As a holidaying American citizen, I would like to congratulate the three local bands that contested the York Battle of the Bands semi-final last Wednesday.

However, I must take your correspondent 'The Rat' to task for his negative remarks about the winning band, Vacant Goldfish, in his report (Evening Press, April 1).

While all the bands were impressive and a credit to the local music scene, the winners were deserving of their success because they have something which is rare for such people of such young age, namely originality and inventiveness. Sure it didn't work all the time, but these kids can play, and despite occasional hiccups the vocalist coped admirably with some testing song arrangements.

So come on York, don't fall into that famous English failing of 'knocking your own talent'.

The music scene is a rat race but Vacant Goldfish are a very fine, young band well worthy of encouragement, who just maybe might make 'The Rat' eat his words one day.

D R Winston,

Bridgeport,

Connecticut,

USA.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.