Sometimes in life and indeed in the world of punk and new wave, there are underdogs and underachievers that simply won’t lie down and give up. There’s tons of them when you think about it. One such character is Eric Goulden – that’s Wreckless Eric to us!
Eric was born in the Sussex ferry port of Newhaven on 18th May 1954. This singer/songwriter is fondly remembered for his brilliant debut single ‘Whole Wide World’, which came out at the height of the punk scene in August 1977 on the famous maverick indie label Stiff Records. The catalogue numbers always amused me as they were listed as BUY 1, BUY 2 etc, with ‘Whole Wide World’ being BUY 16.
The Stiff Records label was very collectible due to its roster of really decent acts as well as the catalogue numbers. I knew people that used to collect them, but it was virtually impossible to get the lot, just like Factory Records were (The Haçienda FAC51 put pay to that as well as FAC8 the egg timer). Stiff Records had an eye for quality and the knack of picking up on bands on their way up. Artists included Motorhead, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Nick Lowe, Devo, The Members, Lene Lovich, Kirsty MacColl, Department S, Madness, Tenpole Tudor, The Belle Stars, Tracey Ullman, Yello, and The Pogues.
Most are however unaware of Wreckless Eric’s prodigious recorded output – he tends to do what he wants rather than what might be expected – always evolving, never trading on past glories.
Wreckless Eric will be playing live at The Prince Albert in Brighton on Thursday 4th December. The show will focus on his new album, ‘England Screaming’ which can be found HERE.
He’ll be performing the album in its entirety with assistance from Amy Rigby on guitars, percussion and vocal harmonies; Morris Windsor on drums; and his friend and sometime collaborator of fifty years, Graham Beck on keyboards and keyboard bass. The performance will incorporate readings from his 2003 autobiography ‘A Dysfunctional Success’, and they’ll probably play some of his other songs too. ‘England Screaming’, Tapete Records, November 21st.
Tickets for the Wreckless Eric concert can be purchased HERE.
More info on Eric HERE.
