SO you're in a Liverpool-based alternative rock band, and you desperately want to steal some of The Coral's seemingly endless supply of skiffle-pop perfection.

You've cunningly "acquired" their credit card, and are approaching the checkout at Hyperactive Psychedelia 'R' Us; all that's left is to forge their signature. This is the stage where several other Scouse outfits have tried and failed.

The Bandits chose to trace the signature, and although it was perfectly accurate, it seemed forced and rigid, with none of the original individuality and flair.

The Zutons, meanwhile, began to copy the signature wholesale, but after a while became bored and ran off to do something slightly different and altogether more interesting.

The Basement, who last night visited Fibbers, have also opted to copy the signature; their attempt is reasonable, but has a few of their own inferior marks, and is simply not good enough to fool the cashier.

Though their musical palette contained more folky honky-tonk than their peers, it was difficult to get excited about their jaunty-yet-dull strums and limp ballads.

It seems harsh to disparage a band so early in their career, and there were moments of potential - including Do You Think You're Moving On - but having endured the rise of The Thrills, another band so dangerously inconsequential is simply unnecessary.

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, November 03, 2004