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Wonder Stuff singer's bro swaps market for UK tour

Maisie OlahWest Midlands
The Market Hall Shrewsbury Middle aged man with a hoody on pointing behind him to The Wonder Stuff band postersThe Market Hall Shrewsbury
Russ Hunt will be returning to tour with his brother Miles Hunt and the rest of The Wonder Stuff as a guitar technician.

The brother of The Wonder Stuff's front man is leaving his market stall to go back on tour with the band which is celebrating its 40th year.

Russ Hunt, brother of Miles, is departing White Rabbit Records at Shrewsbury Market Hall after a 10-year stint so he can once more serve as a guitar technician, this time for the band's anniversary shows.

He bought the stall in September 2015 from former owner Dave Lamont, after being made redundant from a corporate IT job he had for 17 years.

"We are sorry to see Russ go and White Rabbit Records leave, but for Russ this is an exciting opportunity and he will be in his element," said a market hall spokesperson.

Hunt said: "It's been an interesting 10 years - I've got to know some good people, but the best bit has been sitting in my own little empire every day talking about music."

Ultimately, however, going back to the band - which formed in Stourbridge - proved too much of a draw.

"Miles phoned me up and asked did I fancy it, and I said 'yeah'," Hunt explained.

"Providing everything is going well it's a huge giggle. Some of those people I have known for over 40 years. It's like getting on a bus with your mates with a load of beer and playing music."

The band announced the anniversary tour earlier this year.

The group had disbanded following a headline set at the Phoenix Festival in 1994 although reformed in 2000 to play five sold-out nights at London's Forum Theatre.

Venues on the latest tour include The Halls in Wolverhampton.

PA Media The band pose outside with a wall and greenery behind them. Three have sunglasses on and two are wearing checked shirts with another in a black jacket and a fourth member in a green jacket. Two others are obscured in the photo.PA Media
The band kicks off its tour on 1 October at Newcastle's O2 City Hall

Russ Hunt has been involved in music all his adult life, from performing in numerous bands to working as a concert technician or band promotor.

His uncle Bill Hunt played in the Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard.

Shrewsbury Market Hall said Hunt was there for The Wonder Stuff's first gig in 1986 and had worked with them more or less up until 2019.

He said he would miss the market traders and customers, many of whom have taken to social media to express their gratitude for his service.

One called him "a true legend", with another remembering him getting up on stage during a Wonder Stuff gig and filling in for his brother on guitar.

"I will still be around, popping into Shrewsbury, and I will do the occasional DJ gig at a couple of pubs in town," Hunt promised.

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