Okay, boppers. It’s @cmatbaby.bsky.social time. There’s never a bad time to have a good time, but blimey, the County Meath two step is going to banish some proper shite this eventide

It’s neck and neck in the small ships race

“Fuck it, let the beard grow I'm too tired, I'll do it tomorrow” #fallfriday youtu.be/_7mp9elK49I

The internet never forgets. For years I'd thought about 'Record Graveyard', which looking at it from a distance of what, 25 years, strangely seems both dated and ahead of its time. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a3p...

I find the language use in these callous times fascinating. We’ve had a real number done on us by shameless twunts and corporate bullshit bingo callers.

Pompey’s 3-0 defeat at Bramall Lane tonight continued a winless stretch there than dates back to 1955. 25 games. 17 Prime Ministers. Queen Elizabeth was three years into her reign. Can anyone beat that for a sporting graveyard?

Can’t help thinking that Bodø/Glimt must be one of the best song titles Cocteau Twins never recorded.

Looks like a bargain at 25p to 1979 me with all these hip new bands

The binman of the apocalypse

Quick reminder from Smash Hits of things, or thangs we didn't need in 1981, or indeed now. Message ends.

Federico Macheda is, astonishingly, still only 34 - now twice the age he was when he scored that ridiculous dramatic title-winning goal for United against Villa in 2009. He plays in Greece these days for Asteras Tripolis.

Going to be spinning a few JC classics today, then. This story witin the song, pop pickers, was a direct inspiration for New Order's Love Vigilantes (they covered it in 2003 for War Child)... www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9Q4... www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VFW...

Sad to hear of the death of Jimmy Cliff. The Harder They Come was the classic gateway to him in my youth, visions of us spotty teen herberts assembling to stick it on via the massive, top-loading Ferguson Videostar and cheer on Ivan’s exploits

No brainer, really ⬇️ c.org/F2NTnW8GvF

The inimitable Betty Davis www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4-T...

Though Syd can’t be with us today, she would have wanted us to tell you about that time we made her sit here when there were about 10 comfy chairs or settees knocking about. #caturday

Isn’t it about time we got a new fruit to compete for the hospital visit fruit market dollar? Grapes have had a good run.

My word. What a band. What a gig. Something very, very special about these lads. Reg, we’re only dancing.

Quentin Blake rules. Here’s Beatrix Potter’s ‘lost’ Kitty-In-Boots, or as she prefers to be known herself, ‘Miss Catherine St Quentin’. Pics from the excellent Lowry exhibition, Quentin Blake and Me, which runs until 4 January.

Always some great social history stuff on display at Manchester Central Library. Libraries forever! Here’s some punk odds and sods… #manchester

On a big night for Scottish fitba, here's one of their finest musical exports @chemunderground.bsky.social Such a great live band. The Neckbreakers weren't half bad, either. Review by me. 📷 Magda Campagne ⬇️ Admiral Fallow: One Ninetyfour, London – Live Review louderthanwar.com/admiral-fall...

That's the new one from Cloudfare Outage, and they're supporting Irritable Bowel at the Garibaldi in Uttoxeter tonight

It's always good to see The Chameleons get the respect they deserve - still somehow one of the 80s' best-kept secrets. Hugely looking forward to catching them in Manchester. LTW's Pete Harvey is clearly a convert: The Chameleons: 1865, Southampton – Live Review louderthanwar.com/the-chameleo...

This sixth-form essay on the BBC from 1985 has aged rather better than me.

Marvellous development here, the neighbours over the back appear to have assembled about 10 recorders for an improv session

The Ace of Spades, the Ace of Spades… Kingston’s go-to night spot for the A3 boy and girl racers in 1933. Dancing til 3am! Footage here: youtu.be/OV_OVKVPo5Q

Oooh, this internet thing has its uses. What a joyful thing this is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1cy...

No-one would have believed in the last years of the 20th century that a secondhand vinyl copy of War of the Worlds would set you back £25 in 2025. Ooh, la.

Found this cave painting by Keith Haring’s tribal ancestors

I love The Beatles, but I did a sad sigh when I saw an ad for what is it, an eight CD remastering of what is essentially outtakes? Yes, I know, it's The Beatles, man, but still. Every magazine cover seems to be a rotation of all the old dudes - and it is nearly always dudes.

Going through some old snaps - found this lovely one from The Clissold Arms, which as all good Kinks fans will know, is over the road from where the Davies' boys grew up & played their first gig. They've a fair bit of old Kinks stuff in there, well worth a visit for those who celebrate.

I just said: ‘have a good one’ to the lady in the shop. Not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with that, but I have never used this phrase before. Who am I now? Will I be embarking on a whole new set of pleasantries?

Stewart Lee always leaves a bit on you. Been thinking about how good he was on Saturday night, not least the majestic five-minute wordless, physical bit, which had the audience mesmerised. The bloke has mastered the whole comic craft and is still right at the top of his game after what, 37 years? 🎩

I've probably posted this before, but it feels so apt in these ordinary times. Such an overlooked band, these: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI_f...

"The machinery of local government is not always easy to understand, and the press peforms a valuable function by simplifying it and bringing it to life for the ordinary citizen ". Or at least that's what was happening back in 1946. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVtm...

Have often thought about this note left by Joe Strummer to Mick Jones. Wonder what the argument was about?

Pop(py) music: not too late, hopefully for #weekendsingles

Always worth flagging up Stewart Lee’s imminent arrival

In the unlikely event you should ever find yourself being asked to introduce a famous band from Dublin, just remember: nothing comperes U2

Just spotted this graffito above what used to be PC World in Kingston. It reads: ‘Not my beautiful house’

Found a 1976 copy of this corker at home. Always a great read around Christmas.

My eyes are going. I just read a football fixture as ‘Leicester V Bono’. That’d be good.

In 2003's 50th anniversary edition of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 - which sadly always loses out to Orwell in all the dystopian quote league tables - he talks about his 1949 short story called The Pedestrian which inspired it... (a thread)...

Still trying to unravel this

‘Would you like to come in?’

Love their way. The Butlers are still doing it. ⬇️ The Psychedelic Furs: London Palladium - Live Review louderthanwar.com/the-psychede...

Finally catching up with this fine documentary on Power, Corruption and Lies I recorded nearly two years ago. Here’s a very excited young Bernard talking about synths

That’s what I call a low sun

I wouldn't say I had a close relationship with my dad outside our love of music, but his decision to take up the flute a few weeks short of his 81st birthday is something I really admire.

Been to many good gigs this year, here’s another belter: Scott Lavene: Moth Club, London - Live Review louderthanwar.com/scott-lavene...