Show notes
This week on Dopey! We have Simon Mason, an author, recovery coach and a shadowy figure of the Britpop scene of the 1990s. whose life story is a whirlwind of rock 'n' roll excess, devastating addiction, and eventual redemption. Known as the "Cat in the Hat," Simon was a dealer to Oasis and other legendary bands, a firsthand witness to the cultural explosion of the era—and a victim of his own spiraling heroin addiction.
PLUS! A butt related voicemail, emails and much much more on a brand spanking new episode of the good old Dopey Show!
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FROM AI:
💥 Simon’s Wildest Stories:
- Selling Drugs to Oasis During Their First London Show 🎤
Simon shares how a random phone call led him to Oasis’s first-ever London gig in 1994. Tasked with delivering cocaine to the band, Simon stuck around to see their performance—and was instantly blown away.
“It was like watching The Who, The Beatles, and The Stones rolled into one. I knew they were going to be huge.”
This meeting sparked a relationship where Simon provided drugs to the band during their meteoric rise.
- Living Through Britpop Chaos 🎶🍾
Simon was deep in the Britpop scene, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Evan Dando, Jarvis Cocker, and even Kurt Cobain. He describes the madness of house parties where the industry’s elite partied upstairs, while addicts like Simon descended into darker depths:
"I was in a room full of rock stars and drug addicts—Jarvis Cocker asked me, ‘Are you going upstairs or downstairs?’ It was metaphorical, but I didn’t realize it at the time.”
- Banksy’s Offer 🎨
In a bizarre twist, Simon once turned down an offer to manage an up-and-coming graffiti artist because he thought there was “no money in graffiti.” That artist was Banksy. Years later, Banksy gifted Simon a piece of art to help fund his recovery band’s album.
“I said no to managing Banksy. That’s how dumb heroin makes you.”
- The Infamous “On Fire in a Caravan” Story 🚬🔥
While using in a dealer’s dingy caravan, Simon passed out after leaning into a candle and set his coat on fire. The dealer woke him up screaming, “You’re on fire!” Simon’s solution? He doused himself in the dealer’s two-day-old bottle of urine.
“I was covered in piss and gouged out, and somehow I thought that was normal.”
- Missing Oasis at Knebworth 🎸💔
Simon recounts how he was invited to the legendary Knebworth show in 1996, attended by over 250,000 fans. However, after losing his heroin in a festival porta-potty, Simon abandoned the show and went home to score.
“I missed the biggest moment in Britpop history because I couldn’t survive without heroin.”
🌟 The Turning Point:
In 2006, Simon hit rock bottom after a series of devastating events: being homeless, burning bridges, and receiving a death threat from a drug dealer. The final push came when his 10-year-old nephew begged him to take him ice skating for his birthday—before he died.
“He said, ‘Uncle Simon, can you please take me ice skating before you die?’ That broke me.”
Simon found his way to Narcotics Anonymous, where the simple kindness of strangers changed his life. He’s been clean ever since and is now a recovery coach, musician, and author.
🎸 What Simon’s Up to Now:
- Author: Simon’s book, Too High, Too Far, Too Soon, chronicles his wild life and recovery journey.
- Musician: He leads the band Hightown Pirates, made up of musicians in recovery, and has released three albums.
- Recovery Coach: Simon helps others struggling with addiction, offering the same love and hope he found in recovery.
💌 Listener Call to Action:
- Send in your thoughts on Simon’s jaw-dropping tales of Britpop, addiction, and redemption.
- Share your wildest stories or recovery breakthroughs—Dave loves hearing from the Dopey Nation!
🏀 Episode Wrap-Up:
Dave finishes the episode with Knicks updates, reflections on Fentanyl Jay’s journey, and his usual mix of humor and heart.
Stay strong, Dopey Nation, and as always—fucking toodles for Chris. 🐘✌️
4o
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