In general, bands from the North West of our fine nation take themselves far too seriously.

I just saw an article at the side of the page about DOVES. It reminded me how horrible and boring the overall Manchester 'scene' of the past few years has been.

I'm looking at you, Elbow. Yeah sure they make big anthems that people throw their arms up to and sing along to like Christians, but there's no humour. There's no humility or enjoyment or fun.

I know you'd argue "it's not about joy or fun though" with regards to Manchester stuff. But it should be. These Guy Garvey etc. people who keep trying to sell Manchester as some sort of lost-in-time working class haven are fooling all the naive southerners that buy into it. Then you get your sub-Oasis boys like The Courteeners etc who feed off it too.

It's a myth. The North West is no more downbeat than anywhere in this country. Cheer up and make something people can dance to a bit, even if it is dining out on all the FACTORY250129230 bollox. Leave the AnThEmS to Embrace.