Just posted some Spread the Word pics to CMoS. Hopefully you will see them soon - specially commissioned t-shirts ideal for "What's the lobster all about then ?" type questions of which I never got a single question. Photo's were taken on the day of the gig in July and had been preceded by a week long build up to Undertones day. The eldest wasn't too impressed and refused to wear his t-shirt until later in the day but the 11 month old didn't put up too many arguements. By the end of the day our 6 year old knew all the words to Mars Bars and on Sunday managed to still remember them. Not sure I will start him on Family Entertainment yet !

Ah well - one bad gig, end of story. I agree with CR - the football analogy was a good one maybe there was a touch of complacency. Things have gone so well that this might be just what they needed. I always tell it as I see it - there would be no point in writing otherwise. Thanks for your consideration George - a trapped nerve is flaming painful.

Cliff I reckon we should crack open the Champagne as I believe that is is the first time you have agreed with me on something (apart from the obvious like the Undertones are the greatest). I had to pinch myself when I read 'I agree with Rick' in a Cliff posting. Heres to more.

A particularly rotten album cover is The first Damned album ("Ooh, we're scary punks, we're mad we are"). All Wrapped Up is also pretty offensive, irrespective of the bacon aspects. I like the cover of Hypnotised a lot though, it is just what you expected of the band. Other poor efforts - most SLF album covers, from the 3rd album onwards.

Rick - if you want Cliff to agree with you more often you can always praise his football team. That gets some brownie points. (Don't mention who beat them on Saturday though). I always liked the Positive touch T-shirt as well as the album cover. The symbols were ahead of their time. Almost late 80's acid house or whatever it was called. Not too sure about eating some of the lollies though.

Not that I agree with Arthur about Sunday being a bad gig but even Marion Jones can't get it right all the time.

I'm stuck in the house at the moment going out of my mind with boredom. Once music went to CD - I always felt that album covers lost their impact. That and the fact that record companies kept prices artificially high lead to a downturn in sales especially singles that has never been returned.

You're right Arthur, the record companies effectively killed their own market and as a result the singles chart these days gives a completely distorted picture of what the world is really listening to. The last vinyl album I bought was Definitely Maybe by Oasis in 1994. It was a brand new release that week and yet I had to hunt around all the independent record shops to even find a copy on vinyl. After that I bowed to the inevitable and bought a cd player!

What is it with everyone. Critising the gig and the Hypnotised cover. I love the album cover and lets face it we couldn't do spread the word without it.

Derek - don't bring the gig up again - I'll probably need counselling to cope with the trauma.

to anyone going to the dublin gig were and when can you buy the tickets and does anyone know any good b&b if so can you let me know ps vinny are you going up if so maybe we could share the car expense let me know ps in the local paper today interview with the tones said that they had new stuff and if they it is good enough they might think of puting some tracks down lets hope so talk to you all later

Hi all, I'm just back from London as I had to head over there after the Belfast gig on Sunday, nursing a hangover.I've been reading all the postings and I have to say agree/disagree with it all. It wasn't the best of gigs but you just can't blame the band straight away, there can be many and varied reasons as has been already mentioned. All I can say is for someone to suggest that it may be down to too much drink is incredible, this is The Undertones we're talking about here!!I enjoyed the gig but not the atmosphere generated in the huge Beer Festival tent.I'll add more later!

Finally caught up after having proved it is possible to swim in an outdoor pool in Northumberland and get burnt in the process. On album covers, I loved the first album cover as it summed up exactly what the band were about and the nature of their appeal and was v.appropriately shot in b/w. I liked Positive Touch too but never got the lollies bit. On the gig, it must have been hard to concentrate on anything at 11.30pm and I'm sorry to hear it wasn't as good as it could have been (poor sound quality can ruin any gig, no matter how good the band - wonder if Billy will let us know what happened). Glad your expertise has worked wonders on the photos CMoS - the ones of Damian look like a before and after Impulse ad. The one of Termon Hall was really to show the small size of the venue but the building bit is missing! I had to laugh at your remark Cliff about taking only 'hand luggage' to Ireland - I could hardly lift my suitcase onto the conveyor belt! Finally, Rick, I'm sure I can find something to agree with you on if there's some champagne in it!

Yeah I thought the "to much beer" comment was a bit odd to.I don't think the gig starting at 11.30 would be a problem though.

I think those who attended the gig know that it wasn't down to too much beer and never suggested it was. Didn't actually get to see you on Sunday Vinny which was a shame as I could have bored you to death with tales of my bad back, the way I did every other poor sod whom I came into contact with. I'm on for Sunday and I'm bringing the banner.