This weekend was spent upgrading the server (now running Red Hat Linux 7.1) and moving the code that runs the site to the latest version, Slash 2.0. I know you're probably thinking, "I don't see any difference." I can assure you that a lot of work went into this, not just from myself, but from all those that contributed to the code. The biggest changes are underneath, in the architecture. The pages are now template based and this will make the site much easier to run and allow for future flexibility and new features. As always, with such a major change please let me know if you encounter any errors anywhere on the site and if you have any suggestions.

One new feature is the Journal system. It's an easy way to keep a diary for those who have registered with the site. Since nobody asked for this feature and I don't really know how it will work, but it's there for now. Perhaps some people who have been using the guestbook as a daily journal will learn to use it.

TrblLuvsMe sends:

Copyright 2001 Midland Independent Newspapers plc
Birmingham Post
June 9, 2001, Saturday
CD REVIEWS: ROCK AND POP
Andrew Cowen

arthur gentileschi writes:

I do not know whether or not people are interested in hearing about this, but I thought it might be to some. Last week I saw Jason Specter play at the Velvet Lounge in Washington DC. His rhythm section is Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke. Specter is a songwriter/guitarist/singer from Manchester, and his songs are good. A few really stood out. However, my opinion is that Rourke and Joyce, as a rhythm section, were even better now than they were while they were in the Smiths. Rourke was incredibly fluid and melodic and kept his hands quite busy, while Joyce beat the hell out of his kit. Before their set, we met them hanging out at the bar next door, Kingpin (legendary local bar), and they were both very nice. Rourke was quite shy but was happy to sign my cigarette box, while Joyce was the talkative one. I told him that I love his drumming, and asked him a few questions. He said that his favorite drum sound is on the "Shoplifters" single, and that they recorded it in some hall of the actual studio where they were supposed to record it. He said that "Nowhere Fast" is among his favorites, that he prefers the "bouncy beat" "What Difference Does it Make?" (BBC session, Hatful of Hollow) to the "straight-ahead beat" take (single, The Smiths LP), and said that he's curious to see Morrissey live. I did not ask him about the court case of a few years back, but he actually brought it up, and seems to have handled the whole thing very well. He bought me a beer, and I felt honored to give him my last cigarette. Joyce and Rourke are both very nice, and I recommend seeing them with Jason Specter is you have the opportunity.

Derek Rowe writes:

At a recent show (June 5) I was at in Dallas, Pete Yorn (Rolling Stone Magazine quotes as "one of the best bands of 2001") played a cover of "Panic". Also, on the Pete Yorn website, under P Y picks (favorite records) The Queen Is Dead is listed... they are getting some rotation on MTV2 with their song "Life On A Chain". Thought some of you out there might check them out.
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Additionally, Colleen tells me that Morrissey is also thanked in the credits of Pete Yorn's recently released CD, musicforthemorningafter.

• Related item: Pete Yorn covers "Panic", talks about Morrissey influence on radio show - Apr. 6, 2001