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Thursday 1st
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Comedy Zone Presents:- Alun Cochrane, Dougie Dunlop & Sarah Millican |
As an in demand studio warm-up Alun makes a hard job look fun and easy and is regularly used on shows hosted by Dara O’Briain, Graham Norton, and Rory Bremner amongst many others. 2007 sees Cochrane’s first trip to New Zealand’s Laugh comedy festival in Auckland and various other writing and performing projects are in the pipeline. www.aluncochrane.com Highly talented observational comic, Dougie Dunlop, has the hardest of his audiences sharing his unique take on life. A comedy youngster, Edinburgh boy Dougie was headlining at the Cafe Royal at the Fringe within two years of starting his act. A star of Scottish TV and radio, Dougie has begun the invasion of the south with appearances on The Beat Room, Through the Night and Velvet Cabaret. Writer and comic Sarah Millican performed her first stand-up gig in September 2004, and the following year was runner-up in both the Funny Women and So You Think You're Funny awards, as well as the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2006. She was also nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2006 Chortle Awards. Tickets £10 and £12 on the door and are available from The Marrs bar and Music City on 01905 26600 |
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Friday 2nd
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Freewater
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Freewater is a fun, new band out of Worcester. A great group of musicians that have joined together to play the kind of music that really gets them excited. Not wanting to play the same old, same old that you hear from pub to pub. Their show consists of lots of great classic and new pop & rock with a bit of a funky twist. Lots of great favorites from British and American bands. Leslie Wilson is the singer with a great, unforgettable voice and has a passion for singing & entertaining the crowd. Dave Smith is the guitarist who can play anything with his own flair added. Dave Wilson is the bassist who really is the backbone of the band with his great sound and rhythm. Dick Beard is the drummer and all that has to be said is that he is the Rock God of all drummers (at least in his own mind....bless)! www.myspace.com/freewateruk £4.00 ticket and £5.00 on the door |
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Saturday 3rd
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Zebedy Rays
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The lively three-piece have spent the last six months touring their mix of raw rock’n’roll and experimental jazz/blues all over the UK. Singer/guitarist Adam Hickman struts, jumps and ploughs through songs with explosive energy whilst Josh Powell (drums) and Danny Meigh (bass) hold things together with a skill that surpasses their years. With endorsement from ‘Playmusic’ magazine, sponsorship by Hughes and Kettner, and coverage on BBC Radio One’s Steve Lamacq Show, Zebedy Rays are shining bright… www.myspace.com/zebedyrays £4.00 ticket and £5.00 on the door |
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Sunday 4th
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Louise Latham
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Louise cites Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox and Tracy Chapman as key songwriting influences. These are useful reference points, although Louise’s atmospheric, Celtic-flavoured sound and beguiling lyrics are distinctively her own. She recorded her first EP, Beautiful Sky, in 2004 with producer Lee Goodall (who played saxophone with Van Morrison). Moving to London to perform on the live circuit, she caught the attention of acclaimed producer Arno Guveau, who set about refining and enriching her sound. The result was a captivating second EP, Notes After Dark, recorded in 2005 at Markant Studios, Holland, with Louise’s sister Suzanne on backing vocals. Now, Louise is working on her debut album, which she will be releasing on her own label in 2008. Listen carefully: you will hear the sound of a major new songwriting talent coming to fruition. We have 2 support acts tonight, Dan Haynes and Simon & Jane Singer/songwriter Jayne Gaze and guitar virtuoso Simon Othen (The Machine Breakers, Knight, Othen & Smith) shared a common interest in all things acoustic. Even so, working individually on their own projects, each remained unaware of the others' latent talent. It took a chance meeting on these premises to realise that the two like-minded individuals could benefit from a musical union, an artistic coalition to bring Jayne's beautifully crafted, emotionally charged songs from the manuscript to the live stage. With Jayne's richly expressive voice, Simon's sensitive and punctuative guitar accompaniment and a bagful of evocative songs that will touch hearts and souls, this is an evening not to be missed. www.myspace.com/louiselatham www.myspace.com/danhaynes £5.00 on the door |
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Monday 5th
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Available For Private Hire
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Tuesday 6th
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Available For Private Hire
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Wednesday 7th
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Jamming
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Free admission before 10.30 and £1.00 after |
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Thursday 8th
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Mybe, Parker and Harlem Dandy
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After 12 years, Sheffield rock/indie band 'Mybe' have finally got the break they deserve. A local businessman who has worked within the music industry for the past 20 years has decided to put his money where his mouth is and has invested a substantial amount of money into the band. Mybe have been hard at work for the past 18 months writing and recording new material in their small home studio based at singer Jim Pinder's house. After a recent chance meeting with the local businessman, the band played him a handful of the 70 new songs they had written and a deal was offered on the spot. Mybe are now in the studio working with critically acclaimed producer Carl Bown at Tree House Studio who recently produced the top 20 album 'One Day Son This Will All Be Yours' by Fightstar. www.myspace.com/mybe Parker is a four-piece alternative rock band the hail from Worcester. Their style is unique; nothing flash, no clichéd gimmicks, just good old rock'n'roll with lyrics that influence conversations and music that certainly stimulates, Parker are definitely here to stay. www.myspace.com/parkeruk Featuring the stunning vocal talents of former Swordfish front girl, Clair Lee, HARLEM DANDY is a musical project that demands your full and focused attention. This boy/girl duo write and perform their own brand of emotionally- driven, alternative / lo-fi acoustic material, in the most stripped down of forms. With songs conjured up from original minds and a mixed bag of musical influences, they can literally stun audiences in to a silent respect. www.myspace.com/harlemdandy FREE ADMISSION |
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Friday 9th
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Dead Man's Root
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"The aural equivalent of a giant swinging a tree-trunk at you like a baseball bat." -ANTIMusic "Dead Man's Root has to be my favorite unsigned band ever---hands down. An album that should very well be purchased and listened to by all who are true metal fans." -Thrashpit "'Mouth Breather' is the lumbering, rampaging sound of hungover gorillas released in a supermarket...Heavy enough to be in danger from commercial whalers." -Rock Midgets "Mouth Breather is a primal helping of caveman sludge played at a breakneck, ferocious pace. An excellent debut from a band easily poised for greater things. Dead Man's Root have only just begun with this one folks, so get on the bandwagon now before it leaves the station." -Hensch's Hometown Heroes www.myspace.com/deadmansroot £4.00 ticket and £5.00 on the door |
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Saturday 10th
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Big Cats with support from Fine & Shandy |
The first thing to strike you about Big Cats is their singer. Kat Howell has a fantastic voice and simply loves to use it, throwing herself into songs which many singers would hesitate even to attempt. The result is a diverse and entertaining mix including numbers by artists including Blondie, Greenday, the Stereophonics, Pink, Foo Fighters, The Pretenders, Skunk Anansie, The Darkness (you know you love it really), The Cure, The Police and many more. A great singer and a great set and with a high dancability factor to boot. - oh yeah and there’s 3 blokes in the band too. Martyn Davies on guitar, Rob Green on bass and Chris Houghton on drums, and did I mention the singer...? First on stage are Fine and Shandy, who aim to get a few, or possibly all, of your body parts twitching by playing an upbeat mix of out of the ordinary covers. Diverse influences include footstompin' roots, air guitar rock and an undercurrent of blues surfacing throughout. Powerful vocals are provided by Sheona Goodyear while excellent musicianship comes courtesy of lead guitarist Clive Kennard, drummer Rich Beard, and bass guitarist Jamie Shaw - familiar faces from Worcester bands past and present (including The Fingers, Groovy head & Will Dance for Chocolate) Fine and Shandy were most recently seen supporting the outstanding Connie Lush at Worcester's Marr's Bar. This band are guaranteed to get your tail feather shakin'. www.myspace.com/bigcats4 www.myspace.com/fineandshandy £4.00 ticket and £5.00 on the door |
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Sunday 11th
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Matt Woosey & The Strange Rain
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Matt Woosey and The Strange Rain feature Matt Woosey, vocals & acoustic guitar and James 'E' Williams, drums and percussion. Matt has honed his songwriting and is producing some wonderful songs and fused with James's use of many percussion instruments from around the world create a unique sonic landscape with which to take on the music that has influenced them as players, mainly roots blues, classic rock and Abba!?!?!?! Laying the emphasis on the live performance, the pair let improvisation and musical interplay run through the core of their shows and take the audience on a different journey whenever they play. For more info www.myspace.com/mattwooseyandthestrangerain £3.00 ticket and £5.00 on the door |
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Monday 12th
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Available For Private Hire
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Tuesday 13th
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Available For Private Hire
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Wednesday 14th
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Jamming
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Free admission before 10.30 and £1.00 after |
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Thursday 15th
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Andy McKee
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Andy McKee is one of the world’s finest acoustic soloists. After receiving over 20 million views collectively for his Youtube videos which were posted by the independent record label “Candyrat”, Andy’s success is a testament to the changing nature of the music industry as well as people’s desire for something new and interesting to listen to. At one point, Andy held the #1, #2 and #3 positions for Top-Rated Videos of All Time on the hugely popular website. His videos are still among the highest rated on Youtube. Consequently, Andy has performed to sold out shows in all over the world. After starting with an interest in electric guitar, Andy turned to the acoustic guitar at the age of 16 and began enjoying and studying the music of Michael Hedges, Don Ross, Billy McLaughlin and Preston Reed. To this day he still sites these four musicians as his primary influences in acoustic music. At the same time, Andy draws inspiration from various other musicians and groups such as; Earth Wind and Fire, The Yellowjackets, Bjork, Imogen Heap, Pantera, Eric Johnson, Peter Gabriel, Dream Theater, Bruce Hornsby, and many others. www.andymckee.com Click here for Andy McKee on Youtube £12 a ticket and £15 on the door (if you're lucky!) |
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Friday 16th
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Gypsy Pistoleros
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GYPSY PISTOLEROS The Renegade Flamenco Rock n Roll Sleaze Glamsters play their first hometown gig for over a year! "The best Rock n Roll group to come out of the U.K in the last ten years"- Tracci Guns ( L.A Guns, Brides Of Destruction ) They have just released their critically acclaimed debut album 'Para Siempre' on Bad Reputation Records Feb 2nd www.badreputation.fr The Latin equivalent of'Appetite For destruction!' The only European group to play at Rocklahoma 07 U.S alongside Poison, Twisted Sister, Dokken, Vince Neil, etc. They are on in 2008 as well ! A Hometown Celebration with the U.K's fastest rising Rock band ! www.myspace.com/gypsypistoleros £7.00 ticket |
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Saturday 17th
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The John Power Band
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John Power from The La's will release his new album 'Stormbreaker'on January 28th through Tanuki Tanuki records. The album was recorded in the summer of 2007, over the water in Birkenhead; the record was recorded and mixed in just 15 days. 'Stormbreaker' nods its head in affection to the likes of Captain Beefheart, The Crickets, Neil Young, Buddy Holly, throw in some Bootsy Collins (playing for James Brown) and some scouse rocknroll boogie and you hit the mark! The band consists of Jay Lewis (The La's / Cracatilla) playing an elastic band Hofner violin bass, while Steve Pilgrim (The Stands) plays the drums and Drumbo's hi hat, while John plays Leadbelly guitar. John Power was the other constant member of legendary Liverpool band the La's. Power joined on bass in 1986 fresh from a city council scheme for aspirant musicians, and would keep the faith for six years. That groups one album the self-titled debut from 1990, sustains a fervent cult of admirers but according to the group it never captured the true spirit of the band or the extraordinary set of songs that appear on it. Though he was de facto mouthpiece and ever-enthusiastic public face of the La's, compromised by a burgeoning writing talent that would not be satisfied by occasional live outings - Power decided to strike out on his own in 1992. He went on to take charge of Cast, a formidable live four piece with whom he would sell bewildering amounts of records with (1995's All Change was famously the biggest and fastest selling debut album on the Polydor label of the 90's). Whether on the charts on magazine covers or headlining at the Glastonbury festival, Power the pop star was a phenomenon that lasted four long players until 2002 when the wheels came off. There was a straight ahead dust settling solo album in 2003 called 'Happening For Love', then in 2005 The La's played shows in Britain, Japan and Ireland, this gave John his mojo back, and he released the critically acclaimed 'Willow She Weeps' last year. Which now brings us right up to date. www.myspace.com/johnpowerukcom Support from Edward James Mugford www.myspace.com/edwardjamesmusic £10.00 ticket and £12.00 on the door |
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Sunday 18th
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1147am Acoustic Night
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The rules of 11.47am read: "No egos. No headlining bands. It's not about the money." Over the last five years the 11.47 Acoustic Music nights, held on the first Tuesday of the month at The Cellar Bar, have become a mainstay of the local scene attracting a wide variety of regulars and newcomers including stripped down performances from many of the city's best bands as well as blistering performances from our greatest solo artists! The audience is often a Who's Who of the local music scene. The nights began as an attempt to give local acoustic musicians a regular opportunity to play in a supportive and fun environment. The concept has recently been heralded a success; James Perry of 11.47am recently receiving a Community Champion Certificate by David Blunkett MP!!! often shambolic, always fun, expect a night jam packed full of the city's finest talents! www.myspace.com/1147am FREE ENTRY! 8pm start |
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Monday 19th
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Available For Private Hire
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Tuesday 20th
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Available For Private Hire
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Wednesday 21st
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Jamming
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Free admission before 10.30 and £1.00 after |
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Thursday 22nd
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Nomad 67 and JoePatroni
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NOMAD 67 are a young 3 piece band that are here to lead the “NEW GENERATION OF ALTERNATIVE ROCK”. The band have been together for 3 years now and in those 3 years they have crammed in hundreds of gigs ranging from British bars and venues to major festivals in Switzerland, Holland and many other areas of Europe. Nomad 67 have earned a great reputation as a must see live band. Many members of the audience have described the live experience as controlled chaos! The band have recently received a great amount of record label and industry interest. This is the calm before the storm. With the new improved line-up, Nomad 67 are ready to explode onto the music scene. www.myspace.com/nomad67 JoePatroni took a decade to come together. Finally formed in January 2008 by former B*Movie Heroes / Yo Yo’s mainman Neil Phillips and [spunge] bass stalwart Chris Murphy. 10 years of friendship and threatening to work together became a reality after Neil’s move home to Worcester from hedonistic Manchester coupled with Chris’s return from Cheltenham within weeks of each other. The pair had seen .......and what will be left of them? drummer chris Wemyss playing for one of his many side projects, Girls on Film, 2 years previously and his name was the first to come up when discussing possibilities. Both knew that this next generation Bonham fit the bill perfectly. Combining straight ahead, no frills, down and dirty rock with a whole lot of heart and soul made the songs flow from hard and aggressive one moment to delicate and fragile the next. www.myspace.com/joepatroni FREE ENTRY |
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Friday 23rd
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Funky Skunk
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Back again are the fantastic Funky Skunk and you'd be well advised to get your tickets early as this could quite easily sell out. Playing stuff from Madness, The Specials, Van Morrisson and both Elvis's (not the lesbian Elvis Presley impersonator - Elvis Herselvis, but a certain Mr Costello) we promise to give you a great and memorable night. (maybe not for the right reasons but memorable none the less). This is a double fronted band, pretty much like a duo with six other musicians to make em sound better. Guitar and vocals is Marzy who is only in the band because it's his PA and he's got a van - and on Keyboard and vocals there's Roger, There are some other people in the band too but like Roger & Marzy always say, "who cares? we don't like 'em so why learn their names?" £4.00 a ticket and £5.00 on the door |
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Saturday 24th
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Silver Tequila
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With powerful vocals, dynamic riff-based guitars, melodic bass and hard-hitting drums - surely you can't go wrong! Silver Tequila formed in the summer of 2005, taking their name from the cocktail board of a local bar - as usual, it seemed like a good idea at the time! Since then they have recorded a session for BBC Radio, played the main stage at their Skillz On Show festival & been voted one of Worcester's favourite bands of 2006. With a shit load of catchy rock songs in the live set and an ever-growing fanbase, its time for them to share the tequila! www.myspace.com/silvertequila £4.00 ticket and £5.00 on the door |
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Bank Holiday Sunday 25th
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Norhern Soul All Nighter
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From now on, all our Northern Soul All Nighters will be held on Bank Holiday Sundays and from 8 until 1am there will be a more classic Northern/Motown feel to the music and as the time gets on the music will get rarer and rarer. If you are not into the hard core Northern scene then you can leave before 1 am and get £5.00 back - or you could stay on until 6am and hear some good old school Northern Soul at it's best. £10.00 Admission (£5.00 back if you leave before 1.00 am) |
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Bank Holiday Monday 26th
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Bob Brozman
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Yet another amazing guitarist at The Marrs Bar, Bob Brozman is a guitarist like no other: an established and prolific recording artist, performer, producer, and author, Bob is a non-stop world traveler and tireless researcher in ethnomusicology. His work with musicians from around the world in the past several years has marked him as not only a virtuoso musician and slide guitarist, but also as a pioneer in finding a common thread among global musical cultures. 2008 News - Bob's newest solo album is Post-Industrial Blues, a collection of bold new tracks. After years of exploring multi-ethnic music styles around the world, Bob returns to his blues and Americana roots, for a brave and honest look at a world in change. www.bobbrozman.com £10 ticket and £12 on the door |
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Tuesday 27th
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Available For Private Hire
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Wednesday 28th
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Jamming
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Free admission before 10.30 and £1.00 after |
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Thursday 29th
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The Jamm
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Come and experience the Fire & Skill of "The Jamm" who are now celebrating their 10th Anniversary Year The Jamm have been delighting fans of Paul Weller's original group since '97. They have proven time and again just how powerful the music is, and that the quality of The Jamm's show remains unsurpassed. The Jamm are:- John Southorn - Paul, Ray Begg - Bruce and Richard Reid - Rick The "tribute" show backed by the experience of over 2000 shows will take you back to a time when The Jam ruled the charts and a youth culture identified with the lyrics, energy and attitude from a band that reflected their lives. This show with 30+ songs packed into a "high energy" authentic peformance continues to draw in crowds old and new, young and old. www.myspace.com/thejamm £8.00 ticket and £10 on the door |
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Friday 30th
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Mars Bonfire
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"These guys are a breathe of fresh air on the rock circuit, a couple of covers and whole host of their own material in the style of Hendrix and Led Zep, they look and sound like every inch of the rock stars they are about to become" It’s Only Rock’n’Roll Magazine "…that is some legit shit you have there …keep writing music just how you are, and tell your guitar player I dig his riffs. That's the thing I miss most about the 70's…the riffs… I don't know where the fuck they've run off to, but wherever they were you sure as hell found them. Best of luck…" Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin "If you want hair, flares and hard-core rock'n'roll they're the outfit for you..." Andy O'Hare of www.notjustsauce.co.uk www.myspace.com/marsbonfirespace £4.00 tickey and £5.00 on the door |
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Saturday 31st
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Two Timers
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Voted UK's best duo at the Digital Blues Awards. Sarah 3 times nominated for Best UK Female Singer of the Year by Blues in Britain. Runners up in Brighton Underground’s Most Progressive Band Awards. “Explosive, electric skiffle for the new decade...” Get Rhythm. “Thoughtful self-penned numbers... take note of TWO TIMERS” John Clarke, The Times. “An impressive lesson in talent and stage presence...” E. Roze, Blues Magazine, France. “A revelation ...Literally anyone who appreciates pure talent should see these two.” Martin Axman, Corn Exchange, Ipswich/UK. “One of our most popular acts…You won't hear a sound like this anywhere else ...” Station Tavern, London. “Eclectic and exciting... The audience were absolutely bowled over” Mill Studio, Guildford. “Efficient, stripped bare writing…” Folk Roots. “Truly a phenomenon… As a live act, I cannot recommend them highly enough." Tim Aves, Blues in Britain. www.twotimers.org www.myspace.com/twotimersmusic www.youtube.com/profile?user=twotimersmusic £5.00 ticket and £7.00 on the door |