What's Sandman to You?

Graham Wrench, Manager of Richard Hawley & The Hosts

The first Sheffield fanzine / magazine I ever saw was Propaganda in 1982. At that time it was still part of the punk ethic to take control of the means of production and set out a message on A4 that wasn't the message of the then media giants, a message by the people for the people. Twenty years later Sandman appeared. By that time I was weary and wary of the format that had never fulfilled its potential or revolutionary bent. Sandman was born, not amidst a scene, and almost despite one. Maybe Sandman acted as a catalyst? No idea. It's not really important. What it does recognise is that the music is important, the writing is important and the photography is important. And I am happy my scepticism was proved wrong. Sandman has become an expectation of the city now, like it should always have been there. What's that called? An 'institution'.

Katy Noone, Producer, Raw Talent, Hull

I remember Mark and Jan coming in for a chat on Raw Talent about Sandman just before it launched in Hull. It has grown up alongside Raw Talent over those years and gives me an alternative perspective on the region-wide scene that's really important for me. When I read an article my first thought is "Sandman are featuring this band, must be worth a listen..." The quality of the writing from some of the lead writers stood out for me from the start and the same goes for the cover images and photography. I can still remember some of the covers like I can remember NME covers from back in their glory days. No bigger compliment really...

Greg Elliott, Former Leeds Editor, 07 - 08

I think what I found most satisfying as editor was seeing the magazine come together each month as a fairly comprehensive document of the goings on within the Leeds scene, which I think is pretty phenomenal. The downside was probably dealing with people who don't seem to have much respect for Sandman as an independent entity, i.e. acts / promoters who behave as if we owe them something just because they're from West Yorkshire - and who don't take criticism very well.

Jay Taylor, Promoter at Manchester Ruby Lounge

So the closest thing Manchester has to a devout music & listings magazine is published in Sheffield. And of course I'm not counting any of those weird lifestyle rags with endless vacant blonde mugshots. So testament then to team Sandman & six years of wonderfully dense monochrome type, sparkling new bands, writers & photographers sprawling out from their home town into mine.

Tom Goodhand, Former Leeds Editor, 05 - 07

The best bit for me about Sandman has been seeing small bands grow and blossom into genuine massive successes. Especially with iForward, Russia! and Wild Beasts.

David Ward Maclean, Musician, York

Sandman Magazine is crucial in spreading the word about the quality and breadth of music to be found in the North of England. And it is done with scrupulous objectivity on the part of the Editor. My only regret is that Mark does not wear long dresses, suspenders and high heels, like that Jan chappie used to... phwoaaar...

Chris Saunders, Sheffield Photo Editor

My best expoerience with Sandman was photographing Jarvis, Alex, & Hawley in London.

Mike Reynolds, Hull Editor

Watching young bands, from their first uncertain performances, grow into musical forces and being able to help them on their way is great and getting to know a few people that I consider to be amazingly talented is something I could never take for granted.

Paul Bassett, Manager of Little Lost David

For me Sandman represents a real turning point in Sheffield music. Sandman is a real uniting factor in the Sheffield music scene. It informs bands of other bands, other good bands. It raises the game. If other bands are better, you need to be better than them. Also, it validates Sheffield's place in the UK music scene. Self congratulation is not something the Sheffield music scene does very well, Sandman gives everyone a good pat on the back.

Mark Sturdy, Leeds Editor, 03 - 04

The best thing about working on Sandman was the fact that I got to find out about a lot of brilliant music and fun places to go that I otherwise would just never have known about. And all the people that I met as a result, a lot of whom I'm still good friends with now. The last two named things have definitely shaped my life in a big way over the past 4 to 5 years.

Denzil Watson, Repomen & Radio DJ, Sheffield

Probably not too many people on the Sheffield scene can remember the late 90s and early noughties. Orange Magazine and SAMs had come and gone and prior to Sandman's launch in September 2002, there was a massive void for local bands in terms of getting live reviews and demo feedback. Sandman plugged the gap just nicely and all of a sudden local Sheffield bands with no hope of getting into NME or any of the other national publications could get impartial, constructive feedback and exposure for their art.

'Danny Pig', on Leedsmusicforum.co.uk, Leeds

Sandman has played an integral and crucial role in the development of the musical output of Leeds in particular. It's like the total opposite of music falling on deaf ears. It sets out a benchmark in terms of reporting and honest critical appraisal that commands respect due to the huge passion of all concerned.

Kevin Petch, Photographer, Leeds

Sandman has shown the way in how to put out a music magazine of quality, and has grown from strength to strength in all departments over the last six years. It truly has been a pleasure to be amongst its contributors.

Brian Ellis, Promoter & Sound Engineer, Sheffield Grapes

Theoretically for the people by the people. No cost to the people. Open for written contributions by all the people, loved by some of the people, loathed by some of the people. Sounding board for the enthusiasms of the people, the passions of the people, as well as the myriad bitterness and anger of many of the people!

Sam Taylor, Singer with Dead Like Harry, Sheffield

We arrived on the scene here in Sheffield at the same time as Sandman. We have seen them grow from modest beginnings to the hugely successful, nationally established magazine that they now are. We are proud to be growing up with them.

Tom Martin, Leeds Photo Editor

Experience wise I guess for me the best thing was being given the opportunity to shoot Leeds Festival. It was like three full days of continuous live photography practice, it was a really intense learning curve in a very nerdy photography way! Band wise I've met loads of bands that I've become really good friends with and still am which is always nice.

Sean Bruce, Writer, Sheffield

Sandman's insight into the music scene with features, reviews and gig listings all for free doesn't seem to be matched anywhere else. At a time when indie bands like the Arctics and co were all over the national news there was still space in Sandman to inform about the eclectic scene in Sheffield and surrounding areas that has always existed and still flourishes. It's refreshing for a music mag not to immediately follow trends but to offer a balanced view across the spectrum of music.

Alek McGovern, Singer with Scrim, Sheffield

I think Sandman is a great means for bands to progress and get their name out there. As for us, it's a good way to introduce ourselves to the local scene, letting people know what we are about.

Jared O'Mara, Promoter, Sheffield

Sandman is an asset to the Sheffield indie and alternative scene in that it gives outsiders to the local music scene, and those on the periphery, a good insight into what's going down at the heart of the scene. It's not just a 'zine for the in crowd, it's an informative work of journalism for all music fans at all levels.

Danny North, Former Leeds Photo Editor, 04 - 07

The best thing would have been getting to know everyone in music in Leeds, getting involved with them and trying to make a difference, just being a small part of it.

Chris Murphy, Musician, Sheffield

Sandman has been like a blinding torch to Sheffield and the north, exposing the embarrassment of riches this neck of the woods has, and really successfully.

James Green, Big Eyes & Early Winter Recordings, Sheffield

Despite my initial fears that Sandman would clash with my feelings towards careerist-musicians and parochialism I'd like to say that Sandman has proved itself worthy and is a good place to read about music that'd otherwise not register on the national (i.e. London's) musical radar, good work.

Paddy Orange, Musician, Sheffield

As a local band, Sandman has been dead useful in getting some honest feedback on our work. It's sometimes hard to take if you get a slating because to you it's your 'masterpiece' that you sweated over for months. But you can't take it personally, that opinion has been given for a reason so you gotta take it on the chin and make your next piece of music better, and eventually it will be good enough to get a banging review.

Geoff Barradale, Manager of Arctic Monkeys, Sheffield

Sandman is a great publication, it is very central to all music and art lovers in Sheffield and very supportive of its talent. Very Happy 6th Birthday.

Paul Mills, Musician, SLBC, Sheffield

For me, Sandman was a breath of fresh air when it came out, there had been very little in the way of a decent zine on the scene here in Sheffield for many years. I think Sandman has helped to put a face to the Sheffield scene once again, long may it continue.

Jack Simpson, Vibrations Magazine, Leeds

From the point of view of someone who makes a magazine, Sandman has always been a benchmark of quality and a motivator to up our game. As someone who strives to see Leeds' community grow and come together, Sandman has been as important a resource as anything else that's gone on in the city over recent years. Without embellishing, I genuinely think it's fair to say Leeds wouldn't be where it is, alongside other great efforts, without it.

John Roddison, Brown McLeod, Music Accountants, Sheffield

Sandman was born at a very exciting time for Yorkshire music and has filled a very important role. The explosion of great new bands such as Long Blondes, Bromhead's Jacket and Reverend & The Makers has enlivened the local scene and has been brilliantly covered by Sandman.

Paul & John, G2 Studios, Sheffield

I believe that Sandman has given people more of a reason to be in bands, go to gigs and appreciate what we've got. Sheffield's a great city for music and arts, it's a good place to form a band and practise being cool. The only worry is that after we've completely lost the drab, jobless industrial landscape that helped create bleak realism and majestic escapism, what's left to inspire that raw pessimistic attitude in today's kids?

Andy Brown, Sheffield Photo Editor

I enjoy meeting so many good people - bands, photographers, and writers; seeing some absolutely amazing gigs; and getting to photograph loads of people whose music I love, and seeing some of them go on to great things.

Simon Linskill, Actionier, Sheffield

Sheffield's music is like a big sticky ball made up of lots of coloured thread. As it rolls around between the venues, sticks up flyers, panics about breaking even on the door and defending its fierce independence, the constituents get tangled in all the excitement and activity, some fractions receive the sunshine, while other parts persevere in relative obscurity. Sandman is the hairbrush that tidies this up, shines light on the more hidden surfaces and maps the energy of Sheffield's incredibly diverse musical scene. Whether it's pointy shoes, gruff punk, acoustic beards or mashed-up mongtronics, our city's creatives, obsessive musos and people wanting something to read in a pub can catch up, discover great new acts, and become delighted, frustrated and intrigued from what the Roman's called homo silicus.

Barney Vernon, Music First Ltd, Sheffield

In a time when the success of a band "in the eyes of the music industry" hinges on how much NME or Radio One they get, I think we are lucky we have publications like Sandman where we can read what's going on in our own local scenes, because despite what we are led to believe, that's where it all happens and where it really matters. Happy birthday Sandman, may you long continue.

Craig Pennington, Dead Young Records, Leeds

I think we've witnessed a glorious neo-punk movement in underground music over recent years. Not so much in musical style, but more in the return to the world of fanzines, indie labels, gureilla gigs, pirate radio & an expansion of (and expression through) new forms of media. Sandman is an invaluable regional resource, which gives opportunity to new writers, whilst maintaining a features quality that puts many national shelf publications to shame.

Vivian Bonzo, Writer, Sheffield

To fully appreciate what Sandman means to me, I thought for a moment what the last few years would have been like without it. I started to list the gigs I'd have missed, the new bands I'd never have seen, the CDs I'd not have bought, but most of all I realised I'd have missed the voices of countless music fans, who, like me, wanted to let others know how excited they felt about some new local band or song they'd discovered. Sandman is the voice of all those friends I've never met.