It's Dead Dead Good by Steve Harrison

At seven years of age, Steve Harrison bought his first record; Hermans Hermits ‘I’m into something Good’ with his Christmas money. He told Mum and Dad that he was going to have a record shop when he was big. He grew-up through the punk scene in 1976 and tagged into the northern soul and scooter scene in 1978.

Steve began selling Northern Soul records in 1982 at a Morecambe All-Nighter. In March 1983 he realised his dream and opened a tiny 100 sq. ft. specialist record shop record in Winsford, Cheshire. By 1985 he had established what would be the iconic 70 Witton Street store in his hometown of Northwich in the south Manchester commuter belt.

From here Steve expanded the model to include stores across the North-West region, in Altrincham, Crewe, Macclesfield, a larger Witton Walk store in Northwich with an HQ and warehouse, Wigan and finally a new town centre store in Winsford.

He launched the dEAD deAD gooD Record label and management company in 1989 and later the Transworld Dance label. He talks about his friendships with the likes of Tony Wilson (Factory Records), Peter Grant (Led Zeppelin), Ian Brown, Noel Gallagher, and working with industry icons such as Seymour Stein, and Martin Mills.

Labels such as Sire, Island, Parlophone, Polydor, Def America, RCA, MCA, Atlantic and Beggars Banquet. Working with the USA booking agents of the Doors and the Jefferson Aeroplane and selling out the likes of the iconic Filmore in San Franscico reinventing psychedelic lighting designer Captain Wizzo from the 1960’s across the world. Venues such as Wigan Casino, the Hacienda, Erics, the Electric Circus, and the International. The groups, studios, tours, venues, promoters, fans, film syncs, publishing, contracts, labels, sponsorships, licensing, festivals, bootleggers, ticket touts and the logistics of global touring operations.

He writes of love for Manchester City, riding motorcycles, and scooters. DDG supported the careers of many artists over the next twenty-years working with the likes of Alfa 9, Alfie, Mark Burgess, Chameleons, Charlatans, Dario G, Digital Orgasm, Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order / Monaco), Mantaray, Oceanic, Orange Deluxe, Relish, Rhythm Eternity, Rig, Sussed, That Uncertain Feeling, Venus Beads, Jez Williams (Doves). DDG engaged in the release of over seventy-five albums and two-hundred singles, including Number One albums and singles across the world. The first Million Seller being the rave anthem Oceanic ‘Insanity.’ Steve avoided what appeared and inevitable sale to would be suitors such as Richard Branson, RCA Records and retained his independence and loyalty to Northwich.

The Transworld record sleeves celebrated the town with ‘Made in Northwich’ on every release. He oversaw the period involving the imprisonment and tragic death of Charlatans songwriter and keyboard player Rob Collins.

Steve was the subject of a huge fraud by his accountant, rebuilt and is now ready to tell his story... A story of a passion of music, record shops, of taste, investment, industry, deal- making, success, loss, tragedy, highs and lows. Creative souls and lots of other worldly stuff in an exceptional story of community.

Rooftops of Shrewsbury
by Chris Schurke

Back in 2010 I took up the rather unconventional hobby of photographing my hometown from various unlikely areas amidst the rooftops. The images offer a mix of familiarity and peculiarity of perspective. The methods involved in achieving these shots are best left to the imagination. Perhaps I can fly. Perhaps I’m just freakishly tall. Each view came with its own challenge, combining creative problem solving with an appreciation for the urban environment, and rewarding with a fantastic view.

Over the past fourteen years, I have captured the changing face of Shrewsbury in numerous images, all taken from places not accessible to the general public. They are now here in print for the first time as I attempt to persuade the world that I am a real photographer, and not just a maniac with a camera.

Birds - by Natalie Toplas Natalie works primarily in oils and is well known for her meticulous detail, vibrant colours and strong contemporary style. Her work is often large in scale and full of drama and vibrancy. Natalie cites her influences as Georgia O'Keefe, Karl Blossfeldt and early 17th century Dutch painters such as Ambrosius Bosschaert, drawing inspiration from their use of colour and form. Natalie has exhibited her paintings throughout Great Britain including the Royal Academy, Birmingham City Art Gallery, several Cork Street galleries in London, and the Judith Blacklock Gallery 83 in Knightsbridge.