‘Mind-blowing’ response to Stourbridge bands’ murals

An artist who created large murals to celebrate a town’s musical history has said the response from fans has been “mind-blowing”.

Multi-media artist Cal painted artwork in Stourbridge, West Midlands, dedicated to three famous bands from the town, The Wonder Stuff, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Pop will Eat Itself (PWEI).

“We have had people coming from out of town, from all over the UK, to come and get photos next to them,” he said.

The bands have welcomed the artwork too, with members, including Wonder Stuff frontman Miles Hunt, saying they felt proud.

The three bands emerged during the 1980s and early 1990s and have seen worldwide success.

Cal explained: “I thought, ‘I’ll just put a few little logos up and a few people will like it’, but it’s actually gone crazy.

“We have had people coming from out of town from all over the UK to come and get photos next to them.

“The response has been mind-blowing to be honest, totally overwhelming.”

The three murals were completed this year, with the Ned’s Atomic Dustbin tribute on Hagley Road the largest at about 40ft by 40ft (12.2m by 12.2m).

Frontman Jonn Penney praised their “amazing” mural.

“I am absolutely astonished,” he said.

“The whole idea that Cal has had to put all these logos up, it is just from the heart, you know. And that’s such a touching thing.

“Makes you so proud that we’ve managed to go and leave that big a footprint, if you like, that people would want to pay homage to it.”

And standing in front of The Wonder Stuff mural, Hunt said: “I like it, I’m quite proud of that.”

He admitted he was shocked by the “size of it” when he first walked past to have a look.

“[Cal] hadn’t put a photograph on the socials, so I didn’t really know what I was about to see and when I did see it there were expletives involved, thankfully I wasn’t driving, because I think most people see it driving round the ring road.”

Hunt said the “huge logos” may be confusing for some younger people who may think: “What on earth is this? What sort of name is that for a band?”

“But maybe it can also be inspiring to younger musicians and artists that want to get their logo slapped on a wall some time in the next five to 10 years,” he added.

Adam Mole, off PWEI, also welcomed their mural as “perfect”.

“People have been to have their pictures took here, which is really cool. A pilgrimage they call it.”

Cal has described Stourbridge as a “very Bohemian town”, because it is home to a lot of artists, musicians and authors.

He has plans for several more murals, including one dedicated to Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.