Faster! Louder!: How a punk rocker from Yorkshire became British Champion Fell Runner

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.“Faster! Louder! is a great combination of different mad energy – punk and fell running. I knew nothing about the cult of fell running. Now I want to know more. The story has a unique take on music and running as a life force and is also a love letter to the fell running landscape.” Richard Jobson, The Skids

This is the fascinating story of how an unlikely and eccentric runner became, against all expectations, the British Champion. It’s a tale that focusses on the races that made up Gary Devine’s victorious 1990 season, while opening out to understand how the unruly, fearless ethos at the heart of punk could chime perfectly with the spirited, gutsy and dauntless root of mountain running; how the elements of surprise and daring are central to both. It’s a near-perfect underdog narrative, a drama that traces one boy’s life from ordinary schoolkid to extraordinary winner – all against a backdrop of alcohol, fights, arrests and extreme guitar noise.

“A stirringly evocative, riveting, hilarious, nostalgic, important book about two opposing worlds that aren’t so different after all.” Damian Hall, author and elite ultra-runner

“With the lifestyle Gary led, it’s amazing how the hell he was able to run races – never mind win so many. A bit of a wayward lad but I’m full of admiration for him – he did it his way!” Billy Bland, legendary fell runner

“A strange, exhilarating blast of a book, throbbing with energy and sweaty authenticity. FASTER! LOUDER! celebrates fell-running as it used to be, rough and untamed, through the story of a maverick hero whose remarkable athletic triumphs are achieved against a grubby backdrop of brawls and hangovers, squats and drug-busts, and very loud music.” Richard Askwith, author of ‘Feet In The Clouds’

“A most enjoyable look at fell running with a punk soundtrack and attitude. At school I was the one at the back of the pack sneaking off for a cig. Reading this book has made me wish it had been different. The challenge and exhilaration of the love of running in itself; the weather; the fells and the personal challenge – it all makes for a great read and I’m happy that Killing Joke may have been along for the ride.” Big Paul Ferguson, Killing Joke

Genres: Biography, Punk

173 pages, Kindle Edition

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!