David Bryant
@23daves.bsky.social
"I don't mean half the things I say/ So just ignore the half that you don't like"
All views expressed are personal, not those of my employer.
Writer of "Everybody's Number 1 to Someone", about NME Indie Chart toppers: https://indienumber1s.blogspot.com
All views expressed are personal, not those of my employer.
Writer of "Everybody's Number 1 to Someone", about NME Indie Chart toppers: https://indienumber1s.blogspot.com
Pinned
76. Half Man Half Biscuit - The Trumpton Riots (Probe Plus)
All the singles to top the NME Indie Charts since its launch in 1981, complete with an overview of the other music in the charts each week.
indienumber1s.blogspot.com
Blog update: Did Half Man Half Biscuit - indie chart toppers in March 1986 - have anything to do with the Oi subgenre Punk Pathetique? Did it matter? And how did the "Caretaker's Band" at a Liverpool recording studio become cult sensations with a jokey tape anyway?
Another student party next door. It’s an epidemic of err-my-Godding and whooping. “I Will Survive” is playing. I hope one of them actually has been dumped and they struggle to survive. I hope it leaves a murky, ugly stain on their souls they cannot shift for a decade.
November 28, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Another student party next door. It’s an epidemic of err-my-Godding and whooping. “I Will Survive” is playing. I hope one of them actually has been dumped and they struggle to survive. I hope it leaves a murky, ugly stain on their souls they cannot shift for a decade.
Reposted by David Bryant
Interesting development in the race for this year's UK Christmas no. 1, which counts streaming. Unfair advantage? Sharp practice? (Mentioned in this article on UK charity single for Palestine: www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...)
November 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Interesting development in the race for this year's UK Christmas no. 1, which counts streaming. Unfair advantage? Sharp practice? (Mentioned in this article on UK charity single for Palestine: www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...)
When I first watched these #totp episodes I had no idea that John Peel had Shaky in session during the 70s. I think it's safe to say he probably didn't envisage this was the direction his career would go in.
November 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
When I first watched these #totp episodes I had no idea that John Peel had Shaky in session during the 70s. I think it's safe to say he probably didn't envisage this was the direction his career would go in.
"A Hard Habit To Break" sounds like someone's heard an ELO album, thought "I'll show that Jeff Lynne what intricate arrangements really are, and be sophisticated with it!" and gone utterly over the top. That could either be brilliant or ludicrous. This isn't brilliant. #totp
November 28, 2025 at 8:40 PM
"A Hard Habit To Break" sounds like someone's heard an ELO album, thought "I'll show that Jeff Lynne what intricate arrangements really are, and be sophisticated with it!" and gone utterly over the top. That could either be brilliant or ludicrous. This isn't brilliant. #totp
We had "Daddy Cool" at home. I think my Dad may have been to blame. As a kid I always thought it was fantastic because the B-side had two tracks - a medley followed by "Shotgun". #totp
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
We had "Daddy Cool" at home. I think my Dad may have been to blame. As a kid I always thought it was fantastic because the B-side had two tracks - a medley followed by "Shotgun". #totp
Reposted by David Bryant
Reposted by David Bryant
Extraordinary Touch and Go fact. David Lowe, who wrote it, also went on to write the Countryfile theme, and the BBC News music which has been on for over 25 years now. #totp
November 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Extraordinary Touch and Go fact. David Lowe, who wrote it, also went on to write the Countryfile theme, and the BBC News music which has been on for over 25 years now. #totp
A whole song based on a psychological/sociological survey - an odd thing to appear in the charts full stop. (As I remember it, men and women had to walk around repeating the "I've noticed you around..." line, and see how many people of each gender responded positively to the come-on). #totp
November 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
A whole song based on a psychological/sociological survey - an odd thing to appear in the charts full stop. (As I remember it, men and women had to walk around repeating the "I've noticed you around..." line, and see how many people of each gender responded positively to the come-on). #totp
I hate using the word "pretentious" as an insult - a lot of rock and pop music is, by its very nature, pretentious and proud of it - but "Thank U" is so try-hard it's exasperating. #totp
November 28, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I hate using the word "pretentious" as an insult - a lot of rock and pop music is, by its very nature, pretentious and proud of it - but "Thank U" is so try-hard it's exasperating. #totp
I saw this #totp at the time, playing in the background of somebody else's flat while I tried to play Mr Luke Warm Water in an argument between warring neighbours. A bit surreal to see Bono's face continually grinning mockingly from the television while harsh words were thrown around.
November 28, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I saw this #totp at the time, playing in the background of somebody else's flat while I tried to play Mr Luke Warm Water in an argument between warring neighbours. A bit surreal to see Bono's face continually grinning mockingly from the television while harsh words were thrown around.
I think I went to Lynden David Hall for some corporate training back in 2012. Lovely venue but the buffet was frankly disappointing - crisps are not a side dish! #totp
November 28, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I think I went to Lynden David Hall for some corporate training back in 2012. Lovely venue but the buffet was frankly disappointing - crisps are not a side dish! #totp
Reposted by David Bryant
”Reform UK's barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don't play the bullies game." Martin Shipton from @nation.cymru on being bullied by Reform's lawyers: www.thenerve.news/p/reform-nat...
Reform UK’s barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don’t play the bully’s game
My news organisation, Nation.Cymru, was threatened with legal action over a story involving Nigel Farage’s party in the Senedd. Instead of hiring our own lawyer, we simply told them to go away, writes...
www.thenerve.news
November 28, 2025 at 11:51 AM
”Reform UK's barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don't play the bullies game." Martin Shipton from @nation.cymru on being bullied by Reform's lawyers: www.thenerve.news/p/reform-nat...
"What the hell is wrong with you/ you laugh at murder like the rich folks do"
youtu.be/vShTksOi6KY?...
youtu.be/vShTksOi6KY?...
Gale Force Wind
YouTube video by Microdisney - Topic
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
"What the hell is wrong with you/ you laugh at murder like the rich folks do"
youtu.be/vShTksOi6KY?...
youtu.be/vShTksOi6KY?...
As a teenager, I knew someone whose mother had a Cliff Richard calendar up in the kitchen and Cliff memorabilia around the house. I tried to ask him questions, but I think (as a Metal fan) he was embarrassed about it all. I've tried with Cliff. I really have.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
‘How am I still going?’: the everlasting appeal of Cliff Richard
Despite being exiled from pop’s mainstream, he’s outlasted his contemporaries and is still selling out big rooms – what’s the secret to the national institution’s success?
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
As a teenager, I knew someone whose mother had a Cliff Richard calendar up in the kitchen and Cliff memorabilia around the house. I tried to ask him questions, but I think (as a Metal fan) he was embarrassed about it all. I've tried with Cliff. I really have.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Reposted by David Bryant
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 AM
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao
My current earworm is the theme tune from The Perishers, particularly the bit where some jaunty whistling is followed up with even jauntier handclaps.
youtu.be/0DG5Zc_8xUI?...
youtu.be/0DG5Zc_8xUI?...
The Perishers: Magic Mirror
YouTube video by Abbey Home Media
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 10:42 PM
My current earworm is the theme tune from The Perishers, particularly the bit where some jaunty whistling is followed up with even jauntier handclaps.
youtu.be/0DG5Zc_8xUI?...
youtu.be/0DG5Zc_8xUI?...
Reposted by David Bryant
look, the people in homes worth £2million or more are just going to have to cut back on lattes and netflix
November 27, 2025 at 12:07 PM
look, the people in homes worth £2million or more are just going to have to cut back on lattes and netflix
Listened to this yesterday -I was hooked on the promise of early Channel 4 chat, but ended up being more interested in the fate of Belouis Some. Who did he piss off at Smash Hits, and why? And did his support slot with Queen go down better than Teardrop Explodes? (These questions are not answered).
New! Mitch Benn (@mitchbenn.bsky.social) joins me for a chat about How To Be A Complete Bastard by Adrian Edmondson, Space Sentinels, Maskatron, Imagination by 'Belouis' 'Some', Channel 4's launch previews, the revival of The Saint with Simon Dutton and more...
timworthington.org/2025/11/19/l...
timworthington.org/2025/11/19/l...
Looks Unfamiliar: Mitch Benn – Argos Blade Runner
Looks Unfamiliar with Mitch Benn talking to Tim Worthington about Channel 4’s pre-launch trailers, Imagination by Belouis Some, Space Sentinels, Simon Dutton as The Saint, How To Be A Complet…
timworthington.org
November 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Listened to this yesterday -I was hooked on the promise of early Channel 4 chat, but ended up being more interested in the fate of Belouis Some. Who did he piss off at Smash Hits, and why? And did his support slot with Queen go down better than Teardrop Explodes? (These questions are not answered).
Well well well. There are plans for more murals, potentially including Robert Plant. You would have thought they'd have opened with that.
Here you go @tomewing.bsky.social - grebo rides again.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Here you go @tomewing.bsky.social - grebo rides again.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Mind-blowing' response to Stourbridge bands' murals
Miles Hunt and other musicians welcome murals by Cal that have brought music fans to Stourbridge.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Well well well. There are plans for more murals, potentially including Robert Plant. You would have thought they'd have opened with that.
Here you go @tomewing.bsky.social - grebo rides again.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Here you go @tomewing.bsky.social - grebo rides again.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In London for the day yesterday. When people slag the city off, it's always interesting that their minuses are usually my pluses. I grew up with that diversity, not just of culture and religion, but creativity, ambition and ideas. The two go hand in hand - tolerance allows innovation.
November 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
In London for the day yesterday. When people slag the city off, it's always interesting that their minuses are usually my pluses. I grew up with that diversity, not just of culture and religion, but creativity, ambition and ideas. The two go hand in hand - tolerance allows innovation.
NO WAY NO WAY!
Today is the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Mahna Mahna on Sesame Street. You’re familiar with it by now, of course, but... well, it never hurts to be reminded, does it?
Sesame Street - Mahna Mahna (1969)
YouTube video by Tiny Dancer
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
NO WAY NO WAY!
The hoarder is apparently back amidst the renovations. I know this, because he placed a mannequin with a cloak and top hat on by the central upper front window, so I thought a Victorian era ghost was staring out at me on my way to work at 6:45am. I don't need this, I really don't.
Spoke to a neighbour about the burnt out old 12 bedroom Victorian House at the top of my road.
"Yes, a hoarder lived there. You couldn't see past the piled up newspapers and magazines when he opened the door. And he kept a sheep in the garden. Thought I was going MAD when I first saw it..."
"Yes, a hoarder lived there. You couldn't see past the piled up newspapers and magazines when he opened the door. And he kept a sheep in the garden. Thought I was going MAD when I first saw it..."
November 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The hoarder is apparently back amidst the renovations. I know this, because he placed a mannequin with a cloak and top hat on by the central upper front window, so I thought a Victorian era ghost was staring out at me on my way to work at 6:45am. I don't need this, I really don't.
Reposted by David Bryant
Yeah, one of the real flaws with Bluesky is that if you make a post whose message is basically "hey, do the losers at this place still have a stick up their ass about my machine that steals their writing?" it attracts negative responses.
It's a weird glitch, and it's certainly not *your* fault.
It's a weird glitch, and it's certainly not *your* fault.
November 26, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Yeah, one of the real flaws with Bluesky is that if you make a post whose message is basically "hey, do the losers at this place still have a stick up their ass about my machine that steals their writing?" it attracts negative responses.
It's a weird glitch, and it's certainly not *your* fault.
It's a weird glitch, and it's certainly not *your* fault.
Have Burger King stopped doing their veggie whopper? Wasn’t available at Marylebone today, and it’s a tragedy if so - it genuinely was one of the best vegetarian burgers you could get anywhere (as perverse as that may sound).
November 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Have Burger King stopped doing their veggie whopper? Wasn’t available at Marylebone today, and it’s a tragedy if so - it genuinely was one of the best vegetarian burgers you could get anywhere (as perverse as that may sound).