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I've just done something entirely out of the norm for me. I have listened to a band's new epÌý6 times in a row, and have, just now,Ìýofficially "liked" their page on Facebook and checked them out on .

Plus I had a long chat with Paul McClean from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Ulster's Across the Line programme about the band,Ìýeven if we did end up talking about *cough* Jedward. Sorry.Ìý And I have found the band are playing the Cellar Bar in Draperstown in a few weeks time. So am I a fan?

They are Rams' Pocket Radio. Well they are actually he,ÌýPeter McAuley, a drummer, pianist and songwriter from Lisburn.ÌýI first heard him/themÌýlast year on a sampler cd of local musicians released by the Oh Yeah Centre. But this newÌýep, which I found in a pile of unopened post today, is called . It's been out since 19th of August and it is incredible. There are 4 tracks,Ìý (1)Dieter Rams has Got the Pocket Radios,Ìý(2) Coal, my lips are sealed", (my personal favourite) (3) Ìý"Friendship fails you" andÌý (4) "Souvenir".

So does this mean I am a fan ? I haven't been a music fan for a very long time. I went all awkward and unable to listen to a lot of music in my late teens.ÌýDon't ask me why, but I have long held a grudge against the men I knew/know who, when contemporary pop/rock music is mentioned,Ìýimmediately go into a kind of double speak. You know the ones who have an encyclopedic knowledge of bands, from earlyÌýalbum covers to band members who died in nineteen canteen.ÌýI've always felt a bit redundant when those bromances kick off!

Anyhow,ÌýI missed Rams' Pocket Radio last weekÌýat Belsonic, but they're playing the Cellar Bar in Draperstown on Saturday the 10th September. Am off to book the babysitter.