Articles by Philip Wilding

Philip Wilding is a novelist, journalist, scriptwriter, biographer and radio producer. As a young journalist he criss-crossed most of the United States with bands like Motley Crue, Kiss and Poison (think the Almost Famous movie but with more hairspray). More latterly, he’s sat down to chat with bands like the slightly more erudite Manic Street Preachers, Afghan Whigs, Rush and Marillion. He ghosted Carl Barat’s acclaimed autobiography, Threepenny Memoir, and helped launch the BBC 6 Music network as producer and co-presenter on the Phill Jupitus Breakfast Show. Five years later he and Jupitus fronted the hugely popular Perfect 10 podcast and live shows. His debut novel, Cross Country Murder Song, was described, variously, as ‘sophisticated and compelling’ and ‘like a worm inside my brain’. His latest novel The Death And Life Of Red Henley is out now.

Articles by: Philip Wilding

a press shot of the manic street preachers

The Manic Street Preachers: Their best songs in their own words

By Philip Wilding last updated 23 March 22

From glammed-up Valley punks to mature and thoughtful tunesmiths, the Manic Street Preachers have always understood the power of a good song. Here they talk us through their finest moments

A tale of Screaming Trees, Mark Lanegan, hard drugs and epic infighting

By Philip Wilding published 18 March 22

The Screaming Trees could have been contenders, but were taken down by their own lifestyle and bad luck. This is the story of Seattle's great lost band

It's 1992 and Buffalo Tom are mixing Hüsker Dü and Van Morrison to make one of the decade's greatest albums

By Philip Wilding published 10 March 22

30 years on: The making of Let Me Come Over, the album that showed that alt.rock could have some heart

John Lodge - The Royal Affair And After: "a fitting celebration"

By Philip Wilding published 14 January 22

Not yet rated

Moody Blues man celebrates his own past

Between The Buried And Me - Colors II: "a worthy follow up"...

By Philip Wilding published 8 October 21

Not yet rated

Belated sequel to US prog metal visionaries’ breakthrough 2007 album.

Tremonti find their feet with thundering fifth album Marching In Time

By Philip Wilding published 24 September 21

Tremonti's Marching In Time is both an assault on the senses and the sort of thing you’ll find yourself whistling in the shower

Why The Old Grey Whistle Test Rocked

By Philip Wilding published 20 September 21

From Heart's gentle strumming to a hirsute Rob Halford or Gary Moore and Phil Lynott tearing up the room, there was nothing to touch the Old Grey Whistle Test in full flight

Marillion - Fugazi Deluxe Edition: "a portrait of a band on the verge of fully-fledged stardom...."

By Philip Wilding published 10 September 21

Not yet rated

Bells-and-whistles reissue of prog icons’ tricky second album.

The cover of Led Zeppelin IV and Geddy Lee

Why I ❤️ Led Zeppelin IV, by Geddy Lee

By Philip Wilding published 26 July 21

Rush legend Geddy Lee on the impact of Led Zeppelin IV and the greatest guitar solo ever

The 15 best live Rush tracks

By Philip Wilding, Scott Munro, Fraser Lewry last updated 12 April 21

With three of rock's greatest musicians in their ranks, Rush in concert were a spectacular tour-de-force. Here are 15 of their best live recordings

The Black Crowes in Amsterdam, June 1990

The Black Crowes and Shake Your Money Maker: "We never made a perfect record again"

By Philip Wilding published 30 March 21

Chris and Rich Robinson look back at the Black Crowes' early years and the making of their classic debut album Shake Your Money Maker

Lonely The Brave hit unexpected new heights on The Hope List

By Philip Wilding published 22 January 21

New singer Jack Bennett signals the sky’s the limit for Lonely The Brave on The Hope List

Neil Peart: Hail The Professor

By Philip Wilding published 7 January 21

In 2020 Prog Magazine readers voted the late Neil Peart the greatest prog musician ever

Mr Lonely Heart: the tragic death of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott

By Philip Wilding last updated 4 January 21

When Phil Lynott collapsed on Christmas Day 1985, it was the beginning of the end for the former Thin Lizzy legend

The 100 greatest rock songs of the century... so far

By Malcolm Dome, Paul Elliott, Dave Everley, Polly Glass, Dom Lawson, Fraser Lewry, Dave Ling, Sian Llewellyn, Luke Morton, Paul Rees, Johnny Sparks, Philip Wilding, David Stubbs, Henry Yates published 17 December 20

Many were longlisted, but this is the final selection – the best rock songs of the 21st century thus far, as voted for by you

Zappa: "I think the FBI keep their eye on me”

By Philip Wilding published 4 December 20

In 1993, while writing for a new music paper called Cutting Edge, Philip Wilding spoke to Frank Zappa, little knowing it would be his last print magazine interview

Volbeat: Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live In Deutschland

Volbeat hit the heights on Rewind, Replay, Rebound - Live In Deutschland

By Philip Wilding published 27 November 20

Rewind, Replay, Rebound is Volbeat's latest album (and all the hits) live recorded Live In Deutschland

Graham Bonnet sings literally everything on Solo Albums 1974-1992

By Philip Wilding published 27 November 20

Six-record set Solo Albums 1974-1992 proves Graham Bonnet could pretty much sing anything – and frequently did

Diamond Head: Lightning To The Nations 2020 artwork

Diamond Head's 2020 take on Lightning To The Nations still rages, but there's one problem

By Philip Wilding published 27 November 20

Fortieth-anniversary reworking of Diamond Head's classic debut Lightning To The Nations beats the original to death

UFO's Strangers In The Night (Deluxe Edition)

The deluxe edition of UFO's Strangers In The Night improves upon perfection

By Philip Wilding published 20 November 20

What do we want? An eight-disc reissue of UFO's era-defining live album Strangers In The Night! When do we want it? Now!

Jakko Jakszyk's Secrets & Lies bristles with pain and thrilling invention

By Philip Wilding published 23 October 20

King Crimson guitarist Jakko Jakszy's solo album Secrets & Lies charts the sublime to the ridiculous

Why James Dean Bradfield made an album inspired by a murdered Chilean activist

By Philip Wilding published 23 September 20

Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield talks about his new solo ‘concept’ album Even In Exile, why he won’t be playing it live, and getting to grips with playing an instrument that’s taller than he is