Split Ends

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Documentaries

Factual

Music

Split Ends: Dr Feelgood

Singer-songwriter Kitty Perrin attempts to analyse the reasons behind why bands split.

Singer-songwriter and BBC Introducing presenter Kitty Perrin charts the stories of band splits and what really happened in the break ups of some of history's best loved bands.

Singer-songwriter and BBC Introducing presenter Kitty Perrin charts the stories of band splits and looks at what really happened in the break ups of some of history's best loved bands. With new interviews with band members and music professionals, academics, and writers she attempts to analyse the reasons behind why bands split.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Split Ends: 3. The Fall

3. The Fall

BBC Radio 4 - Split Ends, 3. The Fall

Singer Songwriter Kitty Perrin talks to Brix Smith about her time in The Fall.

Singer Songwriter Kitty Perrin talks to Brix Smith about her time in The Fall. She looks at issues around romantic relationships within bands as well as substance abuse.

Singer Songwriter and BBC Introducing presenter Kitty Perrin charts the stories of band splits. What really happened in the breakups of some of history's best loved bands? Using new interviews with band members, music professionals, academics, and writers she analyses the reasons they split.

In episode 3 Kitty explores the love affair at the heart of one of the most turbulent bands in music history. She talks to Brix Smith about her time in cult Mancunian post-punk band The Fall, how she fell in love with and married the bands originator Mark E Smith, and how the break up of that marriage and Mark’s documented substance misuse led to her leaving the band - twice.

In the early 80s, teenager Brix Smith lived in LA, made music and obsessed over every sound coming out of the British music scene. Two weeks after Brix Smith met The Fall she went to see them play. Six weeks later she moved across the world, joined the band, and was in a relationship with the man who was a figure on an album sleeve eight weeks before. Her addition as songwriter and guitarist was a major turning point for the band.

Kitty gets insight into what it’s like to be in a band with a romantic partner, and how that might affect the people around you so she speaks to Simon Raymonde, former bassist in 80s pioneering band Cocteau Twins, the only member in the band with couple Liz and Robin. 

She hears from Rowetta from Happy Mondays who talks about how substance abuse led to their split.

We also hear from Rock-star psychotherapist Jodi Millstein, Tamsin Embleton, editor of 'Touring and Mental Health' and Ryan Dusick, original drummer in American Pop-Rock band Maroon 5.

A Yada-Yada Audio Production
Presenter - Kitty Perrin
Producer - Julian Mayers 
Original Music by Gordon Russell

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Split Ends

3. The Fall

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4