The Big Midweek

Eye-watering insider’s account of life inside Britain’s most belligerent avant-garde band, The Fall. Meticulously crafted, funny and candid, The Big Midweek is a bestselling title and has fast become a modern classic of the musician memoir genre.

Steve Hanley’s story unfolds like a novel; from 1979 when he joined his schoolmates Marc Riley and Craig Scanlon in The Fall, he puts us right in the heart of the action: on stage, on the tour bus, in the recording studio, and up close and personal with an eccentric cast of band mates. These vividly drawn scenes give unprecedented insight into the intense, highly-charged creative atmosphere within The Fall and their relentless work ethic which has won them a dedicated cult following, high-art respectability and a unique place in popular music history.

‘One of the more sincere and endearing band biographies available.’ – Los Angeles Review of Books

'This is a must for all music fans. It's also a source of insight into why, despite bust-ups, cigarettes flicked into eyes, and nightmarish recording sessions, anyone would dream of staying in a band years after the fun has stopped.' – Reader's Digest (Music Book of the Year)

'Compellingly written, I wished it was three times as long - I would have gobbled it up just as happily.' – The Observer

'Hilarious, uncomfortable and sobering read.' – Vive Le Rock

'Less a rock band, more a perennially touring fiefdom, The Fall have been constructing brittle-but-brilliant music for almost four decades. Thanks to Steve Hanley - the man who played bass in The Fall for nineteen years - and co-writer Olivia Piekarski, we get to peep behind the band's battered Transit doors. The result is one of the best music books I've ever read.' – Northern Soul (Book of the Year)

'You don't have to like The Fall to enjoy this book, you don't even really need to like MUSIC to enjoy this book! It's a gripping tale of forged and broken relationships, friendship and betrayal.' – Marc Riley, BBC Radio 6 Music

A Guardian Book of the Year
A Rough Trade Book of the Year
Reader’s Digest Music Book of the Year
A Dagsavisen Book of the Year
NME Book of the Year nomination
Penderyn Whisky Music Book of the Year Shortlist