GSP45: Chesney Hawkes

Chris is joined by singer, songwriter and founder member of Dodgy, Nigel Clark in a special live episode recorded at the North of England Centre for Music & Arts in the beautiful Yorkshire town of Marsden. It's a new arts centre on the canalside just next to the Standedge Tunnel. They chat about Nigel's childhood memories of live music, a cracking first ever gig, the early days of Dodgy, and the story behind King Monkey...    

  Chesney Hawkes burst onto our screens and radios in 1991, starring with Roger Daltrey in “Buddy’s Song” and topping the UK charts for five weeks with “The One And Only”. We chatted to Chesney about auditioning for “Buddy’s Song”, learning to play piano on John Lennon’s piano, and a whole lot more. Chesney’s based in LA now, but is heading to the UK for his first headline gig since the late 90s - on May 31st 2024 at the O2 Forum, Kentish Town. Get. On. It.

  Rather than write a bit of blurb about our guest, DJ Paulette, here's what it says on the back cover of her fantastic new book, "Welcome To The Club - The Life and Lessons of a Black Woman DJ". "One of the Hacienda's first female DJs, DJ Paulette has scaled the heights of the music industry, playing to crowds of thousands all around the world. Here she tells her story, offering a remarkable view of the music industry from a Black woman's perspective. Behind the core values of peace, love, unity and respect, dance music is a world of exclusion, misogyny, racism and classism. But, as Paulette reveals, it is also a space bursting at the seams with powerful women".   We chat to Paulette about her route into the DJ world, and some of the blinding gigs she experienced along the way. **Warning - there is a contextual use of three homophobic slurs around one hour into the interview, lasting no more than a few seconds**

  Our latest episode is with founding member of Elbow, drummer Richard Jupp. We chat about U2, Elbow's iconic performance at Glastonbury in 2014, how the band came about, and strange exchanges with audiences at stadium gigs.  Please note: this episode contains a couple of sweary moments - mainly Jupp, the potty-mouth. Please like, subscribe and leave us a review - it always helps us to reach a wider audience, and puts a little spring in our steps... Merry Christmas!  

Pat Nevin played football for Chelsea, Everton, Kilmarnock, Tranmere, Clyde and Motherwell - earning 28 caps for Scotland in the process. The nippy midfielder now graces our radiowaves as one of BBC 5Live’s most respected pundits. His latest book, “The Accidental Footballer” details his career throughout the 80s and 90s, as well as his lifelong love of music. We chat to him about Cocteau Twins, Camera Obscura, Belle & Sebastian, New Order, The Durutti Column and Thin Lizzy. ABBA even get a look in...

  Dr Susan Rogers is a sound engineer and record producer best known for being Prince’s studio engineer during his commercial peak - think Purple Rain, Parade, Sign O' The Times. She is also the author of "This is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You" - a book which will make you think about why you love the music you love. It's also a book which will make you love music you either didn't think you'd love, or didn't even know existed. Chris and Alex talk to Susan about Prince, Miles Davis, Paul McCartney and loads more. 

  We're (nearly) back! We've been sorting out a PLETHORA of interviews to bring you in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, here's our third compilation of favourite bits including Eddi Reader, Ren Harvieu, Manda Rin, Ralph Rolle, Anna Doble, Howard Murray, Tony Walsh, Rhodri Marsden and James Walsh. We chat about Night & Day Cafe, Soweto Gospel Choir, Manchester Collective, Kendrick Lamarr, The Lemonheads and a whole bunch more.

  Here’s a bit of a special episode for you - Alex and Chris travelled to Kendal Calling and recorded a live episode in the woods with Trampolene’s wonderful Jack Jones. We chat about Pink Floyd, Pete Doherty, Dylan - and nicking a car to go and see Leonard Cohen play live. There are also some short clips from Alex and Chris in the fields. Make sure you check out Chris’s gallery from this special festival…

  Sarah Blackwood chats to us about all things Dubstar, Client and Technique - in particular touring with Depeche Mode in 2002. Her choices of music are absolutely knockout, so check out the playlist. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Andy “Fletch” Fletcher. Go well, Fletch.

  Andrew Paresi was the drummer on Morrissey's first three solo albums - "Viva Hate", "Bona Drag" (alongside Mike Joyce) and "Kill Uncle". We chat to him here about all things Morrissey, Sham 69, Frank Zappa and Paul Simon. Check out Andrew's documentary, "I Was Morrissey's Drummer", here.  Check out Chris's interview with Andrew, concentrating more on the drumming, here.