Promotional Information

His first collection of poems in over thirty years, the Bard of Salford Dr John Cooper Clarke is back with this seminal work of punk poetry.

About the Author

John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original 'people's poet'. Since then his career has spanned cultures, audiences, art forms and continents. Today, JCC is as relevant and vibrant as ever, and his influence just as visible on today's pop culture. Aside from his trademark 'look' continuing to resonate with fashionistas young and old, and his poetry included on the national curriculum syllabus, his effect on modern life is huge.

Reviews

The godfather of British performance poetry
*Daily Telegraph*

There are a legion of new young poets who rightly pay homage to Cooper Clarke
*Independent*

John Cooper Clarke has, arguably, not only the most recognizable silhouette in show business, but also the most infectious of poetic voices.
*Observer*

Witty and profane, his lyrics are best declaimed aloud, to make you laugh and encourage you to question everything.
*Daily Mail*

A poet who writes about darkness and decay but makes people laugh, a human cartoon, a gentleman punk, a man who has stayed exactly the same for thirty years but never grown stale. John Cooper Clarke is an original
*Scotsman*

I say to people, have you heard of John Cooper Clarke and if they say, yes, yeah he's an absolute genius and you just go, 'oh - ok, you've saved me a lot of time
*Steve Coogan*

John Cooper Clarke uses words like Chuck Berry uses guitar riffs melody and anger, humour and disdain in equal measure. He's the real deal, really funny and really caustic, the velvet voice of discontent.
*Kate Moss*

John Cooper Clarke is one of Britain’s outstanding poets. His anarchic punk poetry has thrilled people for decades and his no nonsense approach to his work and life in general has appealed to many people including myself for many years. Long may his slender frame and spiky top produce words and deeds that keep us on our toes and alive to the wonders of the world.
*Sir Paul McCartney*

...nothing short of dazzling
*Alex Turner*

Pacy, punchy social satire. Reading it is like spending a night at the pub with your funniest friend, who also happens to have an astute take on everything from the state of the high street, to metrosexuality and the NHS.
*Evening Standard*

Most people who've been moderately exposed to John Cooper Clarke find it impossible to get through life without muttering the off word to themselves in that extraordinary accent of his. Well, now you've got an entire book to recite.
*Strong Words*