His music spans punk to rock, he's released two books and now the multi-talented Clive Parker-Sharp is bringing his second stage show to the Isle of Wight.

Developed from his 2018 novel, ConeBoy is one of the shows that makes up Ventnor Fringe.

The festival itself runs from July 23 and ConeBoy is at Ventnor Exchange on August 1.

Scroll down for a link for tickets...

Clive Parker-Sharp told the County Press, "It's a comedy show, with some rollicking rock tunes thrown in.

"It's about the fame game.

"A boy is born in 1980 with a special look and named, by the press, ConeBoy.

"He's thrown to the wolves, but it's primarily a story about family.

"It questions loyalty and whether blood is thicker than money."

Isle of Wight County Press: Cive Parker-Sharp is bringing ConeBoy to Ventnor Fringe.

Clive Parker-Sharp.

There are some acoustic tracks too, played by Clive himself.

The challenge of Covid-19 has been the inspiration behind bringing the show to festivals like Ventnor Fringe.

Clive said: "Fringe and arts festivals like these have ways to make sure events are safe.

"Covid's been horrendous.

"It's decimated the arts.

"Talented and creative people have become taxi and takeaway food drivers because there hasn't been enough support.

"ConeBoy started at the end of 2019 but then it all stopped.

"We tried to put shows on in between, but venues would open up and then close down again.

"Now we're going to be out there doing our thing."

Clive is no stranger to the Isle of Wight.

Too young to make it to the original Isle of Wight Festivals, though his musical heroes played here, he's a keen cyclist and has since pedalled some of our challenging routes.

Now, he returns with a show that he describes as a cross between the Rocky Horror Picture Show and an updated The Elephant Man.

It is also semi-autobiographical.

"I played in bands with people who've become very famous and I have experienced the fall out - and sometimes the tragedy - that surrounds that," he said.

"ConeBoy is drawing on my own experiences.

"It's funny, but poignant at the same time."

Those of us who were there know the 1980s were a very different time.

Clive says his story is about how the media has grown up - from the red tops at the height of their power, to modern social media.

ConeBoy is the second book that he has transposed to the stage.

At the forefront of punk, playing with Spizz Energi (REM covered their track, Where’s Captain Kirk?), the founding member of 80s hitmakers Big Country admits his career is eclectic.

He says he wouldn't have it any other way: "I got a bit bored with being just a musician.

"I got very cynical.

"The writing came about by accident - by doing a lot more songwriting.

"It became long form and then I was asked to restore some cassette tapes and I realised there was a story there. I got the bug.

"I found myself writing scripts and the whole thing has developed.

"I didn't want to do one thing. I've become a bit of a renaissance man!"

A Q and A will follow the show and there will be plenty of topics to cover.

Clive's next project is a film documentary about Big Country, but in the meantime, ConeBoy is at Ventnor Fringe Festival on August 1.