Matt Bell

In my yoof I was trapped on a train with a crowd of Bruce fans, clad in double denim and bandanas on their way to see The Boss at Wembley. It was that terrifying experience and the throw everything at it including the kitchen sink production of his Muzak put me off him for life.

a meme — the top says “My dog just got a haircut and now he looks like he gave up drinking and got his life together” and underneath are 2 photos of a dog (a schnauzer i think?). on the left, the “before,” he’s scruffy and in need of a haircut and a bath. and on the right, the “after,” he’s clean and clipped and wearing a jaunty red bow tie and looking very dapper indeed.

i don’t know if it’s the jaunty bow tie or what but i cannot stop laughing at this

It’s a great album. Could do with a bit more John Mitchell vocal IMHO.

Have you listened to English Teacher? Their debut was jolly good.

Yes, yes I know I keep banging on about my fucking book! However, if you want one repost this and I’ll do a random winner pick thing by the end of the week because I’m great like that. ♥️📚
#amindofmyown

If you drive a 2025/2026 Tesla or still use X, there really isn't an excuse. You really are just an asshole that looks the other way.

YouTube video by Automorph Terry & The Chalkmen + Dan Barrow - Making Plans for Nigel - XTC Fan Festival, MECA Swindon, 22/6/25

TBF - A spontaneousperformance at the XTC Fan Fest from June this year, from @edpercival.bsky.social, @mattjbbell.bsky.social and me as Terry & The Chalkmen, with @barronimomusic.bsky.social ❤️

Talk about flying by the seat of our pants!

Big, huge cajones!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzq2...

Ed Percival (left) and myself, at Matt & Carly Bell's wedding, 12 years ago this week.

A throwback to this time 12 years ago - @edpercival.bsky.social and I at @mattjbbell.bsky.social's wedding to his beautiful wife, Carly.

And to think Spinal Tap had to change the cover to Smell The Glove.

A thing I did earlier about how immigration is essential to your granddad's bum.

I might be underselling it.

Take your time to admire this beautiful catfish…. 🥰
🐈‍⬛

Sign: No King No Pope. Just a Lowdown Lying DOPE

One of my favorite signs of the day.

I am looking forward to performing with @edpercival.bsky.social and @mattjbbell.bsky.social as Terry & The Chalkmen at the (sold out) XTC Fan Festival in Swindon next week.

Several songs never played in my 21 years of covering XTC tunes... and a little nervous about it too...

Who's coming?

Me!

Me!

Looking forward to a debut gig for Terry & the Chalkmen closing the sold out 2025 XTC Fan Festival in Swindon. Lots of new tunes not covered at my 26 previous XTC shows.

Who’s going to be there?

I liked that one, I have had a few listens now and it’s growing on me.

Sorry just read the thread. Haven’t actually planned that far ahead!

What for?

This reminded me of the time Fossil Fools played The Victoria, Swindon in 2011 the week before him and he played to an empty room and had to borrow the taxi fare back to the train station and we sold it out. I’d wondered what became of him since…

There's nothin' you can do that can't be done
Nothin' you can sing that can't be sung
Nothin' you can say, but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Thanks for these. It’s nice to be inspired to listen to albums I wouldn’t normally think of going near.

Fossil Fools (XTC Tribute) - Mayor Of Simpleton - Live in Swindon 2021 Fossil Fools performs an XTC classic, at The Victoria in Swindon, 2021

Migrating from Twatter... my first post is a plug for my old band, Fossil Fools. They were an XTC tribute from 2009 to 2022 and I was very privileged to have been part of them!
Here's a track from 2021, recorded at The Vic in Swindon.
soundcloud.com/terry-arnett...

Jumped ship from there too

Hello there