Whatever Happened to the C86 Kids?: An Indie Odyssey

C86 was a cassette released in 1986 by the NME that shaped music for years to come. It featured twenty-two independently signed guitar-based bands, and was arguably the point at which indie was born. Journalist Nige Tassell tracks down the class of C86, unearthing members of all twenty-two bands and sharing their stories. The book explores the legacy of C86, including the bands that achieved global stardom, those that cultivated lifelong fanbases, and those that ultimately returned to civvy street.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd

Whatever Happened to the C86 Kids?



By Richard Osman



Published by Rough Trade Books



A Rough Trade Book of the Year



A Resident Book of the Year



A Monorail Book of the Year



A Virgin Radio Book of the Year



In 1986, the NME released a cassette that would shape music for years to come.



A collection of twenty-two independently signed guitar-based bands, C86, was the sound and ethos that defined a generation.



It was also arguably the point at which indie was born.



But what happened next to all those musical dreamers?



Some of the bands, like Primal Scream, went on to achieve global stardom; others, like Half Man Half Biscuit and The Wedding Present, cultivated lifelong fanbases that still sustain their careers today.



Then there were the rest - the ones who endured general indifference from the record-buying public and ultimately returned to civvy street.



Now, thirty-five years on, journalist Nige Tassell tracks down the class of C86, unearthing members of all twenty-two bands and sharing the stories, both tragic and uplifting, of these long-lost musicians.



Told with warmth, compassion, and humor, this is a very human account of ambition, hope, varying degrees of talent, and what happens after you give up on music - or, more accurately, after music gives up on you.



It's a world populated by bike-shop owners, dance-music producers, record-store proprietors, ornithologists, driving instructors, solicitors, caricaturists, and possibly even an Olympic sailor.



And let's not forget the musician-turned-actor gainfully employed as Jeremy Irons' body double...



More than simply the tale of the tape, Whatever Happened to the C86 Kids?



is an exploration of C86's wide-reaching and often surprising legacy.



Through interviews with band members, journalists, and music enthusiasts, Tassell delves into the impact of C86 on the music industry and the lives of its participants.



He explores the enduring influence of the cassette format on the distribution and promotion of music, as well as the DIY spirit and community that characterized the C86 scene.



The book also sheds light on the challenges faced by independent musicians in the early 1990s, including the rise of major labels and the decline of independent record stores.



Ultimately, Whatever Happened to the C86 Kids?



is a tribute to the passion, creativity, and resilience of the musicians who participated in the C86 movement and a celebration of the enduring power of music to inspire and connect people.



Whether you're a fan of indie music or simply curious about the history of alternative culture, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves music and the stories that surround it.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 129 x 314 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788705608