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THE BOOKSHOP BAND

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THE STATE OF SOUND INTERVIEW

Rupert Bear with an enormous penis: how the Oz magazine obscenity trial inspired The Bookshop Band’s new EP

The Oz magazine obscenity trial of 1971 sent shockwaves across Britain. 60 years later, The Bookshop Band’s Ben Please tells us how it inspired their new EP.

28 February 2026

THE STATE OF SOUND INTERVIEW

‘Pete Townshend had us running around spinning the speakers’

On the release of the Bookshop Bands’ new EP Oz Sucks, Ben Please talks about the creative chaos of working with Pete Townshend.

21 February 2026

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Emerge, Return

The Bookshop Band

When Pete Townsend got in touch with the Ivor Novello-nominated duo, it seemed certain something special was about to happen.

Words: David Rea

4 October 2025

Black background with red bar code-like lines and a red mountain shape. White text reads "EMERGE, RETURN THE BOOKSHOP BAND."