Birmingham and Midlands Music

Below you will find links to promoters, artists and other resources all set out under various music categories. If you would like me to add you to anyone of these sections please contact me via myspace (link to the right)

Please feel free to use this page to find out what events are coming up in Birmingham.

Want to be on the Radio?

Do you want your band, night, or whatever else you might do as part of the West Midlands music scene to be featured on the radio?

Scratch Radio based at Birmingham City University is a community and Student run station and as of 2009 will be on the internet all year round.

A big part of the station is reflecting what goes on around the region in terms of music.

This will be done through various ways across the station but one of the things I'm involved in is a show the is all about highlighting West Midland artists, promoters, websites, podcasts, venues and whatever else makes up the West Midlands music scene.

If you want to find out more contact me at Justin.Stainton@scratchradio.co.uk.

Indie / Rock:

The following are links to promoters for various Indie/Rock events:

10 Lives
444 Club
ARC promotions
Birmingham New Music Scene
Bohemian Jukebox
Capsule
Chicks Dig Jerks
Coffee and Cake Club
Dirty Laundry Club
Flatout Promotions
(FL2) Freakin Legend Music Co-op
Hoo-Hah Promotions
Hott Date
Humbucker presents...
Indie-Go!
Mob Monday
Ondryland
Pinkmad Promotions
Platform Promotions
Robot Professor Promotions
Sound of Confusion
Stop Scratching
The Autumn Store
The Catapult Club
The Cool Catz Club
The Curates Egg
The Go! Club
The Other Womans Club
This is Tomorrow
Tropical Hotdog

Indie / Electro / Dance / Electronica:

The following are links to promoters for various Indie / Electro / Dance / Electronica events:

Bang! Bang!
Bangers and Mash
Bangers and Mash!
Bigger Than Barry
Chicks Dig Jerks
Connect Four
Digital Disco
Hott Date
Marmite Monopoly
Mosco::Disco
New Scotland Yard
Robot vs. Dinosaur
The Funtime Club
The Other Woman’s Club
The Temple

Punk / Metal / Hardcore / Experimental-Rock:

The following are links to promoters for various Punk / Metal / Hardcore / Experimental-Rock events

Burn the Jukebox
Capsule
It's Just Noise
Punk & Ska at Scruffys
Rehab Promotions
Second City Hardcore
Adders
Robot Professor Promotions

Rock 'n' Roll / Garage / Retro:

The following are links to promoters for various Rock'n' Roll / Garage / Retro events

Cold Rice
The Sugarfoot Stomp
Trashorama
Whyte Boots

Acoustic / Folk / Solo Artists:

The following are links to promoters for various Acoustic / Solo Artists events

Acoustic Brew UK
Acoustic Sundays
Bohemian Jukebox
The Secret Music Club
The Sunflower Sessions
Red Lion Folk Club
Rea River Roots

World / Roots Music:

The following are links to promoters for various World / Roots Music events

World Unlimited

Hip-Hop / Beats:

The following are links to promoters for various Hip-Hop / Beats events

Bangers and Mash
Bangers and Mash!
Bigger Than Barry
CDR
Open Beats
Scratch Club
Leftfoot (Adam Regan)

Funk / Soul / Jazz:

The following are links to promoters for various Funk / Soul / Jazz events

Funkbox
Birmingham Jazz
Foundation
Resonance Events

Reggae/ Ragga / Roots / Dancehall / Dub:

The following are links to promoters for various Reggae/ Ragga / Roots / Dancehall / Dub events

Friendly Fire
Jam Jah Sound
Jibbering Records

House / Techno / Dance:

The following are links to promoters for various House / Techno / Dance events

Below
Bumpty
Bunka
Cog
Disruptive Musik
E:volve
Liquid Fusion
Magnetik
Push Soundsystem
TRMNL
Turn It Up
Uber
Ultra+

Drum & Bass / Dubstep / Breaks / Grime / Bass:

The following are links to promoters for various Drum & Bass / Dubstep / Breaks / Grime / Bass events

Bang! Bang!
Bangers and Mash
Bangers and Mash!
Bigger Than Barry
Dirty Soul System
Magnetik
Masters of the Past
Night Movements
Spectrum
Tria Mera Promotions
Trigger
Urban Disturbance
What! Dubstep

Venues:

The following are links to various venues around Birmingham

Concrete
Costermongers
Custard Factory
Hare and Hounds
Scruffy Murphys
Sound Bar
The Adam and Eve
The Drum
The Flapper
The Island Bar
The Rainbow
The Yardbird
TRMNL
Woom
The Sunflower Lounge
The Bulls Head
The Swinging Sporran

Other resources for Birmingham/West Midlands based music:

Birmingham & West Midlands Gigs
Brum Beat
Brumcast
Cassette Magazine
Robo Cast Radio
Give a band a Hand

Coming up.....
Monday 27th October to....
Sunday 2nd November

Simple.... Just one page for all of this weeks gigs and events in Birmingham with links to audio!!

Down the right hand side of this page are links to all promoters myspaces featured on this blog as well as some of the other sites worth checking out for Birmingham Music.

Remember, if you're an artist or promoter and want to get your night/event featured on here there's instructions on how to do it further down this page.

You can also contact me or check out what certain promoters are doing via the CUB myspace. There's a link on the right of this page.

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 28th October
Jazz

Birmingham Jazz presents Sid Peacocks Surge.

Sid’s freewheeling, multi-inspirational Surge is on the loose again. Sid is an original and idiomatic influence on jazz Birmingham. So if you ask for no guarantees about what you may be letting yourself in for, then you should come and see this one. A great club venue. And no charge for entry!

Venue: The Jam House, 3-5 St Pauls Square, B3 1QU
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/birminghamjazz2007
http://www.sidpeacock.com/
http://www.sidpeacock.blogspot.com/.

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 28th October
Electroacoustic_Folk Rock_Alternative_Metal

Humbucker promotions presents Tramps and Horses +Unique Destruction + Support

Tramps and Horses:

Tramps & Horses was born out of a desire to bring Vincent’s poetry to musical harmony. With Deed, the Irish singing storyteller as his muse they played their music around Manchester attracting the talents of Pete’s guitar playing. Tramps & Horses then created Enchanted Brave, a monthly musical night, where for 2 years they drew in their audience and plyed their trade. It was in this time Keith, the long haired Irish man with the fingers of a guitarist and the boots of a bassist arrived fresh from Seattle. also came the sweet addition of Anna, who having replied to an add in the Royal Northen College of Music, brought to the band the soothing sounds of the cello. Neil Fearenside, the rock solid rhythm god, was found in a field in Derby whilst they were looking for a lost guitar, completed the line up. Rising from the ashes of many an incarnation, Tramps & Horses are now a Manchester based band that blend 60s West Coast American style rock with more comtemporary influences to create a unique sound. They have enjoyed success such as BBC radio airplay, T.V. and festival appearances culminating in the recording of their album in a 18th century cottage in Wales. They are an exciting and unique band with an ever growing diverse fan base.

Unique Destruction: (from their myspace)

Unique destruction formed in early 2005, and the members consited of Ben, Richard, Zak and of course josh. After a year or so Josh unfortunately got the boot, so we had one less guitar and as many people will know. No Bass Player. We carried on making music for about 3 years without the bass, and when our first gig at the palace came. We found out that we REALLY NEEDED A BASS PLAYER. So we started looking for one, then, eventually after playing at the palace the second time, we found a bass. Dave. So now, the band is complete. NOW we can start making proper music, instead of the credited song ‘Desire’. We made two new songs straight away.’ Her Destruction’ and’ Critical Danger’. These went down well at our third gig at the palace. People said that it sounded LOADS better with the bass.We later recruited Myles to tighten the band with a excellent sound. We are known for our amazing solos, unique vocals, excellent drum beats and riveting bass rifts. We’re definitely a band for the future. so look out!

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/trampsandhorses
www.myspace.com/uniquedestructionband

Coming Up ..... Wednesday 29th October
Jazz_Rock_Jam Band

Birmingham Jazz present Partisans

Partisans are now celebrating their 10 year anniversary. Partisans is essentielly a quartet but they often collaborate & play gigs with special guests such as with the great US guitarist Wayne Krantz at Cheltenham Jazz Festival in 2003. Their visceral, groove-based sound combines bop lines with rock riffs and flowing melodies, bridging the gap between New York swing, rock and the US jam-band scene. Alongside Phil Robson and Julian Siegel, Partisans is Gene Calderazzo (drums) and Thad Kelly (bass).

The CD Max was released on the Babel Label in 2005. The band's second for the Babel label, this is the first new recording from the London based quartet for five years, following the release of the critically acclaimed Sourpuss in 2000. Comprising ten original tunes by guitarist Phil Robson and saxophonist Julian Siegel, the album includes their interpretations of David Bowie and Charlie Parker and a composition written specially for the band by guitarist Wayne Krantz. Max takes its name and inspiration from one of the greatest drummers of all time: Max Roach. The dynamic melody of the title track borrows its rhythm from Roach and mixes it with guitar, sax and trumpet lines and relentlessly driving bass and drums. One of the first of the new wave of UK jazz bands to be influenced as much by Jimi Hendrix as by Miles Davis or Sonny Rollins, Max also features guest appearances by Jim Watson (organ), Thebe Lipere (percussion) and Chris Batchelor (trumpet).

"One of the most exciting all star experimental groups in Jazz today"BBC Radio 3 Jazz Line-up.
"Its bad man!" Delfeayo Marsali

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 9.30pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/birminghamjazz2007
http://www.myspace.com/thebandpartisans

Coming Up ..... Wednesday 29th October
Indie_NewWave_Alt.

This is Tommorrow present the last ever Flux with Throw me the Statue + Wave Machines + Dave Bang DJ Set

Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £ FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thisistomorrowuk
http://www.myspace.com/throwmethestatue
www.myspace.com/mywavemachine
http://www.myspace.com/ilovebangbang

Coming Up ..... Thursday 30th October
Indie_Roots_Alternative_Acoustic



The Catapult Club presents The Lazy Lizards

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 adv, £5 on the door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thecatapultclub
www.myspace.com/thelazylizards

Coming Up ..... Friday 31st October
Indie_Rock_Blues

444 Club Halloween Special with The Allies (Last Ever Show) + Mr Derry +
The Jaays

Mr Derry:
Mr Derry are an award-winning 5-peice band from Birmingham, England, who have carved a place for themselves on the UK live music circuit as one of the 'must-see' bands. They’ve just added to their list of accolades by winning the coveted JD Set Unsigned in April 2008. Mr Derry blew-away the competition judged by a panel of industry experts, and won £5000 of equipment in the process, to help take them to the next level in their blossoming career.

As an in-demand live spectacle, promoters regularly book Mr Derry to warm up for some of the UK's biggest and brightest bands such as, The Twang, The Holloways, Good Shoes and The Metro Riots, and even the hottest US acts such as Juliette and the Licks –who hand-picked them to support her at the 02 Dome, NY rockers The Mooney Suzuki, and the highly revered Soledad Brothers. Mr Derry are also booked for their own headlining shows and club nights all over the country.

Having all grown up in the same street together, these energetic kids from the midlands have known each other forever. With their army of dedicated fans, Mr Derry's status is that of one of Birmingham and the UK’s best and most exciting live bands. They also turn their musical hands to DJing, and have DJ’d aftershows for the likes of Primal Scream, Jet, The View, The Enemy, The Klaxons NME and Dirty Pretty Things.

Proven well worthy of their 'Ultimate Live Band of the Year' title, the band's fanatical fanbase of 'Derriers' follow them all over the country. If you get to see them live -you'll know why. Mr Derry achieved an early mile-stone in their career by being featured finalists on Channel 4's prestigious 'Road to V' competition, fending-off 6000 other bands in the process –barely six months since they formed. From this, national coverage was achieved in publications including NME, Nuts and The Big Issue.

The band played a prestigious ‘In The City’ showcase in Manchester, and a single deal with taste-maker record label Worst Case Scenario followed, on which Double A side Single 'Goodnight' and 'Beasts and Pearls' was released to heaped critical praise. Radio play came in form of XFM and Kerrang! Playlists and multiple spins from Colin Murray, Steve Lamacq, Huw Stevens and even Terry Wogan! Physical copies sold out in their local HMV, Birmingham and they reached 30 in the official indie charts.

Building on this success, more exuberant live dates followed, and after causing a riot at Pontins Holiday Resort –complete with fire and policemen, at an All Tomorrow’s Parties festival, the band were picked up by new management. Mr Derry are now looking for an appropriate record deal, fully supported by WCS Records.

The Jaayz:
The Jaayz are on Facebook. Click the link above to iLike and become a fan! :)
Hello everyone. If you're reading this, thanks! We love you unconditionally! Here's a little bit of information about us and what makes us tick.
The Jaayz got together less than a year ago as four mates intent on having fun and bringing a touch of joy to a staid local music scene. The band has a shared appreciation for good songs and sounds and subsequently have different tastes in music from soul and funk to hip hop, rock and pop. These ecclectic influences have given them the opportunity to write songs that are difficult to nail down, but fit somewhere in between pop, indie and rock. Pindock?
The band write about the things that influence us all as human beings, from poverty to greed to the injustice and general frustrations of modern life. These are noticeable in crowd favourite Last Chance for Resistance and new song Short Cut Kids.

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm – 4am
Cost: £5 adv / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/thealliesuk
http://www.myspace.com/usualguy
www.myspace.com/mrderry

Coming Up ..... Friday 31st October
Indie_Ska_Rock_Alternative

444 Club present Geezer + Burnside + Understar + The Abbots

The Abbots:
Just as Cardiff says "all we wanna do is play our music to people who wanna listen, and have a good fuckin' laugh along the way" and in that sums up the agenda behind the band! The Abbots are a three man outfit with Chris Woodley blasting out strained Vocals, Bass and Occasional Lead Strummings, Tim (Cardiff) Jones on Lead/Rhythm Guitar (and all the high bits that sound fuckin' mint!), and the newest addition to the band is Chris Newman (yeah, another fuckin' Chris) who comes in on sticks to push the band forward. Undoubted influence comes from the Stone Roses, Hendrix, Oasis and a good stiff Brandy.

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE ENTRY
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
www.myspace.com/thisisgeezer
http://www.myspace.com/burnsidebadboy
www.myspace.com/understarband
www.myspace.com/theabbots

Coming Up ..... Friday 31st October
Dubstep_Drum & Bass

What Dubstep as part of DNB infest, which features Hazard + Escape + Alpha + CKB are down the Q club this Friday.

Line-up features:
Nipsy b2b Miller G,
Glacius,
Boogie Dave b2b Process,
Emile b2b Jamanji,
Vega,
Jam1,
End and Opiate,
Point 1

Venue: The Q Club, 212 Corporation Street, City Centre, B4 6QB
Time: 9pm – 6am
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/whatdubstep

Coming Up ..... Friday 31st October
Funk_Soul_Hop-Hop

Funbox vs Jelly Jazz Halloween Special!!

Halloween Special!!! FUNKBOX welcome the guys behind the UK’s (if not the world’s) longest running funk night, Jelly Jazz. Pete Isaac & Griff have been holding things down in Plymouth & Cornwall for the last 14 years, there ain’t many people that haven’t been through their door! They both have an extensive collection of funky treats for your ears and have come to battle FUNKBOX for your dancing feet!!

Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/funkboxclub

Coming Up ..... Friday 31st October
Folk Rock_Indie_Alternative

Fleet Foxes + Special Guests J.Tillman + FREE after party with Bang! Bang! DJ’s.

Venue: Space 2, Custard Factory Complex, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 8pm
Links:
www.myspace.com/fleetfoxesfanssite
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory
http://www.myspace.com/bangbangatpanic

Coming Up ..... Friday 31st October
Indie_Rock Alternative_Acoustic

Platform promotions presents Liner + SaturdaySunday + Jimmy Weston
+ Jamie Croft

SaturdaySunday are 4 lads in their 20's who are the best things to come out of the Yardley and Chelmsley Wood areas of Birmingham since illegal dogs and hooped earrings.

Jimmy Weston is a singer songwriter from the U.K hailing from Coventry the motor city in the heart of England ,the home of Jaguar Cars and ska band The Specials. Via moseley Birmingham and Camden Town North London. Over the past few years Jimmy has caught the attention of many major record companies in England and America and recorded demos with Steve Bush (stereophonics) Gavin Monahan (editors) and sebastian beresford (lily allen). With impassioned vocals reminisent of Thom Yorke and Rod Stewart and Anthemic songs Jimmy Weston is one to watch.

Jamie Croft: (from his myspace)
I have been singing and playing guitar since the age of 5 and composing since the age of 10. I have never looked back! Every song I write seems to be an improvement on the last and now I am looking at recording my latest material a.s.a.p. I have mostly accoustic tracks, but I am now writing with Keith Birkett(Rokyesoxoff) in our recently formed band 'High Roller'.

Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/linerband
http://www.myspace.com/saturdaysundayband
http://www.myspace.com/jimmywestonmusic
http://www.myspace.com/jaycmusic

Coming Up ..... Saturday 1st November
Experimental_Rock_Noise_Alternative



ATP Concerts and Capsule presents:
Lightning Bolt
Pissed Jeans
Wooden Shjips
OM
Shellac
Andy Wetherall DJ

Shellac
Started in an informal setting between infamous engineer and guitarist Steve Albini (ex-Just Ducky, Big Black, Rapeman) and drummer Todd Trainer (ex-Rifle Sport, Brick Layer Cake) in 1992, Shellac came into full formation after Albini invited bassist Bob Weston (ex-Sorry, Volcano Suns) to move to Chicago, employing him as an engineer at his studio. A clutch of singles soon appeared in 1993 and 1994 on Touch and Go and Drag City, somewhat following in the footsteps of Albini's Big Black and Rapeman, if only due to his trebly, cutting guitar work and deadpan vocals. As with Big Black, Shellac provided a forum for Albini to air his thoughts on the uglier side of humanity, though lowering the perversity and upping the humor a notch. (An early claim was that all Shellac songs concerned either baseball or Canada, sometimes both in the same song.) The odd rhythms of Trainer and rumbling bass of Weston, however, clearly removed Shellac from any of the members' previous involvements.

OM
Formed in 2003 when former Sleep members Al Cisneros and Chris Hakius began to play again after a six year hiatus. The two began rehearsing without the addition of guitar or other instruments. OM's first three albums feature Cisneros (bass/vocals) and Hakius (drums). In January 2008 Hakius left the group. Cisneros recruited drummer Emil Amos and in March of 2008 OM recorded a 7" for Sub Pop records. The song "Gebel Barkal" is the first to feature Amos on drums. Cisneros and Amos are currently writing for the next Om full-length which is to be recorded in early 2009.

Wooden Shjips
(that's not a typo) is a vital and refreshingly inspired quartet from San Francisco playing loud rock 'n' roll in a style heavily influenced by the experimentalism of psychedelia, classical minimalism and garage rock excess. Starting as an experiment in rhythmic primitivism and group improvisation, the current line-up brings a more structured rock approach to its performances, utilizing a traditional lineup of drums (Omar Ahsanuddin), bass (Dusty Jermier), organ (Nash Whalen), guitar (Erik "Ripley" Johnson) and vocals.

Pissed Jeans
The Straight World is a shallow, boring, soul-sucking vortex. This is where most folks spend their quiet, desperate lives. Working to consume, consuming to achieve status. Distractions like celebrity watching and religion are supposed to provide entertainment and meaning. Here, life on the edge means driving a Ford. It’s nearly impossible for those of us who despise the Straight World to avoid it. Many of us spend 8 hours a day there just to survive. The Straight World doesn’t take kindly to aberrance. That’s why some of us would rather not reveal ourselves. We move like shadows through the Straight World, keeping our secrets. We don’t need smoke to make ourselves disappear.

Lightning Bolt
Lightning Bolt emerged from Providence, Rhode Island in 1995 as a three-piece art school project. Initially there was Brian Chippendale's explosive, non-stop drumming, Brian Gibson's Contortions-like bass lines, and Hisham Bharoocha's vocals propelling them in a fury of volatile noise and orgiastic tribalism. The group helped found Fort Thunder, a music and art collective, and recorded a self-titled album which was issued through Load in 1999. By 2001's Ride the Skies Bharoocha had departed (he eventually formed Black Dice.). This left the vocal duties to Chippendale, who jammed the microphone into his mouth as he drummed. Lightning Bolt did a series of tours with bands like The Locust, Arab on Radar, Orchid, and Melt Banana before returning in 2003 with the studio album Wonderful Rainbow. The album did very well in underground music circles, and set up the release of 2005's Hypermagic Mountain.

For more information and news updates on these shows keep an eye on www.atpfestival.com

Venue: Space 2 - Custard Factory Complex, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 6pm – 3am
Cost: £18.50
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/capsule_girls
http://www.capsule.org.uk/event/release-the-batsatp-halloween-party
http://www.myspace.com/laserbeast

Coming Up ..... Saturday 1st November
Alternative_Indie_Funk

444 Club present Barringtone (Ex-Clor) + Anyone for Shark? + Colonel Fabien + Don’t Move DJ Set.

Venue: Barfly Dragon Bar, 78 Digbeth High Street, B5 6DY
Time: 10.30pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
www.myspace.com/lordbarringtone
www.myspace.com/anyoneforshark
www.myspace.com/colonelfabienwantsu

Coming Up ..... Saturday 1st November
Underground House & Techno



Cog present Sir Real +Dave is Dead + Hog + MikeWarren + Lee Richez + Skeleton (Blendstate - Live Visuals)

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, (Room 2), High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 9pm – 2am
Cost: £3 entry /£FREE before 11pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/electronicadventures

Coming Up ..... Saturday 1st November
Dub_Reggae_Funk

Jibbering presents the BLACK SEEDS. Formed in 1998, The Black Seeds fuse dub, reggae and funk sounds to form a unique musical "party" sound. In support we have the most interesting BOY COM. Hailing from Bristol these guys are well in the tradition of Bristolian Dub-hop! Also look out for another special guest, alongside the usual Jibbering suspects...

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, (Main Room) High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 9pm
Cost: £10
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/jibbering
www.myspace.com/tehblackseeds

Coming Up ..... Saturday 1st November
DNB_Liquid

Nature One & Goodlooking presents Bukem in Session (3hr Set) feat MC Conrad + Furney + Utah Jazz + Dan B + Reaction + Stanza + Bass Flo.
MC’s: Conrad + Fozz + MC Biggie

Venue: Rainbow Warehouse & Beach, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 10pm – 6am
Cost: £12.50 adv. MOTD
Links:
http://www.goodlooking.org/
www.myspace.com/goodlookigrecords

Coming Up ..... Sunday 2nd November
Acoustic_Folk_Indie

Acoustic Brew present Fola + Alistair Jones + The ReadyMades + Sons of the Desert

Venue: Atticus, Three Shires Oak Road, Bearwood
Time: 7pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
www.myspace.com/alistaircjones
http://www.myspace.com/sonsofthedesertuk

WANT TO GUARANTEE THAT YOUR GIG OR NIGHT WILL APPEAR ON HERE?

If you’re a Band, Artist or Promoter and want to GUARANTEE that your Gig or Night appears on the Coming Up Birmingham Blog then you can do so by doing the following.

If you’ve not already done so, ADD ME as a friend on the Coming Up Birmingham Myspace
(link here)

Then, send me a message through Myspace with the following information:
Date of your Event
Style of Music
Line-Up of Whose Playing
Any Additional Information about the Event
Links for any Myspace or Artist/Promoter Pages
Start/End Time and CostAny Images (Jpegs)

If I get this information I will guarantee to put your event on here. You can put as little or as much as you like, just look at some of this weeks entries for examples.

Coming up.....
Monday 20th October to Sunday 26th October

Simple.... Just one page for all of this weeks gigs and events in Birmingham with links to audio!!

Down the right hand side of this page are links to all promoters myspaces featured on this blog as well as some of the other sites worth checking out for Birmingham Music.

Remember, if you're an artist or promoter and want to get your night/event featured on here there's instructions on how to do it further down this page.

You can also contact me or check out what certain promoters are doing via the CUB myspace. There's a link on the right of this page.

Coming Up ..... Monday 20th October
Rock_New Wave_Post Punk_Indie

444Club presents Man! Points! + Hang the DJ + Efan Ekoku and the Astronauts + Heroica

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 7pm
Cost: £5 / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/manpointslive
http://www.myspace.com/hangthediscjockey
http://www.myspace.com/ukheroica

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 21st October
Electro_Indie_Electronica

Humbucker and Arc Promotions present Electroflex + Support

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/arcpromotions
http://www.myspace.com/electroflex

Coming Up ..... Wednesday 22nd October
Alt_Psychedelic_Garage_Indie_Rock

444 Club presents Exit Calm + Dogfight Revolution + The Hoi Polloi +The Guile DJ Set

Exit Calm:
As guitar music seeps into a harangued watered down version of itself courtesy of vacuous copyists and insipid careerists, one name shines through like a sole beacon in the middle of a one-dimensional, smoggy sea.

EXIT CALM are Scott Pemberton (drums), Simon Lindley (bass), Rob Marshall (guitars) and Nicky Smith (vocals). To call them a breath of fresh air would merely be understating their value; quite simply they are the most exciting, invigorating and dare we say it, unique, guitar-based band to emerge from these shores in quite some time.

Having initially formed in the South Yorkshire town of Barnsley back in late 2006, Exit Calm spent the next eighteen months writing and honing their sound. Spring 2008 saw them release their first limted release, live favourite ‘Higher Learning’ on clubAC30 Records while their euphoric live shows have attracted spates of attention culminating in them being invited as main support on The Music’s ‘Strength In Numbers’ UK tour in June 2008.

Comparisons to date have seen their mesmerising guitar eclipses likened to the early sounds of My Bloody Valentine , Ride, Spiritualized and the elaborate skyscraping voyages of Explosions In The Sky, while the captivating presence of front man Nicky Smith offers an intense aside to their brooding noise that renders them completely unforgettable once seen for the first time.

Dogfight Revolution:
Hailing from Wolverhampton and Birmingham, The Dogfight Revolution began to stamp their distinctive mark on the Midlands music scene early in 2007 with their unique blend of psychedelic drone rock and eastern mystics. The four piece’s revolutionary sound has evolved from a fusion of influences…Syd Barrett, Velvet Underground, Primal Scream, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spacemen 3, 13th Floor Elevators, Sonic Youth, Verve. Guitars, drums and bass are joined by drone machine, theremin, synth, Indian percussion and flute to create an inimitable wall of sound….a sound which pays homage to their legendary influences whilst breathing new life into their psychedelic roots.
After a line of successful gigs around the region, with the most recent invitation to open the main stage at Godiva Festival in Coventry alongside the hotly tipped Glasvegas, Exit Calm and headliners The Enemy, the band are now releasing their first demo.

The Hoi Polloi:
The Hoi Polloi have been together for 3 years and consists of 4 musicians from the Black Country in the West Midlands who have locked themselves away in a rehearsal room until they felt that the time was right to try and gain exposure and industry attention.

The Hoi Polloi have a huge sound but are also able to create an ambience that can cross over to a wide audience. This has been true at recent high profile supports with bands such as Ghosts among others.

The band have also produced some acomplished recordings but should be seen live for music lovers to fully appreciate the passion, sweat and raw emotion that this band delivers from song to song.

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5
Links
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/exitcalm
http://www.myspace.com/thedfr
http://www.myspace.com/thehoipolloi
http://www.myspace.com/guilemusic

Coming Up ..... Wednesday 22nd October
Grunge_Rock_Psychedelic_Experimental

Arc promotions presents BB Blackdog + Invisible Cities + Juffage + Support

Venue: The Swinging Sporran, Priory Queensway, City Centre, B4 7LL
Time: 8pm
Links
http://www.myspace.com/arcpromotions
http://www.myspace.com/bbblackdoguk
http://www.myspace.com/invisiblecitiesband
http://www.myspace.com/juffage

Coming Up ..... Thursday 23rd October
Indie_Folk_Alt_Punk




444 Club present Peter and the Wolf + Mr Bones and the Dreamers + Gemma Quarterman & Band

Venue: Barfly Dragon Bar, 78 Digbeth High Street, B5 6DY
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: £5
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/peterandthewolfmusic
http://www.myspace.com/mrbonesandthedreamers
http://www.myspace.com/gemmaquarterman

Coming Up ..... Friday 24th October
Indie_Acoustic_Alt_Rock

444 Club present Matt Geary & Band + Gary Nock & Band +The Amateurs + The Great Plain

…Fresh Club night afterwards

Matt Geary:
Matt Geary is of a different ilk skewing the traditional view of the singer/songwriter sat on a bar stool singing love lost laments. The music is a blend of musical genres from indie to folk to drum and bass which create his distinct hybrid sound. Influenced by classic song-writers such as Bob Dylan and Ray Davies, Matt is a diverse and unique song-writing talent who conjures his own musical world of melody in which you are all welcome to delve. Live performances incorporate loop stations, samples, fine artwork and a bit of blag poetry to rifle the ol' troubador scorned.

Alongside Matt there is bowler-hatted drum and bass drummer, Ed Inferno, cellist extrordinaire Mike Nowland and now pianist Jez Diaper.

They have played all over the UK and played with the likes of Rosie Thomas, Nick Harper, John Power, Alabama 3, Shady Bard, Mohair, Red Jetson, The Ivories, Eight Legs, Komakino, Vijay Kishore and Damien Jurado and he has worked with such respected people as Steve Brennan (Dexys Midnight Runners), Andy Wickett (World Service/ex-Duran Duran) and John Rivers (producer of The Specials, Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller). Recent performances include Moseley Folk Festival, Middlewich Folk Festival, Gigbeth and Music Live at the NEC. .

Combining his heartfelt, honest and distinctive voice with a personal, woven patchwork of lyrics and word play he performs memorable songs of intense beauty, passion and fragility which are "impossible to dislodge once heard." He is an exciting and innovative writer and performer who has a determination to skew the traditional stereotype of a singer-songwriter; he has been critically lauded and cited as an artist to look out for in the future.

Gary Nock:
Gary Nock is an acoustic singer-songwriter hailing from the West Midlands originally. Gary moved south as a child and grew up in the sleepy seaside town of Dawlish in Devon. A late starter in music, Gary first picked up a guitar at 17 years old and caught the bug. After a few quick lessons from a friend he borrowed an old Nylon stringed Spanish Guitar and locked himself away in his bedroom, and much to the delight of his Father, began noisily strumming and singing his way through book after book of classic songwriters and groups, including The Beatles, The Kinks, Tracy Chapman, The Jam and Leonard Cohen to name but a few. He also taught himself to sing - "The greatest piece of advice i ever got was three words - 'practice, practice, practice' Simple really but so true".

After honing his skills in his humble abode Gary ventured out and began playing in public wherever he could, starting with little performances in the Pubs around Devon. Slowly gaining a reputation as a “great little singer” Gary started to write his own songs - “Obviously the first songs I wrote were complete rubbish” Gary chuckled “But I just loved that I was making something, I was creating something of my own about my own experiences, after the first one, I just couldn’t stop” This trend continued well into his 20’s and at the age of 24 he decided to move back to the city where he was Born (Birmingham) to try and make something of all the years of practice. Based in his old home town, Gary began touring the country singing and playing to all sorts of crowds all over Britain from Edinburgh to Brighton. Again slowly gaining a reputation, this time not just as a singer but as a great songwriter whose heartfelt and honest lyrics rang true with both the male and female members of his ever growing audience. “ I always admired a great love song, its something everyone can relate to and it’s something I have had a lot of experience with, though not always with great success! If you can sit and watch someone sing with real honest emotion and passion and truly believe what they’re saying, that is something pretty special.”

In December 2006 Gary met up with Peter McCamley (famous for signing the Spice Girls! Craig David, Sandi Thom and Jamie Scott amongst others) after going along to see Gary live several times in the months following Peter tells how impressed he was by Gary’s voice and song writing abilities “Raw and honest, pure talent” Says Peter. And unlike many “industry” people he had met along the way, Peter decided to put his money where his mouth was! Peter signed Gary to his publishing company, P and P Songs, in July 2007, since then Gary has been co-writing with various writers and producers from across the globe and also been fortunate enough to support some great acts along the way including,- Newton Faulkner, Ed Harcourt, Kate Walsh, Jamie Scott and Tina Dico as well as many others. He continues to tour up and down the country and is currently in and out of the studio recording his first EP release which will hopefully be out sooner rather than later. Meanwhile you can find some of his wonderful tunes on myspace (www.myspace.com/garynock) You can also see all his listed dates for the coming months, I highly recommend going to see him live as this is where Gary really comes alive, he seems to draw you in to his world, demanding you sit up and take note. This guy is definitely one to look out for in the year ahead.

The Amateurs:
“The Amateurs have a thirst for perfection and it beams from every note that they play…”

The Amateurs hail from the West Midlands in the UK. Their humble beginnings include being the backing band for Robert Plant and his ‘Tsunami Relief’ project, raising thousands for the charity.

The Amateurs new EP recorded with top producers The Animal Farm in London 2008, alongside their awe-inspiring live set, sets them up nicely for some new adventures. Gigs with Guillemots, Jack Savoretti and a standout performance at 2008's Guilfest under their belts, the future looks very bright.

The word Amateur comes from French, and can be translated as "lover of", reflecting the amateur's motivation to work as a result of a love or passion for a particular activity.
Pursuing amateur activities to the same standards as professionals is sometimes referred to as professional amateurism.

The Great Plain:
The Great Plain are from Birmingham, West Midlands and consist of Matthew Townshend and Steven Blackmore. We have been writing music together for the past 11-years in bands such as Soni-Quella and Elmira Landmine. Both bands have created a buzz around the Midlands live music circuit and have independently sold a respectful amount of CD’s. Throughout these previous bands, we have always progressed our playing skills together, writing relentlessly to hone our song writing talents. We are not a “scene” band and don’t believe in chasing trends for a quick fix of popularity. We believe in integrity and our plan is for a long and healthy career. We like to keep our style of play interesting for both ourselves and our listeners, achieving this by mixing different dynamics into each song and blending a variety of styles into our song writing. Our future plans are to get our music heard by more and more people on a National scale and to do this we are currently planning a tour of the UK, dates to follow. To assist us with this, we are looking to support more established acts to get ourselves more exposure to a wider audience. We have just finished recording our debut album “Sunshakes & Handsets” which is being released in October 2008.

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/garynock
http://www.myspace.com/theamateursuk
http://www.myspace.com/thegreatplain
http://www.myspace.com/mattgearymusic

Coming Up ..... Friday 24th October
Indie_New Wave_Afro-beat_Garage

GO Club present Shooting Panda + Panda Pop Culture + The Likely Lads.

Shoot Panda:
With an emphasis placed on embodying their youth and energy in their sound, Shoot, Panda!? attempt to break musical boundaries with their hybrid of indie-esque, dancable drumming, electronic-influenced guitar tone and pounding bass; an originality beyond their years. With songs with topics ranging from lust to youth subcultures, careful detail is paid to lyrical content as much as musical content. With scathing attacks on the 'chav' and 'scene'-based 'cultures' so prevelent in modern Britain, these boys make no secret of their roots.
With influences ranging from the electro, hardcore and indie genres (among countless others), something different, perhaps surprising is guaranteed from Shoot, Panda!?; believe that.

Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/shootpanda
http://www.myspace.com/pandapopculture
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=149931443 (likely lads)

Coming Up ..... Friday 24th October
Electro_Indie_Club

Hott Date returns with Brodinski + DJ’s

Venue: Rainbow Warehouse (The Garden), Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 9pm
Cost: £6 / £5 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/hott_date
http://www.myspace.com/chicksdigjerks
http://www.myspace.com/ilovebangbang

Coming Up ..... Friday 24th October
Punk_Ska_Oi!_Reggae

Every month DJ SMIJ will be playing Punk (everything from OI to Pop), Ska, Rockabilly/Psychobilly, Reggae and if your bloody lucky some hip hop. Most importantly, they like to play small and local bands. And if you want anything played, bring some CDs along.

Venue: Scruffy Murphys, Dale End, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/punk_skabrum

Coming Up ..... Friday 24th October
Rock_Experimetal_Noise_Punk

Capsule present Oxes + Beestung Lips + Bilge Pump

The OXES are back, and in grand style. After spending time apart getting married in Italy, delivering pizzas, worshipping football great Ray Lewis, and perfecting the art of the "claw" the OXES have returned to put their finest tunes to date on tape in THREE years!
Recorded by the OXES in their way fab home studio in the outskirts of Baltimore, the OXES EP is a maddening chunk of rock'n'roll, containing signature OXES' stadium riffage, drum spills and fills, and sense of humor.
But, this release is a turning point in the OXES songwriting as they dabble in more straight forward rock numbers, and more, well mental rock numbers. Playing with time signatures, guitar leads/solos, off kilter rhythms, and even remixing a song, the OXES have taken a step into a slightly new direction.

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath, B14 7JZ
Time: 8pm
Cost: £7
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/capsule_girls
http://www.myspace.com/oxxes
http://www.capsule.org.uk/event/oxes-beestung-lips-bilge-pump

Coming Up ..... Saturday 25th October
Indiepop_Electronica_Indiepoptronic

The Autumn Store and Robot vs. Dinosaur present MECHAKITTEN.

Bands on the line-up:
Seeland
Arthur and Martha
Arc Vel
Mexican Kids at Home

Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 in
Links:
http://www.theautumnstore.co.uk/
http://www.robotvsdinosaur.co.uk/
http://www.bar-island.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/seelanduk
http://www.myspace.com/arthurandmartha
http://www.myspace.com/arcvel
http://www.myspace.com/mexicankidsathome

Coming Up ..... Saturday 25th October
Indie_Acoustic

444 Club present Jonah Matranga

Venue: Barfly Dragon Bar, 78 Digbeth High Street, B5 6DY
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: £7.50
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/jonahmatranga

Coming Up ..... Saturday 25th October
Rock_Indie_Pop-Punk

The Catapult Club present My Own Agenda + The Fakulty + Dennis + Eastern Gun Club

MY OWN AGENDA:
MY OWN AGENDA is emerging as one of the Uks hardest playing rock quartet of recent years. Building upon their energetic yet emotional and interesting songs, the group are providing powerful live perfomances which are leaving audiences with that, "next big thing" vibe.
From day one the combined efforts of brothers Matt (vocals) and Rich (drums) has been to bring to the forefront of the Rock scene their unique style of mixing heavy rock riffs with interesting melodies and thought provoking lyrics. With guitarist Rob W and then bassist Dunc joining the brothers, they are pushing the boundaries of the alternative music scene.
With their new EP - BETWEEN ROCK AND A HARD PLACE My Own Agenda continue to step across the barriers of Rock music. With the powerful guitar riffs on the opening track "Where Did You Go", to the laid back and stripped down "Song About The War", My Own Agenda continue to surprise and excite their audiences.

Eastern Gun Club:
'Eastern Gun Club have been playing in and around Birmingham for the past year now and are starting to kick up a bit of a fuss. Regulars on local mixtapes and online radio shows – their swagger is perhaps personified in the guitarist’s white boots. You’ve gotta be good to wear them and he was. ‘Back To The End’ is bass heavy – like much of EGC’s output – but laced with some sheer quality guitar work – the affect is layered and on a better set-up would create a really rounded sound. Led by the baseline once more, ‘Sink Or Swim,’ uses hooked vocals and some Strokes-esque high intensity-strumming to leave you feeling a little bit Kylie. “I just can’t get it out of my head…” “I’ll sink and you swim/This is where we begin/I’m not leaving you out but I’m leaving you in” ‘Jane’ is without question the tune of the night. Drummer Matt Bullock takes over vocal duties and proves perfect foil for regular vocalist Driver to juxtapose with. "Jane/ You’re like a fucking train/ Flying through my brain." The baseline screams early Kasabian and the simple kick drum adds such ferocious intensity I have to fight the urge to lamp my mate standing next to me. It’s arrogant, it’s bolshy and it’s definitely the direction these boys should head in.' (Gigwise.com)
"Although only formed in early 2007, eGc are busy gigging in and around the city, catching a few headlines and playing venues that include The Flapper & Firkin, The Jug of Ale and Bar Academy. Catchy melodies mixed with guitar riffs with massive hooks and driving bass lines, guarantee to get the audience going and assure that by the end of the night you will be singing along." (icBirmingham.co.uk)
"Eastern Gun Club are thankfully nothing like the current wave of cookie cutter “indie” bands that are seemingly impossible to get away from these days. Borrowing the best bits and ditching the fluff, they create an excitingly offbeat, angular-indie sound dipped in heavy distortion and feedback. They’ve got a refreshing direction and it serves them well. Complex, interesting guitar work and punchy beats combine with Jon’s strong, off-key vocal drone for something that’s hard to put into a nice tidy genre-box, but hard not to be impressed with". (Stephen Hudyba, BBC)

Venue: The Actress and Bishop, 36 Ludgate Hill, B3 1EN
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 adv / £5 on door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thecatapultclub
http://www.myspace.com/myownagendaltd
http://www.myspace.com/thefakulty
http://www.myspace.com/thefakulty2
http://www.myspace.com/bewithdennis
http://www.myspace.com/easterngunclub

Coming Up ..... Saturday 25th October
D&B_Dubstep_Hip-Hop_Beats

Therapy Sessions returns to Birmingham for Chapter 2 - The Halloween Special

DYLAN AND ROBYN CHAOS - Freak and Obscene Recordings head honchos jet in from the States to deliver a darkside special as only they know how!

FURURE SIGNAL - hotly tipped up and coming production outfit signed to Freak/Obscene make their debut in Brum. Expect pure filth.

PCM (LIVE) - local legends with their live dancefloor-friendly darkness

PHIBES (LIVE) - current releases on FHT

FREENOTE AND TEK PRIME - Tria Mera head honchos

DJ-X - House of God resident and one half of PCM

And if it all gets a bit dark for you, on the Beach we have a selection of Dubstep, Breaks and Jump Up from....

Urban Disturbance

with

ARIES (Co Lab/Pure Vibez)

ESCAPE (Music Hertz)

JINX AND FUZION (Urban Disturbance)

PACE (Breakthru)

BOOGIE DAVE (Drop Beats/MyBass)

NURSA AND OPIATE (Magnetik)

SLOBIDAN AND DIDI (Hip Hop + Breaks)

Venue: The Rainbow Warehouse and Beach Adderley St, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4ED
Time: 10pm-5am
Cost: £5 adv! More pon the door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/triamerapromotions
http://www.myspace.com/urbandisturbanceuk
http://www.myspace.com/phibesdnb

Coming Up ..... Saturday 25th October
Bassline_4X4

Twisted Sisters Halloween Special at Premonition.

Line-up:
Nighttrate
DJ EJ
Burga Boy
Bass Boy
Martin Larner
Pantha
Lionheart
GS
Undecided….
+ Loads more

Venue: Premonition Nightclub, 30 Bristol St, City Centre
Time: 10pm – 6am
Cost: £10 before 1am
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/premonitionnightclub

Coming Up ..... Saturday 25th October
Techno_Minimal_Electronica



S.L.U.T vs. Off The Wall presents:
Bas Mooy (Live) + Darkmode (Live Electro) + J T Kyrke + Distek + Nihilist
+ Triple B + DJ Tekton + Jenj!

Venue: Rooty’s, The Custard Factory Complex, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 9pm - late
Cost: £7 adv, £10 on the door
Links:
www.myspace.com/slutpromotions

Coming Up ..... Saturday 25th October
Brit-Asian Underground



FRICTION presents Bobby Friction + Punjabi MC + Swami (Live) + Panjabi Hit Squad + Sonny-Ji.

In the Kitchen:
Inspekta S + DJ Cobra + Tony Chana + Desi Underground + Dragon Layer + DJ Kallyweed + Urban Azia + Dark K & JA Dread

Venue: The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 10pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory

Coming Up ..... Sunday 26th October
Ragga_Reggae_Dancehall_Dub_Live-Band



The Drum and Classical Promotions present as part of The Drum’s Tenth Anniversary Celebrations.
Sly & Robbie
Musical geniuses Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare are one of reggae’s most prolific and long lasting production teams, re-etching the very landscape of music, it is estimated that their rhythms have been the diving force behind over 200 000 songs. Throughout the years, the duo produced some of the most cutting-edge modern dub, ragga and dancehall tunes, working with many great artists from Peter Tosh to Bob Dylan.
Tonight’s performance at The Drum promises a full-on party vibe, with pulsating bass lines, original riddims and earth shattering beats as Sly and Robbie take to the stage alongside their band and special guests.

Venue: The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, B6 4UU
Time: 9pm
Cost: £18 adv, MOTD
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thedrumb6
http://www.the-drum.org.uk/

Coming Up ..... Sunday 26th October
Acoustic_Folk_Rock

Acoustic Brew present Luke Jackson + Dan & Rob + Alex Harmon + Oxygen Thief

Luke Jackson: (from his myspace)
I am a young singer song writer and guitarist from Canterbury, Kent. Learned to play the guitar about 4 years ago, started singing soon after and have been writing my own songs since. I love to play live and started first doing open mic nights about 2 years ago. I still do open mics, but have now also been doing lots of proper gigs in all sorts of different venues. At first this was all local, but now play regularly in london and at acoustic venues around the country, so far in Hull and more lined up in norwich,Bury, Portsmouth and birmingham. Last year, and this, I played Lounge on the Farm and other festivals in Dover and Ashford, Festival in the park and Create and full gigs during Broadstairs folk week, where i am playing again this year. Also played at Maverick@Zebra bar in maidstone and hope to be back there soon. New gigs are being added all the time for the next few months so keep an eye on my upcoming shows for latest details. Also getting more interest in my songwriting and 'Rain' was chosen as one of the top 10 songs of the year on the itsafrogslife acoustic podcast show. All the songs on the space are my own compositions and are recorded and mixed by Jim Laslett. Record loads of songs and have made 2 sort of cd's but they don't sound like my voice now!!! We realised that it is best to do 3 to 6 track ep's as these can be done more quickly and represent my current sound, voice and playing better.

Oxygen Thief: (from the myspace)
Oxygen Thief is Barry Dolan - Bristol resident, guitar abuser, and unrepentant rock addict.
Faced with the possibility of a total drought following the gradual demise of my previous band, I decided to branch out into solo acoustic warfare.
Why does the term "acoustic" always bring up the image of some moping "singer-songwriter", gently fingerpicking his way through yet another heartwrenching 3 minutes of emotional torment (in nut crunchingly delicate falsetto of course)?
Why does it always get relegated to background music for folky chats in dimly lit bars?
Why can't it be fun, exciting, and most of all...LOUD?
Why not indeed - together we can bring down the Blunts, Nutinis, and Morrissons (James, not Jim...or the supermarket for that matter...though I do prefer Asda)
2007 was pretty ace, with a few tours around the UK, a show in New York, and gigs supporting Frank Turner, Dave House, and Frank Turner (again), along with some very kind reviews (see below) and a whole bunch of new friends made.
2008 has been "the year of the gig" - 30 down (including supports with Malcolm Middleton, Manchester Orchestra, Chris T-T, and appearances at 2000 Trees and Dot To Dot festivals), and another 20 to go by the end of the year.

Venue: Atticus, Three Shires Oak Road, Bearwood
Time: 7pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
http://www.myspace.com/lukepauljackson
http://www.myspace.com/lukepauljackson
http://www.myspace.com/alexharmonmusic
http://www.myspace.com/oxygenthief

Coming Up ..... Sunday 26th October
Indie_Alt_Folk_Acoustic_Garage

444 Club presents Sam Forrest (Nine Black Alps) + Hayley Hutchinson + Rogue States (Acoustic)

Sam Forrest, the vocalist and guitar player in Nine Black Alps and collaborator in The Sorry Kisses releases his debut semi-acoustic solo album 'Down The Hillside' on October 6th 2008. The album will be available on a limited edition run of 1000 hand numbered copies through Desert Mine Music.

Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place, City Centre
Time: 7pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/samforrestsounds
http://www.myspace.com/hayleyhutchinson
http://www.myspace.com/roguestatesmusic

WANT TO GUARANTEE THAT YOUR GIG OR NIGHT WILL APPEAR ON HERE?

If you’re a Band, Artist or Promoter and want to GUARANTEE that your Gig or Night appears on the Coming Up Birmingham Blog then you can do so by doing the following.

If you’ve not already done so, ADD ME as a friend on the Coming Up Birmingham Myspace
(link here)

Then, send me a message through Myspace with the following information:
Date of your Event
Style of Music
Line-Up of Whose Playing
Any Additional Information about the Event
Links for any Myspace or Artist/Promoter Pages
Start/End Time and CostAny Images (Jpegs)

If I get this information I will guarantee to put your event on here.You can put as little or as much as you like, just look at some of this weeks entries for examples.

Coming up.....
Monday 13th October to Sunday 19th October

Simple.... Just one page for all of this weeks gigs and events in Birmingham with links to audio!!

Down the right hand side of this page are links to all promoters myspaces featured on this blog as well as some of the other sites worth checking out for Birmingham Music.

Remember, if you're an artist or promoter and want to get your night/event featured on here there's instructions on how to do it further down this page.

You can also contact me or check out what certain promoters are doing via the CUB myspace. There's a link on the right of this page.