Cum On Wear The Noize: Dave Hill and Super Yob Style tells the remarkable story of how Dave Hill of Slade, aka the ‘Black Country Beatles,’ helped create a fashion revolution for a generation of working class people in 1970s Britain.
For most people it was a bleak time, with national strikes prompting the government to introduce a state of emergency. But every Thursday night at 7.35 (blackouts permitting), the nation’s teenagers gathered round the TV to be transported to the world of glam on Top of the Pops. Teenagers needed to be in touch with a world where glitter was the norm and you didn’t walk — you stomped. They needed to hear their idols’ new hits, emulate their guitar poses and, most importantly, see what they were wearing.
For young people to forge an identity away from school uniforms and technical college overalls, music was the key to finding their tribe and wearing their hearts on their sleeves. And for kids looking for a group who understood their backgrounds and their spirit, Slade was the answer. They sounded fearless and looked like fun.
From experiments with spray paint in his childhood bedroom to employing his own stylist and costumier, who designed the costumes for the Slade film Flame in 1974, Dave Hill’s fashion sense was entirely personal. He saw his flamboyant self-expression as a contribution to the band’s USP, and just as important as his guitar playing. Slade’s connection to their audience, bringing music ‘back to the people with the same wage packet background,’ as their manager Chas Chandler put it, influenced fans to inject a little dazzle into their Saturday night flash. Bell bottoms, platforms, satin and tat were worn down the pub.
It is this part of the glam rock story that that made it ok for brickies and miners to feather their hair and wear frosted eye shadow. Dave Hill’s infectious do-it-yourself enthusiasm saw teenagers frantically glueing sequins onto Woolworth’s t shirts and rolled-up jeans in emulation. Customisation and glitter-faced cheekiness marked a moment in time when kids stuck two fingers up to political and economic turmoil and and got down and got with it.
Featuring exclusive interviews and lavishly illustrated with unseen and rare photographs from Dave’s personal collection, alongside images of the fans whose lives and wardrobes were transformed by Slade, this tells the story of how a mechanic’s son from Wolverhampton reinvented himself as a glam rock icon, and in doing so inspired young people across Britain to do it themselves on limited means.
Cum on Wear the Noize: Dave Hill & Superyob Style
Dave Hill and NJ Stevenson
Signed Hardback£35.00129 PledgesA first edition hardback, signed by Dave with full colour photography throughout, specially designed glam endpapers, plus your name printed in the back of the book.
129 Pledges
Be in the Book!£25.006 PledgesHardback book plus a chance for you your friends to appear in the book. Were you there? Did you dress glam? Do you want to appear in the book? If so, Dave wants to hear from you and see your photos. Pledge your support and we’ll be in touch.
6 Pledges
Wear the Noize Poster£15.0023 PledgesA limited edition A2 poster, signed by Dave, available exclusively from Unbound. LIMITED TO 50. Please note that the book is not included in the price so you will have to add it to your bag separately.
23 Pledges
Wear the Noize Mug£20.0013 PledgesA Wear the Noize gold mug, available exclusively from Unbound. LIMITED TO 50. Please note that the book is not included in the price so you will have to add it to your bag separately.
13 Pledges
Wear the Noize Scarf£25.0010 PledgesA limited edition Wear the Noize silk scarf (modelled on the ones from the cover of 'Sladest'), available exclusively from Unbound. LIMITED TO 50. Please note that the book is not included in the price so you will have to add it to your bag separately.
10 Pledges
Wear the Noize T-shirt£25.0011 PledgesA limited edition 100% cotton t-shirt, exclusive to Unbound. Available in S, M, L, XL (size to be specified by email closer to the time of dispatch). LIMITED TO 50. Please note that the book is not included in the price so you will have to add it to your bag separately.
11 Pledges- Hardback£25.0016 Pledges
The first edition hardback with full colour photography throughout, specially designed glam endpapers, plus your name printed in the back of the book.
16 Pledges 
Wear the Noize Bookmark£1.0010 PledgesA double-sided colour 'Wear the Noize' bookmark in SuperYob style, exclusive to Unbound.
10 Pledges- Ebook£10.00120 Pledges
The ebook
120 Pledges 
Wear the Noize Pin Badge£10.008 PledgesSmart Wear the Noise pin badge in SuperYob style, exclusive to Unbound.
8 Pledges
Cum On Wear The Noize: Dave Hill and Super Yob Style tells the remarkable story of how Dave Hill of Slade, aka the ‘Black Country Beatles,’ helped create a fashion revolution for a generation of working class people in 1970s Britain.
For most people it was a bleak time, with national strikes prompting the government to introduce a state of emergency. But every Thursday night at 7.35 (blackouts permitting), the nation’s teenagers gathered round the TV to be transported to the world of glam on Top of the Pops. Teenagers needed to be in touch with a world where glitter was the norm and you didn’t walk — you stomped. They needed to hear their idols’ new hits, emulate their guitar poses and, most importantly, see what they were wearing.
For young people to forge an identity away from school uniforms and technical college overalls, music was the key to finding their tribe and wearing their hearts on their sleeves. And for kids looking for a group who understood their backgrounds and their spirit, Slade was the answer. They sounded fearless and looked like fun.
From experiments with spray paint in his childhood bedroom to employing his own stylist and costumier, who designed the costumes for the Slade film Flame in 1974, Dave Hill’s fashion sense was entirely personal. He saw his flamboyant self-expression as a contribution to the band’s USP, and just as important as his guitar playing. Slade’s connection to their audience, bringing music ‘back to the people with the same wage packet background,’ as their manager Chas Chandler put it, influenced fans to inject a little dazzle into their Saturday night flash. Bell bottoms, platforms, satin and tat were worn down the pub.
It is this part of the glam rock story that that made it ok for brickies and miners to feather their hair and wear frosted eye shadow. Dave Hill’s infectious do-it-yourself enthusiasm saw teenagers frantically glueing sequins onto Woolworth’s t shirts and rolled-up jeans in emulation. Customisation and glitter-faced cheekiness marked a moment in time when kids stuck two fingers up to political and economic turmoil and and got down and got with it.
Featuring exclusive interviews and lavishly illustrated with unseen and rare photographs from Dave’s personal collection, alongside images of the fans whose lives and wardrobes were transformed by Slade, this tells the story of how a mechanic’s son from Wolverhampton reinvented himself as a glam rock icon, and in doing so inspired young people across Britain to do it themselves on limited means.
About the author
Updates
To everyone who supported Cum on Wear The Noize, Thank you so much for putting your faith in this project and in me! It means the world to me that so many of you wanted to see this book come to life a...
01.05.2024
