This bit's brilliant - The show about entertaining books on the 80s, 90s and 00s things you love

Want another entertaining, funny, interesting book? Because life's too short for bad books This Bit Brilliant, looks into the chaotic, high-octane world of 1990s British media through James Brown’s memoir, Animal House. As the visionary founder and editor of Loaded magazine between 1994 and 1997, Brown didn't just witness the culture of the decade—illegally or otherwise, he helped define it.The Loaded RevolutionSimon and Paul discuss how Loaded completely upended the British magazine landscape. Before Brown, men's magazines like GQ and Esquire focused on high-end fashion and "£800 raincoats" that the average 20-year-old couldn't afford. Brown’s vision was different: a magazine with "nothing to lose" that captured his own life of music, football, nightclubs, and drinking. Despite its later reputation for "lad culture," the hosts note that during Brown’s tenure, the covers focused on cultural icons like Gary Oldman, Vic and Bob, The Simpsons, and Jimmy White.From Leeds Fanzines to NMEThe episode explores Brown’s relentless drive, tracing his path from a working-class background in Leeds to the top of the publishing world. Brown started in the 80s fanzine culture with Attack on Zag, aggressively selling copies for 20p at gigs with the pitch that it would "get you drunk and make you attractive". This ambition eventually led him to a features editor role at NME under the "non-nonsense" editor Alan Lewis, where Brown helped discover and commission legendary writers like Barbara Ellen and Stuart Maconie.Legendary AnecdotesThe memoir is packed with unbelievable stories from the epicenter of the 90s, including:

• The Stuart Maconie Break: Brown’s life-changing decision to send Maconie to Canada to interview INXS for his first feature—a moment that caused Maconie's entire classroom of students to cheer.
• The Gary Oldman Gamble: How Brown used an agency interview and stock photos to put a "twisted" Gary Oldman on the first cover of Loaded without the actor’s knowledge, only for Oldman to be shocked by his own face on London billboards.
• Dancing with Prince: An unforgettable night at an afterparty for Rock in Rio where Brown broke the ice on an empty dance floor, only to be joined by a "small guy in stack heels and a powder purple suit"—Prince himself.
• The Helen Mirren Night: A post-Loaded interview in LA that turned into a drinking session, ending with the iconic Helen Mirren drunkenly scaling a 15-foot mansion gate in her high heels "like Chris Bonington".

Whether you lived through the era of Britpop and "lad mags" or just want to hear how a driven writer bluffed his way into making media history, Simon and Paul highly recommend Animal House as an essential, laugh-out-loud look at a transformative era.

In this episode of This Bit’s Brilliant, hosts Simon Q. Elliott and Paul Ging delve into the fascinating, complex, and incredibly detailed world of David Bowie. Life is too short for bad books, which is why Paul is pitching a massive, "doorstoppy" non-fiction masterpiece that every music lover needs on their shelf: Ashes to Ashes by Chris O'Leary.Spanning 40 years of Bowie’s unmatched career—from his cocaine-fueled days recording Station to Station in Los Angeles in 1976 all the way to his untimely death in 2016—Ashes to Ashes attempts to make sense of the icon's shifting motivations in one continuous, beautifully joined-up narrative. Though structured song by song, it reads like an epic story that will captivate casual listeners and hardcore Bowie nerds alike.Paul breaks down why this book is an essential read, highlighting the incredible, granular details that most music fans completely miss. Ever wondered about the hidden layers of the hit song "Ashes to Ashes"? Paul reveals O'Leary's brilliant observation that the track isn't just a sequel to "Space Oddity"—it’s a deeply meta, knowing nod that directly lifts structural lines from Buddy Holly's lesser-known sequel song, "Peggy Sue Got Married".The conversation also explores Bowie's dramatic 1982 "sliding doors" moment. The book charts his sudden transformation from the world’s biggest cult music artist into a multi-platinum, mainstream pop megastar following a chance meeting with Chic's Nile Rodgers. Paul and Simon debate this commercial shift—from the artistic heights of the Berlin Trilogy (Low, Heroes, and the criminally underrated Lodger) to the massive pop success of Let's Dance and the critical confusion of his subsequent album, Tonight.From a defense of Bowie's aggressive, spiky, and experimental 1980s band Tin Machine, to an analysis of how his environment in Lausanne, Switzerland, altered his creative output, this episode covers the brilliant, the weird, and the forgotten eras of music history.It may be a book as big as your head, but Paul proves exactly why Ashes to Ashes is worth every single page. Tune in to find out why you should stop scrolling and start reading this definitive musical biography.This Bits Brilliant is a book podcast about the best music, sport and culture books from the 80s 90s and 00s. We only cover books we love and tell you about the best bits and why you will enjoy them.Simon Q Elliott and Paul Ging talk about great books on culture, music and sport from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Because Life's too short for bad books. On this show we uncover hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll lead you to great books that make you laugh and occasionally think. Discover great writing.

Episode Summary:

Get ready for blood, chaos, and total absurdity as hosts Simon Q. Elliott and Paul Ging dive into the wild history of boxing's strangest fights. In this episode of This Bit’s Brilliant, the duo unpack Graeme Kent's fascinating book, Boxing's Strangest Fights, uncovering the jaw-dropping, lawless, and downright hilarious moments that have happened inside (and outside) the squared circle over the last 200 years.

Whether you are a hardcore combat sports fan or just love an unbelievable story, this episode reveals why boxing remains one of the most compelling and unpredictable sports in human history.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The 1853 Bare-Knuckle Riot: The legendary 37-round battle between Irishmen John Morrissey and Yankee Sullivan that descended into a massive crowd riot—and the bizarre reason why Morrissey was ultimately handed the victory.

• The Spy Who Outboxed the Law: The incredible story of the Dixie Kid, a brilliant world welterweight champion who ran a disreputable nightclub in wartime Barcelona and became a low-grade double agent for both the British and German consuls.

• The 3-Fight Night Rematch: The brutal, dirty 1925 ring war between Harry Greb and Mickey Walker that spilled over into a New York nightclub, transformed into a street fight, and almost ended in a telephone-booth trilogy match before a manager stepped in to demand a paycheck.

• Modern Chaos: The hosts reminisce about the jaw-dropping live moments that left them speechless, from Mike Tyson’s infamous ear-bite to the bizarre paraglider who crashed an Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe championship fight.

• The Ethics & Future of Combat Sports: Simon and Paul get on their "moral high horse" to discuss the meritocracy of sport, athlete pay, and why boxing—and modern MMA—continue to thrive against all odds.

If you enjoy fast-paced trivia, incredible historical anecdotes, or just need a great "loo book" recommendation, this episode is brilliant.

Don't miss an episode of This Bit’s Brilliant—because life is too short for bad books! Rate, review, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to audio.

Keywords: Boxing history, strangest fights, bare-knuckle boxing, sports history, Graeme Kent, Harry Greb, Mickey Walker, Dixie Kid, boxing podcast, sports trivia, wild sports stories, MMA vs boxing, combat sports.

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This Bits Brilliant is a book podcast about the best music, sport and culture books from the 80s 90s and 00s. We only cover books we love and tell you about the best bits and why you will enjoy them.

This time Paul Ging Tells Simon Q Elliott about Sonic Life the autobiography of Sonic Youth Guitarist Thurston Moore and how he was a witness to the New York Scene of the 70s and 80s.

The book is a vivid, filmic journey through the gritty New York scene, centered around legendary venues like CBGB and Max's Kansas City. The episode highlights a treasure trove of priceless anecdotes featuring a star-studded cast of characters, including Elvis Costello, John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), Sid Vicious, the Ramones, and Blondie. Paul shares Moore’s first-hand accounts of iconic moments, from seeing Lux and Ivy of the Cramps sitting like "surrealist royalty" at Max's, to the legendary, chaotic night Sid Vicious fronted a makeshift supergroup featuring Mick Jones of the Clash.

Thurston Moore was at Public Image Ltd's infamous 1981 Ritz show, where John Lydon performed entirely behind a tarp screen, triggering a riot from an audience expecting a traditional rock show. They contrast this edgy, uncompromising performance style with the crowd-pleasing, stadium-rock approach of heritage acts like Paul McCartney or David Bowie. Paul and Simon chat about the contradictions of the punk movement and the classic "art versus entertainment" debate. 

They dive deep into a biography that’s less a niche piece for hardcore fans and more an essential cultural history of alternative rock and punk rock. They discuss Sonic Youth's massive direct influence on foundational alternative rock icons like Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, as well as their ripple effect on prominent artists of the era such as the Flaming Lips, My Bloody Valentine, Beck, and Pavement. Moore’s writing is praised for expanding the musical lexicon, moving beyond standard chord progressions to embrace unusual tunings, dissonant downstrokes, and avant-garde, atonal noise.

Ultimately, the hosts recommend Sonic Life as an engaging, highly intelligent memoir that captures the monotonous "schlep" of low-level indie touring alongside the brilliant shock of the new, making it a must-read for any music book lover.

In this episode of the This Bits Brilliant book podcast, Simon Elliott and Paul Ging delve into the amazing, brilliant life of cultural icon Dolly Parton through Sarah Smarsh’s acclaimed book, She Come by It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs. The Voice of Working-Class Women

The core of the discussion centers on why Dolly Parton remains a hero, particularly to women who grew up in "working poverty." Smarsh’s book explores how Dolly’s music reflects the lived experiences of women like the author's own mother and grandmother—women who navigated tough lives, multiple divorces, and financial hardship without ever "taking any rubbish from anyone." Although Dolly rarely uses the term "feminist," the hosts discuss how she is a hero to "working-class feminists" for living entirely on her own terms.

Simon highlights the extreme poverty of Dolly’s upbringing in a one-room shack in Arkansas as the fourth of twelve children. Key insights include:

• Humble Origins: Her father famously paid the doctor who delivered her with a bag of grain.

• Musical Beginnings: Dolly’s first guitar was a homemade instrument fashioned from an old mandolin and two found strings.

• The "Coat of Many Colors": The discussion covers the true story behind one of her most famous songs—a coat made of rags by her mother that became a symbol of gratitude rather than shame.

The episode explores how Dolly has been frequently underestimated and judged by men and middle-class feminists for her "town trollop" inspired look. Simon and Paul discuss her sharp business mind, including:

• Ownership: Her refusal to give Elvis Presley 50% of the publishing rights to "I Will Always Love You," a decision that showcased her early independence.

• Autonomy: Her departure from Porter Wagner's act to "spread her wings," which inspired the lyrics of "I Will Always Love You."

• The Look: Her famous retort—"It takes a lot of money to look this cheap"—and her openness about using plastic surgery to maintain the image of "Dolly Parton."

Beyond the music, the hosts praise Dolly's extensive charitable efforts:

• Literacy: Her foundation has given away millions of books to children to help them learn to read.

• Crisis Relief: Following wildfires in Tennessee, her foundation provided $1,000 a month to 900 families, purposefully reaching out to immigrant communities to provide aid without records or barriers.

Whether you are a die-hard country music fan or simply respect a "brilliant" business mind, this episode illustrates why Dolly Parton is an "entirely admirable human being" whose songs and life story continue to ring true for millions.

The Voice of Working-Class WomenFrom "Properly Dirt Poor" to Global IconBusiness Savvy and Reclaiming Her ImagePhilanthropy and HumanityConclusion

Step back into the feedback-drenched world of the 1980s and 90s alternative scene with Simon Q Elliott and Paul Ging on this episode of This Bits Brilliant. Today, Paul dives into the chaotic, brilliant, and often misinterpreted history of the ultimate indie-goth icons: The Jesus and Mary Chain, via their dual-autobiography, Never Understood.

If you ever wondered how to stay a teenager forever, the answer is simple: join the Jesus and Mary Chain. Paul recounts his lifelong affinity for the band, from seeing them in 1985 when a standing Bobby Gillespie—later the legendary frontman of Primal Scream—was still behind the drum kit in a tribute to The Velvet Underground’s Mo Tucker. You’ll hear first-hand accounts of the band’s early "fragrance," their legendary stage scuffles, and the savvy, DIY "bedroom fakery" they used to trick the industry into taking them seriously.

Inside this episode:

• The Working-Class Drive: Discover why Jim and William Reid rejected the "middle-class disease" of aiming low and wearing "holey" charity shop clothes. They didn't want to slum it; they wanted to be stars.

• A "Deal with the Devil": The inside story of why the band regretted signing with Warner Brothers over Rough Trade, and how they fought off "helpful" suggestions like adding fretless bass legends to their fuzzy wall of sound.

• The Bobby Gillespie Era: Paul and Simon discuss the transition from the C86 era of "Velocity Girl" to the chart-topping heights of Screamadelica.

• The "Messy and Brutal" End: A detailed look at the band's original 1990s breakup—a alcohol and cocaine-fueled zombie nightmare that culminated in a "shepherd's crook" moment on stage.

• The Roller Coaster Tour: Relive the 1992 UK alternative explosion where the Mary Chain shared bills with Blur, Dinosaur Jr., and My Bloody Valentine.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Psychocandy and Darklands or just curious about the Gallagher-esque sibling rivalry that predated Oasis, this episode offers a nuanced look at the band that sounded like "a bee in a lift shaft".

About the Podcast:This Bits Brilliant is the home for deep dives into the best music and sports books. This episode is sponsored by Adrienne Tempany's And the Sun Shines Now and Simon Q Elliott’s heart-stopping thriller, King’s Gold.

Follow, review and share the show and never miss an episode. Stay updated on our journey through the stories that defined a generation.Explore the fascinating world of music and sport through the lens of amazing book reviews! On this unique channel we dive into literature on sport and music. uncovering hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll give you book reviews that lead you to discover great writing that resonates. Join us on this captivating journey as we delve into the world of words and melodies!

On this episode of This Bits Brilliant Paul Ging and Simon Q Elliott discusses *Broken Music*, the autobiography by **Sting** (aka Gordon Sumner), which covers his early life.

Paul argues that Sting "gets a bad press" and is "condemned for a lot of the things that other musicians get away with".

Sting wrote some all time great hits songs - the book details Sting's beginnings in the North East of England, living in Wallsend and playing gigs at places like the Gosforth Hotel in Newcastle. Sting's first band was the **Phoenix Jazz Men**, where he was the 21-year-old bass player. The band leader, Gordon Solomon, gave him the name "Sting" because his black and yellow hooped sweater made him look like a wasp. Paul reads a hilarious anecdote from the book about a disastrous gig at the Red House Farm Social Club in Sunderland after a bingo session. While giving a pre-show pep talk, the band leader accidentally snaps the plastic membrane on the bingo machine. When the machine is turned on, a "relentless hail of luminous pingpong balls" bombards the horrified audience.

Simon and Paul conclude that The Police, who used punk "as a flag of convenience," have faced criticism partly because they could "play their instruments". The conversation also covers The Police's early days, including a riotous festival appearance in France with The Clash and The Damned, and how they recorded their first three albums in a tiny studio called Surrey Sound in Leatherhead to save money.

The hosts also discuss Sting's controversial reputation, especially his 2006 lute album. Paul suggests that if Damon Albarn or Thom Yorke had done a lute album, they would have been praised, calling it a double standard.

Explore the fascinating world of music and sport through reviews of the best books we can lay our hands on.

On this unique channel we dive into literature on sport and music. uncovering hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll give you book reviews that lead you to discover great writing that resonates. Join us on this captivating journey as we delve into the world of words and melodies!

Welcome to **This Bit’s Brilliant**, the book podcast presented by **Simon Q Elliott** and **Paul Ging**, where life’s too short for boring books. In this episode, the pair dive headfirst into the brutal, beautiful and unsettling world of boxing with **The Knockout by Andy Clarke** – a truly outstanding book that looks at the most dramatic moment in sport and asks what it really means for everyone involved.This isn’t just a boxing book about fights and results. Andy Clarke, one of the sport’s sharpest writers and an insider with years of ringside experience, gets under the skin of boxing by focusing on the knockout itself – that split second when hope ends, everything changes, and lives are altered forever. Clarke explores the knockout from every angle: the fighter who lands the punch, the fighter who takes it, the trainers, referees, journalists, families and the silent, stunned dressing rooms that follow.Simon and Paul talk through some of the book’s most powerful moments, including Clarke’s writing on iconic British bouts like **Carl Froch vs George Groves**, as well as lesser-known but equally devastating fights that reveal just as much about boxing’s psychological cost. Along the way, the episode touches on fighters and figures such as **David Haye**, **George Groves**, **Carl Froch**, **Barry McGuigan**, **Deontay Wilder**, **Tyson Fury**, **Mike Tyson**, **Teddy Atlas** and many more, placing the book firmly in the wider boxing landscape.What makes *The Knockout* such a great read is Clarke’s ability to balance empathy with honesty. He doesn’t glamorise violence, but he doesn’t look away either. He captures what it feels like to be “hurt”, what it takes to come back from a knockout, and why for many fighters the real damage isn’t physical but emotional – to ego, identity and self-belief. From packed arenas to small halls like York Hall, this book takes you places most fans never get to see.This episode is perfect for boxing fans, sports readers, and anyone interested in the psychology of competition, courage and loss. Whether your reference points are Froch, Haye and Groves, or the raw atmosphere of grassroots boxing, this conversation shows why *The Knockout* is one of the best modern books on the sport.If you love boxing books, sports writing, and podcasts that really dig into what makes great books tick, this one’s a must-listen.Explore the fascinating world of music and sport through the lens of amazing book reviews!

It even covers why plenty of people in boxing actually love the Rocky movies.

On this unique podcast we dive into literature on sport and music. uncovering hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll give you book reviews that lead you to discover great writing that resonates. Join us on this captivating journey as we delve into the world of words and melodies!

🎸 Set The Boy Free: The Johnny Marr Story

Welcome to This Bit's Brilliant, where we dive into the most fascinating music and sport books! In this episode, hosts Simon Q. Elliot and Paul Ging talk about just how good Johnny Marr's autobiography, Set The Boy Free is.

This is essential listening for music fans interested in the 80s, the world of UK culture, and, of course, anyone who loves The Smiths, Morrissey, or Johnny Marr. Discover new insights into the legendary Manchester band's formation, inner conflicts, and explosive breakup.

Marr's book offers a unique perspective on his life before, during, and after The Smiths. Our hosts marvel at the fact that Marr had achieved so much before the band split when he was only 23 years old!

The discussion focuses heavily on the band’s internal dynamics, particularly the growing strain between Marr and Morrissey. Marr details the early signs of their eventual split, stemming from Morrissey’s resistance to management, which increasingly pushed the unwelcome role of band decision-maker and booker onto Marr. This early responsibility—dealing with everything from invoices to booking trucks—is highlighted as a major source of the resentment that led to his departure.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the band's distinctive aesthetic, discussing Morrissey's famous affectations like the gladioli and the hearing aid (a nod to singer Johnny Ray). Marr’s view on the romanticizing of working-class hardship—a staple in British films like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning—is examined. He clarifies his perspective: he appreciated the aesthetic but didn't romanticize poverty, a theme also explored later in Pulp's Common People.

Marr's creative genius is underscored by the incredible anecdote of him writing the music for three classic tracks—"William, It Was Really Nothing," "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want," and "How Soon Is Now?"—in just a couple of days. The hosts reflect on the nature of songwriting streaks, referencing Noel Gallagher and the difficulty of maintaining that creative flow.

Marr's solo career and collaborations are explored, detailing his encounters with true rock legends.

• Keith Richards: Marr recalls an incredible session playing old soul songs with the Rolling Stones guitarist, noting Richards' love for music and his probable appreciation for Marr's post-punk guitar finesse, which brought back a finger-picking style reminiscent of the 60s.

• Paul McCartney: Marr shares the story of being called to play with the Beatle and his attempt to seek wisdom about his band breakup, to which McCartney simply replied, "That's bands for you."

The episode concludes with a look at the final moments of The Smiths, detailing the breakup that occurred after Morrissey refused to show up for a video shoot. Our hosts reflect on how two very different people, like Marr and Morrissey, can intersect for a brief moment of creative brilliance before their inherent differences pull them apart, comparing it to other legendary band and team dynamics.

Set The Boy Free is described as an engaging and highly recommended book, with Marr's personality shining through. Get ready to press play and enjoy this brilliant discussion!

Would you like to hear about the hosts' recommendations for Station Eleven or the TikTok phenomenon Bin Game?

💥 The Rise and Split of The Smiths💽 Aesthetics, Affection, and Creative Genius🎤 Post-Smiths and Colossal Connections

Harold Larwood: The Fastest Bowler in Cricket History | The Bodyline Ashes Scandal of 1932–33 | Duncan Hamilton Book Review Podcast

Step into one of the most explosive and controversial chapters in the history of Ashes cricket — the 1932–33 Bodyline series — as we dive deep into the extraordinary life and legacy of Harold Larwood, the English fast bowler who redefined fear, speed, and sportsmanship. In this episode, we review Duncan Hamilton’s award-winning book Larwood, a masterful portrait of the man behind the mayhem — the miner from Nottinghamshire who became cricket’s most feared weapon.

Regarded by many as the fastest bowler ever, Harold Larwood could reportedly reach speeds close to 100 miles per hour. But it wasn’t just his pace that made history — it was how that pace was used. Under the ruthless and calculating leadership of England captain Douglas Jardine, Larwood became the spearhead of the infamous Bodyline tactic, a strategy designed specifically to counter the genius of Sir Donald Bradman, Australia’s national hero and the greatest batsman the game has ever seen.

What followed wasn’t just a cricket series — it was a sporting war that shook the Empire. The 1932–33 Ashes turned from competition into conflict. Australian crowds booed, raged, and demanded justice as Larwood’s blistering deliveries targeted the body rather than the stumps. Batsmen were injured, tempers flared, and diplomacy crumbled. The outrage grew so intense that Australia’s Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, was forced to intervene. The Bodyline scandal strained relations between England and Australia, almost tearing apart the spirit of the game itself.

But while the Australian players and public saw Larwood as a villain, the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) — England’s cricketing establishment — showed little concern for the storm he faced. As long as England kept winning, the MCC didn’t care about the moral fallout. When the controversy reached boiling point, and Larwood became the scapegoat for England’s tactics, the establishment turned its back on him. He was left to bear the weight of a nation’s anger — both abroad and at home.

Through Duncan Hamilton’s insightful writing, we explore the human side of Harold Larwood — not just the bowler who terrified Australia, but the man who grew up in the harsh coal pits of Nottinghamshire, working long hours underground before rising to international fame. Hamilton’s book paints Larwood as a symbol of working-class grit and determination — a man who gave everything to his country, only to be abandoned when politics took over.

In this podcast episode, we break down the Bodyline controversy, the tactics, the personalities, and the aftermath that changed cricket forever. We discuss Don Bradman’s brilliance, Douglas Jardine’s cold strategic mind, and Larwood’s raw physical power, all set against a backdrop of national rivalry, media outrage, and moral debate.

Whether you’re a passionate cricket historian, a die-hard Ashes fan, or simply fascinated by stories of courage, controversy, and class, this is the definitive deep dive into a sporting event that transcended the boundary rope.

Discover how Harold Larwood’s thunderous bowling brought Don Bradman’s batting genius under pressure, how Australian fans and cricket authorities reacted with fury, and how the fallout from Bodyline changed the laws of cricket forever.

Join us as we revisit the 1932–33 Ashes series, the tactics that shocked the world, and the man whose name still echoes through cricketing folklore. Learn how a miner’s son from Nottinghamshire became the fastest bowler in history, the face of controversy, and ultimately, a hero of the game.

If you love cricket history, Ashes rivalries, and the stories behind the sport’s most dramatic moments, this is the podcast episode you’ve been waiting for.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more deep dives into cricket’s most fascinating stories — from Bodyline to Bradman, from Larwood to legend.