Carpet Burns: Life with Inspiral Carpets

Carpet Burns is Tom Hingley’s account of his life as lead singer of Inspiral Carpets, one of the big three bands of the Madchester movement who, along with The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, changed music for a generation. Tom’s own words provide an account of what it felt like to be in the eye of a pop hurricane and what happens when the hits end and the arguments kick in.

‘While The Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays had the swagger and velocity, of the so-called ‘Holy Triumvirate’ that rescued British pop, the Inspiral Carpets have somehow been squeezed out of the picture. But part of their charm was the fact they weren’t cool and when it comes to music their output far outweighed that of their rivals. Carpet Burns offers an intriguing glimpse into the music business at the time.’ – The Yorkshire Post

‘Tom Hingley may no longer be a member of Inspiral Carpets but he’s definitely got some tales to tell from when he was! Covering his time as singer with the band, his place in the Manchester music scene and his current career his autobiography is a page-turner full of anecdotes and memories.’ – Louder Than War

‘A must for all Inspirals fans and devotees to popular culture of the time. (Want to know where Noel Gallagher first cut his teeth?) The book could also acts as a how-to or how-not-to guide for surviving the music industry, a business not famed for providing soft landings or aftercare.’ – Eartwister

‘A cool as fuck memoir… a first-hand account of a fascinating era in British pop, conveyed with atmosphere and colour.’ – Record Collector

‘Oh my God! Every band is the same. I couldn’t put it down.’ – Peter Hook