I'd be happy if their definition of alternative music is wider than MTV2; angsty nirvana-by-numbers guitar bands.

Well it's better than louis walshe's soul destroyin awfulness. Is he is responsible for the lack of Irish bands doin well today compared to ,say, 10 years ago? Based on drunken anecdotal evidence , places around the country used to get monthly visits from different bands (Something Happens, Cry Before Dawn, Engine Alley, A House, The Stunning...you all can supplement this according to your memory and taste) whereas now Aslan (I always think of Celtic Jerseys and bad tatoos when I see that name) make an Irish tour a bi-annual event(who would have put money on them 10 years ago in all fairness?!) and (quality) tribute acts to Lizzy,Rory and a few other greats are the most you'll expect. We need a guitars for drugs,Bad music collections and video consoles program in the secondary schools of the state. Fec it I'm writing a letter to Bertie, I'm sure he'll consider this an election priority.

"Em...eh..well now, eh....Lucifer....we're all proud of Ireland's unique contribution to..eh....de music...eh.....sure aren't de young people great all the same..... (continues ad nauseum) ok, maybe we should just go to the stonecutters