80 episodes

Friends old and new join me in Derry and Toms roof gardens to discuss the work and influence of prolific British fantasist Michael Moorcock, as well as other bits of 60s and 70s genre fiction that came to me via my Grandad in the 80s and informed my world view. Books, music, role-playing games, wrestling in Featherstone Library and many other digressions await.

Breakfast in the Ruins STIMBOT5000

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 22 Ratings

Friends old and new join me in Derry and Toms roof gardens to discuss the work and influence of prolific British fantasist Michael Moorcock, as well as other bits of 60s and 70s genre fiction that came to me via my Grandad in the 80s and informed my world view. Books, music, role-playing games, wrestling in Featherstone Library and many other digressions await.

    New Edges For Old Heroes w/ Oliver Brackenbury

    New Edges For Old Heroes w/ Oliver Brackenbury

    Oliver Brackenbury returns to Derry & Toms to talk about the next phase of his excellent mag New Edge Sword and Sorcery. Moorcock talk, uncovering and unleashing a golden age hero anew and copious amounts of caffeine and lemsip dominate.
    JOIN US.
    Be sure to check out the Backerkit link for New Edge Sword and Sorcery issues 3 and 4 and Oliver's podcast So I'm Writing a Novel... 
    The conversation about The Dreaming City and The Folk of the Forest is on Youtube 
    Also check out Dan Charnley's podcast, Dan Rambles and the Preston Speculative Fiction Group's interview with MM 

    • 1 hr 19 min
    Options (Robert Sheckley)

    Options (Robert Sheckley)

    Derek AKA Imrryr returns to Derry and Toms to talk about fellow New Yorker Robert Sheckley, the late master of SF satire and absurdist parables, and his rather unusual and wigged-out 1975 opus... Options.
     


    Spoiler... it's out there... AND I LOVE IT!
     


    All of the Imrryr catalogue is available via Bandcamp, including merch, and when I get the links for the upcoming physical releases I'll add them here.

    • 1 hr 35 min
    The Time of the Hawklords

    The Time of the Hawklords

    So it turns out there's a 'Britain is Fucked' novel about Hawkwind tonning around in a van fighting ghosts and squares with guns that shoot their music AND that happens to feature Moorcock as a tertiary character with a saucy house computer.
    WHO KNEW???
    Well, some of you did obviously... but I didn't until my mate Yarks sent me a copy for my birthday a few years ago. It turns out that I was dimly aware of author Michael Butterworth at the time as I'd had some of his Space 1999 novelisations on my shelf for f'n years without realising that he was one of the dudes behind Savoy Books and appears to be a really cool cat.
    So who better to drop by Derry and Toms to talk about it than Joe Banks, author of Hawkwind: Days of the Underground: Radical Escapism in the Age of Paranoia?
    Nobody. Nobody better.
    JOIN US! 

    • 1 hr 45 min
    Snowcastles - A (Belated) One-Shit Book for Xmas

    Snowcastles - A (Belated) One-Shit Book for Xmas

    Clarky the Cruel returns to Derry and Toms to revive the One-Shit Book (books that could potentially be read on one visit to the throne) format as we look at SNOWCASTLES by Duncan McGeary.
    We consider wizard contracting standards, when barbarians aren't barbarians and just what the hell is under Greylock's fur...? We don't read the sequel but we do wonder why those people look like they're out of a 1970s public information film for children.
    Check out Clarky's blog for updates on his various gaming and reading activities, as well as an end-of-year review and his plans for 2024. Visit the Duncan McGeary webpage for details of his more recent novels and short stories and his author's blog.

    • 1 hr 19 min
    Birthday Special 2023 - w/ Joe Monti of Saga Press

    Birthday Special 2023 - w/ Joe Monti of Saga Press

    In this Birthday Special double-bill of salutations, Joe Monti (editorial Director at SAGA Press) drops by D&Ts to engage in day-drinking, Moorcock talk and chew the fat about editing amazing fantasy and various other bits n' bobs. Also, Joe gets Crabs.
     


    Then Phil and Loz join me for a serious* roundtable. Whilst we drink mucky booze and engage in a hastily and lazily bashed together but closely contested Moorcock-related quiz, Phil disses my gourd, Loz dumps on steampunk and a particularly challenging beer punches us in the temple (thanks Ash).
     


    *not that serious
     


    Quiz Beer slate:


    · Gravity Well – Photonic Molecules Pale Ale 4.6%


    · Overtone Brewing Co King of Feasts Pale Ale 4%


    · Twilight Pilgrim Pumpkin Spice Latte Stout 5.0%


    · Emperor’s Brewery Kessel Run Peanut Butter Jelly Imperial Stout/Porter 13.1%


    · Brasserie de Noir Bere Speciale cuvee exceptionale Rhum finish 5.5%


    · Snake Bite in a can from Aldi the name of which I think I may have suppressed because it was just that  ‘orrible


     
    Michael Moorcock chorus/refrain is from The Dewey Decibel System by BlöödHag

    • 2 hrs 34 min
    The Queen of the Swords Part Two

    The Queen of the Swords Part Two

    Simon Perrins (artist, graphic designer and co-host of Can I Pod With Madness) returns to Derry and Toms so we can finally conclude our re-read of the second Corum adventure, The Queen of the Swords.
    Between wading gods, crackles from beyond the veil and other interventions from the old gods of chaos, we managed to get through books two and three of this adventure intact. So join us for small talk about Moorcock, fighting fantasy books, Loz's Lovecraft formula and our favourite close-harmony choir of chaos oddballs...
    The artist whose name we couldn't remember, responsible for the Berkley edition covers as above, is David McCall Johnston.
    Simon is, of course, the geezer behind the visual identity of BITR too. Find him on Instagram and check out his store.
    Also, have a look at Karmanal of Zert by Blaze Atoms - Here's some info from their bandcamp page (sadly I can't find any evidence of their  "Swords & Space Wizards" demo - if you know of it... LET ME KNOW):
    "This is an instrumental, almost completely mixed preview of the version of "Karmanal of Zert" that will appear on the upcoming "Swords & Space Wizards" demo in early May 2016. This recording is completely unadvertised and uploaded solely so Michael Moorcock himself can hear it. So if you found it, good job. :)
    lyrics
    all music conceived, composed and arranged by Aaron DiDonatoall guitar, bass, and drums performed and recorded by Aaron DiDonatolyrics (when vocals are added) adapted from the chapter "The Frozen Army" in the book "The Queen of the Swords" by Michael Moorcock (1971)Looming in the distanceOver the valley now, come the hopping thingsBouncing, several-legged creaturesMultiversal nomads, indestructible beingsKnowing not of mortalityPledging no allegiance to Law or ChaosKnowing not true existenceHaving no soulsThe Karmanal of Zert are comingThe Karmanal of Zert, yeah, are coming for youThe Karmanal of Zert are comingHere they come - look up and seeThey lope down the slopes of the hillsSeeking the Champion Eternal they’ve been sent to kill – to killAltering the fates of untold civilizationsOn untold planes of existence – parallel dimensions of the EarthMassive fangs clash, huge eyes rollMany tentacles lash, fighting for Cosmic controlDoing the bidding of the Chaos LordsWhile in another time and plane they are fighting for LawFighting for no purpose, no sought-after endFighting indifferent to consequenceThe Karmanal of Zert always sing before they feast – alwaysThe Karmanal of Zert always sing before they feast – hear them singMaimSlayFeastThe Queen of the Chaos Swords’ laughter fills the skyMaimSlayFeastThe Queen of the Chaos Swords’ laughter fills the skyAs the Eternal Champion prepares to diePrepare to dieHear the Karmanal of Zert singHear them, hear them (repeat)Hear them, hear the Karmanal of Zert sing"

    • 1 hr 50 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
22 Ratings

22 Ratings

Alister D ,

Inspirational

This a great podcast, presented by an amiable host whose love for his subject shines through. Books, RPGs and even beers are covered; it’s accessible even to someone like me who’s only read a handful of Moorcock books (which will, of course, change).

It was the War of the Worlds episode that hooked me (their words echoing my thoughts on the various interpretations of that story) and I’ve stayed ever since. This was going to be a long review, but please just listen to this podcast and decide for yourself - If, like me, you’re a reader and writer of fantasy fiction, you won’t be disappointed.

GemmaLo ,

Moorcock and beyond

A great, accessible and well-researched podcast. The host’s passion and knowledge shine through and the guests are always interesting. Not just for Moorcock fans. Really insightful, would recommend.

Asako Soh ,

Fabulously warm and fun podcast

I love listening to the host discussing the work of Moorcock with his various interlocutors, and the important side reviews of cafes and beers. The show works through the novels of Moorcock and the associated media, including RPGs, and are great fun and very informed. Michael Moorcock is hugely important to fantasy fiction, gaming and wider culture. A great listen!

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