Weller's first solo live LP, "Live Wood," isn't even listed on his Web site discography anymore and the next live record was a limited edition companion to his 1998 "Modern Classics" greatest hits. Three years later, he released just a single disc in the U.S. via Epic Records, the solo live "Days of Speed." So, arguably, "Catch-Flame!" is the only available full-band live document of the former front man of The Jam and The Style Council.
And if you've ever seen him play, you know that nearly 30 years after the release of his first record -- and two years before turning 50 -- Weller still kicks it on stage, working up a sweat and thrashing at the strings as if he's finally managed to get Maggie Thatcher by the neck.
The 22 tunes here -- recorded in London last December -- walk us through his entire career, from The Jam's "In The Crowd" -- among others -- through The Style Council's "Long Hot Summer" and "Shout To The Top" and right up to the most recent solo disc, "As Is Now." It's not necessarily required listening for everyone, but for Weller fans, it will conjure memories of packed, sweaty clubs and some great gigs.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
