As far as hooded tops, I never had the guts to get one until about three years ago and have not had the guts or inclination to put the hood up. I did have a New Fads long sleeved t-shirt which looked better on everyone else than me.

I do remember that the Martin Hannett remixes of their singles were really good and I did see them live in Bristol, I was right at the front… which was bad, I got up the next day to find my stomach bruised from the crush, but the music was damn fine.

My Collins Gem dictionary does provide a definition of automatic as being “operated or controlled mechanically”, which could mean the sign is accurate, but I’m digging me heels in and stating it’s still wrong, at least until I consult the OED, which I can’t be bothered doing, obviously.

Back in my inky-fingered Melody Maker / NME reading days I do vaguely remember reading where the New FADs had got their name from, but that fact had completly slipped my mind, so thanks for the reminder. That loose Wordsworth connection now lends my somewhat contrived title and post a greater connection than they really deserve, but which I am grateful to accept.

Big was an utterly fantastic single, and I have very happy memories of a group of us singing it in a curry house in Bradford while using a voice-distorter a DJ mate of mine had brought along. I never owned a New FADs hoody mind, although I did have a World Of Twist long-sleeved top; does that count?

Ahh, the New Fast Automatic Daffodils. I was such a fan I even bought a hooded top. *sighs*

I only discovered last year their name was from a poem by a Liverpudlian called Adrian Henri who crossed Wordsworth’s poem with dipping into a car manual and, I believe, thus came up with the frankly stonking first line :

“I wandered lonely as a new, fast, automatic daffodil.”

I am sure you knew this, but ’twas news to me.

Anyway, I always enjoy your blog - so stay well.

All the best,

Ian TB