This bumper episode of the pod is dedicated to friendship and features a chat with Peter’s lifelong pal Richard Pye. They talk about meeting at an all-boys school in the late ‘80s (2:00); helping organise the Wirral’s answer to Woodstock, ‘The Rut’ (8:30); Manchester before the skyscrapers (16:20), and Rich’s time as a getaway driver for the German FA during Euro ’96 (27:14). Poems this week are ‘Massacre at the Chorlton Poetry Festival, 2008’ (20:28) and ‘Quick, Save’ (26:05), based on a fleeting observation made at the now-defunct supermarket. There’s also a short story, ‘The Chatterbox’ (56:13), near the end of the show, along with Rich’s book recommendations for lockdown reading (52:14). Special thanks to estranged bandmates Matt O’K (keys/writing credit) and Pat R (guitar) who appear on the teenage dance anthem you’ll hear around seven minutes in. We've all had to be a bit reclusive this year - hopefully this conversation will remind you of meandering chats with your own mates. It's good to talk!
