Hot water music?

Hot on the heels of their triumphant Slane support, Ocean Colour Scene's Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison pay acoustic visits to Spirit, Dublin (October 16); Half Moon, Cork (18); Forum, Waterford (19); and Roisin Dubh, Galway (21 & 22).

Says a spokesperson: "With Simon on rhythm guitar and Oscar on percussion, loads of new material will be played along with the band's classic older stuff and tracks that have never been played before."

These include 'The Boxer' and an eight-minute epic "in the mould of 'Get Away'", which are both earmarked for their next album.

As for Messrs. Cradock and Minchella, they're about to head off on a lengthy worldwide tour with close pal Paul Weller.