Fantastic ska-punk band Millie Manders & The Shutup are facing severe financial constraints.

If you can spare a few quid to help save them from bankruptcy please do so.

Info here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqA1haSjLVb/

The right wing media are trying to create a stir over people pointing out the bigotry in Enid Blyton books.

You know, something which was being spoofed way back on the night Channel 4 launched in 1982? This isn't a new observation.

Americans! There's a reason I saw this band six times between July 2021 and December 2022. Now it's your turn to find out why. Go get some.

Excellent new album from my favourite folkpunk polkapirates The Dreadnoughts. Digital only for now but available on Bandcamp to buy or all the streaming services to leach. Get yeeself a cider or seven and enjoy...

https://thedreadnoughts.bandcamp.com/

Quite possibly my all time favourite album. Ok, so it's within the top five at least. And certainly the greatest debut. 25 blistering minutes of perfection, now with a bonus collection of b-sides. I've been after this on vinyl for 20 years. Now, at last, it is mine.

A polite reminder that, while the amazing and wonderful Suzy Izzard doesn't mind he/him pronouns... A lot of trans and non-binary people don't want you to use pronouns they've left behind. Remember to ask, and be respectful of the individual's choice.

Rik Mayall would have been 65 today. I usually like to joke about in a manner he'd approve of, telling the useless bastard to just stop being dead, okay? But this time around, more than ever... I just really miss him. I feel very lucky to have met him a couple of times and know that I made him smile, because his work continues to make me smile on a regular basis. The very pinnacle. Love ya (P)Rik.

Rik Mayall
7th March 1958 - 9th June 2014

Active weekend behind me. Rory Pond had a trip to the vet for a booster jab. We spent ages sorting out the last remnants of renovation upheaval in our home, then went to see indie legends Space. Yesterday involved enjoying some new vinyl and some childish stationary purchases.

@TheComicHunter I haven't, but I'm sorely tempted now. Go back to the good old days!

@TheComicHunter You could be right there. We're a long way from Myspace now, eh?

@TheComicHunter I agree. Being able to engage with new people and potentially make new connections is part of the joy of it.

But I think a lot of people are apprehensive that no one site has edged in front the way Myspace, Facebook and Twitter did.

@LnzyHou I won't personally condemn people who are still using Twitter. For all its faults, it's also still a lifeline for many, particularly in the LGBTQAI+ community. And for younger folk, with all their mates using it, and not jumping ship, it's about staying with the crowd.

Frustrating, I admit, cos I want people I like and admire to leave Twitter behind... but still being there doesn't make someone a bad person.

@TheComicHunter Yeah, it's odd how Discord seems to be so popular. Like Reddit, I find it very hard to navigate.

There's huge swathes of good people just sitting out the platform wars and waiting for one to edge out in front.

@LnzyHou Not necessarily true. There are still lots of really good people on Twitter, who haven't moved across for various reasons.

Still using Twitter doesn't make them 'poisonous' people. That's an odd position to take imho. They might be just what this place needs to develop into an even better community.

The major theme of this week has been Karvanista.

He's my favourite Doctor Who character not called The Doctor. Last year they announced a figurine of him, but the company fell into administration before release. The stock finally made it out there (via two companies!) this week. Got em at last!

Apologies for the radio silence of late.

Twitter is down once again. But it seems like the communities I'm an active part of are staying put.

There are so many alternatives to join, and none of them seem to have gotten enough of a take-up yet. I hope one wins out. Could it be here?

Merry Chrimbo.

Me on 30th November vs Me on 1st December.

Absolutely loving the latest single from Aurelio Voltaire's impending album The Black Labyrinth.

Featuring Sterling Campbell, Gail Ann Dorsey, Gerry Leonard & Holly Palmer, and mixed by Mark Plati, no less. A really lovely homage to the ol' Goblin King himself.

https://aureliovoltaire.bandcamp.com/track/safe-in-your-love

Given Helena Bonham Carter is now defending JK Rowling's bigotry, a reminder that Kathy Burke was right about her all along.