 The two were part of the Oxford-based collective that in 1984 launched the pop journal "Monitor" and then in 1986 both joined "Melody Maker" as staff writers.Stubbs remained at "Melody Maker" for a dozen years.He combined his serious writing career with writing the humorous "Talk Talk Talk" section, which featured the character of Mr Agreeable who would insult sacred cows with barrages of swear words (asterisked out to comply with IPC Media regulations).