Founder Of Manchester’s Iconic Post-Punk Inca Babies 

Inca Babies have that unmistakable essence of genuine rock ’n’ roll. Plus, they have always proudly worn the mantle of being a Manchester band. As foundational pioneers of the early post-punk and deathrock movements, Inca Babies remain a vital cornerstone of the Manchester and UK music scenes to this day. Led by guitarist-vocalist Harry Stafford alongside long-time collaborator Rob Haynes (The Membranes, Goldblade), the band helped define a dark, jagged sonic landscape that remains influential decades later. During their initial five-year ascent, they amassed a dedicated following through relentless touring, six singles and four albums—every one of which successfully breached the UK Indie Charts. Their status as alternative icons was further cemented by a prestigious run of four BBC John Peel sessions between 1984 and 1988. Since reforming in 2007, Inca Babies have proven they are far from a legacy act, continuing to command respect as elder statesmen of the British underground. “Looking through our back catalogue, it occurred to me that there were tracks that should again be made available in some manner and others that would benefit from reinvention. Last year’s Ghost Mechanic Nine album was an opportunity to create new music for our fans, who would like this music in the form of digital downloads and, for the truly hardcore, as a 12” Vinyl Album,” says Harry Stafford. “We embarked upon a new quest, to inject new life into our favourite back catalogue. This whole project was to be an Innovative re-imagining of old tunes: re-invented for contemporary consideration. All of them Re-awakened and ‘Re-inca-rnated’.” 

Inca Babies‘ journey since their formation in 1983 in Manchester’s now-legendary deck-access flats of Hulme was highlighted in the 2024 documentary The Making of Ghost Mechanic Nine. Since reforming, they’ve released four albums and toured three continents, continuing to explore goth, punk, death-rock and jazz-blues. The Reincarnation album is out now with Harry Stafford on guitars, bass, keyboards & vocals; Rob Haynes plays drums & percussion; slide guitar is by Vincent O’Brien.

In our conversation Harry Stafford respectfully acknowledges important Manchester acts of the past decades. Today there continue to be notable music acts hailing from that great northwestern English city, renowned as the birth-place of the Industrial Revolution, football teams, United and City. 

Sumos – Luck

Sumos claim to be a “Manchester scuzz-pop quartet!” A moniker we’ll accept along with their description of Luck the album, “This is a collection of 6 new noisy melodic pop songs about love, loss, pets, inequality and embarrassing ice-breaker exercises.” You should know that Sumos began as a bedroom recording outlet for Joel Sloan and Kyle Tarbuck after a hiatus from playing together in a previous band. After laying the groundwork for their first EP, Weird Summer, the group expanded into a four-piece with the addition of Kyle’s sister Siobhán McKnight on bass and Andrew Kilroy on drums. Note: forget the labels, this is damn fine music!

Jesca Hoop – Designer Citizen

“When I was faced with the challenge of writing and recording a new album, I had the choice to stay where I was comfortable, under the sage guidance of a producer or to step out into the dark and produce it myself. It became clear that if I was going to grow in the craft, I needed to become my own lighthouse. So I made the commitment to take on the Producer role. There were a lot of sleepless nights.” Writes Jesca. “My life took an unexpected turn in 2025. Many people exited my life… like a bus pulling into the station. Some of these relationships were of great importance, so I had much to wrestle with in these verses. Disconnect, or the illusion thereof, was also fodder for songs—amid the chaos and confusion we are creating in this world, I feel a responsibility to record what I see transpiring among us: what is being done… by whom and to whom.” The result, Long Wave Home is an exceptional collection of songs, Jesca confides, “This is not just a renewal of my commitment to the craft of writing and record-making—it’s a vote of confidence and an investment in myself as an artist and authority over my vocation and life’s path.” 

Audioweb – The Ghosts of Manchester

“A deeply personal tribute to the people, memories and spirit of the city that shaped them, The Ghosts of Manchester is both an ode to those they have loved and a love letter to Manchester itself – a reflection on how places and the people within them leave lasting marks long after moments have passed.” A perfect description by Audioweb who are Martin Merchant on vocals; bass, programming by Sean McCann; Jake Bradford Sharp plays drums; stellar guitar by Chris Hill. Formed in the early 90s, Audioweb fused Manchester’s burgeoning dance scene with the vibrant culture of the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays amongst others. For this recording we segued into the vocal version into the Dub version.