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.

Press

‘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

Awards

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

Rights Profile

Rights Available
World, all languages

Original Language
English

Samples Available
Sample text available in English

ISBN

9781901927580

Publication Date

July 2016

Link

The Big Midweek on the Route website