Levellers party at the public library

FORGET the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll - folk-rock band The Levellers are more likely to be found in a library buffing up on Irish history when they come to Belfast for a sell-out show next month.

Bass player, Jeremy Cunningham told me about his unlikely passion for Irish history as the band rehearsed for their forthcoming UK tour.

"Forget the showbiz parties, I'd much rather have a good dose of Irish history for my kicks," says Jeremy.

The band's gig at the Limelight on Sunday, February 22, will be there first here since October '96, but Jeremy confesses that they're happy to cook up any excuse to return to these shores.

"Some people are amazed when they find out that we are all into Irish history, but the subject fascinates us.

"The whole culture here is amazing, and this is one of our favourite places to come and play live.

"When I've got time between shows I read all the Irish history books, and pop over to Ireland to investigate aspects of life there."

The forthcoming tour is attracting a lot of attention after the band - fronted by dynamic lead singer Mark Chadwick with Simon Friend on guitar - pledged their support for the Future Forest organisation by embarking on the first ever "carbon free" tour.

"We sent all the details of our tour off to a university and they calculated how much carbon our vehicles will be creating while we are on the road.

"They then told us how many trees we'd need to plant to neutralise it all - so we went and planted them!

"It's helped to bring recognition to organisations like Future Forest, and as a result of our idea Neneh Cherry will be doing one of her own 'carbon free' tours in April." And despite the band's hectic schedule, Jeremy has no intentions of taking a break from the music world in the near future.

"We're having a meeting soon about what the future holds, and I'll be suggesting that we get right back down to business and record a new album.

"We are on a hot streak at the minute so now seems the right time to get back in the studio and cut some new tracks."

"We're also going to play a few of the summer festivals so you'll be sick of us by the end of this year!" GORGEOUS girl band All Saints look set to play a huge gig at the King's Hall later in the year. I revealed their plans for a UK tour the day they hit No. 1 with the single, Never Ever. They hinted then that a Belfast gig was on the cards and now a source close to the band has told me: "If Belfast has a place big enough, I see no reason why they shouldn't play there."

Colourful nights at Ulster Hall

THE Ulster Hall is bracing itself for double trouble this week when punk rockers Green Day and the superb Ocean Colour Scene take to the stage on consecutive nights.

Green Day will pack out the famous Ulster arena on Tuesday in their first big gig on these shores. Tickets are all but sold out for the bash, which isn't recommended for the faint of heart.

The following night Ocean Colour Scene kick off the first of their two nights here after promising on air during their last visit that they would be back for more. They had such a good time at their Botanic Gardens gig last June that they insisted on playing two Ulster shows for their fans here.

Some tickets are still available but promoters are expecting a last-minute rush, so make sure you get in there quickly.

A big day for Belfast

THE hottest rock 'n' roll show in London's West End is heading for the Waterfront. That'll Be The Day, featuring music from the 60s and 70s, has been a smash hit at the London Palladium for over seven years.

The show is to be staged in Belfast for one night only on Wednesday, January 28, but tickets are likely to sell out fast.

Highlights of the show include tributes to Buddy Holly, Cliff Richard, The Beach Boys and Sandie Shaw, treating the audience to a wacky journey through the history of pop music and glam-rock. TICKETS for Brian Kennedy's charity show at the Shankill Leisure Centre on Friday, January 30, and the Ulster Hall the following night, sold so fast that organisers begged him to do another. But he has declined due to tour commitments.

How guest star Jo hit a hitch at the M Club

STUNNING pin-up Jo Guest might launch a new career as a DJ in Belfast - if she's not too busy planning her wedding...to yours truly.

I spent the night partying with the blonde babe (pictured right) at Belfast's trendy M Club last week, where Jo revealed a secret desire to break into the music world.

"It's a bit early at this stage but maybe I could release a single - everyone else is doing it," she says.

"I also DJ a bit so I might come back to the M Club and show off my skills in the near future."

While the skimpily-dressed stunner and I partied together at the club, Ulster Formula 1 star Eddie Irvine commented that we made the perfect couple.

"Are you her boyfriend?" he asked, obviously envious as I poured stunning Jo another glass of champagne and monopolised her time.

"You two should get married - you'd make a great couple."

To my amazement, lovely Jo had no objections to the racing star's suggestion.

And my antics obviously became a hot topic of conversation, as they were recounted on the radio a couple of days later.

The equally stunning and popular Radio Ulster host Mary Johnson told listeners of my no-holds- barred style during her Monday afternoon show.

She said: "The Sunday Mirror's handsome young showbiz writer Paul Martin went straight for the jugular, and got down to the nitty gritty."

As they say - it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it...

GIG GUIDE

JANUARY 20:

Green Day, Ulster Hall.

JANUARY 21, 22:

Ocean Colour Scene,

Ulster Hall.

FEBRUARY 22:

The Levellers,

The Limelight.

Copyright 1998 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.