So It Started There

by Nick Banks, Richard Hawley (Introduction)

So It Started There chronicles the life and career of drummer Nick Banks, and how he came to be in one of the UK’s most iconic and beloved bands: Pulp.

Beginning with his childhood in Rotherham, Nick recounts his personal and musical journey through the genres, first as a punk, then as a goth; how it all started when he was first inspired to pick up the sticks by Sex Pistols drummer, Paul Cook.

Flash forward to the eighties, Nick has been playing in a handful of Sheffield groups and spies an ad from his favourite band, Pulp, in a local club. He pays Jarvis and the gang a visit and the rest is history.

From there, Nick describes his growth as a professional drummer and musician, the trials and tribulations of chasing success in the music industry, touring triumphs and horrors, the band’s journey from relative obscurity to becoming a global sensation, and the process of writing and recording their most famous albums.

Written with warmth, humour and inimitable northern charm, Nick tells all. And with it, tells the story of a band that defined a generation.

Featuring an introduction by Richard Hawley.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook

418 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Tanya Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually have the hardback edition but there is no listing for this one. As an ardent Pulp fan, I was predictably going to love a book about my favourite band and therefore the five stars are no surprise. Nick Banks' autobiography is fascinating as it tracks the band's existence in good times and bad from his unique perspective as an early fan who progresses to become their drummer. I love the QR codes to Spotify lists and other extras, and it is great to read about gigs I attended from the perspective of someone in the band.
More than anything else, the autobiography gives further insights into Pulp's evolution into the band they are today and is a definite must-read for anyone who lives through these times and followed the band or indeed, anyone who has come to the band new during their recent reunion tour. It is also interesting to read a drummer's perspective and see the songs through a slightly different lense.
Overall, it is a fascinating book and had me hooked throughout.

[Ian Harrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. The basic style worked well for what is really an autobiography. I grew up at Sheffield University in the ‘80s where Pulp gigs, and the flyers at Uni bar, seemed an almost termly event - I was one of the awkward circle of folk standing round in the 1985 at the Uni with Mr Morality providing the support.

A consistent theme is Nick understating his role and influence, but the book made me listen back to the number of Pulp albums, particularly the drumming, and I think Nick should be prouder of his role and influence in the tracks. I was though disappointed by comments on World of Twist, World of Twist are surely the greatest band that will ever exist, and to suggest they based anything on Pulp is just so wrong…

[Nicholas Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A genial journey through Brit/Indie pop via the drummer for Pulp (at least for the majority of the bands life, although like most bands they have had a multitude of members and took forever to make it "big"). I'm not actually that familiar with their music apart from the massive hit "Common People" but Jarvis always seemed wackily likeable and the band stood apart from their peers as a unique entity.

Banks comes across as a person without a massive ego and as a result I enjoyed his tales of gigs and rock star lifestyle. He seems to have survived it with marriage and kids and dodged substance abuse for the most part. He's still with the band and touring in 2026!

This memoir is mostly for live music junkies and fans of the band of course, I for one will be checking out more of their back catalogue.

[Joseph McHale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third Pulp autobiography/memoir of the band and is, dare i say it, my favourite. Filled with great stories and written in the classic Yorkshire way (seems to be something i love in books) Nick Banks’ book serves to be everything and more you could wish for in a book of this subject. It’s brilliant. Easy 5 stars.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, this was such an incredible read. Nick has such an immense talent for story-telling, and this autobiography just feels like he's having a chat with you rather than regaling you with stories of astronomical pop stardom. Nick's book is imbued with an infectious sense of nostalgia, that looks at 80s and 90s Sheffield through rose-tinted glasses. (It also made me incredibly jealous of anyone who had the privilege of seeing Pulp when they were at the height of their powers in the mid-90s - this is not to say that their 2023 UK tour was not one of the most memorable experiences of my life, of course). The mateship of Pulp as a group, as well as the band's persistence through trying times, were palpable in the book. I felt myself grinning from ear to ear as I read of their rise up the pop charts, as if I was reading about the success of my friends. Such a joy to read.

[Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a 3.5 but rounded up. Depending on the chapter, this is such a satisfying memoir. Banks leave no stone unturned, whereas in many memoirs I find myself going “but what about that period or that time.” In other words, balanced. He’s a relatable flawed human, and it’s fun to hear about Pulp’s antics. Some boring bits inevitably for non-musicians. Also? I’m a little confused. This was published in 2023. The summer of 2023, I got the joy of flying to England and seeing their gargantuan hometown show in Sheffield. The books ends with a meek sputter and emphasizes that Pulp played their songs for the last time. Did Banks actually know they were reuniting before this book went into editing? Or did he get convinced after the fact? 🤷🏻

[Julia Edgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago my best friend ended up backstage with Pulp at Bridlington Spa and spent the evening talking to the drummer. My seething envy was absolutely overwhelming that she’d hung out with *my* favourite band and I was incredulous that she’d chatted with The Wrong Member. But, I might be wrong. I met Nick Banks at the signing of this book and he’s really approachable, funny and, it turns out, an engaging writer.

You’re only going to read this if you’re a huge Pulp fan and I have to say it’s definitely worth it.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge Pulp fan but had no idea this existed until this week. Extremely valuable resource for the band, especially coming from a band member who is not JC(learned of Jarvis's hard stare). Nick seems like a very down-to-earth guy, in fact the whole band does really, this feeling comes across in his writing voice. Bare-bones but good enough with funny asides. They are a band with 30+ years of stories so unless he wanted a 1000 page epic I completely satisfied with the "best of" style here. As an American who had no idea Pulp existed until This is Hardcore came out, this fills in so many gaps. I try not to research my bands to death because it's usually somehow not rewarding but having it all laid out in a narrative form like this is was too good to pass up. I do admit I started about the page 100 because I wanted to get to the band so I will read all that sometime later.
I was surprised to hear how similar his opinions were to mine regrading the songs on the albums, besides Wickerman(I love that song, dark and mysterious).

It's funny how this stops in 2023 and is already out of date. I guess we won't get a follow-up for More reunion but I would love it.

I am also glad to see how little friction and prima donna moments there were for this band. They just seem like good folks who happen to be a great band, yes great live band and eclectic, off-the-cuff writing style.

[Stephen Dunstan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

It's an engaging read for any Pulp fan on the whole.

Nick Banks comes across as humble and likeable in the Pulp film, in the book he comes across a bit petty at times and with more of an ego. You probably need an ego to survive at the heights of the music industry but it's a bit overdone in places sniping at other bands etc.

There are proof reading howlers that should have been picked up, including a song title and particularly the reference to people jumping on 'groins' on the beach (!!). This may feel minor, but I'd rather books got this right and didn't have QR codes to supplementary material as this does.

I'm now reading the Russell Senior book about his time in Pulp, it's better written so far.

[Oliver Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 've been a Pulp fan for a long time and have always enjoyed musical autobiographies.
Nick's writing style might not have the most prose or refinement you've ever seen.
But he's still absolutely engaging and charasmatic throughout.
Nick doesn't shy away from how demoralising being a band can be and is sometimes even self-critical of his drumming skills.
But he regales about some of the interesting and entertaining stories of the "britpop" band.
There are some great funny moments in this book.
I read it over a weekend and by the end felt like I'd been a fly on the wall on one of the great Sheffield and British bands.

[Kerstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could never give a book by a Pulp member anything less than 5 stars. This band changed my life and I'll love their music and style forever. This is an awesome memoir and I always enjoy how drummers see the world of their band.

If we're being detailed about the writing, I think one more edit for typos and repeated emphasis could have made it an even better read.

All in all, Pulp fans will love this.

[Delin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 Stars) Very witty and warm. Banks writes in a lovely conversational tone delightfully choc-a-block with Yorkshireisms. A gorgeous inside look at the goings on of a band called Pulp and the long, arduous journey to fame and acceptance without falling into the trappings of the typical Coke-And-Gold-Discs memoir.

[Adam Blacklock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Anyone interested in Pulp will enjoy this. Unlike the other members' books this one really is a blow by blow account. Written in a very down to earth way, it's a great compliment to the other books. Only wish Nick wasn't so self deprecating- you were a successful drummer in a massive era defining band, and as Richard Hawley said of him - no one else could have done it!

[Simon Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most comprehensive history of Pulp through the eyes of Nick Banks, the drummer, the timekeeper of the band. This was a very entertaining read from start to end and it's amazing to think the story didn't end when the book did. I wonder would Nick have thought there'd be a new album and two tours after he'd put down his pen? Looking forward to More...from Nick Banks.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love this. Pulp are my favourite band of all time and this was the only autobiography which my library had from them. So worth the read. So insightful and doesn’t gloss over everything. I hope they continue giving us more forever

[Danny Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice biography that stays clear of the tittle tattle and expose type stuff. Nick comes across as a very funny guy with a self deprecating sense of humour and whose style works really well. Recommend to anyone who is into music and not necessarily just Pulp.

[Aoife Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book super casually and nonchalantly

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is everything a Pulp fan would want.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Great story about Pulp from Nick's perspective.

[Alex Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t rate it anything less!

[Boris · Rating 5 out of 5]

i ❤️ pulp

[katrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Pulp for a half of my life since the school days. I remember listening to their songs while walking around my little town after lessons and these were amazing days. A few days ago I visited Sheffield for the first time, it was an exceptional experience. Now I know how Pulp became Pulp.

I’ve read many autobiographies of bands and musicians I’ve been listening to for years but after this one I can easily say that Pulp is the most creative, low-key and very underrated band. Their songs are shining for me and always make me alive.

I like how honest Nick was in his book. He doesn’t seem to make situations better than it was. If it was awkward - he tells that, if it was the situation he enjoyed like a child - he tells that, if he felt neutral about some songs that we may love - he tells that. I liked his simplicity and childishness in telling stories and describing feelings so I really know for sure now that Pulp are just a bunch of common people like us. They have their difficult to archive rises and hard falls and they’re still usual people who struggle like us, worry about future like us, enjoy simple things like us.

I would say that reading the book written by drummer is more interesting point of view than books by leader. I’ve read Jarvis’ book and it’s my favorite but let’s be honest. Do you all really enjoy reading gig and touring parts of autobiographies? I don’t. Mostly it’s just list of gigs in different years without particular stories and feelings. And what I really liked about this book is how Nick recalls these times with genuine love and enjoyment and hilarious or sad stories so the book became more immersive by the end of it.

And yes! Thank God they back to the stage so I can see and hear Pulp for the first time in my life. Wish them best

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and Pulp's story, Nick. Absolutely Fantastic.