Den Browne

Padlocks is my first book, hopefully not my last. I've always been passionate about music and books since I was a kid. I still have a bias towards the Sixties and Seventies, whether rock, reggae or soul.

Reviewing books like Nina Antonia's Only Ones masterpiece One And Only, led to working with photographer Melanie Smith on the Mudkiss online zine - a very enjoyable time doing whatever came up - gig reviews, interviews with cool guys like Vic Godard and JC Carroll, and of course books and records. In time - as my mobility declined - i decided to concentrate on the books. This is something I still do for the Louder Than War zine.

Writing for Mudkiss led to involvement with the Mining for Gold, Exotic Pylon and Bad Punk shows on Resonancefm, initially reading early versions of Padlocks chapters, often with musical accompaniments. From there I went on to present a series of short stories, mostly themed around experiences of counter culture scenes in the 60's and 70's. These could well form the basis of my next book - watch this space!.

Otherwise I spent a year or two with my friend Brian Gibson doing Deviation Street, a project based around a magazine but which could be an art show or a gig. A very enjoyable time, abruptly and brutally ended by the lockdown.

Apart from music, reading and writing my main interests and inspirations are games like bridge and backgammon, watching football and cricket, ancient places - especially hillforts, and our rescue greyhounds Edie.& Grace

UPDATE MAY 2026

Well that was all a couple of years ago when everything looked great - my book was out at last and people were actually buying it! Then I asked last year about royalty payments & future plans. I was told that nearly 300 copies had "gone missing" at the warehouse, yeah right. Since then my former contact Simon Spence doesn't answer emails, while organising another reprint that I haven't received a penny for.

. They've also changed the copyright from my name to Backstage Books. Obviously I'm not happy with this.

So be warned - Backstage Books are a rip off scam, avoid at all costs