Pop; Sleeve notes

You're not too old to be a pop star in your fifties, as B J Cole has proved by playing pedal steel for The Verve on their recent US tour.

An internationally renowned session musician, he has been employed by people as diverse as Tammy Wynette and Spiritualized, and he's recently been involved in many of Alabama 3's startling live shows. Cole is also collaborating with ambient/drum 'n' bass wizard Luke Vibert (aka Wagon Christ, aka Plug). Sneak previews suggest Cole's whirring and Hawaiian-style breaks could add a whole new exciting dimension to clubland sounds.

For their one-off club date on 26 August at Subterania, Ohio's Afghan Whigs have dispensed with support acts and will play a two-hour set. Preceding the band will be a Pathe News-type movie of weird and wonderful events from 1965 - the year lead singer Greg Dulli was born. Tickets are selling very fast.

While the rather lumpen Inspiral Carpets (above) are best remembered for their "Cool as F*ck" T-shirts, their former keyboard player, Clint Boon, has bounced back with a body of superbly humorous pop songs that he calls "Booney Tunes" or "space opera".

A recent gig at the Barfly Club by the Clint Boon Experience saw him centre-stage playing keyboards, decorated with a moose head and fairy lights. More on Mr Boon's amazing comeback next week.

Tim Perry