Faster! Louder!

by Boff Whalley

Author and Chumbawamba guitarist, Boff Whalley tells the true story of how a teenage punk from Yorkshire, seemingly existing on a diet of cider, parties and loud music, rose to the top in the toughest of sports.

Genres: Biography, Punk

240 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2021

Reviews

[Steve Chilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book about a very interesting character, who managed to combine a punk lifestyle with being a champion fell runner. What makes it so believable is that Boff was also in the same music scene, and was a clubmate of Devine’s. He was there and did it, on both fronts. He has a delightfully honest explanation of the problem of recalling situations or conversations of yore. His answer to that is explained early in the book, when he says to Devine: “…. the bits you can’t remember, the conversations and the details and all that – I’ll make those bits up.” I really like Boff’s relaxed writing style and thoroughly recommend the book.

[Edwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun true story about a young punk rocker, who also loved running up and down mountains in the north of England and Scotland. While his two passions of punk rock and fell running seem to conflict at times, they both have that fresh 'no rules, just have fun' attitude towards the establishment, which was very much needed in the rough times of Thatcher's England. While the chronology in the book was sometimes a bit hard to follow, the stories and love for both worlds made this an enjoyable read nonetheless.

[Roger Mosedale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed reading this book. I'm very much at the other end of the running spectrum, being much slower, a road runner rather than fells, and preferring flat races thank you very much.

There's some great descriptions of races (some of which sound terrifying), and several bands I remember from those days (some more fondly than others) are namechecked.

The book is also very witty and well written. I laughed a lot.

[Steve Gillway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strange combination of heavy punk, fell racing an in mid to late 80s, centred around the Leeds area. It shouldn't work, but the fact that it does is down to the passion Boff shows towards both subjects.

[Andy Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

The subtitle literally explains this

How a pink rocker from Yorkshire became British champion fell runner

It's written like a piece of fiction. A story about Gary's life and the things he gets up to but it's all grounded in fact

Very enjoyable

[AJW · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating read that looks at two disparate subjects of fell running and punk rock, and how Gary Devine combined his love of both. Boff Whalley writes well as he loves both topics too.

[Catherine Garibaldi]

Dull read - not very interesting about either running or music.

[David Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Absolutely loved this book - loved the writing and the way it mingled the punk and fell running story. Fabulous and would really recommend it

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Super interesting, with excellent descriptions of the running, and of punk in the 80s. I really really enjoyed this!