When: 7.30pm on Thursday 21 June 2012
Where: The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE

We’re delighted to be working with long-term Hey! Manchester favourite Vinny Peculiar.

Uncut Magazine described Salford-based singer songwriter and poet Vinny Peculiar (aka Alan Wilkes) as ‘the Tony Hancock of Pop’ upon the release of his 2002 album Ironing the Soul. Since this inspired debut, which included the almost hit single Jesus Stole My Girlfriend, he’s put out nine albums of ‘outsider pop’ music to great critical acclaim. Artistic collaborations have included the making of SOUP ART with Bill Drummond (KLF), video installations with Tom Robinson (BBC 6Music) and his various bands have included ex members of the Smiths, Aztec Camera and the Fall.

Peculiar’s live solo shows are song- and poem-based; self-deprecating monologues prevail. Comparisons to Jarvis Cocker, John Cooper Clarke and Wreckless Eric are occasionally cited in dispatches. Vinny has played European and US dates opening for the likes of British Sea Power, Edwyn Collins and Luke Haines, and he’s a former compere on the Glastonbury Acoustic Stage. He is presently writing and recording a new album with Bonehead from Oasis, scheduled for a September release.

Released on his Billy Liar-inspired label Shadrack & Duxbury, the recent glam rock-inspired album Other People Like Me continues to attract rave reviews:

‘Imagine a surreal episode of My Two Dads where said fathers are Jarvis Cocker and David Bowie, who bully their child into liking them and everything they like, like glam stomp, kitchen sink vignettes, mordantly witty lyrics, nostalgia, dreams and a sneer. A splendid success’ – Sounds XP

Support comes from Rik Warren – described by 6music’s Chris Hawkins as possessing ‘a unique, thought-provoking and brilliantly sophisticated sound’.

BUY TICKETS NOW. Tickets are also available from the bar, Common (both no booking fee), Piccadilly Records, Vinyl Exchange, Seetickets.com, WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

Attend on: Facebook | Last.fm