Please visit the dedicated archive: www.shytalklegacy.com
ShyTalk Legacy is a project and archive lovingly created in memory of legendary ShyTalk punk fanzine creator Steve ‘Shy’ Burke, who founded the fanzine in 1976.
Comically being a play on the words ‘shite-talk’, its iconic status was to be unwittingly secured in Mancunian musical history when Steve and various cohorts were featured in the somewhat sensationalised, but nonetheless entertaining, BBC Brass Tacks punk documentary of the same year. A fantastic cultural account of a movement that was set to change the course of music forever.
Later in life, in a response to the pay-to-play culture of the time, Steve would go on to launch the notorious 'Stroke Club' nights, giving grassroots artists a platform to gig in venues like Gullivers, Manchester; which is where we have celebrated his legacy.
After his passing, I staged the first SHYFEST event in Steve’s honour and we raised funds to cover the cost of a mosaic portrait of him, incorporating some of his ashes into the grouting. This striking artwork now hangs on the wall in Gullivers for his friends and loved-ones to visit and have a drink with.
In June 2024 Craig Charles featured me on his Wednesday show on BBC 6music, discussing Steve's legacy and the up and coming event.
Over almost four years, SHYFEST has gone from strength-to-strength, having platformed dozens of local grassroots and emerging artists of differing genres, evolving into its own unique community, one which nurtures creative partnerships and peer mentoring, in true grassroots venues. 
I am also working on a documentary about Steve’s life and his contribution to Mancunian musical history, as well as the many other unsung heroes in his orbit.
The project and archive is an evolving work-in-progress solely managed by myself, and you can read more about Steve's story and my work here: www.shytalklegacy.com
If you'd like to check out any of our artists platformed at the events, please click here.
Thank you for reading - please follow us on Facebook and other platforms, for current updates on all things ShyTalk and Ste Shy flavoured!
Ste and I at a PiL gig, 2015: Ste and John Robb talked all the way through it!
LINKS:
YouTube
MDMArchive