Spanning seven decades and with over 150 new interviews, including Richard Hawley, Arctic Monkeys, Self Esteem, ABC, Pulp, Def Leppard, The Human League, Toddla T, Cabaret Voltaire, Warp Records, Clock DVA, Heaven 17 and many more
From dazzling electronic futurism to pioneering post-punk, via pop, metal, bassline, bleep techno and generation-defining indie rock, Sheffield has long been a crucible for world-leading music.
Some artists have excelled on the fringes, others have achieved global success, but all remain connected through a fervently independent ethos. In Sheffield, creativity flourished in the face of isolation, economic decline and bleak political circumstances, resulting in some of Britain’s most groundbreaking and singular music. But the region’s ingrained humility and dogged stoicism means it has never been documented or celebrated to the level of more hubristic cities.
In Groovy, Laidback and Nasty, acclaimed Sheffield journalist Daniel Dylan Wray sets out to remedy this, telling the story of the city’s DIY spirit and the musical visionaries and innovators who helped build its inimitable legacy.
Both a compelling cultural study and an unapologetic love letter to the city, this – finally – is the definitive musical history Sheffield so richly deserves.
Here’s a report from the launch event.
“If anything happens to this audience tonight, the Sheffield music scene is f****d.” A wry but telling remark from writer Daniel Dylan Wray, as he launched his new book Groovy, Laidback and Nasty to a capacity crowd at Crookes Social Club last week.
The event drew an impressive gathering of Sheffield music figures – many of whom appear in the book. Based on 150 new interviews, Wray’s work brings together voices from across generations and genres, including The Human League, WARP Records, Toddla T, Self Esteem and many more. The result is a richly detailed and wide-ranging account of Sheffield’s independent music history, told with warmth, gentle humour and much affection for the city. In the words of Stephen Mallinder, it captures “Sheffield’s dreamers, eccentrics and visionaries – and the weird and wonderful sounds they created.”
The evening’s programme reflected this spirit. Sonic curator, Jon Downing (Do It Thissen Records) opened proceedings with a carefully selected set of Sheffield recordings, all played from original vinyl and lathe-cut records.
This was followed by a conversation between Daniel Dylan Wray and broadcaster Elizabeth Alker, which deftly traced nearly seven decades of musical history in under an hour, offering insight, anecdotes, and reflections on the city’s evolving sound.
Music returned to the forefront as Alex Wilson (Memory Dance) took to the decks, followed by ‘hell’s very own bingo caller’ Acid Klaus, aka Adrian Flanagan, rounding off with DJs from Sheffield’s Gut Level. Groovy, Laidback and Nasty is published by White Rabbit Books and is available now. Copies purchased through independent booksellers include an accompanying zine-style booklet featuring additional interviews (while stocks last).
Cheryl Bailey
