I think we did at Marvel, but we were still using spray mount on Speakeasy at the time. I don’t know where fanzines would have been without the stuff… pritt sticks would dry out so quickly.
BTW, it's a sign of the decades passing that I thought I saw Numan last year. When I checked, I found it hard to believe it was four years ago. The sense of personal history is a major reason I enjoy your blog so much.
Well, I’m really glad you enjoy it. I sometimes wonder why I feel compelled to write it, and I always angst over pressing ‘publish’, so that helps a great deal—thanks!
Fume cupboards were considered woke! Actually, four of us were found dancing on the table in the display studio, by the manager who dropped by to see how we were doing with 4 cans of 3M and no ventilation. Baaad hangovers man! Basically sniffing glue for a salary.
You did the dancing on tables thing too? I once had to spray mount 50 Transformers Annual covers – a task approached without enthusiasm or open windows. By the end I was dancing on my desk, singing, completely off my face. I'm lucky the cleaners didn't have to peel my expertly spray-mounted corpse off the carpet next morning.
Brilliant post. I had forgotten about spray mount!
Thanks, Stevie! I wish I’d forgotten about it!
Fab, time-warp post, Steve. I wish I didn't, but I loved the smell of spray mount in the morning (or anytime, really)... explains a lot!
Ugh! I was so over it by the time I got to Marvel. I can’t remember what we used for paste-up now, did we have a hot wax machine?
I think we did at Marvel, but we were still using spray mount on Speakeasy at the time. I don’t know where fanzines would have been without the stuff… pritt sticks would dry out so quickly.
Good point! I actually hand a hand wax roller at home, but it was pretty useless.
I'm enjoying your memories and reflections.
Gary Numan is still going. I almost never go to shows, but I saw him perform here in Phoenix AZ in 2022.
Thanks, Max!
BTW, it's a sign of the decades passing that I thought I saw Numan last year. When I checked, I found it hard to believe it was four years ago. The sense of personal history is a major reason I enjoy your blog so much.
Well, I’m really glad you enjoy it. I sometimes wonder why I feel compelled to write it, and I always angst over pressing ‘publish’, so that helps a great deal—thanks!
Also, the speed at which time passes now, just seems nuts!
you should've used the Grant enlarger on Morrison.
and some of that Spray Mount is probably still lining your lungs. I don't see any fume cupboard!
Fume cupboards were considered woke! Actually, four of us were found dancing on the table in the display studio, by the manager who dropped by to see how we were doing with 4 cans of 3M and no ventilation. Baaad hangovers man! Basically sniffing glue for a salary.
You did the dancing on tables thing too? I once had to spray mount 50 Transformers Annual covers – a task approached without enthusiasm or open windows. By the end I was dancing on my desk, singing, completely off my face. I'm lucky the cleaners didn't have to peel my expertly spray-mounted corpse off the carpet next morning.
I forgot, we had it at Marvel too!