In this captivating interview, Gino Brandolani takes us on a journey through his incredible life in Manchester’s punk and club scenes. From hearing Sheena Is a Punk Rocker at 15 and finding his place in punk, to fighting against the National Front with the Anti-Nazi League, Gino’s stories are raw, hilarious, and filled with history.
He shares his struggles growing up as one of the few foreigners in school, dealing with discrimination from all sides. Punk became his refuge, introducing him to a world where people didn’t care about your background—only your passion for the music and the movement.
Gino recalls legendary moments, like witnessing Wreckless Eric’s chaotic giveaway at Virgin Records in Manchester and his early gigs where even a crew neck jumper and a safety pin could make you stand out as a punk.
He takes us through his wild days in the Gore Hounds, a band known for outrageous performances that gave the audience “permission for mayhem”—where bottles of Jack Daniels were shared on stage, and burning toilet rolls were kicked around in basement clubs.
The conversation shifts to Manchester’s underground club culture, where Gino met influential figures like John Kennedy and Andrew Berry. He reminisces about wild nights at Berlin Club, meeting Malcolm McLaren and Sade, and how a chance encounter with Dave Booth led to them running Isadoras, one of Manchester’s most beloved alternative clubs.
Gino describes the magic of Isadoras—a place built on showmanship and word-of-mouth, where the right music could light up a crowd, and the atmosphere felt more free than even the legendary Hacienda.
From his run-ins with the police for protesting, to his time living in a photographic studio above The Venue, to leafleting for clubs and bringing the coolest crowds to Isadoras—Gino’s life has been a whirlwind of music, rebellion, and unforgettable nights.
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