Two weeks ago, ever-entertaining Pet Shop Man Neil Tennant came into the Rock’s Backpages “cupboard” to look back on his time at Smash Hits magazine — and explain how he became pop’s ultimate poacher-turned-gamekeeper.

   Neil talked about mid-’70s London and about interviewing a pudgy Marc Bolan for Marvel UK. He recalled the laughter and irreverence of his 1982-85 stint at Smash Hits before the Pet Shop Boys shot to No. 1 in Britain and then America. After hearing clips of himself speaking to Steven Daly in 1996, he attempted to explain the longevity of the PSBs but took issue with the term “national treasure”.

   Mark Pringle (left) & I also paid tribute to the late Andrew Weatherall as we heard a clip of the legendary DJ/producer/remixer talking to DJ History‘s Bill Brewster in 2009. Neil offered his perspective on the evolution of the UK’s club culture through the ’90s, then pitched in as Mark guided us through highlights of the week’s new library additions. Discussion followed on Hawkwind’s topless dancer Stacia, Michael Watts’ 1976 dinner with Laura Nyro and the 10th anniversary of Manchester’s Haçienda club…