Happy Birthday yesterday Vinny, 37, that brings back memories.I'm having some 'quality time'(yuk! I hate that phrase)with Oliver today, gonna teach him the joys of sport on a Saturday afternoon.England versus Ireland first,followed by the football later.So whos gonna win the rugby then? got to be En-ger-land.

sorry, I havent really been following this 'Basement' thread.Are they from Derry? I see theyre playing in Colchester which is easier for me than London.

Went to see the Rezillos in Edinburgh last night. Have travelled back overnight. Liquid Rooms would make an excellent Undertones venue. Hot and sweaty (but full of smoke). Gig was very good. No Revillos songs though. Some new songs. LP due out later this year. Gig finished at 9:45 so I went to Donalds. Thanks for the hospitality Donald. I have received your e-mail Arthur. I will send tape Monday. Belated Happy Birthday to Vinny.

Good seeing you George and glad you got back safely. I could hear 'Its Gonna happen' blasting out your car as you drove off - the journey must have flown by.

I'd have gone to Burger King myself.

Throughout the decades music has given many artists the chance to say what they feel and politics often gets a voice through those artists. Correspondingly, certainly in my day, music fans too developed a sense of understanding and music and politics have always gone together. I don't pretend to be in touch with the youth of today and I hate to generalise but certainly over the last 10 years any form of personal opinion seems to have disappeared. Unfortunately if the next posting is anything to go by the 'fans' too have lost any interest in wider things in life. The posting is a letter to Q magazine from some twat from Birmingham. I didn't see the programme but if this is the voice of todays youth it's very worrying.

'Now, no-one in their right minds wants war, and we are all worried about nutters with dirty bombs. But can you imagine Tony Blair ringing George W Bush and saying 'I've just seen Ms Dynamite singing a splendid anti-war song with some old '80's has-been on our excellent Brit awards, so the war's off'? No, so why couldn't we have had a couple of hours of music at this years Brits without pop stars bringing along all the political bullshit? Make the odd half-decent record by all means, but don't think anyone gives a shit about what else you might think. Phil Spurrier, Birmingham.

Don't suppose we are going to see Gareth or Will coming out with any great opinions on the war then if this is what the fabns of today want - nice harmless watered down cover versions of crap without any ounce of individuality. I hope this is a passing phase and music is not dead.

Just listening to Exodus Bob Marley full volume from downstairs. Every window in the house open. Its a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l day!!

Got a wee bit excited last night, sorry for the ranting but they were a great band!! It's my Birthday today(29th) Cliff. The Basement are from Omagh but I think they are based in Liverpool. Ernie will give you more details and you can watch/ hear their single on the website.

Well done Vinny! The Basement are from Omagh - they left the town and set up in Liverpool in September 2001. They rehearsed there until May 2002 and played their debut gig on 2nd May 2002. The played a follow up gig 4 days later in The Cavern Club and (wait for it) were signed up the next day by Deltasonic!

not sure about that Lee,I'm fed up with George Michael saying what 'the nation' thinks.Who does he think he is, why should we take the views of a bloke who wants a quick wank in the public toilets seriously.

Happy birthday Vinny!! Sorry, I am a bit late with it but was busy at work

Agree with Lee, ofcourse songs dont change politicians' decisions, but they can set public opinion, make people think and in the end this might influence politicians.

I thought George talked a lot of sense the two times I saw him on Frost and with Paxman actually. I've never rated the guy for any reason but after I saw the interviews I had a bit of respect for him. He wasnt intimidated by either of them. Though suddenly becoming 'British' after living in the states for years seemed a bit false.

Hope everything goes OK on Wednesday Vinny. Looking forward to hopefully seeing the film of you videoing the band as they record the Peel session. Bonus footage for the DVD? Do the band record the session during the day or on the evening. Does anyone know how the Peel sessions are recorded?

george i think they put the tracks down during the day then they mix them for the show that night .vinny`s out right now getting piss for his birthday hope you have a great night out vinny so happy birthday taking maureen out for mothers day but she`s working the next day so i will get pissed for her .talk soon see .ps hope you have a good weekend break lindsay see ya