Andy szandrowski

Andy is an active member of the music scene in Sunderland. Whilst Andy is not in a band or performs he is well known, especially in the punk community. Andy is considered a regular at the 'Museum Vaults' and the 'Ivy House' in Sunderland and attendees gigs there often, sometimes photographing bands.

I was born in 1964 in London, I lived in Nottingham for 5 years while doing my degree and then 2 in Stoke before moving to Sunderland in 1990.

My dad who listened to opera music, bought me my first single in 1975 Funky Gibbon by the Goodies! I started buying my own records in 1979. My musical influences came from listening to John Peel on the radio, Top of the Pops on TV and my brother who is three years older than me. I remember him playing The Sex Pistols and The Clash but they were ‘his bands’ so I had to discover my own.

Stiff Little Fingers and The Skids became some of ‘my bands’. My favourite band is UK Subs. Charlie Harper the lead singer is my hero. He is 76 and still touring after 41 years. You couldn’t meet a nicer man. He always has time for his fans. He is also an artist and painted a picture for our wedding anniversary.

I love watching live music; there is no substitute. I have driven all around the country watching bands. There is also a good local scene. I am really missing live music during the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The highlight for me is ‘Rebellion’, the largest annual punk festival on the planet. 350 bands on 7 stages over 4 days - although we arrive in Blackpool the day before travelling on Bob’s Punk Bus. It is a huge gathering of like-minded people having a great time, with plenty of alcohol, and some crowd surfing too.

I first dyed my mohawk red when we went to China on my honeymoon in 2015, with my second wife Di. I dyed it red because it was the colour of their flag. What l didn’t know was that it was the colour for prosperity.

I thought it could go one of two ways: either it would be seen as offensive, or they would love it.

Luckily it was the second. I was mobbed with people wanting photos and selfies wherever we went, even on The Great Wall! The weirdest thing was when people gave me their babies to hold to give them good luck!