The 'Detritus Boys' return from their summer break with a razzlin', dazzlin' fifth episode at Jack's insistence, leading John to the West End, Broadway, Tokyo, Hamburg, and your home VHS collection to discuss Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbusting, standard-bearing mega-musical hit, CATS.

Recorded weeks before Lord Lloyd Webber raised the muthafuckin' alarm for the future of musical theatre, having witnessed his recent CATS reboot be mercilessly put down, we consider the legacy of the Rum Tum Tugger, Old Deutoronomy, Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer, Munkustrap, Grizabella, Bustopher Jones and especially, Mr. Mistoffelees. They thought he was on the roof... but he was asleep in the hall!

Equally yet unevenly focused on as the disastrous 2019 cinematic adaptation (19% on Rotten Tomatoes), as well as the 1998 live recording (20% on Rotten Tomatoes) we investigate just why something this bloody successful is also well within our Detritus remit, probably. Which cat do we think should ascend to the Heavyside Layer, aside from the one who clearly will? What would T.S. Elliot have made of this? Was he fatphobic? Have you ever been to a brass rubbing workshop, as we have?

Also on the agenda: What is a Backroom? Has the World Cup rendered John gay? That’s right, Detritus is back, and it’s still the podcast that’s asking ALL the right questions.

In defiance of the escalating allegations that the Detritus podcast is “too niche” or even, “too masculine” (?!!?) John and Jack succumb to World Cup fever while they still can, tackling England’s rich, often irritating history of pop singles in support of Our Brave Lions. Featuring appearances from legends adjacent to the game including Ant & Dec, Dizzee & Corden, Bell & Spurling and the Spice Girls & Echo & The Bunnymen & Ocean Colour Scene & Space & Johnny Marr, and er, Keith Allen. This is a bumper-sized summer special, clocking in at 90 minutes, plus hydration breaks! ;-) ;-) Real footeh fans will know!

EPISODE 3 - LOVE THEM HOE’S

The course of young love never did run smooth. In 2003, the burgeoning romantic relationship between Eamon Doyle and Nicole Francine Aiello came to a sudden end, leaving the streets of Staten Island agog with grief and gossip for at least an hour. Less than a year later, whispers of this tragedy had found momentum back in Europe, stubbornly occupying the Top Of The Pop charts for weeks and weeks on end…

Following their initial, unmistakeably British transmissions, John and Jack wade across the pond to investigate the 2004 call-and-response scandal of Eamon’s ‘F—k It (I Don’t Want You Back)’, as well as Frankie’s ‘F.U.R.B. (F—k U Right Back)’. An international phenomenon, collectively selling around 750,000 singles in the UK alone, yet never heard of again, this warring pair represent some true Detritus, sifted through on your behalf.

What shocking conditions of cultural deprivation lead to this dark spell on pop music? Did Eamon shoot his musical load too soon and spoil the launch of his own ‘ho-wop’ concept? Did Frankee even know Eamon? Is there any conceivable way that one can transcend the label of hoe? Should farmers’ fields be renationalised and donated to sex workers? These are just some of the questions thrown up by this week’s subjects, and their double-barrelled blast of nihilism for eight-year-olds. Can we shock you? This episode contains some strong language!

Detritus is available to stream, download, like and subscribe now, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Additional editing and production support by Gramrcy.