Miles Hunt: The Wonder Stuff Diaries 86 - 89 Paperback – 1 Feb. 2016

Ah. Miles Hunt. As for so many others, the legendary front-and-centre man of Wonder Stuff left an indelible impression from my late teens onwards, right from the moment a friend encouraged me to check out their debut album, tout de suite - The 8-Legged Groove Machine. Those unique sing-a-along tunes recalls a hedonistic youth of the late 80's, early 90's, encapsulating a time now wistfully frozen in my memory.Back in the hup-day, I was a fellow Brummie, living in London, and I used to see Miles round' n' bout - in record stores, Camden Palace and obviously at gigs; most notably, the former Town and Country Club in Kentish Town. But being a shy fella - I didn't dare approach him. Mind you, they do say don't meet your idols. However, 'they' were very wrong.As what self-respecting music fan doesn't want to know more? Who among us wouldn't want a backstage pass into the inner sanctum of one of Britain's most loved indie bands?For both Stuffie fans and general music lovers alike - The Wonder Stuff Diaries IS your backstage pass - your 'access all areas'. However - this is not EXCESS all areas - that tiresome, rock n' roll cliche. Quite the antithesis. Indeed, my favourite anecdote recalls a very non 'rock n' roll' moment - Miles debating with 'The Bass Thing' whether to throw a T.V. out of a hotel window. They thought better of it and threw out coat hangers instead...Many reviewers praise the honesty of Miles Hunt's prose. It's deserving. Nevertheless, I prefer the word 'real'. Objectively, without bias, The Wonder Stuff Diaries is a genuine, candid account of a band's ascent from critical to commercial success. It's wholly relevant that Miles read many rock n' roll bio's prior to penning his own - he knew exactly how he DIDN'T wish to write it.And it shows. Exquisitely designed with original photo's, press cuttings and reviews with narration from diary entries, recollections and reflections, The Wonder Stuff Diaries is a high quality publication. For those who wish for insight into exactly what fuelled the Groove Machine, here it is. It's far out.

So there I was in 1988, an 18 year old spotty youth sitting on a Walsall supermarket checkout as my weekend job when a poodle haired Mr Hunt came through "Great album by the way" [I said of Eight Legged Groove Machine] "Who cares" came the sneering reply; what he didn't realise then (and shouldn't care about now) was that much of my money went on music and beer, and mainly the music he was producing in his band. It didn't put me off.Just over 26 years passed when I took delivery of this book. It is un-put-downable and it is how autobiographical books should be written. As a fan, it answered a lot of questions I wanted to know the answer to (such as really why Bob left; what Miles really thought of America; and just why was he in a supermarket in Walsall in 1988), as well as confirming one 26 year personal quandary - that "Unbearable" is effectively a quicker version of the That Petrol Emotion's genius tune "Big Decision". That aside, it's a very entertaining read, not just for fans of the band now or then. A lot of music (and for that matter other) biographies start with chapter after chapter of when and where the writer was born, upbringing/school/first relationship/who they met and when and how old they were etc; personally, I am just not interested in such things spread over chapters; Miles gets that pretty much out of the way very quickly and the book simply gets going straight away. The material is supported by snippets from his diaries by press clippings from NME/Melody Maker etc and provides a reference to the very sadly missed Sundown Records in Walsall which made at least one bloke who used to live there a little tearful.I remember the closing strains of "Good Night Though" at Aston Villa Leisure Centre at the Hometown Hoedown in December 1989. I worried that it was the end. I'm pleased now to know that it wasn't the end, but it is the end of Wonderstuff Diaries and I really can't wait to read the next one. Mint!

If you have never spent thirty quid on a book before, this is a great way to see how it feels. And it feels good! For anyone who enjoyed this type of music back in the day or even now, this is a fascinating insight into the world of Mr Hunt and the indie music scene at the time. If you are still not quite sure about spending the dough, just do it - you will not be disappointed I personally guarantee it.Its cram packed full of memories and photos and you will be listening to your back-catalog of Stuffies tunes in no time. In fact I am thinking of growing me hair long again and getting busy in the mosh pit.One other thing - if someone bough this for me as an Xmas present I would love them forever. Its too late now as I already have it. Just a hint for the next installment.

A talented bloke our Miles Hunt. His personal jottings of 'making it big', out on the road, the record industry, the highs and lows and the family & friends along the way. Loads of great pictures, cuttings and the like in a nice glossy format. Most of all its a humourous, heartfelt & insightful account of what was happening in the indie music scene around that time. Top band! Top Book!

Jesus.. this is the first book I've started reading, for as long as I can remember.. even had to put Facebook down and pull out my reading glasses (age :( ) It takes me back to my youth, when music meant something and was created by people with passion, those who were insecure, but built up belief in themselves and defined a generation ., can't wait to finish it, when I find my reading glasses again.. fair play to miles hunt , a gentleman and hero of my youth, who wrote songs, and continues writing songs I can relate to., xxx

I'm already a fan of The Wonder Stuff having been there pretty much from the beginning so was always going to buy this book but would strongly recommend it to both fan and non-fan as a great read of a band starting out, the day to day workings (tours/recording/interview etc) and the tensions that develop. Having bought this volume I've very quickly got the subsequent books.

A great read.