“Phonogram really, really works. It analyses the music and the movement with a passion only available to those who really loved it. It also takes the whole thing apart with the venom of those who’ve come out the other side. It’s a cheap shot perhaps, but it is true that Ocean Colour Scene were shit and Kulashaker should never have been allowed a single note in music’s history. But that is something we learn in time. The whole point of Phonogram is to celebrate the insanity of music, of the way it can make you feel and the glorious magic it can bring into your life. It envelops you, takes you deeper than any lover could and blinds you to its faults.”

Haven’t done a review link for a while, so here’s Richard Bruton’s review of Phonogram over at Forbidden Planet. Also, Richard wrote a 30 years retrospective about Nostalgia & Comics, Birmingham’s Comic Mecca. Which links neatly to the next thing.

Basically, we haven’t mentioned we’re going to be at the International Comics Show in Birmingham this weekend. We’ll be there Saturday and Sunday, with our usual little stall. Come, admire our beard and buy whatever we have to sell (Including a few issue 1 of Kitten’s Suburban Glamour!). We’ll also be on the Kryptonite Factor panel on 4:30 on Sunday. Which will be (er) something or another, I’m sure.

(Awesome, that is.)

More Phonotravel news.

We’ll be at the Thought Bubble arts festival in Leeds, which is between the 9th and the 11th of November. We’ll mainly be there on the Saturday - which is the main day for events - but will be around on Friday night and some of Sunday too. We’ll be (er) doing something, I’m sure. More details as we decide what it is.

Other guests include Duncan Fegredo, Adi Granov, Antony Johnston, Peter Doherty, Staz Johnson, Sean Phillips, Leah Moore, John Reppion and Bryan Talbot. It looks like it’ll be pretty cool, actually. Everyone will have a lovely time.

It’s Peter Doherty 2000AD artist, by the way, not famous druggie. Just have to say these things, because - well - I know what Phonogram readers are like (i.e. You’re like me).

Bonus marks for anyone who recognises the lyric which starts this one.