"Although there were officially two people at the helm, Chris Coupe is the man many see as the energy behind The Legendary Manchester Busker. Indeed Chris himself is now firmly established as a Manchester music legend, with many tales abound of how he would tirelessly promote up and coming artistes, bands, comedians, and in the busker format, anyone and everyone from banjo playing hobos to spoon twiddling circus acts!
Coupe's energy and determination, in the Busker's heyday of the 1990's, knew no bounds. Legend and myth tells how he would have a sell-out show at Manchester's Green Room Theatre, only to realise afterwards that he'd spent more promoting the event than he could possibly take on the door. Another story tells of how many of the Busker artistes, upon hearing Chris had an enormous phone bill he couldn't pay, organised and play a fund raising concert. The day after the concert, with phone bill paid, it transpired that he spent hours on the phone, thanking all who had played and attended the event! There are also tales of how on a couple of occasions he jumped the mic and ranted publicly at venue managers and staff about poor treatment, although most of us were too pissed and tired by the end of the night to remember anything about that kind of thing! Compare that blind love, faith and dedication to the cynical back-stabbing music business of today ...
Chris's partner in crime, the 'Brickwall' part of the partnership, came in the shape of Damien Brehony, who also played guitar with the band Poors Of Reign. Damien was very much the quiet man, lurking in the background, by the bar, socialinsing with friends and family who had turned up in loyal numbers to support these events. Damien didn't go for the public profile that Chris did, however he contributed much behind the scenes and his smile and enthusiasm put a great feeling of comfort and reassurance into any occasion ...
As well as 'The Manchester Busker', CC / Brickwall promoted The Fun Box, which was a reduced line-up giving premier exposure to the premier acts of the time, many of whom as we know, have gone to the very top of the UK arts and entertainments circuit."
"One mighty underground variety show" - The Guardian "Manchester's hottest underground show" - Metro News
Who I'd like to meet: Interesting people famous or not
but especially NEIL YOUNG,one of the greats
chris so lovely to meet up again last night after all these years .. and we don't look any different just no flat tops now ;o) .. fantastic gig and fantastic people , hope to see you soon Reet xx
CC/BRICKWALL PROUDLY PRESENTS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW "THE FUN BOX" a unique packege of music , poetry and comedy at THE CASTLE HOTEL ,OLDHAM STREET, M4 SAT 2ND FEB 2008 AT 8PM THIS IS A FREE EVENT, DONATIONS WELCOME The FUN Box was created in feb 1988 by chris coupe and damien brehony before long the event had become famous in the manchester gig scean ACTS INCLUDE: CLAIRE MOONEY and the moving house band " a force the music world clearly needs" Big issue" DAVE HULSTON With songs from his new waxboy ep DAMIEN MADDISON " A rare songwritting talent" BBC RADIO MIKE GARRY "An excellent manc street poet" Shawn Ryder NICK FRASER "Wild and wacky wordsmith has a bright future in comedy" Agraman- The Buzz compered by CC and CLAIRE MOONEY
"THE BEST NON-DANCE NIGHT IN MANCHESTER!"- N.M.E. 4th june 88
"A FORMAT THAT CARES ABOUT ITS AUDIENCE FOR A CHANGE"- MICK MIDDLES (THE GUARDIAN)
"HIGHLY ENJOYABLE"- MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
contact: CHRIS COUPE e-mail: bluechris1970@aol.com DAMIEN BREHONY e-mail: Brainysfiddle@3mail.com CLAIRE MOONEY mobile: 07967403375 e-mail: www.clairemooney.co.uk
Maddison need your vote in Xfm’s MEN Arena gig comp!! Category: Music
We're down to the final four in Xfm's competition to choose who will open at the Manchester Evening News Arena's 'Manchester vs Cancer' gig next month, alongside the Fun Loving Criminals, The Fratellis, Happy Mondays, The Inspiral Carpets and many more. The gig's in aid of a very worthy cause.
Please log on to:
http://www.xfmuploaded.co.uk/maddison
and then click on the 'Xfm's Featured Artist-Vote Now!' logo. That's all there is to it. Voting closes at 12pm GMT next Monday (4th Feb) and the winner will be announced after that. So we need you to vote asap.
We're almost there, and with your help we will be, so c'mon and click on the link above to vote, it'll take you seconds to do so!!
