Mike Bryson (Bogshed) dies

We are heartbroken to hear of the death of the wonderful Mike Bryson – the former bassist and illustrator from Bogshed.

We released the band on the Membranes record label when they started back in 1985 and loved their quirky wonk post punk – what a fantastic band – great off kilter songs full of darkly humorous imagery and ideas and wonderful wonderful songs that were quirky yet pop, infernally catchy and laden with a total genius that has been captured in a an about to be released multi CD box set – the first compilation of the band and a chance for people to finally catch up with the band who have sadly lost three members who have died far too young.

Mike was the bands bassist and the closest they had to a conventional cool member looking like an oxfam version of a Jesus And Mary Chain member as he shyly peered from behind his tumbling curls. Mike had a great sardonic dry sense of humour and was too company. We toured a lot with Bogshed and were thrilled to see them do so well and also loved the band’s brilliant artwork which was a series of dark and funny hand drawn paintings by the artistic Mike – they were like snapshots of The League Of Gentlemen decades too early and vignettes from strange northern life in the hills around Hebden Bridge where the band were based.

I will never forget this good times and the thrill of hearing this great band the first time and being the only person at their first Manchester gig and then seeing them become firm John Peels faves and those wild weekends spent at Bogshed house up in the hills and getting to know Mike really well.

please buy the box  set and celebrate this most idiosyncratic and brilliant band – every songs was a sliver of genius – they truly were the best.

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