We welcome Jim Irvin, the frontman of London cult 80s band Furniture. We find out about their indie road to an eventual signing to Stiff and beyond and just how much bad luck they had as a band, whilst operating against the grain by choice.

Jim went on to write for Melody Maker and subsequently became the Features Editor for MOJO. Having also authored books including the honest and telling account of Jeff Buckley in 'Hallelujah And The Last Goodbye', Jim moved into Songwriting for a living working as a Topliner for successful acts like Lissie & Nothing But Thieves.

Jim's detail on work experience at both his part time job at The Beggars Banquet Record Shop and his role as a radio librarian for the United Biscuit Corp. at the top of his career is a-Must-Listen feature!

Ace episode! - Enjoy - DA.

*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party material*

Welcome to Martin Macaloon one of the brothers who helped shape the incredible sound of the incomparable Durham band, Prefab Sprout.

Humble and unassuming, Martin graciously walks us through the timeline of Sprout history from their first independent release right through to 1990.

Martin is on a solo tour with Thomas Dolby performing his brother's songs around the UK from May 15th 2026 to the end of the month. Get your tickets now! - DA

*this episode contains excerpts of third party music*

Welcome musician Tim May who was the saxophonist in the brilliant Roaring Boys, who also features Neil MacColl, son of Peggy and Ewan and half brother of Kirsty

The Roaring Boys evolved from established Cambridge signed band The Models, They found themselves at the centre of a bidding war. However although they got signed, The Roaring Boys suffered perhaps by having 6 strong personalities and no clear leader, Coupled with maybe being in the wrong scene at the wrong time, this translated to not breaking out in the UK or the U.S. to the level we think they deserved.

Tim later went on to become a series producer for the BBC Series Arena. DA

*This episode features excerpts of 3rd party music*

We welcome, Ian McNay, founder and chairman of Cherry Red records, which still remains today, one of the most prolific independent record institutions in operation.

Ian takes the time to tell us the Cherry Red story, detailing many of the key moments and signings that decorate his path to success, maintaining an ethos for supporting the truly unique and the different, with independent spirit. from Everything But The Girl, Felt, Dead Kennedeys to a wealth of heritage acts enjoying a resurgence of reissues away from the majors. Not to mention his involvement with his beloved AFC Wimbeldon. DA

*This episode includes excerpts of 3rd paty music*

Welcome Ross middleton, Scottish singer who along side musician Gary Barnacle, formed Leisure Process, signed by Muff Winwood.

*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party music*

in this edition we welcome Bobby Hodgens from Scottish jangle pop band The Bluebells. Associated with the Postcard Records scene early on, hearing Orange Juice, Altered Images and Simple Minds inspired him to start a band.

The Bluebells had a hugely infectious body of songs and at one time their personel included Craig Gannon who was poached from Aztec Camera, before going on to join The Smiths.

Their enormous hit 'Young At Heart' has seen the band enjoy what is seen as their 3rd wind as they continue to play huge shows ands share their music with the world.

Bobby chooses some fantastic tracks for this short but very sweet episode - DA

*This episode contains 3rd party music excerpts*

We welcome composer Paul Fishman, most famed for his role as keyboardist in 80s new wave band Re-Flex.

As the son of Jack Fishman, co composer with Roy Budd and the nephew of Vera Lynn, Paul's life in music was inevitable.

He talks about his work as a signed artist starting in the 70s with Prog project 'In Search Of Ancient Gods', through to his partnership with Dee Harris from Fashion, making Disco 12s for MCA and working for Motown. Also making an album on a label associated with Kraftwerk's Florien Schneider, with Ped Gill from FGTH whilst being signed under Trevor Horn's Sarm umbrella, to his extensive composition and mastering work in the Soundtrack world for hundreds of films including Deathwish, The Wild Geese, Breakdance and of course Get Carter and the Roy Budd catalogue.

Paul is still releasing music with a recent collection of medidation music of which he is very proud.

Go to :www.paulfishmanmusic.co.uk for more information - DA

*Contains language that may offend*

*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party music*

In this edition we welcome a titan of the Record industry, Dave "Robbo" Robinson, co founder of Stiff Records.

A talented photographer in the early 60s who snapped amongst others, The Beatles at The Cavern, who at that time were "not particularly memorable".

Band management took Dave from London to Majorca. From an interrogation in a Spanish jail, to having his band at the time appointed as tour support for Jimi Hendrix. An incident with Vanilla Fudge and the son of a NJ mafia boss pushing a gun in his mouth, taught him to adapt later in life.

Signing Madness, The Damned, The Pogues & Elvis Costello to name just a few, made him the envy of the majors at that time. A merge to Island Records saw Dave mastermind the rise of FGTH's Relax into the top .10 and his follow up campaign for Bob Marley's 'Legend' became the biggest selling reggae album of all time.

Our conversation with Dave is loaded with tales, wisdom and truth, for which we are truly thankful. A parting gift could well be in the shape of a typical Stiff ad slogan from back in the day: "Don't Fart Until Your Arse Is Ready!" - wise words!

DA.