two veg

The Prefab Spirit

the screening of Steve McQueen

Any band that call their album 'Steve McQueen' deserve to be interviewed by Chris Maillard

Thomas Dolby is back after a four year break, without the mad professor image but with an excellent new album in Astronauts & Heretics, his most personal recording to date. Paul Tingen spoke to him about the long road from solo synthesist to globe-trotting collaborator.

The chiming of distant Rickenbackers, the drawl of Peter Buck, the whirr of Chris Maillard's tape recorder, and other sweet Georgia sounds

From his involvement in the infamous Frankie Goes To Hollywood sessions, Andy Richards has become an accomplished producer and programmer in his own right. Nicholas Rowland listens to a rationalisation of technology.

Omar: comin' to ya, on a dust road

Four years on from the successes of The Flat Earth, Thomas Dolby has moved to LA for his follow-up LP, Aliens Ate My Buick. Tim Goodyer discovers that aliens have a lot to say.

Recording your own music is only the first step to getting it heard; to do that, you need to deal with A&R people at record companies. Paul Tingen meets them, and discovers why so few bands succeed in impressing them.

Keyboard Practising Hints

Practice round-up with keyboardists from Madness, Steel Pulse, Feargal Sharkey, Prefab Sprout and Tangerine Dream

All profits from Tony Horkins' features go to Live Aid

Geoff Mitcham's account of how he set up his own mobile recording studio.

All the snippety little secret bits of musicians' gossip that no-one else would print

Eight top pop players and producers discuss the necessity of notation. Richard Walmsley chairs the debate

Want to get on in the music biz? Then you'll have to get on TV. Mike Hrano shows you how

Goes Chrimbo Crazy

A special seasonal waft of your favourite news and gossip column, this time drifting through the whole magazine and including mini-interviews with the likes of China Crisis and jokes from the likes of us. The fun starts here.

Yet another selection of recently announced new products to whet your appetite!

Radio One - DJ Mix

the truth behind live sessions

Roland JV80 & JY30 Synths

Is Roland's new JV80 their best keyboard since the D50? Julian Colbeck thinks it is, as he puts the company's two newest synths to the test.

The World's Best Songwriters

four stars choose their favourite songsters - Fish, Vince Clarke, Edwyn Collins, Chris Difford

More soft poop scoops from the investigative mind of Adrian Deevoy

A special 10th anniversary Diary hot from the lips of Adrian Deevoy