So you don't work for the NI Tourist Board then Hugh! I'm too scared of the flying to worry about anything else. Apologies to Billy but has a whole year passed since we all wished him MHRs last time - it only seems like yesterday.

Brass, what about the dabblings of Stiff Little Fingers?...(Silver Lining) the brass in this instance being contributed by the Q Tips brass section..now there was a group, why did Paul Young ever go solo?

Hai Phil, how are you doing Stateside??? Brass? teddy by Apocalyps is great! Bye Bye Baby Blue is the stand-out track for me on the SOP-album

Stateside is fine, America blissfully unaware of the greatest group ever to leave the Emerald Isle (but working on that), anyone know how to combat this fekking heat?.....Belfast was never this hot!!!!!

Today's history lesson.... On this day in 1983 The Undertones played their last ever show with Feargal at Punchestown Racecourse. Dire Straits headlined!!! Their seminal album 'Brothers In Arms' has often been labelled "the ultimate coffee table" album. Standing cups of coffee, the hotter the better, would seem the best thing for it...

I presume we are only talking about punk/new wave and brass. James Brown, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett etc. used it pretty well. "The Story of the Blues" by Wah! was a record I liked. I think it had brass on it. By the way I'm just trying to find out why no one seems to be going to Derry. It's my home town and I get a little apprehensive every year around this time. Last year someone got shot about 300 yards from where I was staying. I'm a little dissappointed though, I think you would have had a better time there but thats probably a bit of Derry/Donegal rivalry coming out. There's nothing wrong with Donegal people-just hold on to your wallet.

What about the huge brassy hunk of brassiness that was 'Reward' by the Teardrop Explodes? That was pretty brassy and jolly good too. In general though, brass instruments should not be used in rock music. It's actually illegal in many countries.

Another point I think worth making is that in Iran it's (quite rightly) a criminal offence to listen to a Dire Straits album, punishable by public flogging. And that's gotta hurt. (But not as much as listening to a Dire Straits album).

With apologies for Hugh for not attending the Derry concert. The reason being my plane flies into Belfast so it is easier to attend and I am less reliant on other people for lifts etc. I did attend the Vibe concert last year and thoroughly enjoyed my first ever visit to Derry, particularly the shopping on a Saturday when John O'Neill just happened to walk by on his way to do the interview I presume with Vinny. If I have any problems getting a flight for the Belfast concert then the Derry concert becomes a possibility. Pigbag by Pigbag is a brilliant record with brass.

It's not brass that's the problem. It's that period in the 80s when we had all those terrible bands who used to wear jumpers and hug their guitars like teddy bears.

hi vinny just a line to see if it would be possible to be pick up at bridgend on sunday night if so can you give me a time if not were and when do we meet up in derry see ya

Damian actually wears that same t-shirt on the back cover of "Wednesday Week",although its inside out.(How sad am I for even knowing that?!!)