leicester + indie music + 1986-1987
the Fanzine
IN THE 1980s, somewhere between Showaddywaddy and Kasabian, Leicester gave birth to one of the UK's richest live indie music scenes.
There was big hair and big sounds, cool girls and crazy guys and much of it was documented at the time by people who lived it and loved it.
> Fanzine 1
> Fanzine 2
> Fanzine 3
> Fanzine 4
> Fanzine 5
> Fanzine 6
> Fanzine 7
> videos
See what they saw and read what they said in the fanzine that "cornered the market" in music news and views during what could be described as pretty much a cultural revolution, in one of the UK's most creative cities.
(Some of)
What happened in the years between Engelbert Humperdinck and Mark Morrison... ???
There were six Fanzines in '86 and '87 covering alternative bands plus a later one including all genres.
Use the menu at the top of the page to view each publication in its entirety or click on the links above and below.
Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed.
Somewhere inside -
news+views+reviews
(links to interviews underlined)
> The Bomb Party
> Hunters Club
> Sister Crow
> Just Like Jane
> Gaye Bykers On Acid
> Wellphead
The Marmite Sisters
> The Soviets
> Diesel Park West
> Yeah Yeah Noh
> Blab Happy
> Company For Henry
> Cucumber Three Pack
listen to some of the musical peaks of the era
Crazyhead:
"What Gives You The Idea That You're So Amazing Baby?"
Self- described as an "urban bastard blues band"
Gaye Bykers On Acid:
"Played gigs supporting themselves, thus getting paid twice"
Hunters Club:
"Grebo rock at its finest"
The Bomb Party:
"The godfathers of grebo"
and "a Molotov cocktail of hardcore grebo gothability lying somewhere between The Cramps and Bauhaus"
Published in 1989, "Good Things" was the seventh and final magazine in this collection. As well as spotlighting the indie scene, it also looked at blues, reggae, soul and rock music in the city and was written by some very well-informed musicians who were accomplished artistes in their fields.
> good things
Throughout all the magazines, you will find some excellent artwork in the form of the advertising submitted by our sponsors, in particular, The Fan Club, Haymarket Theatre and the Helsinki Bar. Some of these gems are showcased below and more can be found by clicking on the link.
> adverts
Sponsors:
- The Fan Club
- Underpass Records & Comics
- Haymarket Theatre
- Helsinki Bar
- Pactronics
- The Princess Charlotte
- Zig Zag
- Ainleys Records
- Fun Fish Clothing
- Basement Bar
- Zap Comics
- Oddity Records
- The T-Shirt Bar
- Raddle Books
- Femme Fatale Clothing
- Mantini Hair Salon
- Into Magazine
- Hoskins Beers
Also on display on this page is a collection of the interviews of national and international artists, gratefully received by The Fanzine, courtesy of BBC Radio Leicester's Primetime show, such as Doctor & The Medics, Hugh Cornwall of The Stranglers and Phil Oakey of the Human League. There is also an interview with Curiosity Killed The Cat courtesy of Marc at the Leicester Mercury. Click on the links below if interested.
bbc radio leicester's
primetime interviews
> Dr & The Medics
> it's immaterial
> age of chance
> Human League
> hugh cornwall
> ghost dance
> bbc primetime
Finally in this section is a collection of the music charts produced by The Fan Club, Ainleys Records and the HMV store. They place the stories and the news of Leicester's bands within the context of a rich and exciting musical era in the nation. Scroll down the page or click on the links to view them.
we looked good on the dancefloor - didn't we..?! the charts
> charts
SPIRIT IN THE SKY
Well, I did do it my way but quite often my way was shite; corny editorials, rubbish layouts and ridiculous comments spring to mind. Apologies to certain people. However, I hope this series of publications stands as a tribute to the talents and creativity of the city's musicians, who excited a whole generation and gave inspiration to a small-town boy who made many friends in the big city and loved every minute of it.
Eddy
The Fanzine
Jan 2021
credit also to
Neil E, co-editor of several issues
I could not have produced The Fanzine nor made it particularly interesting on my own. As well as the talented writers who contributed, there were people who helped with the production and distribution. They are credited in each magazine and I thank them again for making it all so much fun and for their part in getting the news out there to the people who were ready to soak up the spirit now emerging from the heart of the city and the county.
Thanks also to Leicester Community Printing Press and their skilled staff.
and finally,
in the beginning...
It began with the creatively-named Manchester band, Russians Eat Bambi, who I'd just seen playing live in Camden Town.
It was a great gig and they said they were interested in playing in Leicester. So we arranged a date and I booked a night at the Princess Charlotte, only for them to have to cancel a week before the gig. Determined to put on a show, I asked around and eventually found Ian, who picked up his phone and after a brief conversation announced that he had found a band. Enter A Boy Called Christian. So I sold the tickets and we had a decent turnout for a stunning performance from the three-piece outfit.
After that incredible night, I became immersed in the wonderful world of Leicester's music. There was so much talent out there. I wanted to record what I was seeing and the rest is history!
Later in life, I discovered that anyone, even me, could create music electronically on a computer (see ebeats). I am grateful for the inspiration given to me in those magical years and I now love making songs, just as I loved making The Fanzine :)