The memoir will launch June 5, published via White Rabbit in hardback and ebook.

Introducing the memoir from one of the era-defining drummers from the post punk scene of the late 1970s and early 80s: BUDGIE. A life that is both fabulously glamorous and a tawdry cautionary tale.

THE ABSENCE: Memoirs of a Banshee Drummer, out June 2025 https://t.co/m7dWBzKP5e pic.twitter.com/Tc6ewwGbXp

— White Rabbit Books (@WhiteRabbitBks) February 6, 2025

Budgie gained early recognition as a member of Big in Japan and The Stilts before joining Siouxsie & The Banshees. Known for hit singles such as ‘Hong Kong Garden’ (1978) and ‘Cities in Dust’ (1986), the latter band have been described as pioneers of the post-punk movement. Originally, Clarke was only hired to tour with the band, but his time with them ultimately became a defining chapter in his life and career. Remarkably, he married Siouxsie Sioux in 1991, a relationship that lasted until 2007. 

The ‘haunting’ title of The Absence reflects the emotional void felt by Clarke during his boyhood, caused by the tragic death of his mother. The press release explains: “Disenchanted with art school in Liverpool, Peter became Budgie and befriended the likes of Jayne Casey, Holly Johnson, Pete Burns, Bill Drummond and other luminaries of the legendary Eric’s’ Club, before taking off for London and the big city heat of punk.” 

Clarke’s story also delves into the struggles with substance abuse that have heavily impacted his life. At the core of this candid and unflinching account is his long-standing role as the drummer and co-writer for Siouxsie & The Banshees. 

In a statement regarding the memoir’s release, Budgie shared his intimidation of revealing such an honest account in his life, saying, “Damned if you do, denied if you don’t. To remember, revisit and to write, was traumatic and cathartic. To be published? Terrifying! I prepared my apologies, and anticipated rejection. I received mostly love, understanding, and affection. To those still hurting from the way things were, I can only empathise.”

Elsewhere, The Absence’s highly anticipated release demonstrates the public interest in the personal lives of musicians from the defining 80s alt pop period, last seen with the hype surrounding the 2016 release of Lol Tolhurst of The Cure’s own biography, Cured: The Tale of Two Imaginary Boys.  

Publisher Lee Brackstone of White Rabbit spoke of The Absence: “[title] is Budgie’s story: a native of St Helens, a crucial figure on the Liverpool scene, the only man in The Slits and then, of course, the beating heart of Siouxsie & The Banshees in their Imperial Phase in the Goth-Pop Eighties. An insider’s account of life inside a band that left a legacy like no other, this is a book that hits as hard as its author did on their most celebrated tracks and required reading for anyone with an interest in the band and their extraordinary legacy.”

The Absence is available for pre-order now. 

During a tough year due to the pandemic, Bonnier Books had time to work on the new concept of NIne Eight books, which will publish music based literature including autobiographies, biographies, personal narratives and in depth profiles.

In an interview with Music Week, Selby spoke about his belief that there is a gap in the market for this kind of music based content as traditional music magazines go put of print. He explained, “There have been some brilliant music books published in recent years which have really helped drive the growth of the sector as well as consumers’ ongoing faith in quality music publishing. Some of this is a generational thing – with artists who found fame in the ’80s and ’90s being at a stage in their lives where they’re ready to tell their stories – but also, more recently, there has been a shift in readers habits. With long running and cherished music magazines closing down, there are not only many fantastic music writers in the marketplace but also a number of dedicated and curious music fans who are still really interested in accessible long form reads….The ambition for Nine Eight is to help serve those all of those needs and do so – like the best magazines – in an inclusive way.”

Selby also spoke excitedly about Bob Stanley being signed for  athree book deal starting in 2022, starting with a profile on the BeeGees, a memoir of Gordon King, and an autobiography of Miki Berenyi of Lush. He saif about the veteran music writer that “Bob signing to Nine Eight in a multi-book deal – starting with the Bee Gees in 2022 – is an incredible coup. He is objectively one of the greatest music writers of the 21st century. Bob was also one of the first authors I signed last year, which really helped give me the confidence and impetus that we could make this work and quickly established that we were taking things seriously.”

Nine Eight launches formally today.

His releases his humorous biography this week and thanks his twitter trolls for the inspiration behind his new book. He admits to ‘The List’ that, “Twitter brings out the worst in people.” He added that “Twitter allows me to reply to people as a human rather than a marketing team … in fact, I am just a vulgar idiot. Twitter brings out the worst in people and Instagram brings out a side in people to show off their life that doesn’t really exist. “That results in other people feeling inadequate about themselves.” 

With over 2 million twitter followers, James appears regularly on the news feed although he’s not modest about his success and he told Metro “I really don’t care, actually. I only reply once a month because I know the real world is a much more interesting and better place and I suppose it’s just not taking it seriously – or taking myself too seriously.”

His witty comebacks to his critics have made James a very popular person to follow. One woman who requested that “we take a moment to remember just how awful James Blunt was” to which James replied, “No need, I have a new album coming soon.” On another occasion when someone mocked him for only having 200,000 followers he replied, “Jesus only needed 12.” The Express

Metro noted that another critic tweeted, “I’m on the metro and drunk while listening to music, but I genuinely don’t know how @jamesblunt isn’t regraded as the best musician in the planet. You’re all asleep!” James Blunt’s comeback was, “Kids – this is why we don’t drink and tweet.”

Kids – this is why we don’t drink and tweet. https://t.co/eDX6OVnFWp

— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) July 22, 2020

James has been through a difficult time recently due to his father’s ill health having suffered from a chronic kidney disease. He’s recently made a recovery having been donated a kidney by James’ cousin Charles Blount. James shows his appreciation towards his cousin and he told The Express, “My father is very well and has been given a new lease of life. My father and I are incredibly grateful to the generosity of my cousin, who’s now become a much closer cousin.” 

Having come through all this, James has a lot to look forward to with his new book being published on Thursday 5th November. He explains to Metro his reasons behind his book as the second lockdown is fast approaching, “The second wave of virus is with us now. People have been panic buying loo roll and there is a shortage. This book is designed to be read sitting on the loo and pages used as appropriate afterwards.” – 

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Never before has a book been published that is so perfect for you to read while sitting on the loo.

A post shared by James Blunt (@jamesblunt) on Oct 9, 2020 at 10:02am PDT