Attila the stockbroker autobiography of a face

The quintet did a seventy per cent door split with the venue, and everyone made a few bob. As the artist formerly known as John Baine returns for an Edinburgh run for the first time in twenty years on the back of an appearance at Edinburgh International Book Festival to promote his autobiography, Arguments Yard, things seem to have come full circle.

A life of incident and colour needing documented included Baine playing Berlin before the Wall came down, being thrown out of his own gig by John Cale and filling in for Donny Osmond.

Attila the stockbroker autobiography of a face

When Baine's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, the book was put on hold. That was interesting, and it's become a standing joke that the mainstream media will have me on talking about football or personal things, but if I say anything about politics they won't touch me with a barge-pole. I grew up reading Hilaire Belloc and hearing Flanders and Swann and Tom Lehrer, and started writing little poems from the age of five or six.

Then I picked up a mandolin just as punk happened, and I was determined I was going to to do what my parents never could, and make a living from words and music. This led to him getting up to do poetry spots between bands in the same way motormouthed Salford bard John Cooper Clarke had. Attila became part of a scene that also included the late Seething Wells and a group of what became known as ranting poets, who, in Thatcher's Britain, were highly politicised and in-yer-face attila the stockbrokers autobiography of a face of an unflinchingly direct vernacular.

For a while, Attila, Wells and others were feted by the then influential music press, but were quickly dropped as the world became a glossier place. He once stood in for Donny Osmond at a gig. Having got an encore as the support act, he was thrown out of his own gig by the bouncers on the orders of the main act John Cale, one of his all time musical heroes.

His support acts? Reviewing his first album in the NME, Don Watson said that he would rather gnaw through his own arm than listen to it again! Roundhead Renaissancecore and Baroque 'n' Roll. More gigs welcome - contact us at attila attilathestockbroker. It features some wonderful illustrations from the Barnstormer guitarist, Dan Woods.

Each copy comes with a free CD of Attila's much-acclaimed poems for his mother and stepfather. As usual, Attila will be doing loads of gigs all over the place! If you would like to put him on, get in touch via attila attilathestockbroker. Please see Upcoming Gigs for dates. Signed copies are available here direct from him: please go to the Merchandise section.

Here is the page of reviews. Elsewhere it's available at all Attila's gigs, the Cherry Red, Waterstones and Guardian books websites to name but threemany branches of Waterstones and many independent bookshops Then 12 tracks head off to Zorch Productions in Sweden to turn into my first ever dub poetry album - I am so happy about that. I'm also really looking forward to Brighton stuffing the Saudis and then celebrating Mensi with my old marras Red London in Sunderland Hope to see you somewhere!

News Update - June We may be just coming out of lockdown with no idea when gigs will start again, but is my 40th Anniversary as Attila the Stockbroker and I am doing my best to celebrate, as you will read below. All gigs and festivals are of course now cancelled until at least September, and probably later than that. There will be more news about the gig situation as soon as we have some idea about what is happening.

But meanwhile I am writing huge amounts about current events and doing regular live broadcasts via Facebook Live, raising funds for our local foodbank and support group and for DIY performers made destitute by the cancellation of all gigs. It's a very good snapshot of the period Tracks: Side 1: Libyan Students from Hell! Here's an up to date list of gigs so far booked for the next three months - loads as usual.

In July among many others an absolute barn stormer coming up at the Dublin Castle and a return to my old Essex stomping ground in a very good cause. In August three days at Rebellion punk festival and 10 up in Edinburgh at the Fringe, including my very first early music show at a classical venue - that will be interesting! Enjoy the summer!

Three gigs this week up North, starting tomorrow with my first one ever in my wife Robina's home town of Northwich, then Ashton and Sheffield. Loads more planned for next year, which looks like a challenging one for us all Barnstormer [ edit ]. References [ edit ]. The Guardian. Attila the Stockbroker. Archived from the original on 26 May Retrieved 17 June Guinness Publishing.

ISBN Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 1 June Jones, I. Kelly Publishing Ltd. Archived from the original on 1 September Retrieved 15 May Special Collections and Archives - University of Kent. Indie Hits Cherry Red Books. External links [ edit ]. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Attila the Stockbroker.