Route is delighted to announce the acquisition of Paul Hanley’s new book, Sixteen Again: How Pete Shelley & Buzzcocks Changed Manchester Music (and me).
Sixteen Again combines biography, interview, critique and social history to fully explain Buzzcocks’ unique and enduring appeal. It examines why Pete Shelley’s influence was as central to Manchester’s renaissance as it was to Manchester music. The book also explores the unique relationship between a young fan and his favourite group during their most successful phase – and why that intense interdependence can never last forever.
It’s a love letter from Paul to his favourite band and his favourite city.
On the acquisition:
Paul Hanley: ‘I’m delighted to be working with Route again on Sixteen Again. There really is no better fit for a book that attempts to tell the story of a working-class musician, and that’s what this is, in more ways than one. As always, Route's ability to look at my rough draft and identify the book I was really trying to write has made the whole process immensely gratifying.’
Route Editor Ian Daley: ‘It’s always a pleasure to work with Paul. Being a musician himself, with his own distinctive part in the Manchester music story, he brings a unique insight to the craft. There’s an empathy for his subject that is seldom found elsewhere in music writing. Combined with his ready wit and his infectious enthusiasm, there’s a reason why his books are extremely popular. And in this book, he has a subject equally as beautiful. By the end, you’ll have fallen in love with Pete Shelley and Buzzcocks, just like you should do.’
Paul Hanley is the author of Leave The Capital: A History of Manchester Music in 13 Recordings and Have A Bleedin Guess: The Story of Hex Enduction Hour. One half of the famed Hanley Brothers rhythm section, he currently plays drums with HOUSE Of ALL. He was the drummer in The Fall from 1980-85 and more recently in Tom Hingley & The Lovers and Brix & The Extricated. Alongside his brother Steve, he hosts the popular podcast series about The Fall, Oh! Brother.
A signed and numbered first edition hardback is now available for pre-order. Numbers are allocated on a first come, first served bases. We aim to release of the numbered edition in December 2023, four months in advance of official publication. The official trade release date for the book is 17th April 2024. CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER.