Tell most people that devoted ‘zaddy’ and football fan Graham Howe is also renowned wit and retired raver Chin Howe, and they will probably say ‘Oh yeah? Jimmy Hill’ or ‘Chinny reck-on’, which (coincidentally or not) are both possible sources of my guest’s infamous nickname. In this Christmas-ish episode of First Impressions (shout out to Adam & Joe, Paul & Bob, and our other imitators) Chin/Graham and I also discuss meeting for the first time (possibly while each still in the womb), being the shyest n’ er do wells at school, growing up by the sea, our love of ‘90s comedy and clubbing and much else beside.
With a nod and a wink to the Monkey Scribbling podcast, we also examine two letters Chin sent to me from Manchester – one in 1996 (complete with Euro 96 clippings) when I was in Liverpool, and the other in 1997, posted to Milan, which features some racy cartoons and news of Chin’s almost-career as an airport baggage handler.
Best enjoyed through headphones, Episode 19 of First Impressions also includes a proper ravey mash-up at its midpoint (32:22), a rough cut of a brand new Decaying Leather tune (00:01) and an extract from my novel-in-progress Adrift (1:03:51). Also contains swearing, adult content and occasional impressions.