James Brown: Loaded, Chaos and the 90s

James Brown changed British culture when he launched Loaded magazine in the 1990s - and changed Martin Deeson’s life along with it.

In this hilarious, emotional and frequently chaotic reunion, the founder of Loaded sits down with his former star writer for the first time in years to talk about magazine wars, addiction, creativity, grief, comedy, the Beastie Boys, Keanu Reeves, Irvine Welsh, Hunter S. Thompson journalism and the wild rise - and fall - of 90s culture.

This episode is part reunion, part argument, part therapy session.

Martin and James interrupt each other constantly, disagree repeatedly, laugh hysterically and revisit the stories behind one of the most influential magazines Britain ever produced.

Topics include:

The real origin story of Loaded magazine

Why the 1990s felt radically different from the 1980s

The explosion of comedy, music, rave culture and laddism

James Brown’s years at the NME before Loaded

Discovering writers, bands and cultural movements

Hanging out with the Beastie Boys and Keanu Reeves

Why Loaded connected with ordinary young men