20 years since Bobby Gillespie was first inspired to pick up a guitar, punk’s DIY ethic is alive and well.

Manchester-based Brendan Yates has just had his first book published, Out of the Void, a Primal Scream biography which he wrote out of boredom with no previous writing experience, no contacts, and no publisher’s advance to spur him on.

City Life asked him what it is about Primal Scream that inspired him to scour two decades of interviews to put together his comprehensive fan’s eye view of their career.

“My favourite thing about Primal Scream is when you first hear their new music and you don’t understand it at first but then you listen to it over and over and it starts to open up.

"You become more familiar with the tempo, with the chord changes… you realise that it’s very innovative.

“I like Bobby because he’s just worked hard. I can’t agree with a lot of the things he’s said and some of the things he’s done.

"But at least he’s been true to himself. He says the same things now as he did 20 years ago and you may not agree with him but at least he’s been consistent in his views.

"And he doesn’t compete – Primal Scream don’t compete in the market place. They just do it because they like it and because it’s important to them.

“It’s a complimentary book. I could be a little less flattering towards them I suppose.

"Bands these days, they have greatest hits compilations after two albums.

"To think that this band have been going for about 20 years and they’ve made a lot of very important if not always successful music – it’s a good story to tell.”

Out of the Void: The Primal Scream Story (Empire Publications, £9.99) is out now. Tweet