The sun seemed to shine so brightly The days seemed so long. Everything was young and hopeful in those balmy days when up-and-popular coming band RUTH were scarcely a second from the arena of public spotlitude. We heard about their dramatic scoopation of that now legendary advert. We heard about plans for a speedy single release. We saw the advert come and go. We saw the young men LIVE!!! at Greenbelt.

But what then????

Whatever happened to that grrrreat band who did that grrrrreat advert for shoes that we've all heard so much about? by lan Jameson.

Now, I'm not one for slandering or spreading rumours, but could it be that our boys were telling us lies all those months ago? That all their talk of sudden universal fame was naught but downright filthy lies?

"It wasn't lies," claims Ben from out of RUTH defensively. "We were merely reporting the facts as accurately as we knew at the time. We would've liked to have released Fear of Flying and yes, it would've been nice if we'd been topping the charts for Christmas. But things don't always work out the way you want them to"

I don't think we need you to start spouting worldly advice, young man.

"All right, sorry. Well, the truth is that there was a lot of work going on to put the deal together; meetings with record companies, high level discussions, exclusive showings of the advert etc and it seemed to be looking very hopeful. Go-Discs, MCA, Sony, EMI and Parlophone were all very interested, as well as a number of smaller, independent labels.

"But the trouble was that there just wasn't the time, in the end. Negotiations really only began once the ad was being shown, and it was taking weeks to get up the layers of different personnel to the point where someone would say yes, and all the while the free advertising we were using as a major incentive was slipping by."

Pretty tragic stuff.

"Well, yes. Finally we did a gig at the Mean Fiddler at the beginning of September which about seven A&R heads were supposed to be at, which would persuade them all to get it together, and not one of them turned up. It was terribly frustrating because they had all been going on and on about how keen they were, and suddenly we'd missed the chance cos no one would stop farting and actually do a deal.

"After that, Brian and Geri [The manager types - Ed.] lost enthusiasm for talking to these people and we knew that was it -"

Oh.

"But! They had another plan, which was that they had decided to set up their own label, and would we like to sign to it?"

And would you?

"Well, of course. But sadly, before new labels must come Big Money, and it didn't happen Not yet, anyway."

So that's it, is it? You've had it? You're throwing in the proverbial towel?

"No! Of course not!! Never!!! You'll never take me alive!!!! We still have a lot of Big Plans, don't you worry. But! You'll just have to wait till next ALAN to find out what they are. And if you're worried that the spirit of RUTH is dead, simply buy our fantastic new Birdworld tape, and you'll hear that RUTH power ever onwards!!!! Our triumph is inevitable!!!!!!"

Well, fighting talk from our young friend there. And, you know? I'm prepared to believe what he says. Because, you know? I like these plucky youngsters. Hell, I wish them luck in their crazy plan, because, you know? It's crazy, but heck, it just might work.