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Frank Sidebottom Out of His Head: The Authorised Biography of Chris Sievey
There has never been an artist quite like Chris Sievey or his 'fantastic' comedic alter ego, Frank Sidebottom. Whether pushing for chart action while fronting his former band The Freshies or allowing the bombastic Sidebottom to wreak anarchy and chaos on television, radio or with the Oh Blimey Big Band, Sievey's mischievous muse seemed to obey no boundaries. Yet it was only after Chris's untimely demise in 2010 that the extent of his influence became fully apparent. The emergence of Jon Ronson's film, Frank, Steve Sullivan's exhaustive documentary Being The Chris Sievey Story and the bizarre erection of the Frank Sidebottom statue in his native Timperley last October -- before 2,000 devotees -- all combined to make this the most extraordinary stories of recent decades. In this unorthodox biography, legendary journalist Mick Middles draws on his thirty year friendship with Sievey to gain further insight this most charismatic of artists. Family members, fellow musicians, fans and acquaintances help trace Chris's career from Timperley to Hollywood.
- GenresBiographyMusicNonfiction
416 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 16, 2015
A lovely tribute to what the author calls an 'outsider artist' (on more than one occasion). Lots of anecdotes about the wonderful and frankly (ouch) crazed world of Chris & Frank.
As a Frank fan from the '80's and with a knowledge of the territory described in the book I found 'Out of His Head' a great read, even though more could have been covered on Franks' recorded output and there was nothing about the re-recording of the 'Megastore' vocal, quite an important if ridiculous episode in the Freshies story.
Finally if anybody out there knows Mick Middles please persuade him to hire a proof reader for any forthcoming editions, the typo's and grammatical errors really were poor.
I loved it.
As a Frank fan from the '80's and with a knowledge of the territory described in the book I found 'Out of His Head' a great read, even though more could have been covered on Franks' recorded output and there was nothing about the re-recording of the 'Megastore' vocal, quite an important if ridiculous episode in the Freshies story.
Finally if anybody out there knows Mick Middles please persuade him to hire a proof reader for any forthcoming editions, the typo's and grammatical errors really were poor.
I loved it.
April 1, 2015
Even if you do not know the character of Frank Sidebottom you will take so much from this biography of a genius who was so far ahead of his time. I would recommend that you have a look at some material on YouTube to give yourself an understanding of the child like comedy involved and then try to believe that he supported Bros and unfortunately Gary Glitter (both accounts are hilarious). The film Frank was loosely based on the character and Jon Ronson was even in the original Frank Sidebottom band. An excellent account (would not call it a biography as such) of a much missed comic which is worth reading simply even to only discover that this person worked out how to put a computer game on the back of a 7" single (eat your heart out Jack White)!
June 27, 2025
I'm more of a Freshies fan than a Frank follower, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book all the same. The Freshies were totally out of step with post-punk; the fanzine writing fraternity in Manchester at the time were more interested in non-event Chorlton bands like Bathroom Renovations than someone who could actually knock out a decent noisy pop record. Yet none of this ever seemed to put Sievey off doing exactly what he wanted to; a man so full of ideas that had he lived to be 100 he'd never have realised them all.
The book describes a lovely, if flawed, man who fell in love with the same boring regularity as the rest of us change our socks. If he was talented, he was also spectacularly irresponsible and struggled to work with one idea to it's logical conclusion, before another one would take its place. The world is a less interesting place without him (and Frank).
Oh yes it is. It really is.
The book describes a lovely, if flawed, man who fell in love with the same boring regularity as the rest of us change our socks. If he was talented, he was also spectacularly irresponsible and struggled to work with one idea to it's logical conclusion, before another one would take its place. The world is a less interesting place without him (and Frank).
Oh yes it is. It really is.
December 24, 2023
Mostly good fun and written with affection for a man who was at his best when he lived in the moment, which is enviable but can be a pain in the arse to lots of others. More plans and schemes than any one brain could possibly process. I was choked to realise that Chris Sieveys neighbours had no idea who he was, just knew him as that nice quiet friendly bloke who was devoted to his pet dog. I can think of way worse epitaphs. Frank was genius but arguably a joke that was stretched too thin sometimes. But so very Northern English and warm hearted. Recommended for fans, perhaps of less interest to general readers.
January 31, 2016
I enjoyed this a lot - but it could really do with some proof reading.
May 18, 2024
Not for the uninitiated, as you'd expect for this sort of book.
Frank Sidebottom was (very approximately) the U.K.'s closest thing to Pee-wee Herman: musician/comic Chris Sievey, wearing a giant fiberglass head painted to look like the boyfriend in a Betty Boop cartoon and wearing a clip on his nose, fronting the Oh Blimey Big Band (drums, bass, guitar and Casio keyboard) and singing badly but enthusiastically -- a Queen medley, or something rousing about his town of Timperley, a suburb of Manchester. The not very punkish "Anarchy in Timperley," perhaps, or the somewhat Springsteen-like "Born in Timperley."
Middles, a longtime music journalist who knew Sievey (d. youngish in 2010) well, disdains the newspaper clichés "Timperley funnyman" and "cult comic," preferring to call him an outsider artist, a non-newspaper cliché that fails to take into account the act's following in the North of England and Sievey's pursuit of conventional showbiz success, even if he alternated between vigorous self-promotion and equally vigorous self-sabotage. There's more about the '70s and '80s Manchester music scene than I wanted to know, although I guess it's important to explain that Sidebottom began as a "fan" of and opening act for Sievey's band, the Freshies.
The book juggles a chronological account with oral history-style reminiscences, and alternates between the performer's life and the early 2010s, when the book was being written and a mini-industry devoted to commemorating Sievey was arising (documentary, "inspired by a true story" movie, statue erected in Timperley). You pretty much have to piece together, from stories in the book, what a Sidebottom show was like (YouTube is helpful here), but Middles does a good job describing Sievey's abundant talent, enthusiasms not always pursued to a conclusion, alcohol problem and, most important, the disconnect between performer and creation. Frank and Chris were very different, one introverted, one extroverted, Frank never acknowledging anyone who wanted to speak to Chris, Chris never acknowledging in public the fact that he was Frank.
I don't happen to think Sidebottom/Sievey is especially funny. But he's mesmerizingly strange enough to justify reading the two books about him -- the other being the fun but less informative "Frank" by Jon Ronson, an Oh Blimey Casio player who found a second career as a famous journalist. And if someone writes a third book I'll read that, too.
Frank Sidebottom was (very approximately) the U.K.'s closest thing to Pee-wee Herman: musician/comic Chris Sievey, wearing a giant fiberglass head painted to look like the boyfriend in a Betty Boop cartoon and wearing a clip on his nose, fronting the Oh Blimey Big Band (drums, bass, guitar and Casio keyboard) and singing badly but enthusiastically -- a Queen medley, or something rousing about his town of Timperley, a suburb of Manchester. The not very punkish "Anarchy in Timperley," perhaps, or the somewhat Springsteen-like "Born in Timperley."
Middles, a longtime music journalist who knew Sievey (d. youngish in 2010) well, disdains the newspaper clichés "Timperley funnyman" and "cult comic," preferring to call him an outsider artist, a non-newspaper cliché that fails to take into account the act's following in the North of England and Sievey's pursuit of conventional showbiz success, even if he alternated between vigorous self-promotion and equally vigorous self-sabotage. There's more about the '70s and '80s Manchester music scene than I wanted to know, although I guess it's important to explain that Sidebottom began as a "fan" of and opening act for Sievey's band, the Freshies.
The book juggles a chronological account with oral history-style reminiscences, and alternates between the performer's life and the early 2010s, when the book was being written and a mini-industry devoted to commemorating Sievey was arising (documentary, "inspired by a true story" movie, statue erected in Timperley). You pretty much have to piece together, from stories in the book, what a Sidebottom show was like (YouTube is helpful here), but Middles does a good job describing Sievey's abundant talent, enthusiasms not always pursued to a conclusion, alcohol problem and, most important, the disconnect between performer and creation. Frank and Chris were very different, one introverted, one extroverted, Frank never acknowledging anyone who wanted to speak to Chris, Chris never acknowledging in public the fact that he was Frank.
I don't happen to think Sidebottom/Sievey is especially funny. But he's mesmerizingly strange enough to justify reading the two books about him -- the other being the fun but less informative "Frank" by Jon Ronson, an Oh Blimey Casio player who found a second career as a famous journalist. And if someone writes a third book I'll read that, too.
March 17, 2023
A joyous celebration of understated talent
Having been terrified by my first encounter with Frank at Maine Road in 1989 as a 14 year old ball boy, I unknowingly met his alter ego Chris literally ten minutes later. He apologised for Frank’s brashness and bought me a chip barm, and disappeared into the crowd before I could thank him.
That moment epitomised the genius behind Frank, the twin pillars of the anonymity of the creative artist and the sheer lunacy of the creation.
This glorious book is a celebration of said artistic genius, revealing many insights and coincidences of being in the right place at the right time.
I never knowingly met Chris again after that brief encounter way back when, but his gracious generosity that day in making sure I was okay has always stuck with me.
Frank on the other hand, met him a few more times at charity do’s in the early millennium. He didn’t scare me so much by then, though he did make me laugh so hard I had cramp in my ribs for the next three days.
This book is a must read, even if you’ve never heard of Frank. A fascinating glimpse of a true genius who was always one step ahead of the curve. If only the rest of the world could match that enthusiasm for new things.
Having been terrified by my first encounter with Frank at Maine Road in 1989 as a 14 year old ball boy, I unknowingly met his alter ego Chris literally ten minutes later. He apologised for Frank’s brashness and bought me a chip barm, and disappeared into the crowd before I could thank him.
That moment epitomised the genius behind Frank, the twin pillars of the anonymity of the creative artist and the sheer lunacy of the creation.
This glorious book is a celebration of said artistic genius, revealing many insights and coincidences of being in the right place at the right time.
I never knowingly met Chris again after that brief encounter way back when, but his gracious generosity that day in making sure I was okay has always stuck with me.
Frank on the other hand, met him a few more times at charity do’s in the early millennium. He didn’t scare me so much by then, though he did make me laugh so hard I had cramp in my ribs for the next three days.
This book is a must read, even if you’ve never heard of Frank. A fascinating glimpse of a true genius who was always one step ahead of the curve. If only the rest of the world could match that enthusiasm for new things.
December 24, 2017
Glad to read the inside story by someone who was there, but the odd structure, idiosyncratic writing and lack of conveyance of an appreciation for Frank's music left me cold.
January 14, 2020
A comprehensive book about Chris Seivy the previous mysterious creator of Frank Sidebottom, hoping one day there will be a book of his art having seen that with my own eyes.
October 29, 2025
Great subject matter and an interesting tale overall, slightly let down by repetition and a lack of diligent editing
December 27, 2015
The author's fondness for his subject shines through this account, which makes it a pleasant read, but one gets the feeling that the dark side of Chris Sievey is alluded to rather than covered in detail. The most interesting part is perhaps the account of the lesser-known Manchester music scene of the 70s and 80s.
December 20, 2015
Excellent and very funny biography of Chris Sievey, better known to UK audiences as Frank Sidebottom. Highly recommended, but in dire need of proper proof-reading, lots of typos, etc.
December 4, 2016
Fantastic book that isn't completely bobbins!
April 18, 2017
I learnt quite a few bits from this oddly set out not-really-a-biography of one of the biggest influences on my sense of humour and inspirations to my own life - Chris Sievey - or Frank Sidebottom depending on your proximity to fibre glass heads, there's just too many mistakes, both spelling and easily Googled, that constantly frustrated me (example: would it have killed you to check "The Podge and Rodge Show" was the name instead of repeating the same error numerous times?) and I really hope have been fixed in the print version. Indeed, its the reason I didnt ultimately buy a hard copy which saddens me because its a book I could've loved.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews