Issue 147 October 2025
He took her hand, they took the floor, she was his all time favourite dancer. Smiled lopsidedly, decidedly awkward he asked her, take my hand, take me and, I’ll take my cue, Ain’t you guessed by now I’m sold on
you. The late bus is leaving from the lonely station, so grab your silk stockings and your dance invitation. And that was all for the legend that is Edwyn Collins as he recently visited Leeds on his farewell tour. A well earned retirement for a song writing genius. The South carry on regardless despite another of our gifted songwriters Paul Heaton sailing his ship alone a fair few years ago. However life certainly goes on for the nine piece band and there a chance to win two tickets for their Holmfirth gig. And former radio one DJ Gary Davies hasn’t retired either as he’s doing an 80’s night in the same venue. Another final gig in the offing as Stevie Hulme and his band the Dead Vaynes also bow out in style along with a host of Leeds music royalty at his book launch on 2nd November at the Brudenell.
Issue 146 – September 2025
Beat my head against a pole. Try to knock some sense, Down in my bones. And even though they don’t show, The scars aren’t so old. And when they go, They let you know. You can’t put your arms around a memory, You can’t put your arms around a memory. Former member of the New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders and considered by many to be his signature song from 1978. If East Leeds had it’s very own version of Johnny Thunders, it might well be Stevie Hulme aka Vayne former singer of the Vaynes. Johnnny was Stevie’s hero and he even supported him on tour. And although Johnny is long gone, Stevie might not be able to put his arms around a memory but he’s certainly able to put them in a book. We’ve made quite a big deal of Stevie’s story in this issue. when some of his peers might of thought he’d be lucky to see 30 years old, Stevie’s still here and his story is a fantastic, against the odds trawl through the last 40 years or so.
Issue 145 – August 2025
I could be red, yellow, white, orange or green. A la tomatina they go and throw me out in the streets. With some oil some pepper sometimes that’s all you would need. And I’m grown around the world so I’m never out of season.
The Tomato Song by the Canadian band Walk off the Earth from the Romeo Eats series/album. Alan Cuthbertson is going to the La Tomatino Festival in Buñol, Spain, where participants throw tomatoes at each other It is said to be the biggest food fight in the world. Sadly it will also coincide with his last article for us after nine years and almost a 100 articles. We haven’t heard the last from Alan, he’ll still feature occasionally and we also await his third novel. But until then a big thank you for his interesting articles over the years, giving us a unique perspective of life in Spain. We’ve four competitions for tickets this issue, see pages 20, 23 & 29. And if all this gig going is getting a bit much, join the party with Tonia and her Zumba classes!
Issue 144 – July 2025
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could wake up. In the morning when the day is new? After having spent the day together. Hold each other close the whole night through. But happy times together we’ve been spending. I wish that every kiss was never-ending. Oh, wouldn’t it be nice? It will probably be a few weeks after the sad death of Brian Wilson by the time you read this but we couldn’t let it pass. Wouldn’t it be Nice, from 1966’s Pet Sounds. Just genius. Lee Murtagh is feeling good vibrations after finally getting his latest movie Champ Tramp out. God Only Knows where we would be without Gill bursting with positive vibes. Meanwhile Warren tells us about the Heroes & Villians of the plant world. Craig Charles and Leo Sayer competitions this month, thanks to MP Promotions.
Issue 143 – June 2025
You and I should ride the coast. And wind up in our favorite coats just miles away. Roll a number, write another song. Like Jimmy heard the day he caught the train. Ocean Colour Scene and their classic ‘Day We Caught the Train’ from 1996… a song about a decision made on the spur of the moment, or a transformation, a change in perspective or possibly a bitter sweet quality, acknowledging the fleeting nature of precious moments and the potential for melancholy when they are over. One thing is for sure, it’s not about crossing Station Road and catching a train from Crossgates Station! Roll on November when it’s all over, ‘til then, cheer yourself up, win tickets for ‘Through it all Together’ a play about Bielsa’s time at Elland Road, Ocean Colour Scene, Ellie Sax or Sambroso All Stars. Here Comes the Summer. MOT.
Issue 142 – May 2025
They’re only red from all the tears that I should’ve shed, They’re only red from all the women that I could’ve wed, So, when you look into these eyes I hope you realize, they could never be blue, and they could never be blue. Going back to 1992 for the Beautiful South singing about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. Matthew Cooper wrote a film script about it, filmed and set in Leeds, featuring mainly local actors, ‘Sober’ it actually uses the city as a character in the film as well as the backdrop. Probably best to stay sober if you have ByMolly round to cook your tea for you, just so you can fully appreciate how good the food is. And talking of the Beautiful South, we’ve tickets to win for their offshoot band “The South’ as well as tickets for the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Huey Morgan formerly of the Fun Loving Criminals.
Issue 141 – April 2025
And we weren’t at all unique because we bathed, just once a week, and smelled of cabbages and milk warmed in the sun. It was all I ever knew, meet the wife and silly moo. It takes forever to grow up and then it’s done. Squeeze front man Glen Tilbrook and his solo, somewhat offbeat offering Mud Pie from 2014. Glen’s doing a solo tour and we’ve a couple of tickets to give away in our competition on page 10 in association with MR Promotions. Another competition on page 28 and 29, this time a totally unique prize as Neil Hunter tells us about writing for television and eventually writing his own book which is called ‘Young Man from Leeds.’ Meanwhile, Warren’s off on one in and around the Cock Beck and further beyond Alan shows us how to celebrate Easter, Spanish Style. Gill gives us tips on how to grow our mental wealth! And finally, thankfully, it feels like it’s Spring. ‘twas a long winter.
Issue 140 March 2025
I met my love by the gas works wall. Dreamed a dream by the old canal. I kissed my girl by the factory wall. Dirty old town, Dirty old town. A song that could have been written for most towns or cities but as it was written by the Dubliner, we will presume it’s about Milton Keynes. Or maybe not. Anyway, the Dublin Legends are appearing at the City Varieties Music Hall on Monday 10th March, see page 8 and you might be able to win a couple of tickets so you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a week early.
If that’s not your thing, there’s also two tickets up for grabs for ex 10cc & Hollies Graham Gouldman’s ‘Heart Full of Songs’ concert also at Leeds City Varieties, this time on 16th March.
Other than that, the usual, Lee fresh from his appearances on TV & radio has his latest show on 28th February, Warren’s busy owl spotting, Alan’s worried about seagulls and Gill’s talking about a special kind of love!
Issue 138 – December 2024
Sweet leaf of the north, you go back and forth – a little brown star to guide us on our way. Sweet Leaf of the North you go back and forth – A symbol of hope in a world that’s cold and grey. Not a Christmas song in the traditional sense but a song of rare beauty from one of the most prolific songwriters of the last twenty years. Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip’s timelss Sweet Leaf of the North, ‘it’s human, it’s real & it’s got soul.’ © Iggy Pop. Read more about Mik on page 20, we’ve a competition for his special Christmas gig at the Brudenell on 22nd December. Gathering together for the good of the local community, Connecting Crossgates have organised Carols in the Park at Manston Park on Saturday 21st December at 6.30 -7.00 p.m. There’s mulled wine and mince pies on offer. Bring a torch or lantern but try not to set fire to the place. Happy Christmas, Peace & Love. All at East Leeds Magazine
Issue 137 – October 2024
Through a crack in the window meanders a breeze. Aids the mimic of crickets through the rustling of leaves. And the ghost need not scare me, they’re welcome within. To share my rye whiskey and watch with me. As the rain pours down in the yard. Rain, a most haunting sound. Rain makes beautiful music and rain brings peace upon all whom it falls. Rain by Martin Stephenson and the Daintees from the Boat to Bolivia album back in 1986, perhaps one of the most beautiful songs ever written about the weather and quite apt as it feels like it’s done nothing but piss it down for about three years now. And as the nights draw in, and National Clock Breaking Week approaches, our thoughts turn to Christmas and who better to start the Christmas festivities than the Medieval Baebes who bring their weird folky mead influenced songs back to Leeds Minster. We’ve a competition on page 12 for two tickets but they really are worth going to see regardless.