As well as finishing the brand-new album (work re-starts in a fortnight) down in Somerset there will be some solo gigs in the month of April.

Bassist Paulie will be performing a solo acoustic show at 3345 Parr Street, as part of the venue’s monthly Canvas event. Canvas promotes local music, as well as video and art, and promises an eclectic mix of styles and genres. The show is on Thursday 19 April, and entry is FREE, with Paulie on stage at around 10pm.

The night after (Friday 20 April) Ian will play a set in support of Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff) and Erica Nockells at the Barfly in Liverpool.

Then on Friday 27 April Ian will be playing at the Black and White bar in Nerja, Costa del Sol, Spain. This show is with Ian McNabb and will probably involve a solo set and a joint set. A Mediterranean party is ensured for this one!

Ian has been specially asked to assist the Sense of Sound choir onboard the Greenpeace ship on the River Thames tomorrow (Thursday) at Tower Bridge.

Damon Albarn and Brian Eno have written a special piece which they will perform with the choir tomorrow.

Amsterdam performed two very special sold out shows last weekend. Tears flowed, new songs broke out and old ones sounded like they were written yesterday.

The choir were a magnificent addition as were Anna and Eimear on flute and violin. The ‘unplugged’ experiment was a complete success. The set list for both nights ran:

Takin’ on the World
Name and Number
The Lament
John
Don’t Worship Me or Fat Black Heart
New untitled song
Raid the Palace
Hey Hilary
Love Phenomenon
Arm in Arm
If I Should Fall Behind
Joe’s Kiss
Does this Train Stop on Merseyside
You’re a Phoney
The Pain of a Drinking Song
Feels like Growin’ up

The making of the new album continues into its seventh week. Watch out for more blogs in the forum.

Amsterdam have finally released the mini documentary that was made to accompany the original release of the classic single, Does this train stop on Merseyside?

To watch it, all you have to do is head over to www.myspace.com/amsterdamhq then click on ‘Videos’ under the main image. Enjoy Ian and Paulie’s trip around the city of Liverpool.

The boys Abbey Road show on Monday night was a roaring success. Read all about it at liverpool.com.

A further diary entry concerning the making of the making of the new album and and the trip to Abbey Road is also imminent so keep your eye on the forum and Myspace.

The boys will be playing a live set in studio one at the most famous recording studios in the world this Monday evening.

Taking a day off from recording the next album down in Somerset the boys will launch England Rocks for the Visit Britain website before returning to Charlton farm studios to continue work on the album.

Work on the album is progressing slowly but surely. Dr Kev and Anna Jenkins the violinist have both visited the studios this week to add their magic to the proceedings. Keep your eye out for the studio diary in the forum or on Amsterdam’s MySpace page.