After The Noise
Everything Is Equal
Tuesday 17 March 2026
Sugar – A Good Idea (1992)
Still trawling through some of my old radio shows on Mixcloud. I introduced this as the best song the Pixies never wrote, and I was quite correct.
I used to say the same about Rocks by Primal Scream being the best song The Rolling Stones never wrote. Being a radio DJ was just an act.
Manchester sunshine. Oh, it’s back. We were lulled into a false sense of security last week. Guess what happened? It started bloody raining again.
There’s something very therapeutic about walking through the ghetto of Cheetham Hill with my beloved Labrador Bowie, without a care in the world. When the sun is shining and it’s not too cold, it feels like spring is finally here.
This tune is tremendous. Bob Mould. Another misunderstood genius. Copper Blue. One of my favourites from ’92.
I discovered them when Dave Lee Travis, of all people, featured the album on his Sunday morning radio show. Not long before he threw a strop and resigned live on air. His career never recovered. Quack Quack Oops.
A police van whizzes by us in a hurry. Either an emergency or a tea break.
And yeah… feeling good today. Caught up with sleep. Back on plan.
Ultra Vivid Scene – Mercy Seat (1988)
If I was ever in the fortunate position of compiling an album, I’d make one of songs that make me want to cry.
This is one of them.
I saw it on some youth programme in ’89. One of those BBC Two shows between six and seven. Something like Rapido. No Limits. It blew me away.
Kurt Ralske. Ultra Vivid Scene. Never had any success whatsoever. Disgusting.
I love this song so much I even modelled one of my own songs on it. A complete rip-off. Not as good, of course, but one tries.
The great thing about listening to your own radio show is you know what’s coming next is going to be a good ’un.
And I was not wrong.
Shivers down my spine this fine Tuesday morning. Bowie is sniffing daffodils when he should be listening to this. He doesn’t care for Ultra Vivid Scene. Daft dog.
After the song, I helpfully informed myself that I first saw this on Snub TV. Uninteresting, interesting fact. Moby was in UVS for a while and featured in the video.
It’s called Doubt The Reason, my own version. I figured you may want to know that.
I feel alive today.
Caught up on sleep. Back onto the Grey Thinking way of thinking. The sun shines.
It’s amazing how much better you feel when the sun shines.
Me and Bowie just wandering round the park aimlessly.
And suddenly, with a bit of clean eating, good living, and sleep, life feels so much better.
Some afternoon office fog and a couple of tracks from John Peel’s Festive Fifty of 1983. The resources for The Listening Log never exhaust themselves.
The Assembly – Never Never (1983)
When John Peel, my ultimate broadcasting hero, died in 2004, I was gutted. At the time, it was a big deal.
Not long after, I bought a load of his shows off eBay for £20. I hadn’t listened to them for ages, but recently, as I’ve simplified my listening, I’ve started putting them on at work.
It’s the only way I might get through them. And there are a number of his legendary Festive Fifties.
1983.
Lots of memories. I was 14. This is the soundtrack to my youth: Cocteau Twins, New Order, Billy Bragg, The Fall, The Smiths…
Then this burst out. A big hit I’d completely forgotten about.
A collaboration between Vince Clarke and Eric Radcliffe with guest singer Feargal Sharkey. The only single The Assembly ever released. It got to number four in the UK.
And it’s an achingly beautiful song.
I was having an afternoon lull in the office. Ate a couple of chocolates and felt worse. Back on the herbal tea and sparkling water.
No temptation for biscuits at all, which is progress.
I love these moments in my job when I’m alone, listening to John Peel, being creative, and able to live life on my own terms.
Red Guitars – Good Technology (1983)
So, in the name of continuity, another blast from the past from the Peel archives.
Peel, more often than not, didn’t introduce the artist before the song. I used to do this as well.
When it got going, I thought this must be Good Technology. One of my favourite singles from the ’80s. Not one I’ve heard for a long, long time.
Ironically, I put Red Guitars on the After The Noise playlist the other day, but they’re yet to come up.
John Peel did it for me.
Still sounds astonishing today. I saw them at a festival in London in 1985. Some of the unruly crowd threw beer cans at them, which was beyond harsh.
The afternoon fog has cleared and I’ve perked up without coffee. Amazing, going from 8–10 cups a day to 1–2. Highly recommended.
Had a fantastic meal and ready for the rest of the day.
Like all good things in life, it wasn’t planned.
Big match tonight. I hate it when I’m at work and Cambridge United are playing. Away at Walsall.
Doug and Johnno will keep me company on the radio. I’ll have to take work breaks between the action.
Annoying, but I make enough out of writing to keep me in admin.
After the 5–0 thumping of Gillingham on Saturday, expectations are high.
No pressure.
More herbal tea, please.
END OF LISTENING LOG
The Listening Log 