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In the last 30 days the archive has grown by 57 new artefacts, 24 new members, 8 new people and places.
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20 Jun 2025

Artefact of the day

Fanzine
1989
Added 25th March 2009
by shivadescending
Issue 2 of the Made Of Paper A5 fanzine from Macclesfield, completed November 1989.

This week's video

An Interview with Richard Searling, Manchester, 13th April 2004

One of the leading lights of the Northern Soul movement, Richard initially made his name at Va-Va's in Bolton, where he gained major kudos for unearthing one of the scene's defining tracks, 'Tainted Love' by Gloria Jones (subsequently to become a multi-million selling cover version by Soft Cell). Forming one of the most famous DJ partnerships of all, when he hooked up with Russ Winstanley at Wigan Casino, Richard is a Soul aficionado of the highest order.

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Latest Discussion

“I would like to use this as well as some of your other images for an exhibition at the RNCM. Please could you let me know if this is possible. Thank you”
20 Jun
“I was part of the fashion PA, pushing a shopping trolley of Sapporo's around the stage. Is that why you left ?”
19 Jun
“I was there and also in Dukinfield where everyone was barred from coming to the town again haha. Linda used drive us around in i think a ford cortina”
12 Jun
“continued; Thats when i first saw Muppet. He used to work on the door. When we went to see the Ruts at the Mayflower in Gorton. We saw Muppet on the door and thought we wouldn't get in on account that he new we were still at school but he just warned us not to go near the bar or the front of the stage. First thing we did was to convince some old hippie to buy us some bottles of Newcastle Brown and then we were right down front, gobbing at Malcolm Owen. But Muppet let us in and not just that time. I have a lot of good memories of that time and although i didn't know him, if it wasn't for Muppet turning a blind eye, i dare say we would have missed a lot of bands from that DIY era so cheers to you Muppet where ever you are. I hope life has give you some lucky breaks like you gave us.”
12 Jun
“I remember Muppet from Armed Force. Me and my friend Johnny at 13 going on 14 years used to bunk off from school , go into town and hang around Virgin Records. We took our ties off but still in school uniform, we weren't fooling anyone. Virgin had a turn style admission system back then so no one could nick records and we had to put our bags in with 'Big C' at the door (I know ! Just to get in the shop! To be fair, when the shop was on Lever Street, we did nick a lot of records) Thats when i first saw Muppet. He used to work on the door. And also the Mayflower at weekends.”
12 Jun
“The file has gone.”
07 Jun
“Found a setlist here: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/orbital/1994/the-new-ardri-ballroom-manchester-england-2384d473.html”
07 Jun
“Designed by Denissss Wheatley. I remember the Bodines coming down to Brighton with The Happy Mondays just before it all went wild.”
04 Jun
“Blimey I had absolutely no idea this existed. I was the singer in the days and now a vocalist in Stepford Wives, with my daughter being the other vox, keeping the faith x I must have a root around in the attic to see if I've got anything that might add to this collection of artefacts.”
27 May
“The Hoax , The Liggers, The Enigma.... where's Steve the bass player?.”
27 May

Latest People & Places

Umberto - DJ drwgovier 18 Jun
I-beats - Band / Artist Roger B 13 Jun
David Crellin - Band / Artist Helen Walker / Everyday Records 13 Jun
Martin Prendergast - DJ Mcrscenestories 11 Jun
Engine Boogie Rock Band - Band / Artist drummerdave 20 May
Tony Hawkins - Person archivesplus 20 May
Philip Birch - Person archivesplus 20 May
Roger Finnigan - DJ archivesplus 20 May
Phil Griffin - DJ archivesplus 19 May
Tony Emmerson - DJ archivesplus 19 May
Tom Tyrell - Person archivesplus 19 May
Timmy Mallett - DJ archivesplus 19 May
Brian Beech - DJ archivesplus 19 May
Tim Grundy - DJ archivesplus 19 May
Susie Mathis - DJ archivesplus 19 May

News

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Help Shape Our Future-Complete our Survey 05 Jan 21
MDMArchive in city-wide 50 Windows of Creativity exhibition 26 Oct 20
Abigail Ward steps down 10 Sep 20
CP Lee 1950-2020 26 Jul 20