section John Clarkson examines an impressive three CD Ian Dury retrospective.
Hipsway
Hipsway
John Clarkson finds that Scottish dance/rock act Hipsway's 1986 eponymous debut album, which has just been released in a double CD thirtieth anniversary edition, remains substantial
Godfathers
The Godfathers
John Clarkson examines South London-formed alternative rock band the Godfathers' eponymous and rarely heard 1993 album, which is about to be re-released for its twentieth anniversary in a double CD edition
Marianne Faithfull
Broken English
In our 'Re:View' section, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, John Clarkson reflects upon Marianne Faithfull's classic 1979 comeback album, 'Broken Edition', which has recently been re-released in a deluxe edition
Propaganda
A Secret Wish
In our 'Re:View' section, in which our writers looks back on albums from the past, John Clarkson reflects upon German electronic group Propaganda's 1985 debut album, 'A Secret Wish', which has just been released in a 25th anniversary edition
Isa and the Filthy Tongues
Addiction
John Clarkson looks at Edinburgh-based post-punk act Isa and the Filthy Tongues debut album, 'Addiction', which has just been re-released in an extended edition
Drop Nineteens
Delaware
John Clarkson reflects on Boston-based shoegazing band the Drop Nineteens' 1992 debut album, 'Delaware'
Lost Soul Band
The Land Of Do As You Please
In our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers look back on albums from the past, John Clarkson examines Scottish cult group the Lost Soul Band's under appreciated 1993 album 'The Land Of Do As You Please'.
Martha and the Muffins
Danseparc
John Clarkson examines the fourth album of the still under-rated Martha and the Muffins, which finally 25 years after it originally came out has been released on CD
Thomas Feiner and Anywhen
The Opiates Revisited
In our Re : View section, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, John Clarkson examines Thomas Feiner and Anywhen's orchestral'The Opiates', which has just been re-released with extra tracks on David Sylvian's Samadhisound label
Ian Dury
New Boots and Panties
In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers examine albums from the past, John Clarkson looks at Ian Dury's 1977 album, 'New Boots and Panties', which has just been re-released in a 30th anniversary edition
Bitter Springs
That Sentimental Slush
In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which we reassess albums which we feel deserve another look, John Clarkson examines the Bitter Springs' sprawling fifth and latest album, 'That Sentimental Slush'
Re : View-Triffids
Born Sandy Devotional
In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers re-examine albums from the past, John Clarkson looks at Australian group the Triffids' haunting 1986 masterpiece 'Born Sandy Devotional', which has just been reissued
Re : View : Talk Talk
London 1986
In the latest in our 'Re : view' series, in which our writers looks back on albums from the past, John Clarkson examines 'London 1986', a live recording released finally in 1999 of Talk Talk's final concert
Re : View-Sound
Thunder Up
Despite being the only one of their albums not recently to be re-released, the Sound's sixth record, 'Thunder Up', was seen by the band's members to be their best album. John Clarkson profiles it, and the tragic circumstances in which it was made
Favourite Album-Lou Reed
The Blue Mask
In the latest in our Favourite Album series, in which a writer writes about a favourite album of his or her choice, John Clarkson examines Lou Reed's 1982 record 'The Blue Mask'
Features
Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
John Clarkson writes about his ten favourite songs by ReopMen, who were Sheffield's longest-serving indie band.
Who
The Image That Made Me Weep
In 'The Image That Made Me Weep' John Clarkson reflects on a photograph of The Who taken backstage after their performance at Live Aid.
John Clarkson
Ticket Rewind
In our new series 'Tickets Rewind', in which our writers look back at their old concert tickets and the stories associated with them, our Editor John Clarkson reflects on some of his favourite gigs.
Willard Grant Conspiracy
Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' John Clarkson pays tribute to Robert Fisher from the Willard Grant Conspiracy, who died at the age of 59 in February and who we interviewed many times and headlined our Bands Nights on four occasions
John Clarkson
Vinyl Stories
Magazine Editor John Clarkson remembers his youth and university days in Loughborough and his penchant for home taping way back in the Eighties
David Bowie
Vinyl Stories 1
In the first part of a two-part 'Vinyl Stories' dedicated to David Bowie, Dave Goodwin speaks to Pennyblackmusic writers John Clarkson, Lisa Torem and Carl Bookstein about some of their favourite Bowie records...
John Clarkson
Vinyl Stories
In 'Vinyl Stories', his column in which music fans speak to him about their vinyl memories, Dave Goodwin talks to Pennyblackmusic editor John Clarkson about the 1970's Edinburgh record shop that started his musical interest
Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Lou Reed
John Clarkson writes of ten of his favourite songs in the solo career of the late Lou Reed
Vinyl Stories
John Clarkson
In the first edition of 'Vinyl Stories', his new column in which he will be talking to music fans about their vinyl record collections, Dave Goodwin begins by speaking to Pennyblackmusic editor John Clarkson
Rock Salt Row
December 2010
In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks to another Pennyblackmusic writer every month about a different subject in rock every month. In this edition she speaks with John Clarkson about whether songwriters are simply would-be novelists
Rock Salt Row
June 2010
In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks to another Pennyblackmusic writer about a different topic in rock. She and John Clarkson debate about whether Elvis really is the King of Rock 'n' Roll
Rock Salt Row
October 2009
In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem debates each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. In the latest installment, she chats with John Clarkson about the effect of dreams as an inspiration on songwriters and musicians
Rock Salt Row
July 2009
In new column 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem will be debating each month with a different Pennyblackmusic writer about a moment in rock history and its impact now. She begins by talking with editor John Clarkson about John Lennon's 1966 controversial quote that the Beatles 'were more popular than Jesus
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Baptiste
In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which our writers describe the personal impact of music upon them, John Clarkson writes about hearing in 2000 London-based indie band Baptiste's first two singles, 'A New Career in a New Town' and 'The Quiet Times'
Sound
Dutch Radio Recordings
80's London-based new wave group the Sound were always massively popular in the Netherlands. John Clarkson examines the band's tragic legacy, and their Dutch Radio Recordings of 5 momentous Sound concerts, which have been released consecutively
Musician Authors Profile
Doug Hoekstra and Willy Vlautin
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Doug Hoekstra and Willy Vlautin, the front man with Portland, Oregon-based alt. country band Richmond Fonatine have both just released their fictional debuts. John Clarkson profiles them both
Punk
Attitude-A Film by Don Letts
John Clarkson examines Don Letts' powerful new DVD film 'Punk : Attitude' which puts a fresh light and focus on the already often told history of the rise of punk
Martin Kielty
Apollo Memories
The Glasgow Apollo was a legendary 70's and 80's rock venue, thought of which makes many Scots over 40 become weak with nostalgia. John Clarkson finds Martin Kielty's new book about the long closed theatre essential, compelling reading
Doug Hoekstra
Six Songs/Su Casa, Mi Casa : the Official Live Boo
Chicago-born, but Nashville-based musician Doug Hoekstra has been away for a while, but is now back with both a new studio EP, 'Six Songs', and a live album, 'Su Casa, Mi Casa.' John Clarkson profiles both CDs
Ruts
Life After Death ? : A Profile
Massively influential in punk circles, the Ruts came to an abrupt end when their singer, Malcolm Owen died of an heroin overdose shortly after they released their debut album. John Clarkson charts the band's history and examines their lasting legacy