No one is immortal, not even for young pop stars who feel they hold the secrets of youth and happiness in their talented hands as, I'm assured by inside sources. those plucky folk from RUTH are wont to. Or were wont to do before the dramatic events of this spring.

In fact, had the gods been so inclined. RUTH would now have been reduced to it's founder members, Matt and Ben

You see, one evening in April. the Thin Bassist from RUTH (Stephen) was carefully driving home from a party, his ultra safety-conscious Escort XR3I "RoadRipperDeathtoAllit'sOccupantsHaHa" edition loaded with maybe one too many big heavy blokes, when suddenly as he skilfully guided the car through the quiet streets of Eastbourne, it went WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE KerBASHH!!!!!! SKREEEEEE!!!!EEOWWW! ICRUNCH!!!!, skidded round in a whirling frenzy, skipped up the kerb, hit a lamp post and folded in half as you would a paper handkerchief after a good blow.

Hero of the evening, as I'm sure he would wish to be remembered, big man Adrian Playle (39) was able to release himself from the horrid crush of broken legs in the back and turn off the ignition, staring as he did into the ashen, inert face of The WolfMan Stephen Cousins who lay unconscious and bloody, looking very worrying indeed

Hours later, once the firemen had arrived with their cutting and lifting equipment, their evil sarcasm and their unexpected bills and cut and lifted poor Steve and Gabriel from their car-ry holes, the sorry injured merry makers were to be found in Eastbourne District Hospital going "ooo".

Graham had a nasty broken leg. Gabriel had a punctured knee Steve had a broken collarbone, concussion and a flappy ear the roof had done it's best to remove. Big man Adrian had sore feet.

They were very very lucky indeed, although not quite lucky enough to have the accident after RUTH's important gig at the Half Moan in Putney the following Wednesday.

And that's how the very next Wednesday while Steve lay moaning in Eastbourne District Hospital, RUTH took to the stage with last minute substitute bassman Jim "Copperthwaite" Copperthwaite and played a scary set to the appreciation of many ageing software designers, some people from BMG International Publishing, Sheridan and Mother Agnus' friend Martin.

And the very next week Matt VB was riding to work when some moronic tossend drove out without looking and sent the Tall Drummer from RUTH toppling onto the bonnet and from thence into the road. Luckily, the moronic tossend avoided driving his car over Matt's head, and Matt escaped with only upsetness, surprisedness, angriness and a sore arse.

Matt and Ben stayed indoors.