I thought I'd keep you up to date on the Connect 4 contest. (I know you want to know this) [see last month's mailbaggage for the background - Graham]. After the parents' team lost seven-nil to the children last week we decided (as we make all the decisions) that it would be fairer (on us, the adults, that is) if we had the children on our side...only problem being that then we had no-one to play against. So this week we had "girls" versus "boys". I'm very pleased to report that the boys won 4-1.

I was interested in your articles about Howard Devoto and Magazine. I studied Fine Art (Painting) at Manchester Poly with John McGeogh. I remember we all crowded into the student union bar to watch their debut on Top of the Pops. When we were in the third year there was a funny looking kid with ginger hair called Mick Hucknell in the first year...

Much enjoyed tonight's radio show (3.3.01) - something for all the family...I just hope my kids don't grow up thinking an evening spent listening to Syd Barrett, Television, The Fall etc is their generation's equivalent to an evening spent watching Saturday Night at the London Paladium... Best wishes Simon Smith

Many thanks for the Connect 4 update and kind comments. I plan to force my children to listen to Eric Clapton and Kula Shaker just to give them something to rebel against.

Subject: Press release - TUFF

Attached please find a press release for the band TUFF. TUFF was no. 3 on MTV and is a straight up rock n' roll band and would probably be encompassed or defined in the "80's bands" genre. Please contact me if you are unable to open the attached file. Thank you.

I was unable to open the attachment since I specifically seek to protect myself from accidental exposure to the horrors of anything that is "defined in the 80s bands genre", and would rather eat my own ears than listen to any of it. Many thanks for your advance warning.

Hey Graham, is this "Clicks-n-Klangs" yer thangy? Pretty darn cool daddy-o! You be one busy fella! CONGRATZ on another job well done!

Thankyou.

Probably a tired question, but are you the Graham Johnston that had a part in the film 'Shadow of the Vampire'?

Clicks and Klangs is great, by the way.

No, not me - I'm John Malcovich.

Terrific, wide ranging Faust special - thanks.

I seem to remember one of Monty Python's LPs in the '70s featuring concentric tracks but I could be wrong - anyone know? Also do you have any info on Birth Control as I've never heard them before and 'Gamma Ray' is an amazing tune. Clicks and Klangs is an inspiration - keep it up!

You can try Birth Control's own web-site, but it's a bit messy and their English and German pages get all muddled up with each other. That's the best I can suggest other than getting a copy of Steve and Alan Freeman's Crack In The Cosmic Egg.

The Birth Control site does have some hilariously ridiculous big-rock/metal Winamp skins, if you're that way inclined.

Just a plus, as a reader I'm very impressed with exposing me to Faust. The world may know them as 'Faucet' but nonetheless they are SO COOL to this North American listener. I haven't even heard them yet. I did see a stupid American movie called 'Still Crazy' about an old British Rock Group that takes it out on the road one more time. It wasn't all that bad. I liked the scenes on the tour bus. I laughed really hard when the drummer cut a fart.

I'm really enjoying the new reissue of 'Blind Faith'. Did you get the same in Great Britain. It's a double CD with lots of bonus jam crap. Even though the extras aren't all THAT great the remastering IS great. It's funny how the music of the past keeps grabbing us by the ass. That brings me back to Faust. I haven't listened to them yet, or even read about them; but I know I will. There's a lot of music out there. Maybe more than we can listen to. But the day will come. Oh, and it will come soon. I'll listen to your Faust and it will feel good. There's so much I want to do, baby. Please take me there. There's nothing I wouldn't do to feel your love.

OK, now I'm scared.

Is there a reason for Gogaga's mysterious disappearance? It has been "temporarily disconnected" for almost a month now. Will it be coming back anytime soon?

I have no idea, I'm afraid, it's a shame if it's gone for good, but you're probably better off listening to this month's featured site / radio station, WFMU, instead.