Articles by Paul Brannigan, Contributing Editor, Louder

A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne's private jet, played Angus Young's Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal. Having worked in various editorial roles across Louder since its inception in 2017, Paul was named Contributing Editor in 2022, and is steering Louder's editorial direction to help further establish it as an all-encompassing alternative music, culture and lifestyle brand.

Articles by: Paul Brannigan

“We had sausages and salad and margaritas. Noel wouldn’t eat the salad.” That time Australian dance crew Confidence Man invited U2 and Noel Gallagher to their house for dinner, and were confronted by an angry neighbour on their doorstep

By Paul Brannigan published 21 November 24

Fast-rising Australian dance quartet Confidence Man recall the evening they had world-famous rock stars drop around for a home-cooked meal, and things got “rowdy”

Pixies/Breeders legend Kim Deal announces UK, US and Europe tour dates, shares title track of new album Nobody Loves You More

By Paul Brannigan published 21 November 24

Listen to the title track of Kim Deal's debut solo record

Elvis Costello couldn't care less about his songwriting style being plagiarised and exploited by AI in the future. “Nobody wants to be me anyway!”

By Paul Brannigan published 21 November 24

“I live in a different universe to AI," legendary British singer/songwriter Elvis Costello maintains, advising songwriting thieves from the future to go back on their rocket ships

“You see this thing on people's faces, this awakening moment, when they're going, There's a possibility here.” David Gilmour recalls the exact moment Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett tribute Shine On You Crazy Diamond was born in a scuzzy London rehearsal room

By Paul Brannigan published 20 November 24

Pink Floyd's David Gilmour reflects upon the genesis of one of his band's most iconic songs, Shine On You Crazy Diamond

"It was an opening into a world of rock 'n' roll, sleaze, sexuality, drugs, violence and danger." They might sound worlds apart, but The Smiths wouldn't have existed without The Stooges, the US punks who made Johnny Marr's favourite record of all time

By Paul Brannigan published 20 November 24

In 1976, Manchester schoolboy Johnny Marr purchased a punk rock album that would change his life forever

"We’re so excited to show you what we’ve been working on." Horsegirl announce new album Phonetics On and On, share first single 2468, reveal US tour plans

By Paul Brannigan published 20 November 24

Chicago indie trio announce follow-up to 2022's acclaimed Versions of Modern Performance

"I was so traumatised by the music industry, severely depressed. To have the thing you love destroyed by other people is soul-destroying." How Du Blonde quit trying to please toxic men and music business scumbags, and started living her best life

By Paul Brannigan published 19 November 24

"Being signed to record labels made me fall so out of love with making music that I almost stopped." The music industry needs more artists like Du Blonde, but Du Blonde doesn't need the music industry at all

“I’m in it to win it.” Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan enters charity raffle to win Courtney Love's hand-written lyrics for Hole's Violet, a song inspired by Billy Corgan, “a guy I know a little bit about”

By Paul Brannigan published 19 November 24

Want to beat Billy Corgan to the ownership of lyrics about Billy Corgan, and help a wildlife sanctuary in Sumatra at the same time? Of course you do

"After the uproarious bash which was the 40th anniversary of our first record, Red Roses for Me, we wanted to do it again." The Pogues announce first UK headline tour in 13 years, celebrating 40 years of their classic album Rum Sodomy & the Lash

By Paul Brannigan published 19 November 24

London-Irish folk-punk group to tour for the first time since the death of former frontman Shane MacGowan

"I'd rather listen to two foxes shagging in the bushes." Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher isn't buying into all the excitement around The Cure's triumphant comeback

By Paul Brannigan published 18 November 24

Oasis leader Noel Gallagher might be a long-time fan of The Cure, but, not for the first time, his little brother Liam doesn't share his opinion

“I go to rock shows. I have never had to hold my ears because of that screaming and the ear-shredding loudness. It's quite something.” Pixies/Breeders legend Kim Deal on supporting Olivia Rodrigo

By Paul Brannigan published 18 November 24

Kim Deal on how she helped influence and inspire Olivia Rodrigo

Pete Townshend speaks onstage during The 77th Annual Tony Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on June 16, 2024 in New York City

“When I first wake up I’m suicidal, actually suicidal.” The Who's Pete Townshend opens up about how he deals with his “chemical depression”, but admits “what works for me won’t necessarily work for you”

By Paul Brannigan published 18 November 24

The Who legend Pete Townshend reveals why he ditched his therapist and how he self-medicates to combat depression

"I played him the song first, and Johnny just looked at me like I was insane." How Rick Rubin convinced Johnny Cash to record his iconic cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt, and why Trent Reznor originally considered Cash's interpretation 'invasive"

By Paul Brannigan published 18 November 24

Johnny Cash took some persuading before agreeing to Rick Rubin's idea that he should cover a Nine Inch Nails classic

“These guitars were his great love. They need to be shared, played and loved again.” Jeff Beck's guitar collection to be auctioned next year

By Paul Brannigan published 18 November 24

Christie's will be accepting bids for 90 guitars owned and played by late guitar legend Jeff Beck, plus his amps and ‘tools of the trade’

"UK/EU… stay tuned." Jack White announces No Name world tour itinerary for 2025

By Paul Brannigan published 15 November 24

Jack White announces lengthy world tour schedule, kicking off in Hong Kong next month

“Even just four shows will allow us to get some proper UK food and bad reviews." Desert rock legends Masters of Reality announce 2025 UK tour

By Paul Brannigan published 15 November 24

Chris Goss will bring cult heroes Masters of Reality back to the UK in April

"It's impossible not to feel thrilled by how brilliantly Du Blonde eviscerates demons from her past here." Du Blonde's Sniff More Gritty is 2024's most exhilarating, fabulous and fearless declaration of independence

By Paul Brannigan published 15 November 24

Beth Jeans Houghton aka Du Blonde serves up one of 2024's most deliciously defiant albums with the brilliant Sniff More Gritty

Listen to new Elton John and Brandi Carlile duet Never Too Late, inspired by, and written for, the forthcoming Elton John documentary of the same name

By Paul Brannigan published 15 November 24

Produced by Andrew Watt (Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam), Never Too Late arrives in advance of next month's Disney+ documentary, co-directed by David Furnish, Elton John's husband

If anyone fancies giving us £50,000 so we can buy Prince's beautiful bespoke guitar, we'd be most grateful. Thanks in advance, friends

By Paul Brannigan published 13 November 24

A stunning guitar owned and played by Prince is among the highlights of the Marvels of Modern Music collection currently up for auction

"We wanted to create something almost joyous in its disgust at the world." Benefits share new single Relentless, featuring The Libertines' Pete Doherty, announce new album Constant Noise, UK tour plans

By Paul Brannigan published 13 November 24

Watch the video for new Benefits single Relentless, featuring Pete Doherty of The Libertines