IN view of the responses to my concern (Letters, May 21) about the name used by a local band, The Fashionable Winos, I would like to comment as follows:

1) I accept the members of the band are well-educated, well-brought up and talented young men with enough ambition to learn to play instruments in their own time.

This is to be applauded -- certainly, when you see the troublesome groups of teenagers hanging around on street corners.

However, my point is that even young people who are among the best that society has to offer see nothing wrong in a name such as Fashionable Winos. I am not blaming the young men - just our culture which makes them believe drinking heavily holds no shame.

2) Of course their comment that Fashionable Winos is just a name is true -- but isn't language the most powerful form of communication?

3) When these young men are in a position where other young people are looking up to them, they are in a position of power. I am asking them not to use this power to reinforce the message that society already sends out to young people, that drinking heavily is a joke or fun thing.

4) Of course there are worse things than drinking going on in Blackburn (and Burnley) such as drug taking -- but I would also be complaining if the group were called The Fashionable Smackheads (or whatever drug takers are called these days).

5) Lastly, I admit I would like to see the group perform and my daughter has promised to take me to their next gig!

JAMES COOK, Scott Park Road, Burnley.