I also liked the album Steve Mack put out with his subsequent band Anodyne/Marfa Lights - very petrol-ish in places. See: http://home.c2i.net/esmark/tpe-s​teve.htm

So much to talk about - so little time. I agree TPE made some superb stuff - just think Babble and The end of the Millenium..... had too much filler (The latter understandable as I think John (Sean) announced he was leaving on the first day of recording. Manic Pop Thrill is a classic - I also love the Paul McCartney sound alike - the title of which escapes me at the moment. I think the thing that splits many bands between good and brilliant is the brilliant ones give away such classics as b-sides. The Undertones, Clash, Costello and TPE all did this - anyone familiar with The Deadbeat, Chemicrazy etc. There were a few crap ones admittedly but those will do for a start. And to be able to come back and make better music when your main songwriter leaves - who else has done that ? Chemicrazy and Fireproof are wonderful albums.

Ian McNabb is another of my favourites. The Icicle Works should have been huge - again great albums made consistently over many years. His solo stuff is so consistent too - with 1 exception being the acoustic album in my opinion. I didn't know he was on in Birmingham - Steve when is it and even though you hate the venue are you going ? Also are you up for Strummer on November 20th ?

Julius - I don't know which were singles but I've got the Rare album. 1 brilliant track on it - the rest not so good I don't think. It's all opinions I guess. Let me know if you are interested - I am hoping to send you something in the next week or so if I can just find a few minutes at home.

On the TPE site I marked on posting 10582 there is currently a vote for the favourite tracks on each album. I voted for Fleshprint which got a measly 3 votes - I think Mouthcrazy and Can't Stop got 40 odd. Can't understand it - wehat a great start to get the mood of an album. It's all opinions I guess - where have I heard that before ? Needless to say on Babble my vote is helping to keep Swamp at No 1 followed by It's a Good Thing but there are 3 tracks which have managed 0% of the votes currently whereas on Manic Pop Thrill the votes were more evenly spread. Might back up my opinion - then it might not. Must get back to work now.

I'm with Lee on TPE's Chemicrazy. Sensitize is also one of my all time fav's from anybody

McNabb's voice is spellbinding - on eo fthe few singers that can singer very loud at low volume. Have just heard 'Paul McCartney's' - 'Driving Rain' and song content aside its very well put together back to decent songwriting.

Anybody seen 'The Two Of Us' a film doing the rounds on Sky - its about a fabled meeting between Macca And JL in New York when he's touring 'At The Speed Of Sound' - excellently written - Aidan Quin takes the Mc role looking like McNabb but theres no German Helmet circa 1943.

Manus - has bidding stopped on the video? & how much?

Just returned from work, spent 4 hours in the car (had an appointment in the west of Holland) and played the Good Vibrations compilations CD back-to-back(only interrupted by the traffic info which did not avoid me getting in a very heavey traffi jam. I have got both the CD's, great stuff song-for-song, ofcourse the Moondogs are fab, but also the song by the Bankrobbers is an absolute classic. Happened to note (for all you anoraks) that the Undertones-song you hear on this Anagram CD is 'Emergency Cases', whilst the sleeve says it should be 'Smarter than U' Interesting stuff! 'it is a good thing' is great stuff to play in the car, Jackie, especially at a morning drive when you try to wake up!

Right now playing the B-sides LP and just like to state that 'really really' (B-side to Get Over You) is ffffantastic, I just seemed to have forgotten that song until I played it a few minutes ago

The Undertones B sides are mainly excellent. Its usually the sign of agood band when they do new tracks as B sides. Cant agree with the Paul Mccartney comments C mos. When I heard he had written a song about Sept 11th I had presumed it was going to be played to the Taliban until they surrendered. I've been trying to remember the tunes that the FBI played over loudspeakers in a hostage situation at I think an embassy some years back. I think it was a speed metal band but can anyone remember?

Soft Cell were excelent a couple of weeks agio. Very dancey and not at all dated. I see they got a 5 star review at Leeds Uni - Lindsay or Jacki - did you go?

Lee, Ronnie Scotts date is on Sunday 18th Nov, No I won't be going as i detest the place...Too many people go their just to have dinner and sit and talk all the way through the band, the beer is Overpriced £2.50 for a small bottle of bud!!! The Place is craply laid out...The entrance fee is always mega money..I could go on..I am hoping to go to Strummer though...Hay Lee I was one of the people voting for Can't Stop!!! Agree with you about filler on Babble and Millenium.Voting with you on Swamp though. I have the first Rare single....Awful it is...Actually i know that Sean offered it to TPE after he left, suggesting that he still wrote for them but did'nt tour, they could'nt believe his cheek!!!!Other excellent TPE b sides...Mine and Jesus Says. Lee what did you think of the cracker and Doves CD's? Went to see the wonderful Sparklehorse last night....Just Stunning.

What are 'the moves' to Big Decision?!?! I think the best Petrols album was Chemicrazy. Fantastic stuff. If memory serves right the Rare singles were Something Wild, Don't make me wait, & Killer.I heard one of them on TV once as the theme music to a series.