Sore Throat

I have a cold. I’ve been sat here all morning, moping and feeling sorry for myself. I’ve answered a few emails and wrote a rubbish poem called recycle bin which is where it has ended up; a mere click away from oblivion. Mike is still in the US, Bonehead, like me, smitten by cold and in bed with the night nurse. Ben, who hasn’t been ill since 1993, is cutting long grass in Oldham and wearing the hat he’s been threatening to wear onstage. It’ll happen one day when we least expect it. I’m sure we’ll all pick up health wise in time for the weekend when we play Bury Met [on Sat 6th Oct] which incidentally is a really nice gig and only just down the road. Sean Redmund is doing the support; it wont be so long before he's a household name [ridiculous term that really], but Sean is a great writer and you should really come see him [even if you just stay for him it'll be worth it...I promise]. The food is also wonderful at The Met and Bury boasts the largest TK Max in the country so why not make a day of it. Ignore that bit about TK Max…I hate the place. It's like the Tesco of clothing retail and since we got TKMaximied the retro specialist shops seem to have all withered and died and I miss them. I know…this is going nowhere and I know..I've been to The Max on many an occasion..I just dont like them. I was also in PRIMARK in Liverpool the other day buying black jeans and penguin shoes. I don't know why I'm telling you this. Lets blame it on an attack of grumpy old man thinking. It happens. On the VP PR front, [OK, so we're back to that old chest nut] -I just sent off some pictures off to the METRO, the free paper people, who are running a feature on all the shows on the tour. The METRO is now distributed all over the place…and most often found in my experience on the train, comforting the commuters. OK... like I said I’m not really 100%. That Salford Lads Club Bike Ride passed off into history. You might have caught a three second clip of it on the local TV. The usual suspects were present and correct and they played Every Day is Like Sunday to send them on their way. I think Craig played on that he was telling me awhile ago. Craig and I are due a big night out at some point, we just seem incapable of actually planning it. When all the bikes were off I did a little chin wigging with Hazel Blears our local MP bigging up the club as you do, she was very nice and of course she too thought I was in the Smiths, I thought to myself...not another one please...before gently reminding her of the facts. I was also lucky enough to meet some inspiring representatives of the future generation in the shape of three young women DJs pictured here from www.myspace.com/sameteensmanchester who I’d last seen when I gigged at the Koffee pot. They were very sweet. They also love Morrisey and asked me for my oppinion on him. I said something nice I think, yes I have heard of him, sure I have. He's the guy who's always miserable now isn't he?? Or perhaps I just imagined it. Check out their myspace if you a minute. More last minute gig news…we are playing in COVENTRY next Friday night, a very late addition to the tour, confirmed today, details on tour dates page. If you’re from those parts do come along. I used to be in the Smiths you now...here we go again, I'm starting to wonder, like I say, I'm not 100%...VP x