Steven Wells RIP

One of the most seething yet articulate voices in British journalism has been silenced, with Steven Wells succumbing to cancer.

In an era when music journalism comes second to advertising, Steven Wells was a true original. Coming of age in the radical Leeds post-punk scene, the journalist never lost his roots in DIY ethics and socialism.

Brought up in Bradford, Steven Wells first began writing as a stand up comedian come performance poet. Supporting groups such as The Mekons, The Fall and Gang Of Four Wells earned a cult reputation for his uncompromising stance and corrosive humour.

Turning towards music journalism Swells - as he was known to fans and friends alike - advocated noisy off shoots of punk rock. A non-racist Skinhead, Steven Wells fought against the bonehead element within the movement, writing passionately in defence of groups such as The Redskins.

Giving space to bands such as Black Flag and the Butthole Surfers, Swells' angry yet frequently hilarious stance entertained while provoking its readers. Lasting with the NME for more than a decade, Swells became a cult hero to readers - even those who despised the music he wrote about.

Steven Wells branched out from journalism, forming GobTV in 1992. A music video production company, GobTV worked with groups such as The Wildhearts, Manic Street Preachers and more before being wound up in 1996.

However it is for his writing that Swells is best known. Writing for a range of publications, Steven Wells was diagnosed with cancer in June 2006.

Fighting the illness while maintaining a busy schedule, Steven Wells was ambitious to the last planning a number of new ventures before passing away on June 23rd.

You can read his last ever column for the Philadelphia Weekly by clicking HERE. Dark, deeply emotive and also scandalously hilarious is shows Swells raging against the dying of the light.

With comments beneath from friends and former colleagues, it is a fine testament to a thought provoking and highly unique writer.

Steven Wells died in Philadelphia on June 23rd.