Former Fall drummer turned author Paul Hanley‘s house is on fire. Loved ones have been safely evacuated but which record does he run back into the burning building to save?

Paul Hanley was one of the two drummers during one of The Fall’s numerous golden periods, spanning the albums Grotesque through to The Wonderful And Frightening World Of…, and he’s currently back behind the kit with the Fall alumni supergroup House Of All. On top of that, he is also the author of three respected books about the Manchester music scene. His latest, Sixteen Again, published by Route, is a heartfelt appreciation of Pete Shelley and Buzzcocks. But before questioning Paul about that later in this piece, we’re curious to know which album he would risk a painful death by smoke inhalation to save.

You’re running back into the burning building and coming out with only one record. Which one is it?
To be honest, I’m not massively attached to physical records, or stuff in general for that matter. As long as I can replace anything I’d be OK. But I have a 10-inch live recording of Spectre Vs. Rector from the Acklam Hall in 1980 that Marc Riley had specially pressed for me, Steve (Hanley) and Craig (Scanlon). There’s obviously no replacing that so that would be the one I’d go back in and risk getting frazzled for.

Which other records do you instantly regret not saving? 
The Image Has Cracked by Alternative TV is one of my favourite records and the original was pressed on really hefty vinyl, which I imagine would be difficult (and expensive) to replace.

Any other valuable records left in the collection that have gone up in flames?
No, not really. I imagine a lot of first pressings of the original Fall records I played on would be worth a few bob these days, but my personal copies went walkabout years ago. See I’m not even careful with my own records, never mind anyone else’s!

Any specific records in your collection that you don’t mind seeing burn?
All of ‘em, apart from the above. I’d be far more upset about losing stuff from when the kids were little.

Were you tempted to save any Fall records? Or Buzzcocks for that matter?
I’m about to attempt to finally get a copy of all the Fall records I played on. Depending on how much I have to pay I’ll let you know! As for Buzzcocks I wish I still had my original copy of Another Music In A Different Kitchen with the ‘Product’ carrier bag. I’d be straight back in for that!

Why did you choose Buzzcocks as the subject of your latest book?
I was a massive fan when I was 14 and I’ve always thought Pete Shelley is a brilliant songwriter. I’ve never understood why there was so little serious writing about them, certainly compared to the Pistols and The Clash. My first idea was a straight biography of Pete, a bit like Redemption Song, the Joe Strummer biography. But as I got into writing it I thought it would be more interesting to discuss how the band affected me, both as a kid and throughout my life. After all, anyone can write a biography, but explaining my feelings as a fan is something only I could do. And hopefully, that strikes a chord with others.   

Do you find yourself appreciating them in different ways now than when you were a nipper? Buzzcocks seem to be an important yet under-appreciated band.
Exactly that. Without wishing to get hyperbolic they, and the music scene they helped create, transformed the city of Manchester. And Pete was central to that, but because he wasn’t one for self-aggrandisement I think that gets overlooked. Also, his songwriting sometimes gets dismissed as mere ‘love songs’, which they’re not really – and even if they were, writing authentically and convincingly about your feelings is much harder than it looks. That’s why there are so many shit love songs out there! Interestingly, when I finished my previous book, Have A Bleedin Guess, I didn’t want to listen to Hex Enduction Hour ever again (though I’ve mellowed a bit now) but I’m listening to Buzzcocks as much as ever, if not more.

Sixteen Again: How Pete Shelley & Buzzcocks Changed Manchester Music (And Me) is published by Route Publishing (£25). The second House Of All album, Continuum, nestles in the racks in April 2024. He is also heavily involved in the release of the Slates Live EP to be released on Bella Union’s subsidiary POPSTOCK label.