The Sound Lounge

Eric Goulden, who is of course widely known as Wreckless Eric, is celebrating his 70th year with a deluxe re-publication of his much-lauded autobiography A Dysfunctional Success. The book was recently described by Marc Riley as ‘the best rock n roll memoir ever written’ but actually owes more to grubby interiors, clapped-out motor vehicles, low grade manual labour, and stunted social mores, a catalogue of social dysfunction in the UK from the fifties to the eighties. Eric first came to prominence in 1977 with the release of his debut 45, the enduring Whole Wide World. He was given the name Wreckless Eric to hide behind. Eventually he realised he was stuck with it. He sidestepped the mechanics of stardom to become Britain’s biggest underground household name, much loved and often misunderstood. His albums encapsulate pop, bubblegum, garage trash and psychedelia. His live performances are sonic journeys through time and space. Eric presents himself alone if not simply with electric and acoustic guitars, and electronics of his own making. For this performance he’ll be featuring songs that illustrate the story of his dysfunction, and of course there’ll be readings from A Dysfunctional Success. Plus, as a special Sound Lounge bonus, a Q&A with venue patron, fellow author and music journalist Paul Sexton. Eric Goulden escaped from his youthful home of Newhaven but his sympathy for those caught in the endless circle of helpless torpor and impassivity bleeds from every note. Henry Hutton, Shindig From the opening whine of Southern Rock you know this is Wreckless at his best - and you swiftly realise he's talking about Newhaven rather than Nashville. Eric might live in New York but his heart and soul are still here on the piers and in the picture palaces of the past. Nick Dalton, Record Collector In a world of fly-by-night fakery Wreckless Eric remains a national treasure. Paul Moody, Classic Rock Goulden has enjoyed a genuinely extraordinary career. Alexis Petridis, The Guardian