Supporting the good old British drug habit...

Bez.

It's short for Mark Berry, mascot of the British band Happy Mondays.

He took so many drugs in his time, they wrote the song "Freaky Dancin'" in tribute.

A man largely famous for his copious drug abuse and lack of musical ability (NME wrote an article about how his contribution to Happy Mondays was negligible) he has survived recently due to his continued friendship with toothless old Happy Monday's wreck Shaun Ryder.

But things were looking up.

Happy Mondays were back on the scene, ready to play in California.

Except Bez won't be joining them.

If you read the internet or paper, it's due to the draconian regulations of the the US Immigration system. They're not letting ANYBODY in these days.

As Happy Mondays put it: "Happy Mondays apologies to all their US fans that they will not, on this occasion, be able to enjoy the spectacle of Bez shaking his stuff for them at Coachella."

Border control gone mad? You'd think so, given the stories you'll read online. But the reality is somewhat different.

Bez is a druggie. He has been in trouble with the police many times over his drug abuse. Whether he cultivates it - or is just drawn to it - a drug fueled environment exists wherever Mark Berry goes.

So the press might label it further "fascist" regulations by Bush's government. But the fact is, they're just doing what they're meant to do. Keep the bad 'uns off American soil.

John Lennon had serious trouble getting his green card... A left wing, socialist, anti-Vietnam activist, he fought an almost personal skirmish against Richard Nixon. But that wasn't what caused his immigration problems. His propensity for puffing weed got him banned. The rules explicitly state expulsion for anybody who is arrested for ANY drugs offence - bar mere possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.

Something that might well have been called "Lennon's Law."

Those are the rules. And Bez?

He's no John Lennon.

We all make our choices in life. Bez has to accept his. The Happy Mondays will be playing without him. And ironically? It won't effect the quality of their performance at all.