Simon Slator
@simonslator.substack.com
Vinyl-spinning music nerd. Purveyor of Electronic music. Loves comedy and satire. Political watermelon.
BC: martinsolos.bandcamp.com
BC: simonslator.bandcamp.com
BC: martinsolos.bandcamp.com
BC: simonslator.bandcamp.com
YouGov: "Which of these premium grocery brands do you have a positive impression of, or have recently recommended to a friend of family member"
Me: "None of them: everyone knows I shop at Lidl"
Me: "None of them: everyone knows I shop at Lidl"
November 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
YouGov: "Which of these premium grocery brands do you have a positive impression of, or have recently recommended to a friend of family member"
Me: "None of them: everyone knows I shop at Lidl"
Me: "None of them: everyone knows I shop at Lidl"
Got a day off work, so spinning one of the records that arrived yesterday: "En=Trance" by Klaus Schulze. I've generally neglected his 1980s albums, so have been steadily growing the collection over the last few months. Side 1's a bit 😒, Sides 2 & 4 are much better, but Side 3 is classic Schulze!
November 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Got a day off work, so spinning one of the records that arrived yesterday: "En=Trance" by Klaus Schulze. I've generally neglected his 1980s albums, so have been steadily growing the collection over the last few months. Side 1's a bit 😒, Sides 2 & 4 are much better, but Side 3 is classic Schulze!
The aim for this weekend:
At least do some work on the first proper Martin Solos release.
The reality:
At least do some work on the first proper Martin Solos release.
The reality:
November 22, 2025 at 10:53 AM
The aim for this weekend:
At least do some work on the first proper Martin Solos release.
The reality:
At least do some work on the first proper Martin Solos release.
The reality:
Successes for the day: replacing the pull-cord light switch in the bathroom. The first time I've had to touch anything connected to mains electricity without my father-in-law as a guide. Managed to do so without electrocuting myself or causing any short circuits or explosions. #diy
November 9, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Successes for the day: replacing the pull-cord light switch in the bathroom. The first time I've had to touch anything connected to mains electricity without my father-in-law as a guide. Managed to do so without electrocuting myself or causing any short circuits or explosions. #diy
If you see this, post an album cover with a motor vehicle on it.
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
November 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
If you see this, post an album cover with a motor vehicle on it.
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
I'm between two minds as to which album is better: "Polaroids" or "Tin Drum"? The former certainly hinted at the greatness to come with the latter, but "Polaroids" itself is undoubtedly a solid A* grade LP IMO, just for different reasons.
45 YEARS AGO TODAY! - Gentlemen Take Polaroids by Japan was released on 07/11/1980 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf9J... #OTD #Eighties #80sMusic
Gentlemen Take Polaroids (Remastered 2003)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Gentlemen Take Polaroids (Remastered 2003) · Japan Gentlemen Take Polaroids ℗ 2003 Virgin Records Limited Released on: 2003-01-01 Mixing Engineer, Engineer, Producer: John Punter Engineer: Colin Fairley Engineer: Steve Prestage Recording Second Engineer: Renate Engineer: Nigel Walker Vocalist, Composer Lyricist: David Sylvian Auto-generated by YouTube.
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I'm between two minds as to which album is better: "Polaroids" or "Tin Drum"? The former certainly hinted at the greatness to come with the latter, but "Polaroids" itself is undoubtedly a solid A* grade LP IMO, just for different reasons.
15 minutes until my work day ends, by which time this masterpiece of Scottish Folk Rock will be clean. Had to settle for a Chrysalis re-issue manufactured by sassenachs.
November 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
15 minutes until my work day ends, by which time this masterpiece of Scottish Folk Rock will be clean. Had to settle for a Chrysalis re-issue manufactured by sassenachs.
Reposted by Simon Slator
Was I mad to buy the 35th Anniversary 2xLP of Mike Oldfield's "Amarok" even when I own the CD version? Not really. I don't mind it broken up into quarters - it's chance for a comfort break or to refill my mug, and the side breaks do kind of work where they are.
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Was I mad to buy the 35th Anniversary 2xLP of Mike Oldfield's "Amarok" even when I own the CD version? Not really. I don't mind it broken up into quarters - it's chance for a comfort break or to refill my mug, and the side breaks do kind of work where they are.
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
Reposted by Simon Slator
A cruel kind of irony - social media started as a way to connect introverts and weirdos. Now they're all being squeezed out by enshittification and endless profit chase 🤷♂️
November 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
A cruel kind of irony - social media started as a way to connect introverts and weirdos. Now they're all being squeezed out by enshittification and endless profit chase 🤷♂️
In 5+ years of using Discogs, I've had my first bad encounter with a seller. Not naming names, but I'd bought a batch of 11 records from them - almost £100 in total. 9 were spot on, as described, but 2 weren't. I returned them, as requested, and was refunded the same day. ⬇️
November 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
In 5+ years of using Discogs, I've had my first bad encounter with a seller. Not naming names, but I'd bought a batch of 11 records from them - almost £100 in total. 9 were spot on, as described, but 2 weren't. I returned them, as requested, and was refunded the same day. ⬇️
Having seen him on every tour in the last 15 years, last night's @mredbyrne.bsky.social show at the Lichfield Garrick was a bit of a "greatest hits" routine but we still laughed our arses off nonetheless: his comedy has the same replay value as legends like Carrott, Harding and Connolly.
October 30, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Having seen him on every tour in the last 15 years, last night's @mredbyrne.bsky.social show at the Lichfield Garrick was a bit of a "greatest hits" routine but we still laughed our arses off nonetheless: his comedy has the same replay value as legends like Carrott, Harding and Connolly.
Of the four albums recorded by Adge Cutler and The Wurzels between 1966-69, two were live at the Royal Oak pub in Nailsea, the other two as the "cabaret act" at a country club.
Is there a scientific way of measuring how noisy/zidered-up the audiences are between the two venues?
Is there a scientific way of measuring how noisy/zidered-up the audiences are between the two venues?
October 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Of the four albums recorded by Adge Cutler and The Wurzels between 1966-69, two were live at the Royal Oak pub in Nailsea, the other two as the "cabaret act" at a country club.
Is there a scientific way of measuring how noisy/zidered-up the audiences are between the two venues?
Is there a scientific way of measuring how noisy/zidered-up the audiences are between the two venues?
Working my way through several batches of new vinyl. Currently on the TT is "Searching for My Love" by King Sunny Adé. Loved later albums like "Juju Music" and "Synchro System", and this too is pure sunshine on a 12" plastic disc!
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
October 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Working my way through several batches of new vinyl. Currently on the TT is "Searching for My Love" by King Sunny Adé. Loved later albums like "Juju Music" and "Synchro System", and this too is pure sunshine on a 12" plastic disc!
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
At the end of the day, it's money that's doing nothing. A mere number on a bank statement. 2% isn't asking a lot, not when that money can be invested in education for their future employees, funding the health service that keeps their employees productive and maintaining essential infrastructure.
October 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
At the end of the day, it's money that's doing nothing. A mere number on a bank statement. 2% isn't asking a lot, not when that money can be invested in education for their future employees, funding the health service that keeps their employees productive and maintaining essential infrastructure.
Never mind performing the main body of the song - if @billybragg.bsky.social performed this live on whatever the equivalent of "Breakfast Time" is today, the producers would have rugby-tackled him to the ground just for singing the word "tits" in the second verse 😂 youtu.be/t-4RjOrolKk?...
It Says Here - Billy Bragg on Breakfast TV
YouTube video by Billy Bragg
youtu.be
October 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Never mind performing the main body of the song - if @billybragg.bsky.social performed this live on whatever the equivalent of "Breakfast Time" is today, the producers would have rugby-tackled him to the ground just for singing the word "tits" in the second verse 😂 youtu.be/t-4RjOrolKk?...
Mashup Bands
Tangerine Dream Theater
The Flower Kings of Leon
NEU!-ronium
Tangerine Dream Theater
The Flower Kings of Leon
NEU!-ronium
Mashup Bands
Talk Talking Heads
Talk Talking Heads
October 13, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Mashup Bands
Tangerine Dream Theater
The Flower Kings of Leon
NEU!-ronium
Tangerine Dream Theater
The Flower Kings of Leon
NEU!-ronium
#nowplaying "In Flight" by George Benson. Besides "Gimme the Night" his work was very unfamiliar to me, and £3 for a used LP was a safe gamble. I'm liking it - funky AF, beautifully arranged, and I like his expressive and lyrical guitar playing. Don't think this will be my last GB album 😀
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
#nowplaying "In Flight" by George Benson. Besides "Gimme the Night" his work was very unfamiliar to me, and £3 for a used LP was a safe gamble. I'm liking it - funky AF, beautifully arranged, and I like his expressive and lyrical guitar playing. Don't think this will be my last GB album 😀
Album No. Thirty-something in the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
October 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Album No. Thirty-something in the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
This is the wallpaper on my Brave browser home screen.
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
October 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This is the wallpaper on my Brave browser home screen.
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
Doing a top-up shop at Lidl yesterday, and was given a card on the way out advertising the "Underground Press" website. I've seen their stickers and placards on street signs around here, so I know their content is green-ink bullshit. I crumpled it up and threw it in the bin IN FULL VIEW ⬇️
October 12, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Doing a top-up shop at Lidl yesterday, and was given a card on the way out advertising the "Underground Press" website. I've seen their stickers and placards on street signs around here, so I know their content is green-ink bullshit. I crumpled it up and threw it in the bin IN FULL VIEW ⬇️
ELECTION DAY -1:
"We'll reduce your council tax by cutting all that woke crap."
ELECTION DAY +1:
"Hey... where's all the woke crap we were supposed to cut?"
SIX MONTHS LATER:
"The council is now free from woke AS WE PROMISED but we're still having to raise your council tax because IMMIGRATION"
"We'll reduce your council tax by cutting all that woke crap."
ELECTION DAY +1:
"Hey... where's all the woke crap we were supposed to cut?"
SIX MONTHS LATER:
"The council is now free from woke AS WE PROMISED but we're still having to raise your council tax because IMMIGRATION"
Seems @ReformDurham and @darrengrimes_ owe their electorate an apology,
They sold Durham the unicorns of DOGE and no council tax increases.
DOGE has found nothing and now they may be raising council tax.
Never trust a Reformer.
#ReformLies
They sold Durham the unicorns of DOGE and no council tax increases.
DOGE has found nothing and now they may be raising council tax.
Never trust a Reformer.
#ReformLies
October 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
ELECTION DAY -1:
"We'll reduce your council tax by cutting all that woke crap."
ELECTION DAY +1:
"Hey... where's all the woke crap we were supposed to cut?"
SIX MONTHS LATER:
"The council is now free from woke AS WE PROMISED but we're still having to raise your council tax because IMMIGRATION"
"We'll reduce your council tax by cutting all that woke crap."
ELECTION DAY +1:
"Hey... where's all the woke crap we were supposed to cut?"
SIX MONTHS LATER:
"The council is now free from woke AS WE PROMISED but we're still having to raise your council tax because IMMIGRATION"
Have Bobby McFerrin and Michael Winslow ever collaborated on anything?
October 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Have Bobby McFerrin and Michael Winslow ever collaborated on anything?
Album #25 of the Downgrade Challenge and the first from today's CrazyBeat haul
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
October 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Album #25 of the Downgrade Challenge and the first from today's CrazyBeat haul
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
I addition to the Downgrade Challenge, I also wanted to see if I was wasting money on VG+/NM records if VG was more than adequate. So I bought a box full, no one record priced above a fiver. On inspection, a good clean and all should sound perfectly fine, only with a few forgivable clicks/ticks.
October 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I addition to the Downgrade Challenge, I also wanted to see if I was wasting money on VG+/NM records if VG was more than adequate. So I bought a box full, no one record priced above a fiver. On inspection, a good clean and all should sound perfectly fine, only with a few forgivable clicks/ticks.