Santa | Analogue Boy In A Digital World

It’s a special Christmas edition of Melody Maker this week. Not only a new year coming up, but a new decade and a new century. It can only be 1999.

In news, Travis are doing homecoming gigs in Glasgow, and hoping to avoid playing large arenas, despite the success of their album The Man Who.

Justine Frischmann is subject of a Q and A, being asked to give her opinions on Blur and Suede’s new albums.

Meanwhile, The Charlatans have denied that their new single My Beautiful Friend is about Rob Collins, the band’s former Keyboardist who died in 1996.

There is an unscientific test of the bets Hangover TV, with SM:TV Live, Live and Kicking, T4 and Soccer AM all in contention.

There is a guide to the best Christmas TV, with Kevin The Teenager doing a guide to being a teenager being advised as “Don’t miss”

Naturally, 1999 gets reviewed, with a month by month look, as well as some of the best quotes.

There’s even a world exclusive interview with Santa Claus, conducted by Rick Witter from Shed Seven.

Metallica are interviewed about their perfect Christmas, declaring there is nothing more Christmassy than hardcore porn.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a few drinks, and Melody Maker goes out to get drunk with the band A.

Meanwhile, Longpigs give a guide to the best Christmas food.

Cover stars Stereophonics are interviewed, declaring 1999 to be a brilliant year.

Roddy Woomble from Idlewild talks about his favourite films of 1999, including Fight Club and South Park, while Dermot O’Leary talks about TV in 1999 including Friends, Eastenders and Louis Theroux.

In a magazine full of lists, Head Music by Suede wins Best Album, while I Try by Macy Gray wins Best Single, ironically not becoming a massive hit until 2000.

In concert reviews, Melody Maker took a trip to Belfast to see Travis at the Waterfront Hall.

The magazine ends with a Q and A with Macy Gray where she reveals she laughs when people sing Happy Birthday to her, while Noddy Holder discusses the lyrics to Merry Xmas Everybody.

What appears to be Santa Claus on this week’s edition of Goal is actually Terry Neill of Arsenal, visiting Great Ormond Street Hospital in his role as Chairman of the PFA.

Bobby Charlton uses his column to discuss onfield violence, stating that football is not too violent.

Another Bob is featured, Stokoe, who has hit out after being sacked as manager of Charlton Athletic.

Derby County have discovered they have a growing fanbase across the world, with supporters emerging in Baghdad.

Frank O’Farrell, new manager of Leicester City, has claimed that Leicester can win the title. He would be proved right, albeit 47 years later.

With it being nearly Christmas, naturally, Goal asks some footballers what they want this year. Alan Ball, just wants Everton to beat Man City on Boxing Day.

The tie of the round in the European Cup Quarter-Finals is AC Milan v Celtic, with writer Leslie Vernon expecting the Italian side to win the tie and the competition. He would be proved right.

This week’s Girl Behind The Man goes to Scotland, to meet Anne Gemmell, wife of Celtic star Tommy Gemmell.

There is a look at gates in England, with the most notable figure being that Nottingham Forest have lost 123,000 fans over two seasons.