Writers:
Andy Thorley
Glenn Jones
Martin Smith
Liam Carr
Guests:
Andy T. – Vocals
Mark Standley – Guitars, Keyboards
Steve ‘Wispa’ Cundall – Bass
V2:
Martin Smith – Drums
Glenn Jones – Lead Guitar, Synth Guitar
Liam Carr – Percussion
Production:
Producer – Edward Jones (+ Backing Vocals)
Mastering – Eddie Mooney
Be My Guest
Andy Thorley, often referred to as Andy T, is a Rochdale poet and punk-era performance artist whose work blends poetic recitation — sometimes with musical backing — with punk aesthetics. His style has been compared to other punk poets like John Cooper Clarke, but with an even grittier, anarchy-infused energy and ethos reflective of the 1980s DIY punk network.
Andy T’s early recordings, including his 1982 Weary of the Flesh EP — a prime example of the anarcho-punk response to the social conditions of the era — were released on the Crass Records label, the independent anarcho-punk imprint founded by the band Crass.
Andy T has continued to perform, write and record through punk and DIY channels for a number of decades, including contributing poetry-laden tracks to a number of punk compilations and making live appearances alongside many bands linked to the anarcho-punk movement.
Steve ‘Wispa’ Cundall is the original bassist and, more recently, vocalist of The Drones. Recognised as one of Manchester punk’s most highly rated foundational bassists, his playing style and stage presence are cited in many retrospectives on the city’s punk history.
Mark Standley is a guitarist and songwriter and, notably, a co-founder of the original V2 in 1976.
Post-V2, Mark continued performing and collaborating with other artists, evolving his punk-era creativity into different sounds and formats. At various times, he has played with acts including Tricky, The Glitter Band, The Drones and Sigue Sigue Sputnik.
He is currently producing and playing guitar for Berlin-based bands PLeaSureDomE and SisterButterFly.
PLeaSureDomE, formed in Berlin by Mark in 2013, is well known across Germany and Europe for its mix of glam rock, punk and alternative classics, with a stylised stage presence combining androgynous glam aesthetics with rock performance.
How It All Came Together
“The lyrics for ‘Tunnel Vision Sect’ started life in a short book of poetry written by Andy in 1978 and published by Crass in the early 1980s.
It was earmarked by Stan early on for a collaboration on the Guest List album, and Andy was up for it straightaway.
A demo was produced with a musical arrangement for the lyrics, with Martin and Liam coming up with a drum and percussion-led groove — recorded at Red Wall Studios — over Glenn’s overdriven guitar riff and lead lines.
Wispa added bass, and the cherry on the musical cake was original V2 member Mark Standley’s suitably atmospheric guitar and keyboard contribution.
Over to Andy for the vocal…
Ed Jones prepared the garage for recording, where Andy placed his lyrics on a music stand and delivered one of his signature, emotionally enunciated spoken vocals.
Thirty minutes. No hesitation. Done.
The track was finished.
Six musicians — never all in one place — four different recording venues, one engineer/producer, and all of us pleased and proud of the finished result.”
Glenn Jones
