Flowers power blooms again!

They have spent five years in the wilderness, but the Hothouse Flowers are ready to bloom again at the Ulster Hall tonight.

The Flowers are re-launching their careers after turning their backs on fame.

After an exhausting world tour five years ago, the band decided to take a break from their hectic schedule.

But family commitments and individual music tastes almost led to the band's downfall as they quickly grew apart.

""It very nearly got to the stage that we weren't going to add any pages to our future as a band,"" said songwriter and guitarist Fiachna O'Braonain.

"He added: "We caught ourselves about six months ago and decided that we had to stay together and do more.

"I'm confident that we're producing the best sound ever. The Ulster Hall gig will be one hell of a show.""

He added: "There is a great vibe around Belfast at the minute. "I think There is more to it than just the peace process.

"People here have always loved their music. That is something which shows through from their reaction to us.""

The seed of the Flowers was sown when Fiachna and Liam O'Maonlai met at school.

They began busking on Dublin's streets, formed the band, and had a big hit in 1988 with Don't Go.

They have a new album out in the New Year, and last week played Limerick and Dublin.

Fiachna admits that going back on stage has been rather daunting.

"He said: "Since we have been away, there have been so many big new bands on the scene. The Verve are particularly brilliant.

""There is an extremely high standard now to live up to. But I'm confident we can match anyone when it comes to putting on a great show."

And he believes the band have learned a valuable lesson from their past mistakes.

Fiachna said: "We' are going on a big tour after the Irish dates... but we won't be burning ourselves out this time.""

PICK YOUR WINNERS...AND WIN!

BE sure you vote in the Rock On awards...and you could win a great prize!

After teaming up with Virgin Megastore, Xtra-vision and Tennent's, I've got TEN movies, TEN albums and Ten crates of lager to give to a lucky reader.

The lucky winner will be drawn from all the voting forms received in the Rock On poll of the year.

Early pointers suggest that The Spice Girls could be heading for the title of Worst Group of "97. David Beckham and Prince Naseem are battling for the Sporting Hero award.

If you haven't done so already, I want you to look back on 1997 then send in your votes on the following categories: Best Album, Best Single, Worst Single, Best Group, Worst Group, Most Fanciable Male/ Female, Least Fanciable Male/Female, Best Movie, Best TV Programme, Sporting Hero.

Send your votes, together with your name, address and phone number to: Paul Martin, Rock On, 46-56 Boucher Crescent, Belfast BT12 6QY, by December 26. Normal Mirror Group rules apply.

Female readers can also get in on the act in our search for a new all- girl band.

If you want to be a pop star, send your CV and photograph to me at the above address. Closing date for entries is Wednesday. I will pass them to the Star Struck company who are holding auditions in the New Year.

I cuddled up with Spice Girls look-alikes Total Spice at the glitzy showbiz launch of Spice Word The Movie in Belfast last week.

"If I fall out with the real girls at least I can fall back on you guys," I joked as they climbed aboard the BMW motorbike used in the new James Bond movie.

Budding young Ginger Spice at the front is nine-year-old Catherine Martin, who says the film will be a massive hit: "I thought Posh Spice was brilliant in it and I am definitely going to see it again.

"When I'm big enough I want to be the new Ginger Spice," she said. The movie goes on general release on Boxing Day and is tipped to be a huge success.

Oasis fan's drink was on me...

An angry rock fan threatened to throw her drink all over me last week. She was upset by my recent comments that Oasis aren't all they're cracked up to be. She came up to me in a hotel bar in Belfast on Wednesday and said: "Aren't you that bloke who writes all the bad stuff about Oasis? Well if you do it again you'll have more than this drink around you." Luckily one of her friends intervened.

"She doesn't like the way you always put them down," he told me, "but between me and you, I think you're just right."

And he's not alone in agreeing with me that Oasis have let down their fans too many times. Another told me:

"I went to the gig in Dublin and was really disappointed when Liam didn't turn up. It wasn't half as good as I thought it would be."

The angry girl later apologised and offered me a proper drink, but I bought her one instead.

My friend Eddie Izzard, who took over Channel Four for five hours of fun yesterday evening, needed me to recommend a good movie when we bumped into each other at Belfast's Virgin cinema on Wednesday evening.

"You're the expert at these things Paul, what should I go and see?" asked Eddie, who as a teenager lived in Bangor.

There was never a doubt in my mind.

"Go and see Face/ Off," I replied. "It's you're kind of film - full of controversy and close to the knuckle."

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT: HOTHOUSE FLOWERS, ULSTER HALL.

JANUARY 21: OCEAN COLOUR SCENE, USLTER HALL.

Copyright 1997 MGN LTD
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