Interview with Laurie Black (Solo Musician and Cabaret Compère)

I'm back to let you know what's been happening here at Banned Biographies in the last month and to introduce the subject of the next documentary episode. Yes, I'm returning to the documentary format for the next episode! As well as reaction the the Stepney Sisters interview, it also happens to be the podcast's first birthday and I've had a lot of messages from listeners to congratulate and celebrate with me. Had I realised before the last couple of weeks that this next episode was going to be the one released on the anniversary of the podcast first being published I'd have made more noise about it last month. So, if you want to reach out then please do, I always appreciate a message. I hope you all are taking care and staying safe, and more than anything that you enjoy the next episode of Banned Biographies that will be released on Friday 30th April. Contact Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Apr 202117min

On this episode of Banned Biographies, I sat down over Zoom to interview Caroline and Benni from The Stepney Sisters. Theirs is a brilliant story of university friends who joined a soul band as singers in the early 1970s, moved into squats London, met some like-minded women involved in the women’s liberation movement and decided to start an all-female band so they could have complete control over the content of their songs and which gigs they played. The Steppos, as I found out they called themselves, broke up less than two years later as their lives were taking them in different directions. They all carried on playing in various bands over the years and in 2010 they got back together to play a couple of gigs. In 2020 the band signed to indie label, Alcopop!, and released a double single in early 2021. Since the interview they’ve released a full album called Stepney Sisters on 12th March 2021. It was an honour to sit down with Caroline and Benni and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation just as much as I enjoyed talking to them. Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Mars 20211h 32min

I’ve had some great feedback on the Paul Brightman interview over the last month. I even got a comment from the drummer in Paul’s band, Swampstomper, who was surprised by a couple of details in the interview despite having known Paul for years. That’s great to hear from an interviewer’s point of view because it means I was asking the right questions. Speaking of which, I did a massive shoutout to other podcasts last month but completely forgot to say that I was going to be guesting on one. In February I appeared on All The Best Lines Podcast to talk about the Cary Grant film His Girl Friday. Do go and find the episode and let the hosts Smokey and Adam know that I sent you. I’ll also be telling you about some of the new music I’ve been listening to recently and, of course, will let you know the subject of the next episode that will be out on Friday 26th March. I really enjoyed speaking with Paul on the last episode of Banned Biographies and learned a hell of a lot from him. As I’ve said before, I’m looking to do a few more interview episodes in the future and am in conversation with a few musicians right now about appearing. If there’s anyone you’d like me to chat to, why not get in touch and let me know, maybe even @ them in on social media as well. If you happen to know anyone of note, please do get in touch. While you're waiting for the next episode to drop on Friday 26th February 2021, why not go and leave a rating and review on iTunes, they really do help and you get a special shout out on these review episodes. But most of all, I hope you enjoy the next episode. Take care and stay safe. Contact Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 Mars 20218min

This is the second Banned Biographies Interview episode with Paul Brightman of Sham 69, Swampstomer and (almost) Chelsea. During the episode, Paul talks about his introductions to music and playing in bands, juvenile delinquency, politics – both in bands as well as in the wider world – the pros and cons of touring and his hopes for the future both with his own project, Swampstomper, and with Sham 69. A quick warning, the first few minutes are spent discussing the affect that COVID-19 has had on him including his own brush with the virus and, very sadly, losing close members of his family. We don’t dwell on this issue very long, but if you don’t want to listen to that part of the conversation then skip ahead about 5 minutes. You can find Sham 69  at www.officialsham69.com, officialsham69 on Twitter and Instagram, and at SHAM 69 – Tim V on Facebook. You can find Swampstomper on Facebook by searching for Swampstomper or typing in facebook.com/SwampStomping as well as on reverbnation.com/swampstomper. There were some technical issues with this interview. Paul’s microphone settings were wrong before we started recording and then, once sorted , I couldn’t hear him through my desk for a reason I couldn’t figure out, so we ended up both using onboard microphones, which is never ideal, but I’ve managed to get it sounding fine. Then, about 20 minutes in he lost internet connection and his computer automatically updated! I’m more than happy with the final interview, and I thank Paul for sticking with it. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation just as much as I enjoyed talking to him. Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Feb 20211h 21min

I'm back to catch up with what's been happening since last month's episode about The Slits went out , give some shout outs to new followers as well as those that have been interacting, as well as highlight some other podcasts - both music-based and not - that I'm listening to and you might also like, and tell you what the subject of the next episode will be . While you're waiting for the next episode to drop on Friday 26th February 2021, why not go and leave a rating and review on iTunes, they really do help and you get a special shout out on these review episodes. But most of all, I hope you enjoy the next episode. Take care and stay safe. Contact Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Feb 202114min

The Slits are one of the most significant female punk bands of the late 1970s. Not only did they bravely (or foolishly) leap into the fray with little, if any, musical ability, but through sheer emotion and desire created some great music, setting the stage for a future generation of Riot Grrrls. Their success seems on a par with a band like The Velvet Underground’s in the 1960s. Neither bands sold huge amounts of records at the time but their influence has been huge and ongoing.  Though much derided in their short existence, what the Slits achieved and what they meant to succeeding generations of young female rockers and pop stars cannot be underestimated. Join me on an episode that charts the highs and lows of the lives and careers of some of punks least typical girls. Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Jan 20211h 17min

I'm back to catch up with what's been happening since the Christmas Day episode went out where I interviewed the guys from the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign, give some shout outs and tell you what band will be the subject of the next episode, which will be a return to the regular documentary format. As ever, I hope you're doing well. 2020 was a hell of a year and 2021 has started off in much the same way. I've found solace in producing this podcast for you all and hearing your reactions to it and having chats with a whole load of you, so thank you for that and I intend and look forward to keeping on with that. Please do reach out on social media or via email and please do spread the word about the show, but most of all enjoy! Contact Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Jan 20218min

In a change to our regular programming, instead of a documentary about an iconic band this month, I bring you the first in what I hope will be a regular feature of the podcast peppered between the documentaries. In this episode I sat down over Zoom to chat with Paul Lally, Paul Banks and Ellie Porter from the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign. Lally set the group up two years ago after Shelley passed away in order to commemorate the singer with a blue plaque on his childhood home. £12,000 and a lot of fundraising activities later, the plaque was unveiled on 4th December 2020 by Malcolm Garrett, the artist who was recently awarded an MBE and designed early Buzzcocks album and single covers. The Campaign isn't stopping there though, in this interview you'll find out what other plans they have for the years ahead as well as some personal stories including how they each discovered the music of Pete Shelley, Buzzcocks and punk in general. Visit their site to find out how you can help out either financially or as a volunteer: peteshelleymemorial.com   Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Dec 20201h 18min