Having gained brownie points for playing 'Teenage Kicks' with Damian on Jools Holland and releasing one of last years best singles, Burn Baby Burn, don't you think that Ash have now blown it with that godawful, sub-Robbie Williams, dirge of a current single 'Star' (or whatever its called). Sample lyric 'there's a star in the night sky' (no really !???)

I think the first record I ever bought was a Slade single - Cum on Feel the Noize I think. Can't remember what was the first album - got a horrible feeling that it might have been ELO. First gig was definitely The Pretenders in '78 or '79 before they had a hit. Support were Graduate (Soon to be Tears for Fears). I was 15 or 16 and went on my own. Stood next to the speakers - no-one told me how loud it was going to be. Didn't do that again !

Clearing some stuff from my mum's loft yesterday I found a box of old punk badges including loads of 'Tones ones, but best of all one of those little round yellow lobster stickers still with the backing attached. The only one left in the world maybe?? Also all my old Rocking Humdingers Club stuff (including xmas card) & a photo of me as a 15 year old spikey haired punk rocker standing next to this giant Hypnotised poster. Cool!

My 1st single Ballroom Blitz - The Sweet and 1st gig was The Undertones (& The Chords), Bristol Locarno April 79 (aged 13).

The Black Leather Motorcycle Club album, Donald, is cunningly titled 'BRMC'. It's great and yes they make no secret of their admiration for the JAMC. And what's wrong with that?

Except that should read REBEL not Leather. Then it works better you see. In 'What Ever Happened to My Rock 'n' Roll (Punk Song)', the chorus goes: 'I gave my heart to a simple chord, I gave my soul to a new religion, Whatever happened to my rock and roll'. Wise words mate.

Wilke, does the Woman in Winter record you found have a live version of Yankee Dollar on it? If so would it be possible to get a copy on some format? Cheers

Oh yeah, I meant to say 1st Single Here Comes the Summer, 1st Gig Tones at Glasgow Tiffanys 1980,(I see a pattern developing). Downside: 1st album I owned was Status Quo 'Rockin all over the World' OOOps. Then my ma bought me the 1st Tones album for Xmas whayhay, imagine my disappointment when I got it unwrapped and the dopey mare in Woolies had put a Wurzels album in the Tones cover.Never put me off Cider though!!!

have just put on the classical punk cd great[i seem to be sayig that a lot these days]so how was everyones weekend?.alex d i think the song your looking for is the b side if so i will tape for you ok i see jake burns has a new band cant remember there name but they do covers eg slf clash jam if they come to derry might go to see them well see you

It's always a mistake to read the messages in time order as I sat there for about 5 minutes trying to work out CR's BRMC posting before reading his next one above it!

Welcome to Tracey. Us girls will soon be the dominant force on this website (such is life). Wonder if she likes Damian too so it can be a four-way fight at the Ocean? Jackie - thanks for the surprise (and Dominic too) and I LOVE the 'headed' notepaper - humdingingly brilliant!! Think the song should be changed to 'The world is just a great big lobster...' (perhaps everyone's too young on here to remember that one!).

I'm also agreeing with Rick today Adrian (but then again I'm not feeling too well at the moment!). Ash should have released Walking Barefoot - it's a classic, especially the way it completely stops at intervals - bit like YGMN. Apparently the record co. thought Star was more suited to the time of year (which would have been perfectly understandable had it been released BEFORE xmas!!).

Has everyone checked out the new (old) colour pix on the news page?? I think George sent them in. I seem to remember taking the one of John grinning at Durham. We always used to laugh at that picture! And where is Cliff?? Is he still in mourning?

Thanks CR, at least Ill get the name of BRMC right next time! Was woman in winter a double single?I thought it was. I know the copy I have came with a gatefold fold out comic book. the album Absolute Game had a free LP with it with the band all playing different instruments.

hi donald cliff have left the videos out to get copy will sent them as soon as get them back ok ernie will have the moondogs cd next week ok lee what tapes did you want copy let me know it will take about three weeks to get them done can only get two copys of the undertones from sat night as there are only two songs have put the tones doc on as well. donald will phone you to get your address ok alex d will look for the skids record tonight if the song that youwant is on it i will tape it just let me know were to send it ok bye

Just been into the worldpop.com website to check the singles reviews for a particular new release and discovered BRMC are voted Best Album release this week! Best Single release is A1 and quite rightly so I say. The review uncannily mirrors my boyband theory, so here it is (for what it's worth ie. probably nothing). I hold my hand up to getting it wrong. 1998 Tour, Westlife (Westside then) up for Best New Act alongside A1 and no competition - Westlifers were polished, won hands down and subsequently catapulted to immediate frenzied arena superstardom (911 somehow missed out on this phase!), without any of the hard work of doing the rounds in small venues.

However, things soon start to deteriorate and first headline gig 2.5 years later (2.5 years!??) shows them up to be purely a studio band after all, despite excellent live singing from Shane and Bryan. Rest of it not a patch on the Boyzone gigs. The pressure becomes too intense and predict split later in year bit like Steps, to be replaced by the next big thing. All the while, A1 have done their own thing in Westlife's shadow, embarking on a theatre tour and writing their own stuff, even winning a BRIT for Best Newcomer last year – which I thought was a fluke at the time. Then impressive live performance at Leeds Roadshow last summer started to change my mind and lo and behold I'm in Belfast when I hear one of their singles and just know I have to buy it. (Incidentally Good Vibes stocked A1, 911 as well as The Undertones so it’s a top shop!).

After hearing the current release I’m now thinking this band are breaking all the boyband rules, they are actually getting BETTER with each release and stand a much greater chance of being around when all the others are long forgotten. Mike Hedges (who’s worked with Travis and U2) is working on the new album so it should be interesting to see if they can pull off being the first boyband (probably since the Beatles?) to transform themselves into a worthy outfit. Nice to see a record label positively encouraging this. Single deserves a No.1 and I hope to get the chance to see them at Sheffield City Hall this time round – small-ish venue, live band and no dancers! I know, I know, there’s no hope for me is there (but if you’re still cynical, read the review on worldpop.com). PS. You can all wake up now!! (Bet you wish I was still ill!)

Wilke you can e-mail me above and I'll send back my address or mibbe if Cliff still has it he could pass it on,sounds like your going to be busy! Cheers

Is there a cure for verbal diarrhoea?

There is no cure Lindsay, you can trust me on that ;-))