This Is England '86
Encyclopedia
This Is England '86 is a 2010 British drama series written by Shane Meadows
and Jack Thorne
. A spin-off from the 2006 film This Is England
, and set three years later, it focuses on the mod revival
scene rather than the skinhead
subculture. Like the film, This Is England '86 stars Thomas Turgoose
as Shaun, although Lol (Vicky McClure
) and Woody (Joe Gilgun) play an even more central role.
The story takes place during the 1986 FIFA World Cup
. As Shaun completes his last school exam, he realises he will have to find his way in the world. His friends, who include Woody, Lol, Smell, Gadget and Meggy, are still around, looking for love, entertainment and employment.
promised that it would fund a four-part television drama, This Is England '86, to be written by Shane Meadows
and Jack Thorne
. Meadows said:
Meadows said that Combo (Stephen Graham
) would return, that the fate of Milky would be revealed, and that a wedding between Woody and Lol would be called off. He said if the series succeeded, he would follow it with another series. He said Milky was alive and that Woody has a factory job and was about to marry Lol. He said that scooters
, including Vespa
s and Lambretta
s, would be used in the series - reflecting the scooterboy
subculture of the mid to late 1980s.
Channel 4's terms for the series was that the original gang had to be slimmed down. This resulted in the removal of a few characters that were in the feature film: Kez (Kieran Hardcastle) and Pob (Sophie Ellerby) were cut, while Pukey (Jack O'Connell
) had to be cut as the actor had other commitments. Pukey's dialogue and story was given to the returning character Harvey (Michael Socha
), who had a bit-part in the film as a bully; the series does not explain how he joined the gang or got on friendly terms with Shaun. A new bully, Flip, takes Harvey's place as Shaun's tormentor and leads a scooterboy gang (Harvey is ironically the first person to hit him for threatening Shaun in episode 3).
area of Sheffield
, with most of the drama centring on Ironside Road and the large, concrete-sided maisonettes are a prominent feature across either side of Blackstock Road, the estate's main artery. Many residents are of the opinion Gleadless Valley hasn't changed much in the fifty years since it was built, and this possibly influenced Meadows choice to film there. Other notable local venues for filming include Leighton Road, Gaunt Road, Blackstock Road Shopping Precinct and Norton Lane. The school in which Shaun sits his History exam is Gladys Buxton school in Dronfield
as nearby Gleadless Valley Comprehensive School was closed and demolished in the nineties. Gladys Buxton School is disused, and its mid-1980s design suited the time period. Students in years 10 and 11 of local secondary school Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
were used as extras, playing Shaun's classmates who are also sitting the exam, that were shown within the first 8 minutes of the first episode. Sheffield landmarks such as the Park Hill Flats and Neepsend Gasholder are also seen.
As in the film, the exact setting is unclear. The setting in the film was implied to be a coastal town in the English East Midlands
(Grimsby
was used in filming the coastal scenes). In the first episode, Woody and Lol ride on a Yorkshire Rider
bus to their wedding from a bus stop in Gaunt Road, a bus company which operated in West Yorkshire
in the 1980s. This now-preserved bus was supplied by Transport Yorkshire Preservation Group
of Leeds.
were used for this scene) have a fight with the moped riding gang seen earlier in episode 1 led by Flip.
Shaun returns home to apologise to his mum and give his blessing on her relationship. Shaun also rekindles his relationship with Smell. Lol starts to drown her sorrows and distances herself away from both of her lovers. Meanwhile, Trev stops by Lol's parents' house to meet up with Kelly, and she awkwardly watches the football match with Lol's dad, Mick. The episode ends with Mick violently raping Trev, whom he later tells to leave. Meanwhile, as Shaun, his mum and Smell watch the football match, a drunken Combo stumbles into the living room and collapses on the floor.
After much deliberation, Trev tells Lol that she was raped by Mick. Lol tells her go to sleep. She then goes to Mick's house, armed with a hammer to confront him. The pair verbally argue. Lol shows Mick the hammer which causes him to attack her. He pulls off her underwear and attempts to rape her- which we later find out through Lol's conversation with Combo that he has 'done it her whole life'- with Lol violently struggling. Lol defends herself by swinging the hammer against Mick's head several times which stuns him. With Mick lying prone on the floor, Lol decides to strike him again, killing him. Combo then arrives at the house, finding the scene of Mick dead and Lol sobbing.
Combo decides to 'do a good thing,' smearing his fingerprints over the hammer and Mick's body, thereby taking responsibility for killing Mick. The episode ends with Combo arriving in prison, after being charged with manslaughter. Most of the cast sit in the pub watching the England v Argentina world cup game, which England go on to lose, partly due to Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal. Shaun also has sex with Smell in the pub toilets. Meanwhile, Lol, Kelly, Trev, Milky and Woody sit alone together, listening to the game on the radio whilst playing cards. Kelly cries and Woody and Lol kiss as Combo peacefully enters his cell.
Additional music from the series:
From the Channel 4 TV advert:
Shane Meadows
Shane Meadows is an English film director, screenwriter, occasional actor and BAFTA winner.-Background:Meadows grew up in the Westlands Road area of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. His father was a long distance lorry driver and his mother worked in a fish and chip shop...
and Jack Thorne
Jack Thorne (writer)
Jack Thorne is an English screenwriter and playwright. Born in Bristol, England, he has written for radio, theatre and film, most notably on the TV shows Skins, Cast-offs, This Is England '86, The Fades and the feature film The Scouting Book For Boys...
. A spin-off from the 2006 film This Is England
This Is England
-Track listing:#"54-46 Was My Number" - Toots & The Maytals#"Come On Eileen" - Dexys Midnight Runners#"Tainted Love" - Soft Cell#"Underpass/Flares" - Movie Dialogue From This Is England#"Nicole " - Gravenhurst...
, and set three years later, it focuses on the mod revival
Mod Revival
The mod revival was a music genre and subculture that started in England in 1978 and later spread to other countries . The mod revival's mainstream popularity was relatively short, although its influence has lasted for decades...
scene rather than the skinhead
Skinhead
A skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and then spread to other parts of the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian rude boys and British mods,...
subculture. Like the film, This Is England '86 stars Thomas Turgoose
Thomas Turgoose
-Early life:Thomas was born on 11 February 1992 and brought up in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He attended Wintringham School.- Career :In his first film role in 2006, he played the lead character, Shaun, in This Is England, written and directed by Shane Meadows...
as Shaun, although Lol (Vicky McClure
Vicky McClure
Vicky McClure is a BAFTA-winning English actress best known for her work in the films of Shane Meadows. She played the title character's sister Ladine in A Room for Romeo Brass , and featured in Meadows's most successful film to date, This Is England...
) and Woody (Joe Gilgun) play an even more central role.
The story takes place during the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
. As Shaun completes his last school exam, he realises he will have to find his way in the world. His friends, who include Woody, Lol, Smell, Gadget and Meggy, are still around, looking for love, entertainment and employment.
Development
On 26 August 2009, Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
promised that it would fund a four-part television drama, This Is England '86, to be written by Shane Meadows
Shane Meadows
Shane Meadows is an English film director, screenwriter, occasional actor and BAFTA winner.-Background:Meadows grew up in the Westlands Road area of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. His father was a long distance lorry driver and his mother worked in a fish and chip shop...
and Jack Thorne
Jack Thorne (writer)
Jack Thorne is an English screenwriter and playwright. Born in Bristol, England, he has written for radio, theatre and film, most notably on the TV shows Skins, Cast-offs, This Is England '86, The Fades and the feature film The Scouting Book For Boys...
. Meadows said:
When I finished This Is England, I had a wealth of material and unused ideas that I felt very keen to take further – audiences seemed to really respond to the characters we created and out of my longstanding relationship with Film4 and Channel 4 the idea for a television serial developed. Not only did I want to take the story of the gang broader and deeper, I also saw in the experiences of the young in 1986 many resonances to now – recession, lack of jobs, sense of the world at a turning point. Whereas the film told part of the story, the TV series will tell the rest.
Meadows said that Combo (Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham (actor)
Stephen Graham is an English actor from Kirkby, Liverpool. He is best known for his roles as Tommy in the movie Snatch, Combo in This Is England and its four-part television sequel This Is England '86, Danny Ferguson in Occupation, Billy Bremner in The Damned United, notorious bank robber Baby...
) would return, that the fate of Milky would be revealed, and that a wedding between Woody and Lol would be called off. He said if the series succeeded, he would follow it with another series. He said Milky was alive and that Woody has a factory job and was about to marry Lol. He said that scooters
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
, including Vespa
Vespa
Vespa is an Italian brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian.The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A...
s and Lambretta
Lambretta
Lambretta can refer to:* Lambretta, a petrol-powered scooter made by Innocenti* Lambretta , a clothing brand* Lambretta , a Swedish rock band* The Lambrettas, a British mod revival band...
s, would be used in the series - reflecting the scooterboy
Scooterboy
A scooterboy is a member of a subculture based on motor scooter riding, particularly Vespas and Lambrettas. Scooterboy culture originated in the late 1960s in the industrial north of England and resurfaced nationally in the United Kingdom around 1979 or 1980 at the time of the mod revival...
subculture of the mid to late 1980s.
Channel 4's terms for the series was that the original gang had to be slimmed down. This resulted in the removal of a few characters that were in the feature film: Kez (Kieran Hardcastle) and Pob (Sophie Ellerby) were cut, while Pukey (Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell
Jack T. O'Connell is an American politician and the former 26th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected to the post in November 2002 with 61% of the vote. He was re-elected to his post by receiving a majority of the vote in the Primary election on June 6, 2006,...
) had to be cut as the actor had other commitments. Pukey's dialogue and story was given to the returning character Harvey (Michael Socha
Michael Socha
Michael Socha is an English actor, best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed films This Is England and Summer, and the television series This Is England '86 and Being Human.-Early life:...
), who had a bit-part in the film as a bully; the series does not explain how he joined the gang or got on friendly terms with Shaun. A new bully, Flip, takes Harvey's place as Shaun's tormentor and leads a scooterboy gang (Harvey is ironically the first person to hit him for threatening Shaun in episode 3).
Setting
Much of the series was filmed around the sprawling, down-at-heel Gleadless ValleyGleadless Valley
Gleadless Valley ward—which includes the districts of Gleadless Valley , Heeley, Lowfield, and Meersbrook—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the southern part of the city and covers an area of 4.5 km2...
area of Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, with most of the drama centring on Ironside Road and the large, concrete-sided maisonettes are a prominent feature across either side of Blackstock Road, the estate's main artery. Many residents are of the opinion Gleadless Valley hasn't changed much in the fifty years since it was built, and this possibly influenced Meadows choice to film there. Other notable local venues for filming include Leighton Road, Gaunt Road, Blackstock Road Shopping Precinct and Norton Lane. The school in which Shaun sits his History exam is Gladys Buxton school in Dronfield
Dronfield
Dronfield is a town in North East Derbyshire in the North Midlands region of England. It comprises the three communities of Dronfield, Dronfield Woodhouse and Coal Aston. It is sited in the valley of the small River Drone, and lies between the town of Chesterfield and the city of Sheffield. The...
as nearby Gleadless Valley Comprehensive School was closed and demolished in the nineties. Gladys Buxton School is disused, and its mid-1980s design suited the time period. Students in years 10 and 11 of local secondary school Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
The Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School is a mixed state comprehensive school for 11-18 year olds, in the town of Dronfield, Derbyshire.-History:The school was established officially in 1578, at the will of Henry Fanshawe, whose wish it was for his nephew, Thomas Fanshawe, to establish the school...
were used as extras, playing Shaun's classmates who are also sitting the exam, that were shown within the first 8 minutes of the first episode. Sheffield landmarks such as the Park Hill Flats and Neepsend Gasholder are also seen.
As in the film, the exact setting is unclear. The setting in the film was implied to be a coastal town in the English East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
(Grimsby
Grimsby
Grimsby is a seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. It has been the administrative centre of the unitary authority area of North East Lincolnshire since 1996...
was used in filming the coastal scenes). In the first episode, Woody and Lol ride on a Yorkshire Rider
Yorkshire Rider
-History:Yorkshire Rider was formed in 1986, as a result of deregulation of bus services in the UK. The West Yorkshire PTE was no longer allowed to operate buses itself, so an arm's length operating company was created. In 1988 the undertaking became fully privatised when it was subject to an...
bus to their wedding from a bus stop in Gaunt Road, a bus company which operated in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
in the 1980s. This now-preserved bus was supplied by Transport Yorkshire Preservation Group
Transport Yorkshire Preservation Group
Transport Yorkshire Preservation Group is a voluntary organisation based in Leeds, England. It undertakes the restoration and preservation of vintage/historic buses appropriate to the local area.Vehicles in the collection include SUG591M and C507KBT which...
of Leeds.
Cast
- Vicky McClureVicky McClureVicky McClure is a BAFTA-winning English actress best known for her work in the films of Shane Meadows. She played the title character's sister Ladine in A Room for Romeo Brass , and featured in Meadows's most successful film to date, This Is England...
as Lol - Joe Gilgun as Woody
- Andrew ShimAndrew ShimAndrew Shim is a British actor best known for his appearances in the films of Shane Meadows, especially This Is England.-Early life:...
as Milky - Thomas TurgooseThomas Turgoose-Early life:Thomas was born on 11 February 1992 and brought up in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He attended Wintringham School.- Career :In his first film role in 2006, he played the lead character, Shaun, in This Is England, written and directed by Shane Meadows...
as Shaun - Rosamund HansonRosamund HansonRosamund Abigail Hanson is an English film and television actress who played the role of Michelle in 2006 film This Is England and its 2010 television sequel This Is England '86...
as Smell - Chanel CresswellChanel CresswellChanel Cresswell is an English actress best known for playing Kelly in the film This Is England and This Is England 86, and also appearing as Katie in the television series Trollied.-Biography:...
as Kelly - Danielle Watson as Trev
- Andrew Ellis as Gadget
- Michael SochaMichael SochaMichael Socha is an English actor, best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed films This Is England and Summer, and the television series This Is England '86 and Being Human.-Early life:...
as Harvey - Perry BensonPerry BensonPerry Benson is an English character actor best known for his regular roles in British television sitcoms You Rang, M'Lord? , Oh, Doctor Beeching! and Operation Good Guys .-Movie career:...
as Meggy - George Newton as Banjo
- Johnny HarrisJohnny Harris (actor)Johnny Harris is an English actor.Harris was born in Lambeth, London. He left school with no qualifications. He won the Junior ABA National Boxing title aged 16, and lived in Paris, France between the ages of 17 and 20 before returning to London and embarking on an acting career.Upon completion of...
as Mick - Hannah Walters as Trudy
- Stephen GrahamStephen Graham (actor)Stephen Graham is an English actor from Kirkby, Liverpool. He is best known for his roles as Tommy in the movie Snatch, Combo in This Is England and its four-part television sequel This Is England '86, Danny Ferguson in Occupation, Billy Bremner in The Damned United, notorious bank robber Baby...
as Combo - Jo Hartley as Cynthia
- Kriss Dosanjh as Mr. Sandhu
- Olivia Morgan as Bub
- Jamie Taylor as Buloosweet
- Joseph DempsieJoseph DempsieJoseph "Joe" Maxwell Dempsie is an English actor, best known for playing the role of Chris Miles in the E4 television show Skins. Dempsie's earlier acting credits include the medical dramas Doctors, Peak Practice and Sweet Medicine, as well as the films One for the Road and Heartlands...
as Higgy - Georgia May FooteGeorgia May FooteGeorgia May Foote is a British actress. She is best known for playing Alison Simmons in the school drama series Grange Hill. She is currently starring in Coronation Street as Katy Armstrong, sister to Izzy Armstrong and daughter to Owen Armstrong.Foote has played many minor roles during her career...
as Gemma - Steve Brody as Richard
- Rebecca Manley as Babs
- Perry Fitzpatrick as Flip
- Katherine Dow Blyton as Chrissy
Episode 1
Woody and Lol's wedding ends disastrously by Woody's reluctance to marry Lol, and Meggy suffers a near-fatal heart attack in the toilets of the registry office. After Shaun sits his final exam in History, he gets into trouble with Flip (Perry Fitzpatrick) and his gang of moped riding Casuals.Episode 2
Lol finds out that her dad has returned to the family home; she insinuates that she was sexually abused by him as a young girl. Feeling betrayed by her family's warm welcome to her dad, and feeling neglected by Woody, Lol confides in Milky, with whom she starts having casual sex. Gadget starts to go out with Trudy, and rumbles the secret paternity of her son. Meanwhile, Shaun finds out that his mum has been having a secret relationship with his employer Mr Sandhu, and plans him to move in with them, causing Shaun to leave home in disgust.Episode 3
Lol continues her casual affair with Milky, but Milky starts to feel guilty when an upset Woody confides in him about his failing relationship with Lol. Gadget is bullied and isolated from his friends by a controlling, sexually charged Trudie, so he decides to end their unusual eight day relationship. Harvey also finds out about Trudie's secret. Later, the gang, while playing football on a flat estate (the iconic Park Hill Flats in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
were used for this scene) have a fight with the moped riding gang seen earlier in episode 1 led by Flip.
Shaun returns home to apologise to his mum and give his blessing on her relationship. Shaun also rekindles his relationship with Smell. Lol starts to drown her sorrows and distances herself away from both of her lovers. Meanwhile, Trev stops by Lol's parents' house to meet up with Kelly, and she awkwardly watches the football match with Lol's dad, Mick. The episode ends with Mick violently raping Trev, whom he later tells to leave. Meanwhile, as Shaun, his mum and Smell watch the football match, a drunken Combo stumbles into the living room and collapses on the floor.
Episode 4
After waking, Combo informs Shaun and Smell that his mother is dying. Shaun takes him to see his mother, but when they get there they discover she has already died. Combo says goodbye to his mother's body. Meanwhile, Milky teases Woody about the fact that he left Lol at the altar. In response, Woody tells him they will get married that day. Woody and Milky go around inviting all their friends to their wedding, which is going to be a surprise to Lol.After much deliberation, Trev tells Lol that she was raped by Mick. Lol tells her go to sleep. She then goes to Mick's house, armed with a hammer to confront him. The pair verbally argue. Lol shows Mick the hammer which causes him to attack her. He pulls off her underwear and attempts to rape her- which we later find out through Lol's conversation with Combo that he has 'done it her whole life'- with Lol violently struggling. Lol defends herself by swinging the hammer against Mick's head several times which stuns him. With Mick lying prone on the floor, Lol decides to strike him again, killing him. Combo then arrives at the house, finding the scene of Mick dead and Lol sobbing.
Combo decides to 'do a good thing,' smearing his fingerprints over the hammer and Mick's body, thereby taking responsibility for killing Mick. The episode ends with Combo arriving in prison, after being charged with manslaughter. Most of the cast sit in the pub watching the England v Argentina world cup game, which England go on to lose, partly due to Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal. Shaun also has sex with Smell in the pub toilets. Meanwhile, Lol, Kelly, Trev, Milky and Woody sit alone together, listening to the game on the radio whilst playing cards. Kelly cries and Woody and Lol kiss as Combo peacefully enters his cell.
Track listing
- "Happy Hour" - The HousemartinsThe HousemartinsThe Housemartins were an English indie pop band that was active in the 1980s. Many of the Housemartins' lyrics were a mixture of Marxist politics and Christianity, reflecting singer Paul Heaton's beliefs at the time .-Formation:The band was formed in late 1983 by Paul Heaton and...
- "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" - Jimmy CliffJimmy CliffJimmy Cliff, OM is a Jamaican musician, singer and actor. He is the only currently living musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts and sciences...
- "Gadget And Harvey In Garden " - Andrew EllisAndrew EllisAndrew "Andy" Ellis is a New Zealand rugby union player who specialises in the position of scrum-half. He currently plays for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby league and Canterbury in provincial rugby....
,Michael Socha - "My Girl" - MadnessMadness (band)In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
- "The Bitterest Pill" - The JamThe JamThe Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped...
- "Solo" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
- "Fast Cars" - BuzzcocksBuzzcocksBuzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
- "Flip Before Fight" - Perry Fitzpatrick
- "All Through The City" - Dr Feelgood
- "99 Red Ballons" - NenaNenaGabriele Susanne Kerner , better known by her stage name Nena, is a German singer and actress. She rose to international fame in 1983 with the New German Wave song "99 Luftballons". In 1984, she re-recorded this song in English as "99 Red Balloons". Nena was also the name of the band with whom she...
- "Woody & Squire" - Joe Gilgun
- "We've Got The World At Our Feet" - 1986 FIFA World Cup1986 FIFA World CupThe 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
Mexico England Squad - "Rainmaker" - Spear Of Destiny
- "Walls Come Tumbling Down" - The Style CouncilThe Style CouncilThe Style Council were an English band, formed in 1983 by the ex-The Jam singer and guitarist Paul Weller, with keyboardist Mick Talbot. The permanent line-up grew to include drummer Steve White and Weller's then-wife, vocalist Dee C. Lee. Other artists such as Tracie Young and Tracey Thorn also...
- "Ora" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
- "Red Red Wine" - UB40UB40UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
- "Greeting To The New Brunette" - Billy BraggBilly BraggStephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
- "Ying And Yang"
- "Guava Jelly" - Johnny NashJohnny NashJohn Lester "Johnny" Nash, Jr. is an American pop singer-songwriter, best known in the US for his 1972 hit, "I Can See Clearly Now". He was also the first non-Jamaican to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.-Life and career:...
- "Ancora" - AncoraAncoraAncora is the second album of the operatic pop vocal group Il Divo. It was released in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world on November 7, 2005, excluding the United States and Latin America. It was later released in the United States and Latin America on January 24, 2006. It debuted at...
- "Give It Up" - Lee DorseyLee DorseyLee Dorsey was an African American pop/R&B singer during the 1960s. Much of his work was produced by Allen Toussaint with instrumental backing provided by the Meters.-Career:...
- "It Miek" - Desmond DekkerDesmond DekkerDesmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group, The Aces , he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". Other hits include "007 " and "It Miek"...
- "Woody & Milk In Bathroom " - Joe Gilgun, Andrew ShimAndrew ShimAndrew Shim is a British actor best known for his appearances in the films of Shane Meadows, especially This Is England.-Early life:...
- "Ruler Of My Heart" - Irma ThomasIrma ThomasIrma Thomas is an American Grammy Award-winning soul and rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans"....
- "English Rose" - The JamThe JamThe Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped...
- "Berlin Song" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
Additional music from the series:
- "Man Of The World" - Fleetwood MacFleetwood MacFleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
- "This Is The Day" - The TheThe TheThe The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
- "Frozen Dub" - Augustus PabloAugustus PabloHorace Swaby , known as Augustus Pablo, was a Jamaican roots reggae and dub record producer, melodica player and keyboardist, active from the 1970s onwards. He popularized the use of the melodica in reggae music...
- "There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)" - EurythmicsEurythmicsEurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
- "My Own True Love" - Margaret WhitingMargaret WhitingMargaret Whiting was a singer of American popular music and country music who first made her reputation during the 1940s and 1950s.-Youth:...
- "Ballblazer" - Peter LangstonPeter LangstonPeter Langston is a computer programmer who wrote and distributed for free several games for Unix systems in the 1970s, including the original version of Empire and the program "Oracle" upon which the later net-wide Oracle was modeled. He is also an experienced jazz, rock, and folk musician.In...
- "Night Train" - The Rudies
- "Ritornare" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
- "Dna" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
- "In Vola" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
- "The Crane Dance" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
- "Nuvole Bianche" - Ludovico EinaudiLudovico EinaudiLudovico Einaudi OMRI is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy, Einaudi's mother played to him on the piano as a child. He began his musical training at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, gaining a diploma in composition in 1982...
From the Channel 4 TV advert:
- "Under Me Sleng Teng" - Wayne SmithWayne Smith (musician)Wayne Smith is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician.-Biography:His 1985 recording of " Sleng Teng", is generally regarded as the beginning of ragga style reggae. The rhythm was created on a Casio MT-40 and is based on the riff from Eddie Cochran's "Somethin' Else"...
Mistakes
- Although the series is set in 1986, episode 3 shows an 'E' registered (1987-88) motorbike.
- Kelly wears a CureThe CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
T-shirt bearing artwork from the BloodflowersBloodflowersBloodflowers is the eleventh album by English band The Cure, released in 2000. The album is seen as a sombre return to form by critics and fans alike...
album, which was released in 2000. - The calendar in Combo's mother's house says the year 1982 [This is because Combos mother was elderly and sick, and wouldn't have been able to replace it]