Steven Wells (10 May 1960 – 24 June 2009)[1] was a British journalist, author, comedian and punk poet born in Swindon, Wiltshire.[2] He was best known for ranting poetry and his provocative, unapologetic music journalism.[3] In June 2006, he wrote in the Philadelphia Weekly about his treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.[4][5] After being in remission for a short time, he was diagnosed with enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma in January 2009[6] and died on 24 June 2009 in Philadelphia.[7]
Wells was born in Swindon but moved to Bradford when young. The son of a company director, he attended Hanson comprehensive school in Bradford,[citation needed] but left with minimal qualifications in 1977 and later worked in a factory and as a bus conductor. It was at this time that he became involved with punk rock, including the radical socialist Leeds art-punk band The Mekons.
In 1981, whilst living in Leeds, he began performing as a ranting poet and comedian under the names Seething Wells, Swells and Susan Williams. He was a support act to various northern English punk bands, such as The Fall, Delta 5, The Mekons and Gang of Four, along with fellow ranting poets Attila The Stockbroker, Swift Nick, Little Brother, Mark Miwurdz, and Porky The Poet.
After moving to London, he began to write for NME, initially under the name Susan Williams. He championed socialist soul/punk band The Redskins; American hardcore punk bands such as Black Flag and the Butthole Surfers; British bands that merged thrash, hardcore and heavy metal, such as Extreme Noise Terror, Napalm Death; and certain pop artists, such as Daphne and Celeste.[8] However, Wells was also critical of some artists and individuals such as Richard Branson, and when covering his appearance in issue #160 of the British Transformers comic, mockingly called Branson "the world's richest bearded git" and Transformers a "crap comic".[9] In the 1990s, he diversified, occasionally writing comedy (for shows such as On the Hour[10] and The Day Today) and other non-music related journalism.
In 1992, he and Nick Small formed GobTV, a music video directing partnership. GobTV videos were characterised by extreme visuals, rapid edits, a political agenda and humour. GobTV made promos for The Wildhearts, Manic Street Preachers, and Skunk Anansie amongst others, and were the top UK directors in 1994 and 1995.[11] The partnership ended in 1996. In 1999 he started the Attack! Books publishing house and his debut novel was Tits Out Teenage Terror Totty. His illustrated history Punk: The Stories Behind the Songs was published in 2004.[12] In 2009 he contributed a story to the Love Hotel City anthology.[13]
There were many tributes to Wells after his death.[15] Musician Billy Bragg wrote: "The antithesis of the bonehead racist, he was in fact an articulate left-winger and unlike the bully boy who only picks on those weaker than him, Swells chose to target the powerful, the popular, the hip and the cool."[16]
Music journalist Everett True described Wells as "a tastemaker. He informed people's opinions, challenged them, led them, changed them…most of this by default, by sheer force of his personality and peerless ability to entertain.".[17]
Boff Whalley, of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba wrote: "Seething (Steven) Wells died two days ago. Then tonight, starting to write this, I find out that Michael Jackson has died. One of these two men owned a ranch called Neverland and had three children called Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II. The other one was the King of Pop."[18]
Gareth Campesinos!, singer for the indie rock band Los Campesinos!, wrote on his band's website that
...[T]here have been a few things that have stood out above others in Los Campesinos!' short history that have made me think "shit, we're really doing this", and one of them was the first time I read Steven Wells ranting against us. That we were on his radar, and that he deemed us worthy of his bile was an honour [...] In October last year, Swells wrote: "I have seen the future. It's Garry Bushell being kicked senseless by Gareth from Los Campesinos! forever. So it's not all bad." I promise, if I ever get the chance, for the only good thing I can think of to ever come from Swindon, I will do that.[19]
Welsh rapper Akira The Don devoted an entire mixtape to Wells shortly after his death, with the song "He Was The Greatest" entirely about Steven Wells in particular. The Wildhearts' 2009 album Chutzpah! is dedicated to Wells.
References
^Obituary: Steven Wells, The Guardian, 29 June 2009
^James Brown (25 June 2009). "Steven Wells: the brilliant NME writer with no real interest in music". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
^"Wikipedia kills legendary journalist". The Register. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
^Wells, Steven (21 June 2006). . Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007. A man gets lost in the Philadelphia health system
^Wells, Steven (25 June 2009). "Steven Wells Says Goodbye". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2009. His last column.
^Wells, Steven (31 March 2009). "Cell Out". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2009. Looking for dignity in the fight against cancer.
^McManus, Brian (30 June 2009). "Steven Wells: In Memoriam". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
^"Flickr Photo Download: Steven Wells interviews Daphne and Celeste". Flickr.com. 21 April 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
^"Comedy – On The Hour". BBC. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
^Promo: house magazine of the UK music video industry, 1995[vague]
^Wells, Steven (2004). Punk: Loud, Young and Snotty – The Stories Behind the Songs (Stories Behind Every Song). Thunder's Mouth Press. ISBN1-56025-573-0.
^Stevens, Andrew (23 October 2008). Love Hotel City. Future Fiction London. ISBN978-0-615-26034-1.
^"Steven Wells 1960–2009". Thestevenwells.com. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
^Billy Bragg Remembers Steven Wells Archived 7 September 2012 at archive.today
^True, Everett (13 July 2009). . Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2009. You write to make an impact.
^. 26 July 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011.
^"Heart Swells: RIP Steven Wells". Loscampesinos.com. 25 June 2009. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
External links
Steven Wells interviewed about ATTACK! books
Steven Wells RIP from author/psychogeographer Stewart Home
Guardian Music Blog tribute
Pop Will Shoot Itself Guardian Article
January 20, 2023
steven, wells, 1960, june, 2009, british, journalist, author, comedian, punk, poet, born, swindon, wiltshire, best, known, ranting, poetry, provocative, unapologetic, music, journalism, june, 2006, wrote, philadelphia, weekly, about, treatment, hodgkin, lympho. Steven Wells 10 May 1960 24 June 2009 1 was a British journalist author comedian and punk poet born in Swindon Wiltshire 2 He was best known for ranting poetry and his provocative unapologetic music journalism 3 In June 2006 he wrote in the Philadelphia Weekly about his treatment for Hodgkin s lymphoma 4 5 After being in remission for a short time he was diagnosed with enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma in January 2009 6 and died on 24 June 2009 in Philadelphia 7 Steven WellsBorn 1960 05 10 10 May 1960Swindon EnglandDied24 June 2009 2009 06 24 aged 49 Philadelphia Pennsylvania U S Pen nameSeething Wells Susan Williams SwellsOccupationMusic critic journalist screenwriter poet novelist film producer publisher comedianNationalityBritishPeriod1984 2009GenrePunk litSubjectRock music punk culture politics anti fascism Contents 1 Career 2 Tributes 3 References 4 External linksCareer EditWells was born in Swindon but moved to Bradford when young The son of a company director he attended Hanson comprehensive school in Bradford citation needed but left with minimal qualifications in 1977 and later worked in a factory and as a bus conductor It was at this time that he became involved with punk rock including the radical socialist Leeds art punk band The Mekons In 1981 whilst living in Leeds he began performing as a ranting poet and comedian under the names Seething Wells Swells and Susan Williams He was a support act to various northern English punk bands such as The Fall Delta 5 The Mekons and Gang of Four along with fellow ranting poets Attila The Stockbroker Swift Nick Little Brother Mark Miwurdz and Porky The Poet After moving to London he began to write for NME initially under the name Susan Williams He championed socialist soul punk band The Redskins American hardcore punk bands such as Black Flag and the Butthole Surfers British bands that merged thrash hardcore and heavy metal such as Extreme Noise Terror Napalm Death and certain pop artists such as Daphne and Celeste 8 However Wells was also critical of some artists and individuals such as Richard Branson and when covering his appearance in issue 160 of the British Transformers comic mockingly called Branson the world s richest bearded git and Transformers a crap comic 9 In the 1990s he diversified occasionally writing comedy for shows such as On the Hour 10 and The Day Today and other non music related journalism In 1992 he and Nick Small formed GobTV a music video directing partnership GobTV videos were characterised by extreme visuals rapid edits a political agenda and humour GobTV made promos for The Wildhearts Manic Street Preachers and Skunk Anansie amongst others and were the top UK directors in 1994 and 1995 11 The partnership ended in 1996 In 1999 he started the Attack Books publishing house and his debut novel was Tits Out Teenage Terror Totty His illustrated history Punk The Stories Behind the Songs was published in 2004 12 In 2009 he contributed a story to the Love Hotel City anthology 13 Wells became a sports columnist for The Guardian 14 FourFourTwo 90 Minutes The Quietus music website and the Philadelphia Weekly and was in the process of writing several books Tributes EditThere were many tributes to Wells after his death 15 Musician Billy Bragg wrote The antithesis of the bonehead racist he was in fact an articulate left winger and unlike the bully boy who only picks on those weaker than him Swells chose to target the powerful the popular the hip and the cool 16 Music journalist Everett True described Wells as a tastemaker He informed people s opinions challenged them led them changed them most of this by default by sheer force of his personality and peerless ability to entertain 17 Boff Whalley of anarcho punk band Chumbawamba wrote Seething Steven Wells died two days ago Then tonight starting to write this I find out that Michael Jackson has died One of these two men owned a ranch called Neverland and had three children called Michael Joseph Jackson Jr Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II The other one was the King of Pop 18 Gareth Campesinos singer for the indie rock band Los Campesinos wrote on his band s website that T here have been a few things that have stood out above others in Los Campesinos short history that have made me think shit we re really doing this and one of them was the first time I read Steven Wells ranting against us That we were on his radar and that he deemed us worthy of his bile was an honour In October last year Swells wrote I have seen the future It s Garry Bushell being kicked senseless by Gareth from Los Campesinos forever So it s not all bad I promise if I ever get the chance for the only good thing I can think of to ever come from Swindon I will do that 19 Welsh rapper Akira The Don devoted an entire mixtape to Wells shortly after his death with the song He Was The Greatest entirely about Steven Wells in particular The Wildhearts 2009 album Chutzpah is dedicated to Wells References Edit Obituary Steven Wells The Guardian 29 June 2009 James Brown 25 June 2009 Steven Wells the brilliant NME writer with no real interest in music The Guardian Retrieved 25 June 2009 Wikipedia kills legendary journalist The Register 25 June 2009 Retrieved 25 June 2009 Wells Steven 21 June 2006 The English Patient Philadelphia Weekly Archived from the original on 9 October 2007 Retrieved 18 November 2007 A man gets lost in the Philadelphia health system Wells Steven 25 June 2009 Steven Wells Says Goodbye Philadelphia Weekly Archived from the original on 17 September 2012 Retrieved 25 June 2009 His last column Wells Steven 31 March 2009 Cell Out Philadelphia Weekly Archived from the original on 1 February 2013 Retrieved 25 June 2009 Looking for dignity in the fight against cancer McManus Brian 30 June 2009 Steven Wells In Memoriam Philadelphia Weekly Archived from the original on 31 January 2013 Retrieved 14 July 2009 Flickr Photo Download Steven Wells interviews Daphne and Celeste Flickr com 21 April 2005 Retrieved 28 February 2010 Wells Steven Dick Cleans Up NME No 160 Comedy On The Hour BBC Retrieved 28 February 2010 Promo house magazine of the UK music video industry 1995 vague Wells Steven 2004 Punk Loud Young and Snotty The Stories Behind the Songs Stories Behind Every Song Thunder s Mouth Press ISBN 1 56025 573 0 Stevens Andrew 23 October 2008 Love Hotel City Future Fiction London ISBN 978 0 615 26034 1 Ingle Sean 25 June 2009 Steven Wells a few memories of a unique and acerbic voice The Guardian Guardian News and Media Retrieved 26 June 2009 Steven Wells 1960 2009 Thestevenwells com Retrieved 28 February 2010 Billy Bragg Remembers Steven Wells Archived 7 September 2012 at archive today True Everett 13 July 2009 You write to make an impact Drowned in Sound Archived from the original on 17 July 2009 Retrieved 1 August 2009 You write to make an impact Chumbawamba Musings Seething Wells Not Michael Jackson 26 July 2011 Archived from the original on 26 July 2011 Heart Swells RIP Steven Wells Loscampesinos com 25 June 2009 Archived from the original on 13 July 2012 Retrieved 28 February 2010 External links EditSwells Features PlayLouder Steven Wells interviewed about ATTACK books Steven Wells RIP from author psychogeographer Stewart Home Guardian Music Blog tribute Pop Will Shoot Itself Guardian Article Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Steven Wells amp oldid 1120321955, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
