Spencer Birtwistle is best known as the drummer with Intastella and later The Fall, but his musical story goes much further back.
In this Manchester Scene Stories interview, Spencer talks about growing up in a family of drummers, including his grandfather Wilson Bowers, a big band jazz drummer who was named Melody Maker Drummer of the Year in the 1940s. He remembers hearing drums in the family home, discovering music through old jukebox singles from his mum’s pub, and building an early love of records through glam rock, The Beatles, The Carpenters, T. Rex, The Sweet and more.
Spencer also talks about getting into John Peel, Felt, Echo & the Bunnymen, reggae and dub, including King Tubby, Lee Perry, Barrington Levy, Burning Spear and Prince Far I.
From there, we discuss his early bands, Laugh, Corbiers, The Boardwalk rehearsal rooms, John Peel sessions, Dave Haslam, Craig Gannon, and the Manchester indie scene before Intastella took shape.
Spencer explains how Intastella formed, signing to MCA, recording at Strawberry Studios, working with Chris Nagle, appearing on The Word with Nirvana, meeting Kurt Cobain, turning down a Blur tour, and the band’s mix of psychedelia, dance music, guitars, samples and songs.
We also talk about World of Twist, the Chorlton house scene, Noel Gallagher, cult Manchester records, Nico’s music, and why Intastella still means a lot to people today.
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