Whelan's turns into Guitar Band Central over the next few months.

First out of the traps on April 26 are The Shins, the New Mexico quartet whose Chutes Too Narrow album displays a healthy respect for The Kinks.

Following them on May 3 are current NYC flavours of the week Liars. Reviewed in the next issue of Hot Press, their They Were Wrong, So We Drowned opus is causing a major stir Stateside.

Showing the young whippersnappers how it's done on June 27 are Sid Griffin and the latest incarnation of The Long Ryders.