Chris: I haven’t heard any Blyth Power, but judging from the Wikipedia entry you may not be far wrong! I would say the Weddoes were less alternative, though. Billy Bragg might be another comparison, they are/were mutual fans, though again they were a lot less political.

Yes, he did try the cannibalism thing again after re-escaping. But really, who among us can judge him, without having tried it for ourselves?

I first read Pearce’s story sitting in a house in Strahan, attending a conference on ‘Escape’, no less. Looking at central Tazzy, I can see his point. Didn’t Pearce swing after, on his second escape, they found him eating his mate only about five miles away? I always wondered how stupid you’ve have to be to join him on the ‘escape committee’ AKA ‘menu’.