DECEMBER 2024
ISSUE NO: 564
COVER STORY U2 - Twenty years after How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, the erstwhile world’s biggest band return to the sessions for their 2004 record to build a reissue with a difference. The Edge, Bono, and Adam Clayton tell us How To Reassemble An Atomic Bomb. Try it at home, why don’t you?
MIKE BATT - This supremely versatile songwriter and producer once Wombled free, but he has also tried everything from psychedelia to classical, musicals to Melua. Now he’s telling his highly entertaining story.
MANCHESTER 45s - Last month was Liverpool; now we move onto the singular story of its chief rival as UK capital of rock’n’roll.
BRAND NEW HEAVIES - They put a soulful, stylish stamp on the 90s, and they’re still ploughing an irresistibly funky furrow...
CHERIE CURRIE - The Runaways made her name, but she has since led a more varied artistic career. Careful with that chainsaw, Cherie: we talk to the singer about her work as a chainsaw artist and how it’s helped her overcome personal demons.
REDD KROSS - Forty-five years into their career, the McDonald brothers finally feel they’ve found the idiosyncratic power pop sound they’ve been looking for all these years. We look at their journey from teenage punk upstarts to revered cult icons.
THE CHESTERFIELDS - Yeovil’s C86-affiliated finest, The Chesterfields, reassemble to showcase their back catalogue of lovingly crafted indie-pop perfection. As they reissue their early records, we hear the story of their unlikely success.
FROM THE VAULTS - Reissues, box sets, and compilations from Phil Manzanera, Dwight Twilley, and Lee Moses recently passed through our hands. We look at some of the most intriguing treasures the archives have to offer this month.
NEW ALBUMS - The Cure, Primal Scream, and Michael Kiwanuka lead the parade of new releases that may pique your interest. Also featured: a detailed look at the new album from Noel Gallagher and what makes it a standout among recent indie releases.
BOOKS - Volumes by and about Chris Stein and Randy Newman are on our reading list. A look at these new and insightful biographies that dive into the lives of rock legends, revealing untold stories and personal anecdotes.
SINGLES - Including 45s new and old from The Ex, Jesse Garon, and Sharon Van Etten, covering a range of genres and styles. This month’s picks include rarities, deep cuts, and fan-favorite singles from across the decades.
LIVES - From Chappell Roan to Melt-Banana, we’ve seen them all. Our team reviews recent live performances, capturing the energy and atmosphere of gigs that left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike.
