Their big hair and rock/synth sound put Pseudo Echo on the map in the mid-’80s, so did their cover of “Funkytown”. But before Brian Canham took the spot of lead singer he was a “thug”. The 55-year-old has made some discoveries about his past – one being people think his life story is “extraordinary”, the other a long-lost solo album he forgot he recorded. “I discovered some old cassette tapes … and discovered I had a solo album in the can that I’d nearly finished and completely forgot I put it on hold in the ‘90s,” he said of the gem hidden in his archives. “Something must have taken my attention, some drama, and I just left it and forgot about it.” Read More: Deep Purple, Taylor Dayne among ‘80s idols to converge on Wollongong Canham said being remarried in recent years has given him a new vigour for life, motivating him to resurrect this project and finally debut as a solo artist. His main project remains Pseudo Echo who are experiencing a new wave of fans, but the singer/producer is also working on an autobiography. “To me it didn't seem extraordinary because it was just my life,” he said. “But when I wrote down some of the stories and talked about how things happened and how I arrived at a certain path in my life, most people were quite interested and found it fascinating.” Canham wouldn’t divulge all but explained he grew up in a rough suburb and mixed with the wrong crowd. He was a young “hooligan” in a gang and tore around on a motorcycle. “I had a house fire which was started by me being a kid, but consequently I only burnt down the shed and my motorbikes,” he said. “It’s interesting to see how I changed the path of my life.” He’s is not sure when the book or his solo album will be ready for public eyes and ears as he’s trying to find time in between concerts and recording with the band. For the moment he’ll keep chipping away both. The group are set to release their own version of “Nutbush City Limits” later this year – one they’ll also share on stage. Pseudo Echo and 1927 bring their Celebration tour to Wollongong to Anita’s on the 12th August. Tickets through: www.ticketmaster.com.au  Dancing all night with Culture Club in Wollongong Illawarra band competition calling for original talent Harry Potter inspired magic part of Wollongong winter festival
