I am under blanket with a Lemsip and watching the Russians defend Stalingrad. Feeling a little sorry for myself, it has to be said. The rubbish bins in the house are overflowing with tissues, and the chalkboard to-do list for this weekend looks down and mocks me. Maybe some of those tasks will get done next weekend. Maybe.

This week: Phonogram. In the previous series, I felt something of a connection, due to coming of age in the Britpop era, the shared love of Kenickie, the Dexys bits, the Johnny Boy part, and quoting all The Long Blondes lyrics. Obviously. The first issue of the new series was something else entirely. The Poptimism wars. ILX/CTCL. I actually had a conversation with Kieron back in 2006 which closely resembled one in this issue. Reading it back was an odd experience (I’m sure he had that same exchange with many people, mind you).

I fought on the periphery of the Poptimism wars. Most of my music writing was for Static (and is no longer present in their archives). My crowning achievements were probably talking to Paul Morley, having a record company complain to the editor about one of my reviews of a turgid American rock album, and of course, having my review quoted on the advertisement for Johnny Boy: “Karl Marx with a beat, Girls Aloud with C4 strapped to their chests”.

Right, time for another lemsip and to put on Annie (from Norway).

(No ILX in-jokes here, or you’ll be Suggest Autobahned — Ed.)

Oh, before I go - I recommend that you go watch the Shut Up & Sit Down Gen Con special. Oh, Billy Cool, what you’re gonna do?