Guest feature by Sid James: This special feature comes from Salford punk archivist Sid James, who shares his story in his own words.
I grew up in Salford, and some of my earliest memories are of being at my grandparents' house in the middle of summer. I can still hear the Ramones drifting down from my Aunt Ray's bedroom upstairs. The sun was coming through the windows, everyone was in a good mood, and Joey's voice just fit the moment. Looking back, I realise that was where everything began.
Manchester has always been the centre of my life. I honestly think it's one of the greatest cities to be a musician in the UK.
When I look back on my own life, it feels like The Smiths are the soundtrack to every high and low. Cemetery Gates is about the cemetery where members of my family are buried. Still Ill became the soundtrack to my first heartbreak. Those songs aren't just music to me. They're places, memories and pieces of who I am. I ended up connecting with Vinyl Vibes after commenting on one of their Manchester posts. I liked the way they talked about the city and the music that came from it, so when they asked if I'd share my story, it felt like the right place to tell it. 
Punk wasn't something I discovered on my own. It was already part of my family.
My grandpa loved it. My mum loved it. My Aunt Ray loved it. So when I finally heard the Sex Pistols as a very awkward teenager, it didn't feel like I was finding something new. It felt like I was coming home to something that had always been there. Growing Up in the Manchester Punk Scene
There's still a great punk scene here. Manchester Punk Picnic and the smaller festivals were always my favourite places to be. I was usually the youngest person there by a mile, but that never mattered. Everyone shared the same passion for the music, and for the first time I felt part of something bigger than myself.
As I got older, I realised just how much of punk history was disappearing. Rare records became harder to find. Old gig flyers, photographs, fanzines, posters and personal stories were scattered across attics, boxes and forgotten collections.
I started sharing the pieces I came across simply because I loved them. Before long, people were telling me they'd never seen many of these items before. Hearing that made all the hours of searching worthwhile. That passion eventually grew into making documentaries for YouTube, where I can tell the stories behind the music and introduce people to artists, collectors and moments that deserve to be remembered. For me, it's all part of the same mission: making sure these stories don't disappear. 
Records That Shaped Me
People often ask me what my favourite record is, but I genuinely can't choose just one.
Leave Home by the Ramones. Static Age by the Misfits. So Alone by Johnny Thunders. Each one reminds me of a different chapter of my life. The Misfits have always held a special place in my heart. Whenever I hear them, I think of Halloween. They capture everything I love about it — the colour, the creativity and the sense of fun. They still make me feel like a kid.
The Cramps are another band that shaped me. Over the years I've spoken with people who knew them or saw them live, and the stories are remarkably consistent. They were kind, grateful and genuinely understood what their music meant to people. Whenever I think about the heart of rock and roll, I think of The Cramps.
If I had to choose one album that captures the spirit of punk better than any other, I'd pick Cut by The Slits.To me, it's one of the greatest records ever made. They were fearless, original and completely themselves. That's what punk has always been about. 
Saving Punk's Spirit
Sometimes I worry that we're forgetting what punk was really meant to be.
It was never about perfection. It was about individuality, creativity and having the courage to start, even if you couldn't play your instrument particularly well. You learned by doing. You made mistakes. You figured it out together. I'd love to see more young people start bands without worrying about whether they're good enough yet. That fearless DIY spirit is one of punk's greatest gifts, and it's something worth protecting.
Archiving has given me something I never expected: a real sense of belonging.
For a long time, punk made me feel different. Now it connects me with people who care about preserving the same music, stories and history that mean so much to me. Being welcomed into that community has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Legacy and Family
Everything I do today, including my documentary work, comes back to one person.
My grandpa, Anthony Sheerin. He's the reason I fell in love with this music. He's the reason I care about preserving its history. If anything I archive inspires someone to discover a forgotten band, revisit an old record or appreciate the people who built this culture, then I feel I've done my job. Keeping punk alive is my way of honouring him. 
Sid's Story Continues
You met Sid here as a Salford collector and punk archivist. Now he's making music of his own as Sid Spungen.
Read: The Punk Who Was Afraid to Sing → Explore Exploring
Sid’s collection is one story among many. Meet more collectors and explore the memories, discoveries and rituals behind their records in Collector Stories.
If Sid’s story has you thinking about what belongs in your own collection, Find Your Next Record explores different ways to discover vinyl, from independent record stores to trusted online sources. And for practical ways to care for, protect and enjoy the records you already own, explore Collector Essentials. 
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3 Comments
Mike
8/14/2026 02:05:05 pm
Thanks for sharing this great article. My Grandad was from Salford and my mum spent the first 9 years of her life in Manchester before her family relocated to Hamilton. Manchester is a place on my bucket list.....one day....
Thanks Mike — glad you enjoyed it. Great to hear your family history in Salford and Manchester, which I’m sure is typical of many Canadians from that era.
I’ve always had a personal kinship with the music of the UK — for many reasons it’s just been in my DNA. The Smiths, Buzzcocks, The Fall, Joy Division, Stone Roses, Oasis — it really is incredible. Leave a Reply. |
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