Punk Episodes

Founding member of Buzzcocks, one of punk’s most seminal bands of all time that managed to fuse rapid-fire rebellious energy with pop craftsmanship, Steve Diggle is nothing short of a punk hero. With a plethora of hits under his belt including the classics Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You …

This tale is about a legendary guitar hero who has officially cheated death. To successive generations of guitar aficionados, Wilko Johnson is a cult figure in the rock world. He’s been a Blockhead and a founding member of Canvey Island’s celebrated punk precursors: Dr Feelgood whose unwavering …

Tale 6… There are few keyboard players as accomplished as Mick Gallagher. He’s contributed to albums by iconic punk-rockers The Clash, played with Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, Robbie Williams, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox, and been a right Animal!  But he’s most well-known for being a memb…

Tale 3… Phill Jupitus may be best known as a stand-up comedian and for his time presenting Never Mind The Buzzcocks than singing but I caught up with him just as he was about to go onstage to front a gig by the legendary Blockheads. This tale dates back to February 28th 2003, visit CATtales.c…

I have a virtual girls nights in with one of life’s true survivors. Award-winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor rose to fame over forty years ago starring in the ground-breaking film Breaking Glass. Hits and eye-catching appearances followed including Will You, Big Brother, Monsters in Disgui…

Charlie Harper is an absolute one-off. Back in the seventies this former hairdresser took the UK Subs from London’s punk clubs to Top of the Pops and whilst other punk veterans have become idols, Charlie has become an icon. Now over seventy, he’s still performing with the band, still throwing hi…

As a young boy growing up listening to The Sex Pistols and The Damned, Steve Straughan could only dream of being a member of his favourite band the UK Subs, but fast forward a few decades and Steve found that dreams really do come true. Now the newest addition to one of the most respected bands …

In this show, I call France to chat with one of punk’s true originals. He’s the bassist who toured with Iggy Pop, played in Cheap & Nasty, has been a member of UK Subs on and off for over forty years and has recently released his first solo album, Your Disobedient Servant, with a who’s who of punk …

My guest today really needs no introduction. She’s appeared in the 1978 film Jubilee, and Quadrophenia the following year. Her early hit singles included It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, and by 1982 she had made two platinum-selling albums. And, after more than 40 years in the music busines…

True punks don’t age gracefully and Nigel Bennett, former Members member and current guitarist for the Vibrators, couldn’t care less. I first met Nigel when he was performing at a charity gig in North Norfolk and we chatted about everything from his naughty school days to snake skin boots. No…

Gizz Butt became a household name in 1996 when he became lead guitarist with The Prodigy just as The Fat of The Land album became No1 in 38 countries at the same time. But that’s not all he’s done in his musical career. He’s been in English Dogs, The More I See, The Destructors and played live w…

I’m joined by multi-instrumentalist and punk aficionado David Donley. He’s played with almost everyone who’s anyone as well as being a member of Glen Matlock’s Philistines, Holy Holy, and almost The Cure. Now he tells a few tales on the people in his phone book and the first vinyl release with a…

The Vibrators bassist, Pete Honkamaki, joined the band in 2003 having previously played in Finnish three-piece No Direction and subbing for the UK Subs. Dressed head to toe in black and hidden under heaps of silver metal, his appearance is every bit the personification of the modern day punk sce…

Guitarist Nigel Bennett ripped up the rule book of the 70s London music scene auditioning for major bands including the Sex Pistols and Iron Maiden before recording with The Members, playing in Julian Lennon’s band, with Tom Robinson and, of course, The Vibrators. We had a little giggle before h…

Amongst those bands at the forefront of the #punk movement of the 70s was The Vibrators’ with their seminal album Pure Mania influencing the genre and many other musicians at that time. Forty one years later The #Vibrators are still performing and I spent some time with founding member Eddie who…