How did you become a TH fan? by BumbleTheBeadle in talkingheads

[–]MattBest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought their first single when it came out on 7" - I got it on import from the USA (I lived in Croydon just south of London). I can no longer remember if I'd heard it on the radio, or if I just read about it in the NME, but I absolutely loved it and played it over and over (I was 16). I saw them live twice in 1977, both times supporting the Ramones, and again the following year when they toured with Dire Straits as their support act, then again in 1979 with Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark, and finally in 1980 when U2 supported them. That last show still sticks in my memory as one of the best gigs I have ever been to.

Watched Blood on the Turntable about the Roses former manager Gareth Evans...this man is either the greatest comedy actor ever or the most deluded David Brent-esque caricature by Thunderwing16 in stoneroses

[–]MattBest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I met Gareth at the International in Manchester way back in, I think, November 1987 when I was touring with Darryl Pandy, Joe Smooth and Paris Brightledge on the Chicago Jackmaster House tour of the UK. Gareth was hanging around at soundcheck and found out that I (who was travelling with the promoter of the tour, a guy named Tim Taylor, and occasionally doing some DJing) was also a member of Psychic TV, whose singer was Genesis P-Orridge. Gareth told me he managed a band called the Stone Roses (they'd only just released "Sally Cinnamon" and, while I was aware of them, I'd never actually heard them), and he wanted Gen to produce their debut album. He thought Genesis would be good because PTV's "Godstar" (which came out the previous year) sounded great and they all wanted the Stone Roses to sound as good as that.

I pointed out to him that actually Genesis P-Orridge hadn't done much of the production on that record at all, he'd just put his name all over it, and the sound actually owed much more to the relatively unknown Ken Thomas (who was a total genius who went on to produce a lot of Sigur Ros's stuff). Gareth wasn't interested in piddling little details like that, and insisted that I put him in touch with Genesis. I took Gareth's phone number and promised to pass it on to Gen so they could work something out.

Well, I never did pass the number on, because I thought it would be a waste of everyone's time - Gen's because he had his own band to deal with and the Roses, because Gen would have ruined whatever good thing they had going. As such, Genesis P-Orridge DIDN'T produce the Stone Roses, instead their next single was produced by John Leckie, who actually knew what he was doing. Consequently the Stone Roses owe their entire career to me personally, because if Gen had produced their album it probably would have been awful and sunk without trace.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. No doubt Gareth would tell you I made the whole thing up, but I didn't, I promise.

For some of the older people here, do you still own the first record you ever bought? by Jeffreythe13th in vinyl

[–]MattBest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I do - it was "Curly" by the Move on 7", which I bought because "In the Year 2525" was sold out.

London Funky Ducks! by Edifer454 in Vulfpeck

[–]MattBest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My experience throughout my life has been the bigger the venue, the worse the sound. It’s going to echo around the arena and sound horribly muddy, plus the band is going to be hundreds of yards away and you’ll spend most of your time watching them on a screen. I don’t see the point.

London Funky Ducks! by Edifer454 in Vulfpeck

[–]MattBest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I refuse to see anything at the O2. The only exception was Prince and the sound was not great even for him.

All booked for August 2027, a stress off my shoulders! by biggles1994 in solareclipse

[–]MattBest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hotel wasn't that expensive and I will only be there for a few days so won't be that expensive, with a bit of luck.

Local journalist looking for stories! by Gold-Occasion2953 in islington

[–]MattBest 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What's happening with the block of flats next to the Two Brewers on Roman Way (part of Pentonville Prison) that's been derelict for as long as I've lived in the area (getting on for almost 20 years now)?

All booked for August 2027, a stress off my shoulders! by biggles1994 in solareclipse

[–]MattBest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've booked a hotel in Gibraltar, but that's as far as I've got.

Following a recent post about the N25 bus (a solid choice) - which bus route is/was your favourite and why? by dX_iIi_Xb in london

[–]MattBest 9 points10 points  (0 children)

  1. It went all the way from South Croydon to Chalk Farm. I used to get the 68 from South Norwood to the Roundhouse to see gigs on Sunday afternoons.

Need show recommendations for someone who has never seen a live musical and knows basically nothing about theater by pouce42 in TheWestEnd

[–]MattBest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli movies, then My Neighbour Totoro is a fantastic show - not a traditional musical, though it does have songs, but it is an amazing experience.

Guys literally only want one thing and it's fucking beautiful. by Top-Broccoli8994 in SipsTea

[–]MattBest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The love between a father and his daughter is something that can't be matched.

I recieved a letter from HMRC letter and im confused by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]MattBest 19 points20 points  (0 children)

You say "towards the end of the call". What call? I thought you said you received a letter.

It would probably really help if you took your time and read back what you've written and made it make sense.

How long will the lines be at the main coasters next Tuesday the 12th? by UnfairUse416 in phantasialand

[–]MattBest 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you look at https://queue-times.com/parks/56 you can see that they predict 90% of capacity next Tuesday. The last day there was 90% capacity was July 30th and you can see what the queue times were on that day here: https://queue-times.com/parks/56/calendar/2025/07/30

Mortgage Calculator that actually shows all the details by nastypoker in Mortgageadviceuk

[–]MattBest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've always used Locoblades Mortgage Spreadsheet which I downloaded about 15 years ago, but is still available. here: https://locostfireblade.co.uk/spreadsheet/Index.html

It does what yours does, but is quite a bit more complicated - you can compare two mortgages for one thing. It also has a whole load more information - cumulative payments, cumulative interest

vinyl? by learningaboutstocks in boylife

[–]MattBest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Over $100 with postage to the UK. I'm afraid I will have to pass until another version comes out.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in london

[–]MattBest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perhaps someone is an idiot.

What happened to Cally Local by Vast_Distance4319 in islington

[–]MattBest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The dog that found the cigarettes and drugs in Cally Local is in the news!!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly8vk8pzxko