iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Sparing a little thought for my old childhood friend Doug Simpson, who would have been 54 today. Which means it's 43 years today since I first went to his house for his 11th birthday... God, where does it all go? I miss you, mate.

Doug on the left, me on the right, clinging onto each other at the top of Carlton Bank on the North York Moors.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Really enjoyed chatting with the ace @mariauzor.bsky.social for the new issue of @electronicsound.bsky.social. About childhood out-of-body experiences, nuance-free social media debates, The Beatles, Nina Simone, Sink Ya Teeth... and her excellent new album 'Fantasyland'. Out now!

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

A mere month until the Switched On electronic weekender in Whitby... now a lovely fixture in my calendar every year. Great line-up, nice vibes. And I'm all about the vibes. I'm hosting again, but don't let that put you off.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Anyone free on actual Halloween night? Come to Whitby! A full night of folklore and oddness, including my countdown of the Top 40 Best Witches Of All Time. Granny Weatherwax and Hazel McWitch are currently hovering around the Top 10, but Evil Edna is also looking strong...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Grab a copy of the current @electronicsound.bsky.social while you can... I spent an afternoon with Belbury Poly! Jim Jupp and Chris Budd on 1980s fantasy, Carry On soundtracks, fretless bass, the future of @ghostboxrecords.bsky.social, and their ace new album Sorcery. Out now... (mag and album)

My massive bendy thumb obscuring my Electronic Sound feature about the new Belbury Poly album, Sorcery.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Speaking of Mr Griffiths, the Wiki entry for George A Cooper includes this splendid anecdote from Sir Tom Courtenay...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Needed conkers. Found conkers. Got mugged by a horse chestnut tree.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

What scene makes you emotional no matter how many times you see it?

Text on a computer screen from the final scene of the film 'Stand By Me'. "I never had any friends later on the like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Whitby this Friday night, anyone? Regular haunto/folklore night At The Back of The North Wind returns, and I'm performing my psychedelic shaggy dog story Dreams Of Freeborough Hill. It features King Arthur, Comet Hale Bopp and the 1997 Boro team. Pay what you fancy!

A poster advertising At The Back of the North Wind. Rewild Your Mind at Flowergate Hall, Whitby, Friday 18th September from 7pm.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Currently fascinated by the Stones' Satanic Majesties period, and how you can judge by their expressions on the cover which of the band had already seen enough of the psyche-fuckin-delic revolution to last them a bloody lifetime. In order of make it stop-ness: Wyman, Richards, Watts, Jagger, Jones.

The Rolling Stones on the sleeve of Their Satanic Majesties Request.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Trendy indie kids! I'm told this is dangerously close to selling out... Cud, The Wedding Present, The Primitives, Young Knives, Bis, Slime City and Mt Misery all playing an October weekender in Whitby. I'm MC-ing, but don't let that put you off. www.seetickets.com/event/only-a...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Sad to hear that Raleigh is in trouble. Here's my Chopper, pictured in 1984. I bought it from my best mate Doug for £15 (he'd just got a BMX) and painted it dark blue, ruining most of my mum's best towels in the process. Dog: model's own.

A rough collie dog looking bemused beside a freshly-painted Raleigh Chopper bike. In 1984.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Always a pleasure to interview @marghjenkin.bsky.social ... grab the new @electronicsound.bsky.social for our chat about his synth soundtracks and the formative experience of listening to the Inspiral Carpets live at G-Mex on Radio 1 in 1990. Check out his new film Rose of Nevada too, it's ace.

'The Analogue Auteur'... feature in the new issue of Electronic Sound magazine about the synth soundtracks of film-maker Mark Jenkin.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I'm very much a novice gardener, but I've had fun this summer building my own little dingly dell. My lillies have come up a treat.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Found this weighty tome in a bus shelter book exchange in Middleton-One-Row, and it appears to have been signed by Stan Boardman (Buttons). The book is from 1978, so when did Stan Boardman play Buttons at (I'm guessing) Darlington Civic Theatre? Could be a mission for @pantosplaining.bsky.social

The front cover of "Meet The Junglies" Story Book, a kid's reading book from 1978

The inside cover of "Meet The Junglies", signed by Stan Boardman (Buttons)

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I recommend anyone heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this year to check out Scott Turnbull's Surreally Good... I saw it at the Waiting Room in Eaglescliffe on Sunday and it's beautiful, strange, touching, funny and VERY Teesside. Chufty Badges all round. www.edfringe.com/tickets/what...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

As an unreformed 80s/90s indie kid I'm thrilled to be the onstage MC for this Whitby weekender in October... Cud, The Wedding Present, The Primitives, Bis and more. It was brilliant fun last year, and it looks like this year's event is (checks notes, counts on fingers) 85% sold out!

Cud, The Wedding Present, The Primitives, Young Knives, Bis, Mt Mistery, Slime City and Carefree Sud... live at the Royal Hotel in Whitby 2nd and 3rd October. 85% sold out!

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

My office for the afternoon. Agnes Hebbrom (1763 - 1825) will be around soon with the cake trolley.

Me, looking old and sweaty on a bench in a country churchyard.

Sun-dappled fields through silhouettes of swaying trees.

A 20th century laptop surrounded by 18th century graves.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Even the Giant Hogweed is looking a bit limp today.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

That's the one! My gran lived on Rievaulx Drive and I used to stay there every weekend. That little row of shops felt genuinely magical - all my comics came from Murray's newsagents. I went down and took some pics in Summer 2020 when it was being demolished. A really sad day.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Anyone near Holmfirth on Wednesday? Come along to the free Midsummer Wine celebration at the actual Sid's Cafe! With Jonathan 'Crusher' Linsley, Ken 'PC Cooper' Kitson, and my mate @andrewtsmith.bsky.social, who I'm interviewing about his new Roy Clarke biography... www.summerwinos.co.uk/events

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. In pots. On my patio.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

"...man". Particularly groovy roadworks on the M6 (Southbound) yesterday.

A roadsign on the hard shoulder of the M6 motorway: "Some works are out of sight"

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Radio fans may recall my love of post-punk synth-folk combo Rudolf Rocker. I took afternoon tea with the original line-up now reformed, @mgoodall.bsky.social, Steve Goodall & Jeremy Dyson (yes, him) to discuss their ace new album Rocker's Revenge... it's in the current @electronicsound.bsky.social!

My Rudolf Rocker feature from the new Electronic Sound magazine. Apologies to Steve and Jeremy whose likenesses are obscured by the sleeve of my sweater.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Great weekend at Whitby's Hand Of Glory folklore festival, although I've had to do a lot of sleeping since I got home. Thanks everyone who came, and to all who performed - it was ace. Here's myself and @scarredforlife.bsky.social Ste Brotherstone asking an important question late on Friday night.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Free folklore festival in Whitby this weekend! With added @scarredforlife.bsky.social Folk Horror from myself and Stephen Brotherstone at 9pm tonight. Here's everything you need to know... I'm setting off soon and am very excited about it all.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

It's Bandcamp Friday! If you're in the mood for a bit of weird, retro-flavoured drama, please give our @mulgraveaudio.bsky.social releases a listen... we're probably the only company in the world to have worked with both Valerie Singleton and Belbury Poly. mulgraveaudio.bandcamp.com

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Free folklore festival in Whitby all weekend! Friday to Sunday, please come and join us... spoken word and music from a league of great performers. I'm MC-ing all weekend, and tomorrow at 9pm myself and Ste Brotherstone will be doing the @scarredforlife.bsky.social Folk Horror show...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Sending love to the wonderful Sandra Kerr, who is sadly unwell and unable to perform, but I'm so grateful to Stephen Brotherstone who has agreed to dart over to Whitby next Friday night and we're doing a *free* version of the @scarredforlife.bsky.social Folk Horror show for anyone who fancies it...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

BY THE BATTLE SWORD OF KIRKLEVINGTON VILLAGE

A 38-year-old drawing of a medieval broadsword in black biro

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Found a load of sketches that I did in 1988 when I was 15 and virtually living in Middle Earth. These might have been drawn during actual Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, slaying hill-trolls while Neil Braithwaite's mum brought ham sandwiches to the kitchen table.

A long-haired archer drawn in black biro

A medieval castle in smoking ruins. My dream home when I was 15.

Some kind of Tolkien-esque orc-style beast drawn in black biro

A sun-bleached skull lying somewhere on the outskirts of Thornaby

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

I love @marghjenkin.bsky.social's films, I'm still having fun solving the temporal jigsaws of 'Enys Men'. His new film, 'Rose of Nevada', is equally great and it was lovely to chat again for @forteantimes.bsky.social... timeslips, pre-internet mystery and New Fast Automatic Daffodils. Out now!

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Got a little rosy glow from finding my mates in the big Oxford Street HMV. #t-t-teessiders @benefitstheband.bsky.social

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

The sun is out, and that can only mean one thing... Giant Hogweed badges are available from the Haunted Generation website! Grab one here and help celebrate the legacy of Britain's favourite toxic riverside weed. bobfischer.bigcartel.com/category/bad...

A collection of Giant Hogweed badges, sold through the Haunted Generation website with artwork by the great Jason Heeley.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Croft-on-Tees on Sunday, and the grinning cat in St Peter's Church that reputedly inspired Lewis Carroll. His father, the Rev Charles Dodgson, was the local vicar and is buried in the grounds. I haven't been inside the church since I walked the Teesdale Way in 2011, so it was lovely to see it again.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

The new @forteantimes.bsky.social has my regular Haunted Generation column, with thoughts on work by @occultaria.bsky.social, Foster Neville, NIMF, @keithseatman.bsky.social, @plentywenlock.bsky.social, Jim Noir, Nilson, @waysideandwoodland.bsky.social, @soullessparty.bsky.social and more. Out now!

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Completely free Whitby folklore festival! All through Bank Holiday weekend, 1st-3rd May. I'm MC-ing, and also hosting the 'Bagpuss And Beyond' show with the mighty Sandra Kerr (Friday teatime, I'm told!) It will be fabulous... come along, and follow @flowergatebeyond.bsky.social for updates.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

The Dorman Musuem also has the huge golden cock that was on the roof of Winterschladen's off licence in Middlesbrough until 1975.

Bob standing eye-to-eye with a huge golden cock.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Fellow Alan Garner fans... have a wander down to the Dorman Museum in Middlesbrough sometime, they have a plate from the actual Owl Service, donated by the Garner family in 2017. I went yesterday and it still gives me a little frisson.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Another attempted comic from 1982. "Zappo" Issue 1, with "Pop charts for the end of March on P.7". There was no Issue 2. In fact, I'm not sure there was any more of Issue 1.

Front cover of a hand-drawn comic called "Zappa", dated April 1982. Lots of felt-tip illustrations. Very little else.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Facebook has just informed me that it's ten years today since I gave Trevor and Simon a lift to Darlington station and they insisted I bring my dog Mr Tallister with me.

Trevor and Simon in a Toyota Starlet looking very happy alongside a yawning border collie.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

I love the Library Of The Occult label but only realised recently that I knew virtually nothing about its founder Tom McDowell, so here you go - the new @electronicsound.bsky.social has my long interview with this nebulous man of mystery. Turns out it all started with his Uncle Cornelius. Out now!

Bob giving the thumbs up to his magazine feature about the Library Of The Occult label.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Had a haircut and shave for the first time in ages. I'm thinking of this as my "1960s pop star makes ill-advised 1980s comeback" phase. I'm a whisker away from wearing a brown leather jacket and playing my old hits on Wogan with a Yamaha DX7.

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I wondered if was an early part of an animation that resolved into the Live Aid logo. It does look similar...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I wondered if it was part of an animation that gradually became the Live Aid logo. It does look very similar...

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Bob Fischer @bobfischer.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

My mate @andyshoebox.bsky.social wants to identify what was on his telly when he took this photo in the mid-80s. Can anyone help? @scarredforlife.bsky.social? I wondered about Live Aid, as it looks a lot like the illustration of Africa in the Live Aid logo - was it incorporated into an animation?

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