'Eeeeeowowwooaaargh-screetch!' — The letters page for the hard of hearing

The gossip that's hot from the team that's not

In the same job for seven years and Sax man Brian Travis is still employed playing that sweet dole music for the DHSS's longest-running success story. Marking his card: Paul Trynka

From penthouse to pavement and back again, Heaven 17 have seen pop finance from both sides. Will their latest album, Pleasure 1, put them back in the black? Tony Reed opens the account...

... Don't stop! The beat on the street has never been so neat. Rappers in the charts, dancing on the streets — and our man Nick Smash with the way it all began

They're the biggest, they're the baddest. They're the most successful Hip Hop act in history. Garfield raises hell with Run an' da boyz...

You can Run, but you can't hide — They're back again, Run DMC live at Hammersmith. Old Fogey Jim Betteridge covers his ears

Working again after two years of legal trench-warfare, The Spands talk about their comeback album, the defiantly-titled Through The Barricades. Observation post: Chris Maillard

Third party, fire and theft, mad fans and crashed vans... Phil Walsh looks into insurance for musicians

Tony 'Chips With Everything' Mills, back with more software for the increasingly popular Atari 520ST

From Spandaus to Thompsons — and Richard is gunning for something more than cult recognition of his massively influential guitar style with a new album, Daring Adventures. Moving target: Paul Trynka

Phil 'D.I.Y., Cap'n, but the engines canna take it' Walsh with a mod to turn your Midiverb into a great live tool

It Bites do you know; great big bleeding chunks out of other musicians, the singles market, the music press... Paul Henderson chances his arm

It's FM, it's got mono-mode, it's cheap(ish), and it's wonderful. Martin Moody relates to Yamaha's new MIDI expander

Six pages of mini-reviews — and every one a British beauty. Dave Burrluck reports on the London Barbican's second annual Guitar Weekend

Giving a whole new meaning to the phrase 'beat box'... Tony Reed tries Roland's sound six-pack

Sun, sea and sand-coloured sophistication... beach-bum Paul Trynka warms to Dean's latest valve amp

Bob Henrit tries out some Turkish delights

Tony Mills samples Roland's first entry into serious user-n..n..nineteen-ing

Dave Burrluck's Strat gets active

Bill Martin finds that, sometimes, big surprises can come in small packages

Paul Trynka puts his foot down on a pair of interesting pedals

Bob H bounces back, with a lacquered-finish kit that costs less than you'd think

...And finally