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Spearmint - "Sweeping the Nation" (Hitback records). Email to mail@spearmint.net 11.30 21/12/13. Hi, I've just finished the first draft of my book about the five years I spent promoting various genres of local music during 2002/2007 in and around Chorley, Blackburn and Preston, Lancashire. It champions all the bands and artists that never got to make it further than their hometown fan base...and a few that did. I found your track "Sweeping the Nation" on a Rough Trade CD and have been recommending it to anyone I meet/know as the best song I have ever heard that sums up what my book is about... I am 51 and Northern Soul was an influence on my growing up and appreciation of musical styles. How clever of you to combine the classic back beat sample with a list of the bands you knew about that never made it and then bound it all together with driving guitars and the thumping chorus "I've been wasting my life I've finally realised I've wasted so much time....! My book has made me understand that I didn't waste my life because I followed my dream, stuck to what I believed in and have some wonderful memories. I know what Mr Bradshaw meant in his words to Shirley as everything I wanted in life has come true! Thanks again and maybe I'll get to one of your gigs in the New Year. "I wanna hear you on that!" John Winstanley. About the author. John Winstanley was born in Okehampton, Devon in 1962. His parents were originally from the North West of England and they moved to Euxton, Lancashire in the early 1970's. John went to Balshaws High School and Runshaw College in Leyland before starting his career in Preston. Married to Helen he lives with their daughters Hannah and Holly in Withnell, Nr Chorley. When not going out to watch live music John enjoys writing about it and looks forwards to retirement at the family's favourite holiday destination - Benahavis, Costa Del Sol, Spain.
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 25, 2016
My wife bought this book because a friend of hers, Shaun Maxwell, is one of the artists profiled in it. The chapter proves Maxwell's talent, and gift for poetry, which is infused into his music. Winstanley's writing is lyrical as well; he makes each musician and band, their music, and their history, crystal clear. Most of the bands he profiles never 'made it' beyond parts of England, which may only mean that luck was not on their side, as whether or not one does 'make it' often has little to do with talent and much more to do with luck. As someone who loves music, the book was fascinating to read, and I highly recommend it.
June 28, 2014
"I seem so instrumental / Like a chord without potential / What does it feel like? / When I'm fine / Everything is alright."
"And to destiny a daughter / She leads them down dark alley ways / I've tasted love straight weird and awful / I need a girl who lives life strange."
Just a couple of examples of lyrics in songs by bands that my friend Shaun Maxwell has been involved with. They prove just how talented he is, but the reason you've never heard of his bands, the most recent being the incredibly talented Taser Puppets, is because luck has not been on their side. Clearly there are a lot of bands people have heard of who suck; the same is true for the many, many bands that most people have not heard of who are brilliant but undiscovered, and that's what this book is about, the bands in England, particularly in and around Lancashire, who have just never had the luck to be discovered by a larger audience. As someone who loves music, I found the book to be great because it is, at its core, a celebration of all music, most especially not just the commercially successful. And of course, I particularly liked the chapter about Shaun, with some very funny stories, not the least of which was his "arrival onto the world stage," which involves an audience, a stage, and a coffin. Great stuff, and I HIGHLY recommend!
"And to destiny a daughter / She leads them down dark alley ways / I've tasted love straight weird and awful / I need a girl who lives life strange."
Just a couple of examples of lyrics in songs by bands that my friend Shaun Maxwell has been involved with. They prove just how talented he is, but the reason you've never heard of his bands, the most recent being the incredibly talented Taser Puppets, is because luck has not been on their side. Clearly there are a lot of bands people have heard of who suck; the same is true for the many, many bands that most people have not heard of who are brilliant but undiscovered, and that's what this book is about, the bands in England, particularly in and around Lancashire, who have just never had the luck to be discovered by a larger audience. As someone who loves music, I found the book to be great because it is, at its core, a celebration of all music, most especially not just the commercially successful. And of course, I particularly liked the chapter about Shaun, with some very funny stories, not the least of which was his "arrival onto the world stage," which involves an audience, a stage, and a coffin. Great stuff, and I HIGHLY recommend!
June 15, 2014
This is one of the best biographies I have ever read. I experienced many a fond memory at a forgotten band name or event. John describes his life in music in such a way I felt I was there. The very best chapter is on 'Shaun Ali Bongo Maxwell' as it captures something of this complex characters ethos and being. The think I liked most is that John is able to offer advice on whether to become and band and all the pitfalls that can occur. His experience as a promoter gives him the kudos to let both our generation and younger know what is involved. A cracking read!
June 15, 2014
Yay - fabulous! Especially loved the stuff about Shaun Ali Bongo Maxwell - a hunk of a man! :)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews