Most pointless reunion of the week ? Secret Affair !! I kid you not - Shepherds Bush Empire in June. I Loved 'Time for Action' and 'My World' and I hear there is a mod revival coming up. God help us. Anyone tempted in going to see them ?

Well my mind has been made up for me. Definitely not going to see the Sex Pistols in London. At a recent press conference for the re-release of the Sex Pistols ‘God Save The Queen’, Lydon came out as saying that the monarchy is a good earner for the British economy and that he supports Jubilee celebrations. What is the world coming to? He is about as radical as Tony Blair. Seems to me that Lydon has turned into one of the boring old farts that he once rallied against.

Hold on Liam - Lydon also said he was neither pro or anti royalty just indifferent. He HAS criticised them in recent interviews for doing a poor job (for the money thats spent on them) and for being out of touch with the population. Don't forget he also came up with the classic lyric 'we are ruled by none - never ever' and thats my attitude too. I am NOT the Queens subject and I will not tug my forelock at 'ma'am' just because she was born into a priviliged family and I wasn't. Anyway, her family is only priviliged because her ancestors were bigger thugs than mine when land was being siezed.

Don't start me on the monarchy. 20 years ago I would have been joining the 'line them all up against a wall and shoot the lot of them' brigade - in jest of course! I've mellowed a bit with age and can see that there is a role for them if so many American and Japanese tourists really want to come over here and spend so much money then let them - it creates jobs for the rest of us and brings money in which in a small way must help us. But they should be treated the same as everyone else and earn a rate of pay that the job warrants. The volume of hangers on that don't pull their weight has reduced considerably - but is still way out of line. There are a few that do some good - and endless charity attendences are worthwhile in a way. But when you look at the official events some of them carry out - has anyone seen Edward or Andrew at any on the news in the last 12 months? - and compare it to their civil list earnings it's scandalous.

And then they get to live in the mansions that all of those tourists want to visit. It's a hard life. I never thought I'd see a labour government in power for so long without making any real changes to higher rates of taxes on income and especially on inheritance tax over certain levels of income or wealth that are just preposterous, especially with the constant cries for improvements to basic fundamental services that should be provided to everyone. There has to be a way to balance this without resorting to ridiculous levels such as 98% rates of tax. How did I get onto this from the monarchy? Oh well - time to shut up I think. Sorry for ranting.

And on a lighter note - saw the ad for the Teenage Kicks compilation last night. A few classic tunes on that 1. Hadn't heard Do Anything you wanna do for ages. Must dig that out and give it a play.

I saw an ad last night for Football Anthems and it mentioned the Undertones. Don't know what song though.

Rick. Lydon has said that he thinks the monarchy should be scaled down and the 'good ones' kept. Even if he was indifferent to them how does that square with his once professed anarchist and working class anger. I hate to say it but the Pistols would have been better of if they had never reformed. All the attitude and anger has been lost and replaced ego and revisionism. And could all this change in attitude towards the monarchy be a vain attempt to ensure that the re-released 'God Save the Queen' makes it to the top of the shit parade.

I don't disagree with you Liam. I suppose we all mellow with age to some extent. All I know is that when I saw the Pistols in '96 they kicked up a storm live and were really good (all those years of practising since they last played I guess). They had something to prove then i.e. to disprove all the bullshit that McClaren etc. had said over the years about being manufactured and not being able to play. Not sure if they'll be as good this time but, what the hell, its a day out and I'd rather spend it in the company of the Pistols than anyone performing next week-end at the Buckingham Palace concert.

Arthur. Teenage Kicks can often be heard being played at the Brandywell. Not sure if that was what they would have been referring to though.

Football Anthems? WHEN SATURDAY COMES?

We should organise a regular chatroom gathering. How about 8.00 pm tonight to start with. Click email link to drop into the CASBAH. Will get a new improved chat room sorted soon.

Nigel, hello!! Great to hear from you again, we thought we'd lost you forever, and you're back just in time for your birthday too - how many is it this year? Wouldn't advise trying to read the old postings - it would take you until your next birthday to get through them all but don't worry, we've generally just repeated ourselves for the past 12 months! Chat at 8 sounds good - after Eastenders then. CU all there!

Liam - is the first drink free?

Vinny, I was trying to say hello but couldn't type anything in. Liam - what am I doing wrong?? Have I not got the required software or something or is there a conspiracy to keep me quiet!

Dominic, I emailed the charity address you left on here but they sent it back. Email me direct with your address and I will send you that cd. Lee, that would be a waste of bullets - surely there's a slower way.

I'm not a great fan of the queen but when you compare her to President Blair or god forbid President Thatcher we could end up with worse. My brother-in-law used to be in the Royal Protection squad and certainly was not happy with some of the work the 'lesser' royals put in. Even footballers work harder for the money. My biggest gripe is that nearly all the extra money that is brought in by tourists is concentrated in London.

You are right about the adverts on your chatroom site Liam. Is it hosted by an American company? Is the Ramones site still up and running or was it only for the one off concert?

Lindsay. I had the same problem last night, I think you have to type in the white area at the bottom?

Did you get my e-mail Vinny?

AlexD: Which one? I sent you flight details earlier?

As for the my opinion of the royals I'm off to see a real anarchist (Tony Benn) tomorrow night in concert,(honest!) and my son is wearing his Che Guevara tshirt to his schools jubilee party on Friday. Freedom for Hebburn!!

Sorry I missed you all in the chatroom at 8pm- Lindsay see you there for a post BB chat??Are Jade and Spencer an item?

Just got it Vinny, no probs.

BB's Sunita - shes the one