Books

Excited to say my new book Soho Days, Camden Nights will be published through Omnibus Press in July. They are also re-issuing my first effort Anoint My Head, with a fancy pants new cover. Find out more below plus some short stories to read…

Soho Days, Camden Nights

The Chronicles of a Failed Indie Rockstar

90s MUSIC MEMOIR — PUBLISHED JULY 16 ON OMNIBUS PRESS

It’s 1996, and Andy (aka Horace) is stuck in a dead-end admin job at a Soho picture library. His dreams of becoming an indie rockstar are over — but luckily, he’s found the Next Big Thing through promoting gigs in Camden: a Norwegian three-piece who sound like ABBA meets Nirvana.

Plan B is simple — live the dream vicariously by managing them. And when a record company shows interest, a door opens into an exciting new world. The only things standing in his way are a total lack of music industry know-how — and his scary boss at work, who disapproves of his extracurricular activities.

Soho Days, Camden Nights is a coming-of-age — or perhaps coming-to-your-senses — story that takes the reader back to the heyday of 90s London, charting the rise of some of the biggest bands and comedians of the era. Along the way, it explores that eternal question: does the cream really rise to the top, or is success mostly down to luck? And more importantly — is it ever too late to pick up the plectrum and try again?

A funny, bittersweet tale about ambition, identity, and learning when to change the record.

PRE-ORDER

Anoint My Head

How I Failed to Make it as a Britpop Indie Rockstar

90s  MUSIC MEMOIR — REISSUED JULY 16 ON OMNIBUS PRESS

It’s 1992 and Horace dreams of becoming a rockstar with his band the Pointy Birds. The only problem is that his day-job (mis)filing vinyl in a Soho record store is stealing all his time and energy, plus rival bands like Suede, Blur, Pulp and Radiohead are moving on to bigger and better things.  

But then someone called Ricky offers his services as a band manager and at last the dream can start.

Anoint My Head is the tale of a band who didn’t become rich, or famous but had a manager who did.  It is also the story of a musical era, and documents the rise of some of the biggest British Britpop bands of the nineties, plus a comedian who went on to write quite a successful sitcom about a paper merchants in Slough.

A coming-of-age story about pursuing your dreams and what happens when reality gets in the way.  

Perfect for fans of Caitlin Moran, Nicky Hornby & Ricky Gervais.

PRE-ORDER
‘Captures the time and the aspirations of a young band brilliantly. A great eye-opener into the absurd thought process of what it might take to headline Glastonbury!'
Steve LamacqBBC 6 Music
‘You'll read this book in one or two sittings - it's pure pleasure. All the fun of youthful dreams and the poignancy of disappointment - plus a remarkable A-list cameo. Magnificent.’
Phil HarrisonThe Guardian / Time Out
“Funny and touching tale of Britpop stardom that never was.”
Al MurrayThe Pub Landlord
'Super-evocative, proustian and a wonderful walk down memory lane’
Mark BowenWichita Recordings
‘Hilarious warts-and-all story of a Britpop band whose big ambitions did not meet their talents’
Dan CarrierCamden New Journal
"I really enjoyed reading your book Andy"
Chris MartinColdplay
‘Anoint My Head is a great read which rips along at pace and would make an excellent dramatisation or comedy series.’ *****
Iain Key Louder Than War
'Very good read. I read the book over the weekend. Some really good memories I had forgotten about. Great days. I hope it goes on to sell millions!'
Saul GalpenNude Records
'This heartwarmingly tatty 'Withnail & I'-tinged glance back at a time before innocent indie dreams were stolen by digital streams is a must read'
Simon Williamsfierce panda records
'A healthy measure of Nick Hornby with a dash of Adrian Mole had he joined an indie band. Just the tonic for these serious and uncertain days. Bottoms up!'
Josh LevayPointy Birds keyboardist/naysayer
"Ricky says he is too busy to read your book"
Ricky Gervais's assistant
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About Anoint My Head

Made-up True Short Stories

All true apart from the bits I make up…

Sleeves

9 pages | 2279 words

An unemployable graduate answers an advert to work in fashion, but the reality is not what he envisages. He makes his escape only to realise he has left everything behind.

 

Read Sleeves
The Quilt

26 pages | 5735 words

Dave Quilty is a builder who loves playing his guitar. The trouble is that no one wants to listen, and he can’t get a gig anywhere. But when, unexpectedly, he finds a captive audience, he has a final chance to prove the doubters wrong. And maybe reveal a hidden side too. 

Get The Quilt

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