It wasn't supposed to be an Epic this week. It was supposed to be the first chapter focussing in on the album Radiation. If you are a regular listener (and if you aren't then where have you been?) you will know that we are kind of working through the albums at our own pace. Ant asks me a bit about the whole writing/recording/mixing process and I add a smattering of colour to the best of my recollection.But then the trouble started - for some reason we miscalculated our chat times, and then compounded this by forgetting we had three days of diary to include. So before you could say 'do-it-yourself circumcision' we were running out of room on the TDK cassette. Never let it be said that TCD isn't good value for your Zloty.Love'n'thinning scissorshTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

We've all done it, haven't we. Made a real effort and gone to town with your outfit because you are convinced you are going to be greeted off a train by an international TV crew, only to find yourself in the custody of the authorities in sub-zero temperatures with nothing more than a wooden bench and a pocket sequencer.Of course if you are in the (small) minority that hasn't experienced that sort of a day then sit back and let me take you through the events of Saturday 18th November 1995. I should have known it was too good to be true when the breakfast turned up on time.Oh and ignore Ant this week, he kept saying it was a five-day diary reading when he meant to say five pages. Bless him.If in doubt always go to E flat.hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

This is one of those chapters of TCD that actually moves the whole kit and caboodle on a few notches, whilst also setting up what comes next.It's that bit in the movie that normally happens about 30 minutes in, when you have found out a bit about the main characters and one of them neatly explains what has really happened so far and what the hero is going to do to fix it. Or the bit in the play where one of the protagonists makes a point of explaining, in a stage whisper and directly to the audience, what the craic is.So after hitting you square in the face with an opening salvo of childhood holidays & village cricket, we close in on the finale of the first leg of the AOS European tour, with body maintenance in Hamburg and my favourite venue in Paris.And, just like all those movies, you are now ready for the set-up. In this case, the explanation of what is going to happen in TCD 72 and just enough of a tease to leave you on tenterhooks for the whole of the week.Spielberg would have been proud. (but then HE was never marched across railway lines at gunpoint...)Love'n'AtmosphericshTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

So it turns out my new favourite thing is that, whenever we get to an episode of TCD that ends in a zero Dave Meegan turns up! And that of course is both a real treat and very, very cool…And of course it allowed Ant to go to town, honing in on the mixing process of This Strange Engine before turning to Dave’s memories of writing & recording Anoraknaphobia.It’s a bit of an epic, and it’s rich with insight and I hope you get something from it.Love (n’missing mixes of Circular Ride),hP.S It’s quite a diary excerpt this time, which we would like to dedicate to our purple members, you will be able to work out why. Albert sends his regards x#pornographersTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

A little bit of a departure this week, as it's a bit of a themed episode.For those that support the show on Patreon (or 'purples' as they have become known) Ant & I produce an extra couple of pieces of content every month. The Odds n'Sodcast, which contains excerpts of unpublished diary as well as other peeks behind the curtain and the Guest Book Q&A which is where I answer those questions that have been left for me on the Guest Book page at stevehogarth.comAs we have had a plethora of questions in recently, Ant thought it would be good to have a crack at answering a few in an episode proper - but with the addition of a Monday night soda.So thanks to Jacob Dale, Amber Harrison, David A. Litterick, Justin Beaney, Cleopatra Headland, Gabriela Brozio & Reece Page for providing the questions and the inspiration for the Crooncast.Love'n'keyrings,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Pete’s Easy Soda Bread Ingredients375g bread flour. (I use half Wholemeal, half White) 1 Dessert Spoon of Caster Sugar1 Teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda1/2 Teaspoon of Salt284ml Carton of Buttermilk1 EggMethodHeat oven to 180 Degrees Centigrade. Cover baking tray with baking parchment. Whisk egg. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead briefly and form into a rough boule.Place on baking tray. Make a cross cut on the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool on wire rack.And that's it for this week - the rest will be revealed as you listen.Love'n'CamelshTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

"Well he is nothing if not persistent...?!"Ant has one final go at trying to tie up all the loose ends in the story of 1996, choosing to focus this time on Album Artwork, how song publishing works & the decision to use email as a comms tool.And true to form I wanted to talk about my new two bruises, swiping at people with a velvet gauntlet on the village green and the strange north/south divide when it comes to urinal manufacture.Wolverhampton slightly underwhelms in the diary extract, but Manchester delivers on all fronts with the possible exception of a Snowball for the road.Love from Mr Cultural and Clean!hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

And we're back and having another go at making some sense of what happened in 1996...So after a little bit of feedback on matters outstanding from Chapter 65 (thanks to Sarah, Darren, Rich, Adam & Julie) Ant was determined to get me organised.To be fair he had a pretty good go at eliciting some background on Made Again, and when we had (soon) exhausted that particular topic he came back swinging with a whole bunch of questions about the origins of TSE.And if that wasn't enough there is an epic section of dairy from the final dates of the N. American leg of the AOS tour.So listen up, and listen well because there may well be questions at the end... You at the back! Put that test tube down!..Love'n 5 encores!hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

It would be fair to say it took us a little while to find our collective oeuvre this week. What with the heat, and the excitement of ‘freedom day’ getting down to the business of recording a public service podcast was a little protracted.But like the pair of old pros that we are, we settled into a discussion about 1996. That particular year turned out to be quite a full-on period for the band, both individually and collectively. What with label changes, live albums, aborted musicals and moments of genius (well, ice-cream genius) it was quite a ride.On top of that, it was a fun-packed few days of diary as well - talc, top hats, bath robes, insomnia and meeting the son of THE MOST FAMOUS MAN IN THE WORLD.By the time the tape had been rolling for nearly an hour I am not sure we had made much actual progress, but Ant reckons I had digressed beautifully. Hmm...Hugs 'til you're purple, h x

So we finally got around to talking about Books."Why books?" I hear you cry....Well, Ant has had it in his head that he wanted to chat about books ever since Leo Tolstoy kept coming up in the diary sections. I had been working my way through War & Peace on the tour bus and it took him back to a conversation we had had about the first few pages of Peter Pan. So for 64 we have tried to uncover literary references in my work, as well as books that I have enjoyed and that have made an impression. We have even included a couple of recommendations (see the links below).We tried to keep it high-brow, you will have to judge for yourself whether we managed it or not.By the time the diary section comes around we are back on solid ground, with drugs & dysentery in the big apple.Love'n'Bookmarks (purple ones still available in the TCD Merch Store)hCooking with Fernet BrancaA Gentleman in MoscowTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Before you say anything, yes I did say that we would be talking about Books this week.But we weren't feeling it and anyway the diary entries for this week were jam-packed with potential for follow-up questions. So instead of a balanced literary debate we get to the heart of the topics you really want to know about;Why do I seem to spend so much time looking for Shower Gel?At what point did the rest of the Band tell me they thought my AOS set-list was a bit s**t? Would talc have made it easier to swallow?And how do I feel about putting my name on some blokes big chopper?And you can probably begin to see why it took less than a nano-second to make a decision about this weeks chapter.Love'n'bumps in the road,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

In our pre-show meeting Ant offered me two topics for discussion…‘Books or Clothes’Now that is a conundrum for first thing on a Tuesday morning after a birthday "do", but it ended up being a fairly straightforward choice as immediate power of recall rendered much of literature somewhat submerged in my brain-soup.So here we go with the ‘wardrobe secrets of Steve H’ and I can almost hear the strains of the Pet Shop Boys and the opening credits of The Clothes Show.The diary whisks us to Washington, and I experience a citrus high, an equine first and a  last-minute trouser dash all before the first curtain-up. The French designer I couldn't remember came to me in the night. She is Agnes B.Hugs, hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

You might want to take a moment to centre before you start reading this, because it's a little confusing.Ready? OK here goes...So, todays episode is Chapter 61, even though it started out life as Chapter 60, I have checked & double-checked and it is without question Chapter 61.It doesn't matter that it was recorded before Chapter 60, you kind of need to forget about that...because it has been released after Chapter 60 (of course you know that because you have already listened to Chapter 60 - and wasn't it great to hear from Dave M btw)And when you listen to it you are going to realise that it even refers to things that happened in Chapter 59, but you are just going to have to take that with a pinch of salt.For these are all but minor details and all you need remember is that this is Chapter 61, and that is final.Love, golf bats, and regards from Real World xhTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

There is a little TCD tradition about trying to do special things around landmark episodes, and so it continues with Chapter 60.And that is because this week Dave Meegan popped along for a chinwag.Clearly it was great to see him, and we spent a very pleasant hour looking back over the Brave & AOS years, unearthing a few hidden gems about the recording of Brave and discovering that literally NOBODY involved can remember much about writing or recording AOS. It seems it fell from heaven.It's quite a relief when you find out its not just you that hasn't got a clue.Love, Chateauneuf du Pape and McFlurryshTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

For this weeks slice of mischief we turn to the topic of set-lists. What makes for a good ‘un and what you do when it’s just not hitting the spot - i.e. the "soundcheck panic meeting"...And if that wasn't enough (and to make it appear like TCD is a well considered piece of edu-tainment) this week we even have a case study!Using the miracle of the World Wide Web we look back on the running order of the AOS live shows, what they started out like and how they developed as the tour got going.And on top of all that, we address a question that has been bugging one listener for more than 30 years.Boom.hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

It could be said that TCD is well on the way to becoming the podcast equivalent of public service broadcasting.I mean where else can you find out what a 'Bus' is and, more importantly, why it is useful (when there's only one-a-day in the shires), how to insult somebody with a motorised fader and the reason why you never see a Cricket Umpire enter the pitch without putting his gin & tonic down.Confused yet? Of course not, you have all been listening to this for too long to expect our conversations to be er... linear. And what's ANY of it got to do with a perfect vocal? No, me neither.Love'n'made-to-measure-cricket-batshTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

It's a bit of a tech one this week, possibly even a bit nerdy - but I will let you be the judge (so as not to offend). To be fair to us both, Ant DID used to sell Shure Microphones and I am, well.. a singer.Ant & I got into a chat off air about 'comping' and to cut a long story short that is how we got into the subject of the various stages involved in recording my vocal performances.Of course by the end of this you are going to be able to talk with authority about 'comping', 'tracking', 'compression' and pre-amps. I am also going to let you into a secret about the end section of Neverland and you may even find out what Peter G keeps in his cupboard. No not THAT cupboard - the other one...Toodle Pip,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

You can be forgiven for thinking this sounds like one of those episodes that was recorded late in the evening, after we had both taken a drink. 'Possibly because this is one of those chapters of TCD that didn't quite go to plan. To start with the sketchy bit of research Ant had done proved to be of no great worth, so we ended up waffling and giggling.Then we lost the zoom feed, and we didn't manage to re-connect until three days later.Now of course we are ever the professionals (as you know) so we may have put a good shine on it. But just in case we didn't (there are some things you famously can't polish) I am putting my cards on the table. Ah - a straight flush!Love'n'Rasputin (wasn't HE deaf in one ear?)hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

As one door closes.We have covered the end of the Brave tour over the last few episodes, and that means it's time we started talking about what happened next - the process that would lead to Afraid of Sunlight.With a bit of prompting from Ant, I stiffened my sinews, girded my loins and persuaded the creaking cabbage in my head to throw up a few insights about the writing & recording of AOS. I did quite well as it goes, and recalled far more than I expected.In diary news this week I am off to New York, to see Tommy (again) on Broadway and meet with the Director. You may recall that I was being put forward to play the title role when the show opened in Germany, and this was supposed to be the next stage of that journey. Supposed to be.Love'n'BeethovenhTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

September 1994. Mexico City.What with opening an exhibition, climbing a pyramid and celeb-watching last week was quite a support-slot.But that's all it was, a warm-up before the headline act hit the stage and it was show-time. So prepare yourself for the main event, or should I say main events, as the Mexico trip came to a head with back-to-back sold out shows. And what a couple of shows, both pretty unique and slightly unusual...but we will get to that in due course.And of course, there is the little matter of a silver market and a very special girl with pigtails.Fantastico lugar.TCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

September 1994. Mexico City.And after quite numerous diary extracts, and quite a lot of misplacing of possessions, the Brave Tour finally comes to an end. And what a way to finish.Mexico had made a real impression on me the first time around, so I was really looking forward to this trip and for once I captured it in some detail. So let's relive the first part of what turned out to be quite an event-packed few days. Packed with boxers, bangles, painters and "Bono-moments".And a word to the wise, always consider the possible implications before you decide to climb a pyramid when you're already 2250m above sea-level on a show-day...It was Aztecs.Toodle Pip,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

How do you celebrate the first birthday of a podcast...?As it happened it all came together quite nicely, a livestream of the recording session, my birthday shirt, honeyed tequila and everybody's favourite drummer.So cue a celebratory episode of TCD, with a bunch of your questions thrown in for good measure.It really has become a very special little project, and both Ant & I thank you for your warmth and support.love'n'toothpaste, hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

And they’re back....It seems you are all loving our Gilly & our Sue, which is kind of fortunate bearing in mind they are back for a second bite of the apple.This week we get onto the ‘rockstar’ years and what life is like when your brother is jetting off all over the place. And taking himself VERY seriously. And sending postcards.Also stay tuned for news of the special plans in place to make one whole year of TCD a bit of an event.Gosh.TCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Now this is something pretty special.Ant was finally able to arrange the long-talked-of chat with my sisters. So, please give a nice big TCD welcome to 'our Gilly & our Sue'.Of course I had no idea what had been said, so you can imagine my reaction to the tales of mischief perpetrated by my younger shelf. Needless to say I have no recollection of the curious incident of the dog in the garden.Anyway, I hope you enjoy three members of the Hogarth clan in the single episode. And if you do, then you will be pleased to know there is more to come in TCD 51.Lord preserve us.TCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

And that brings us around to 'the difficult second album'.There is no doubt that up until we began writing what would become Holidays In Eden, the honeymoon period for band & new singer had held together pretty well.As we headed back down to Brighton, and the slightly posher surroundings of Stanbridge Farm, the sun was (literally) shining both for us...and on us.Of course when we finally left there was snow on the ground. We thought we had written three nailed-on hit singles, I had discovered that rice tastes good but FEELS better and that light occasionally goes a bit goo-ey and tastes of oranges.But we will get to all of that in due course...Love'n' Kit-KatshTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

And so it began. Those first few shows with Marillion, and me thrust into the limelight - literally front and centre.To finish off the story of 1989 means talking about life on stage, from the now infamous Crooked Billet to a ‘slightly less than planned for’ start in France.As you will hear I really enjoyed the Seasons End tour, and the unique journey that each one of the shows afforded me and the boys.Oh, and if you happened to stumble on a bin liner full of Paul Smith linen suits, could you let me know?Much obliged.hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

1989.However you look at it, it was quite a year.As a band, we got through quite a lot, even without the complication of a change in personnel. So strap in as we continue with my early impressions of Marillion, which this week means the recording of Seasons End at Hook End Manor and the joys of recording promo videos.Whatever happens, by the time you get through the next 1:04:01 (hours/mins/secs) of Chapter 47 you are going to know;how to deal with a barn fire the most fun you can have with some birthday candles and a dry-cleaning bagthe first thing to do when the police turn up with a writWhoever said that TCD wasn't educational as well as entertaining.Lord Bryon sends regards,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

For quite a lot of people, this part of the story has been a long time coming.Those early months of 1989 have been the subject of many questions, as what would become the next thirty years of my life, began to be mapped out. It's a tale that involves the son of a Shadow, a school friend of Pete's and my old drinking-buddy Darryl Way, along with a car that may (or may not) have been stolen and a first meeting that was never meant to be alfresco.What I still can't fathom (as you will hear) is when I actually became the lead singer of Marillion.Love'n'allergieshTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Mmm, strange title, I hear you thinking.Well I could have gone with 'Why ever would you call a child Muff?' or even 'Why does Pharrell never return my calls?' but in the end I decided a reminder to be decent & polite was most appropriate.Of course you are now wondering what has any of this got to do with TCD Chapter 45? Well today we pick the How We Live story back up and follow it all the way through until the season finale. Anyway, boy does it end on a bit of a cliffhanger. No spoilers though - you are just going to have to wait until next week to find out how it all plays out...Love & suspense,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Ant & I did a interview this week with the lovely Anne Bond of the Web Magazine to talk about TCD. During the chat she asked about the amount of planning that went into each episode. Now clearly Anne was being a bit generous, but in the spirit of honesty we owned up to the fact that in many instances, really not a lot.Take this week. Prior to recording on Monday both of us had read the diary and Ant had proclaimed that he had an idea for a title and possibly a couple of questions.And TBH that is normally all we need. Cue the red light, adjust the pop shield and see where we end up after the caffeine runs dry.Tom McGread probably called it right when he exclaimed on receiving TCD43 ‘what a way to start a weekend, 1 hr & 21 mins of Gold Drivel’.A point well made Tom, and another contender for the tee shirt.TCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Have you ever wandered into a Marillion gig and...(a) glanced across and marvelled at the sheer size of Phil Brown's console, and speculated why he needed all those knobs. Or.(b) wondered why some chap was dashing across the stage mid-song to pull gubbins out of the back of my shirt. Or even.(c) speculated what it meant when I looked to the side of stage, pointed to Pete and then pointed down to the ground.If so then this week's episode will be a treat as I talk you through what goes on behind the scenes on a work day, as we prepare for the evenings show.Love & Line Checks.TCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Following on from last weeks discussion on my approach to lyric writing and some of the methods I employ, I thought it might be interesting to talk through an example.Gaza was a song that was somewhat unique in terms of the development of the lyrical content, and the sensitivity of the subject matter. I was very conscious I didn't want to wade in and pass comment on the situation from a distance and so in this episode I explain to Ant how the lyric took shape through the people in Gaza, Israel, and the UN whose perspectives I learned from.It also allows me to introduce you to my friend Oren Hertz.Keep it purple,hP.S Listen through to the end of the CroonCast for some breaking news.TCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Now Justin Beaney is a very fine chap,He lives near Corsham, in a place called Chapel Knapp,He sent me a message in his own time,All about the reasoning behind my rhyme.So Ant asked the question in chapter forty one,And I tried to recall the things I had done.So thanks Mr B for being one of the gang,And sorry in advance for the rhyming slang.h.TCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

What can I say, I wanted to make Chapter 40 a bit of an event.So first off we decided to record in the evening, and imbibe a little of the good stuff whilst chatting. Then Ant discovered we could stream the festivities from Zoom to YouTube in a fairly lo-fi kind of way - so we thought we would give that a go. Finally after a speculative WhatsApp conversation with the Guitar God himself, I managed to persuade Dave Gregs to drop in and mix it up a bit.And (to be fair) that's just what he did, arriving armed with his journals and gently augmenting TCD with something completely new... hard facts. :o]I hope you enjoy the '40th' and huge thanks to Dave for making it such a special evening.Love & death-by-chutney,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

I was a little concerned that the last two episodes were a little bit darker & more serious in tone than the average TCD. Now I am not saying that is a problem in of itself, after all you need a healthy mix of opposites, dark & light, sweet & bitter, ying & yang. So as we get back to some kind of normal service this week (the podcast equivalent of light froth with a generous dusting of chocolate) I like to think that this will merge with the virtual espresso shot of the last couple of weeks to form the perfect cappuccino.Anyway, metaphors to one side, this week is all about How We Live as we take a gentle stroll through the history, naming and personnel that made up that particular project.Don't Jump The Gun.hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Welcome back for the second instalment of Hogstradamus's updated list of Heroes, Villains & Predictions.You may recall that we finished last time poised to launch into my predictions for 2020 & beyond, and you will be pleased to learn we managed to "navigate" our way (me, spade in hand, digging again) through.But before we were able to start, there was the small matter of some housekeeping to attend to from Chapter 37. Namely, expanding on that first night in Hamburg on the Brave tour, and the eagle-eared attentiveness of purple listeners Andy Meaney, Adam Burton & Ivor Ellis.All together now 'Oh my TCD-TV, Oh-oh, TCD-TV..'Love & insurrection,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

I need to start the New Year by giving a shout-out to Pete Whitcher.Now Pete lives in Christchurch, Dorset (UK) and back on the 16th November he posted in the Guest Book over at stevehogath.com and this is what he had to say...Entry No. 1316: Good evening to you, Mr H,Following the latest TCD podcast (#30) and listening to your Nostra-Hogarth predictions how’s about another episode with your predictions for the next 20 years? Thank you, I’ll wait...Well Ant spotted this and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.We were hoping to get it all into one episode, but there was a good deal of meandering (who would have imagined that were possible) and so buckle up for the first of a double-header.Keep it purple, peeps.hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

This is the chapter that we riffed our way through.You see, what normally happens is that Ant arrives with a plan, well maybe not a plan in the purest sense of the word, but at least some sort of sketch of a plan.Now you could blame it on the time of year, or the sherry, or even the boogie - but the fact is he showed up for 36 with nothing. Empty-handed. Nada. He had zip. His only excuse was something to do with plumbing (I thought it wise not to pursue).Faced with this scenario, and being ever the professional, I suggested we hit record and let the fates steer us to the podcasting horizon. I think we may just have got away with it. But then I have had that suspicion all along...So that's it for 2020. Thank you for listening, contributing, responding and being with me in spirit. My floating club-gig often felt like an arena!So, here’s to parties on sunny afternoons in verdant gardens, being allowed to hug, to go to shows and to feel free again. Until then, you’re always welcome to join me in the headphones. Happy New Year, bugger the last one and stay safe.Love,hTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Depending on when you hear this, you could be buzzing from excitement about the upcoming h Natural Livestream or basking in the warm fuzzy purple glow of the event itself and all the bum notes I played. ("Surely he was wearing mittens?")Either way, Ant thought it might be fun to end the year with a chat about the whole concept behind the h Natural shows, how they came about, how I pick the songs and why trimming the tree has become a big part of the Christmas shows.And just before you think that sounds remarkably structured & planned for an episode of TCD, normal service is resumed after the diary reading as we delve into the world of 'dubbin'.Love & Baubles,hDubbinh Natural Livestreamh Natural Livestream Facebook GroupTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

You may recall that we said we were going to talk about the Hogarth/Barbieri project this week.So unbeknown to Ant I made a call or two and arranged for Richard B to join us for the recording, and if I say so myself I thought it all turned out rather well.We took a (slightly) meandering turn around our various collaborations; Ice Cream Genius, Not The Weapon But The Hand & the Arc Light EP finishing off with a hint of things to come.Enjoy. h Natural Livestreamh Natural Livestream Facebook GroupTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Well that was a little bit of a shock...I was doing a little bit of prep for todays chapter (no, honestly we do put a little bit of thought into TCD before the red light goes on) and it as it turns out the entries for ALL of 1993 are spread over 4 and-a-bit pages!Mmm, I seem to recall quite a lot went on in 1993.Undaunted, (and being the true old pros we are) Ant & I powered on to backfill some of the story around the journey that would take the band & myself to the Brave album. And as you will see it was the catalyst for a lot of things that still happen to this day.So strap in for for tales of arrow slits, flummoxed Abbey Road engineers, tanning salons, loose change in Lime Street and making a Racket for the first time.Love & livestreams..hh Natural LivestreamTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

You are probably wondering about the title for Chapter 32?All I can say is it went a bit wrong when I happened to say something a tad left field in a break in the recording of this weeks episode. It will all become clear as you work your way through...For the main order of business we pick up the h Band story, and we just about get to a conclusion whilst detouring slightly (you know the kind of thing, revelations of recordings, the renaming of bass players and Mr B's dark and fearsome aura).It's also a monstrous bit of diary this week, including an entry from one of my favourite places on the planet.And I started by exclusively announcing something that by now you are already aware of, and so isn't exclusive at all......well it made sense at the time.Love & implants,hh Natural LivestreamTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Well after the gin-fuelled, after-hours antics of Chapter 30 normal service resumed for this weeks episode.A lot of you have been asking for more information about the h Band, and whilst it’s a little hazy (it was a bloody long time ago) I have tried my bestest to recall some of the backstory.The diary entry this week takes me to South America, and includes one very memorable day that Ant thinks is possibly the most entertaining so far.Oh, almost forgot, the TCD Merch Store is up and running - check out the link belowPlinky, plinky. Plinky, plinkyhTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

After everything that 2020 has thrown at us, we've only gone and made it to Chapter 30 of The Corona Diaries.To celebrate, Ant & I decided to abandon the traditional restrictions of the TCD regime (namely, cold stone sobriety and working to some sort of a plan) and go off-piste.So with charged glasses, and a chanced upon article I wrote in December 1999 we bounded on, undaunted, into our first night-time recording session. I was to discover that in 1999 I had a mental age of 17. It hasn't progressed much since, to be honest...Whatever you can say about TCD, there really is nothing 'quite' like it.Thanks for getting us to 30, you crazy kids, it really is a thing of loveliness. Mildly sloshed loveliness on this occasion.Stay purple, stay safe.hBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

If you have been paying attention, you will know that we have nearly made it to Chapter 30 of TCD. In fact it has been recorded & edited and is all ready for publishing this coming Monday.You may also recall that to celebrate that little milestone, we promised to bring you a little bonus episode that built on one of the stories I covered in Chapter 29. Well here it is.The story in question concerns a certain gentleman called Pascal Chuvet...It was first broadcast as part of an Odds’n Sodcast, one of the extra bits of content Ant & I record as a thank you to the Patrons that support the show - details below if you want to know moreI hope you enjoy this little purple extra, and thanks for being a part of the TCD family.Love and 30 handstands,h

The counting is over.The results are in.I know it's been a tough few days, nobody enjoys the hanging around and the waiting, but you are here now and it's all going to be alrightSo, here it is.The top five weirdest things that have ever happened to me...(I was eating toast and marmalade during this one so apologies for the squelching and iffy articulation. At least my juices were flowing...)Love'n' legal action,hBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

To be fair, I do say these things......but the problem is that as soon as I hear the words leaving my mouth, I know that Ant isn't going to let it lie.So I have been spending the last week trying to compile & rank the ten weirdest things that I can recall happening, as I have made my way this far.I will have, of course, forgotten a couple which, no doubt, will break through around 4.00am and render me disturbed amidst purple thoughts for the rest of the night.Now normally I would drop a few hints or maybe the odd celebs name at this point, but this week I think it would be safer if it were spoiler-free. You have been warned.Keep it purple, hBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

If you hadn't worked it out by now, we record TCD on a Monday morning.Normally that isn't a problem, but this week my normal routine was disrupted by fitful sleep, the school holidays and a change to the usual greeting that emanates from Linette's alarm clock.Still, ever the old pro, I was "primed and ready" when the red light came on...i.e. Ant asked me about festivals and I couldn't remember any (have since had many festival memories explode in my head. I'm sure they'll be shared henceforth). So prepare yourself for err's and umm's from the cabbage which is my brain, along with Francis Dunnery, Up the Junction and yours truly making the point on You & Yours.And, if that wasn't enough, I manage to slip in a couple of cracking Dad jokes.Thank you Paul Hester, Milton Jones,h xBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite