The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall

"The Big Midweek: Life Inside the Fall" is the 2014 autobiography by the Irish born, English rock bassist Steve Hanley, ghost written by Olivia Piekarski. Hanley was the long-term bass player and a core music writer in The Fall from 1979 to 1998, and is widely regarded for shaping the band's hugely influential sound. With Peter Hook, Andy Rourke and Gary Mounfield, he is considered one of the pre-eminent bassists of his generation.

Despite his huge contribution to late 20th century alternative music, Hanley had been rarely interviewed until this publication. The book received widespread acclaim for its intelligent, engaging, conversational style, revealing insights, and dry, stoical humour.

The autobiography dissuades that Fall musicians were interchangeable; Hanley was second only to the often tyrannical, founding vocalist Mark E. Smith in longevity in the band. Hanley wrote the music for over 100 songs on more than a dozen Fall albums; including the tracks "Rowche Rumble", "Fiery Jack", "Container Drivers", "Lie Dream of a Casino Soul", "Totally Wired", "Winter", "The N.W.R.A.", "I Am Damo Suzuki", "U.S. 80's-90's", "Carry Bag Man", "Jerusalem", "Van Plague?", "Yes, O Yes", "Bad News Girl", "Free Range", through to the 90s classic "Bill is Dead".

The book details the Fall's steady rise to prominence in the late 1970 and early 80s, their song writing techniques, his approach to bass playing, and Smith's often acrimonious relationship with other core Fall members. It ends in 1998 when Hanley led a walk off stage during an infamous incident when Smith interfered with the musician's monitor settings.

Hanley's autobiography has received widespread acclaim from music critics, literary critics, and fans. Speaking of the book's tone, co-writer Piekarski said, "We did have to have a winge-ometer when we were reading through the first draft”. Hanley wryly concedes that by the end of his tenure he felt institutionalised, and that early drafts of the book had "more moaning than Morrissey".

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