Have you ever liked a band that  everyone else seemed to find insipid?

What makes a band good?

Is it the amount of fans? The reaches of its exposure? Or, perhaps, its chart-topping ability. What was the last band that made you hungry for its music. What was the last band that had you race home after work, just to get that album on so you can feel like you want to, like only that band can make you feel?

Perhaps a good band is no longer relevant, maybe popularity has finally won the battle for relevance. Today you can sample a hundred different bands every day; weed out the insipid and download the listenable. You, the fan, has more power than ever before. YOU have become the one in control of all music, everywhere. (Well, your wallet has.)

You, the fan, you are why we are. Without you we are void. Thank you.

A Band of Robbers It’s seven thirty and my alarm goes off. I press the snooze button and do exactly as the button says. Five minutes later the noise starts again and I get up. It’s winter and still half-dark.

Monday, 8 October

The band ran around, trying to hide from the rain and the nasty Japanese security guards that threatened our every move during Monday's photo session for the new album. "Don't show your nipple in front of the restaurants". I was surprised at his English.

Two TV interviews, buckets of coffee and some wise tales from Hideki, the master lens-pointer-pusher button-make nice picture man (photographer) made for a hectic full day during which a crazed Irish/Scottish fan jumped in front of one of the cameras and caused an enormous commotion. Thanks dude! You rock!

The Smiling Queen

Gard Austin