Davey Macmanus has re-emerged into the music industry 30 years after his first solo release, and 11 years after his last performance. The off-mainstream indie stalwart released a tell-all autobiographical book titled The Bluster Boy as well as a free downloadable album on 23 August 2024. 

Davey was part of the 90s punk / folk band The Crocketts who released their debut album in 1998. His second band The Crimea was popular in the indie scene in the 2000s. Davey developed a reputation for his thoughtful, poetic lyrics and emotionally-driven performances, which led him to the edges of the mainstream, and garnering support from giants like John Peel, Kelly Jones (Stereophonics) and Tim Wheeler (Ash).

With 20 years under his belt in the music industry, Davey decided to take a break and instead turn his sights on the medical field where he trained as a nurse and worked at orphanages in Diepsloot, South Africa. Despite this significant change in direction, he was also dealing with issues like eating disorders, mental health crises and addiction.

His new book The Bluster Boy features poetry, prose and pictures. It includes writings from his notebooks, blog and previous books creating a retrospective perspective on his life. In the book, Davey is transparent and honest about his struggles as well as those of the people he’s worked with. It explores dark lows, but ultimately a dauntless hope revives in his celebration of recovery. His forthcoming album is slated for release on 13 September which will also be available for free download exclusively at  RottenPoetry.net

Davey shared: “I went to Africa and came back and I was still crazy but slowly over the last few years I’ve got to a place where I can sing and face the world again. I’m excited and terrified but I think I’m ready, it’s a step into the unknown but I’m alive despite everything and it’s now or never.”

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