Queer thinking; straight talking – Geri Halliwell's Schizophonic with Malcolm MacLean

On May 31 1998, Geri Halliwell shook the globe by announcing that she was leaving the Spice Girls, effective immediately. Caught in the tumult of one of the biggest scandals in pop history, Geri she did what any gay icon would – she packed a bag and headed straight for George Michael's gaff. It was there that she decided what the hell she was going to do next. The result was Schizophonic.

Lauded as a parallel universe third Spice Girls album, Geri's debut is a cacophony of frenetic but catchy bops, boasting three UK number ones. But on re-listen over two decades later, does it still lift us up? Or were we just in a bubble?

This episode the boys are joined by reformed groupie Malcolm McLean, author of Freak Like Me, a hilarious, nostalgic jaunt through teenage angst and 90s pop. Join us as we take you back to our sweet la vida and ask – where the fuck is Mi Chico Latino?

Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist.

You can find out more about Freak Like Me on @freaklikemebook and order a copy at any good bookstore.

Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.