Coming Up ..... Friday 19th September
Alternative_Rock_Indie

Humbucker Promotions & Arc Promotions presents Friday Night Live with The Siege + Hinge + The Deafout +The Likely Lads

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 9pm
Cost: £4
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/arcpromotions
http://www.myspace.com/thesiegebanduk
http://www.myspace.com/hinge69
http://www.myspace.com/thedeafout
http://www.myspace.com/thelikelylads

Coming Up ..... Friday 19th September
Indie_Rock_Metal_Alternative

Platform promotions presents Only the Good + The Dixsons + Sicum +Burning Thirteen

Only the Good:
Upbeat rockers Only The Good tear open the dark underbelly of Heavy Metal and stuff it with energetic punk attitude, before marinading in a sweaty mix of high octane rhythms and screaming guitar harmonies. Best served with naan and lager.

Having been playing for over a year at various venues in and around Birmingham, such as The Flapper, Jug Of Ale, Bar Academy, Varsity Wolverhampton, The Palace Tamworth, supporting several acts such as Bryn Christopher (signed to Polydor records), the band is well established on the live scene.

On our live performance, thehearingaid.blogspot.com say" Only The Good! The lead guitarist's t-shirt summed it up pretty well really, ' Heavy Fuckin Metal'. He was a bit of a star actually, how the hell you do all of that head banging stuff without losing one of your frontal lobes I'll never know. Musically they rocked the Maiden out of the place, plenty of quality fret wanking and bonus points for the feet on the monitors ending. Nice touch."

Sicum:

With the energy of Rage Against The Machine, the funk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the middle finger of Eminem, Sicum are anything but your average band. Sicum are not here to be cool or gain your respect, only to give you the chance to break free from today. Gaining more support, from fans and fellow bands alike, every gig they play, including headlining the Midlands Regional Gig at the Barfly, Sicum are definitely going places and everyone’s invited. Mixing funky hip-hop bass lines and rock/rap drum beats layered under funk-rock and alternative guitar riffs and thought provoking lyrics Sicum have managed to create a raw sound that feels completely fresh and inviting but gives no apologies. By allowing each member to individually express themselves through their instrument they have created a tight and very solid sound. This all combines and comes across very strong in their live performances where they’re not scared of connecting with the crowd. “The crowd is as much a part of each song as we are”. All minds want to break free, now there is someone to open the door. Sicum, music

Venue: The Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick Street, Digbeth, B12 0NH
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/onlythegood666
http://www.myspace.com/thedixsonswayforward
http://www.myspace.com/sicumband
http://www.myspace.com/burningxiii

Coming Up ..... Friday 19th September
Rock_Indie_Punk_Blues_Funk

The Catapult Club presents The Clouds + Copious + Fillmore Gears +CJ Mason

Venue: The Actress and Bishop, 36 Ludgate Hill, B3 1EN
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 adv, £5 on the door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thecatapultclub
http://www.myspace.com/thecloudsmusic
http://www.myspace.com/copious1960
http://www.myspace.com/thefillmoregears
http://www.myspace.com/tartangramma

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 9th September
Indie_Alternative_Hardcore_Rock



444 Club present Shapes + Targets + IO

Targets:

“…Charmingly poignant and bracingly sincere indie rock for kids who care about things…” - Rockfeedback.com

“…An outstandingly catchy take on indie rock. Targets more than deserve your undivided attention…” - Rock Sound

Targets have been seen alongside the likes of The Subways, Appleseed Cast, The Sounds, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Jr Ewing, Dartz!, Campaign for Realtime, Dykeenies and GoodBooks making them a highly anticipated live act for 2008!

Venue: The Rainbow
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: £5 door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/shapesuk
http://www.myspace.com/weareio
http://www.myspace.com/targets

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 9th September
Metal_Thrash_Rock_Screamo_Progressive



Humbucker Promotions present Reign of Fear + Ride the Skyline + Regiment X.

Reign of Fear:
Reign of Fear begun from the humble beginnings of Birmingham and are a brutal four piece metal band comprised of best friends: Dougy, Alex and Pete. With a hard work ethic these lads are making waves in the local music scene and will continue to do so. If you like real Metal hard and fast check out REIGN OF FEAR's new ep SCARS OF TIME.Since the completion of the Scars of Time cd the Band have been hard at work writing for their first full length release 'As Babylon Burns' hoping to be out in the Winter

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/reignoffearmetal
http://www.myspace.com/ridetheskyline
http://www.myspace.com/regimentxv

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
Acoustic_Electronica_Ambient



Bohemian Jukebox presents Elliot Jack + Raf & O + Electroflex.

Since October 2003 Bohemian Jukebox have provided a quality platform for artists and bands working in the fields of Alt-Folk, Post-Folk, Americana, Anti-Folk, and left-field acoustic.

Elliot jack:
A four piece who mix together loops, samples, guitars and occasional vocals to make a lovely melancholic warming sound. Their songs are beautiful enough to warm the heart of cadaver.
The lovely BBC have used their music on the uber-trendy Countryfile and elliot jack wrote the soundtrack for BBC short film 'Over the Edge'. They've had abag of airplay recenlty all over BBC Radio.

Raf and O:
"Indietronic delicacy...Seductive, winding pieces of jazzy vocal electronica. Like Björk on her intimate 'Vespertine' album, these songs feel like they're playing inside your head – and once there they won't leave." (Mixmag)

"It enchants with dense sound sculpture combined with fragile rhythms and sweet smokey vocals" (Skug Magazine-Germany)

"If you liked the less obvious outings of Lamb and vocalist Lou Rhodes solo work, then there should be plenty for you here. " (IDJ magazine)

"Opening track ‘Sky’ has glitchy, dream-like appeal; imagine strolling through a sun-swept computer generated garden with a beautiful digital pixie you’ll be half way to grasping what this sounds like."
(Kingdom Magazine)

Electroflex:
80’s influenced electro in the vein of Human League, Goldfrapp, and Depeche Mode

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 in
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bohemianjukebox
http://www.myspace.com/elliotjack
http://www.myspace.com/rafando
http://www.myspace.com/electroflex

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
Indie_Rock_Alternative

Humbucker promotions present Darko + Rudi’s New Outfit + My Secret Life + Rundown

Darko:

"Sometimes when you least expect it a sound comes along that makes you sit up and pay attention as happened to me on the 8th July. The line-up at the Sound Bar included this young three piece band formally known as "Autumn Ignites" – the band now go under the name of Darko, and very impressive they are too. The lads have some really strong material which they deliver with amazing maturity, their material is well crafted and has obviously been written and constructed with a lot of care and attention. It is quite common to come across bands that can churn out good tunes, but with Darko you get that little bit more. There is a great feel of light and shade about their songs, which makes them easy to listen to. As a live act they have great stage presence and put their material over well. I was very impressed with Darko and I will definitely be seeing them again."

My Secret Life:

my secret life are a indie, alternative, pop, punk three piece from Birmingham (uk). not long after there formation in mid 2005 they recorded there debut demo 'whatever it takes' which saw overplay.com compare them to radiohead, pixies, rem and supergrass and 'ryan's gig guide' claim they were the missing link between placebo and snow patrol. the demo lead to live favourite 'easy when you know how' being included on the u.s only released 'britainrocks!' compliation and the same track was eventually released as a single through horusmusic at the beginning of 2008. the band continue to gig everywhere and anywhere they can and are in the very early stages of putting together there own label with which they can release their own stuff and plan to have released a couple of e.ps by the end of the year.

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/thisisdarko
http://www.myspace.com/rudisnewoutfit
http://www.myspace.com/mysecretlife1
http://www.myspace.com/rundownuk

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
R&B_Pop_Jazz

The Go! Club presents Lottie Plimmer + Support

Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/lottieplimmer

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 26th August
Rock_Alternative_Progressive



Humbucker presents The Bad Pennies + Davee Mach + Burning Thirteen + When Autumn Falls

The Bad Pennies:

Born from the ashes of 2 of the most successful bands to hail from the Derbyshire hills the most anticipated new band of 2008, featuring members of the Written Apology and Polite Notice, THE BAD PENNIES. A funky combination of 70s classic rock and new age experimental prog.

Davee Mach:

In the dark corner of a back alley pub, two long time pissheads, overcome by succession of alcoholic beverages stumbled upon the brilliant idea to resurrect grimey ’70s rock. Thus formed Davee Mach, named after an Irish trucker. Originally named "The Greasy Dildos", but the name would not stick. A thuggish moody 3 piece, powered by heavy riffs, wannabe daydreams, and large quantities of alcomohol, and so it begins.... Due to different artistic opinions it s was..ok we’ll be honest, our lead singer is "bone idol", (that’s not a bad billy idol tribute band) he’s just a lazy git, and wanted another guitarist to relive the pressure of his "2 whole jobs" in the band, and so along popped luke, who’s last name I cant remember, so for now, we’ll call him luke "skunky". After a moment of maddness we found out skunky could play drums "well", and since has had a cushy sit down job,.. that’s right 2 lazy 70’s style rockers and an arsenal of rock n’ roll triumph’s, ...its just a shame were so laid back were horizontal! A short time after this, that oh so common idea of gigin’ came into play, at which point our first bassist quit and the drugged up sex toy of a weird blonde bimbo,.. whom was befriended to a ginger love crazed, ac/dc obsessed rocker who was knocking boots with the lead singer decided to take the bass up, and play the whole gig.... without even knowing the songs,.. To turn this hafty rock n’ roll band into the 8th wonder of the world, we then stuck luke on geeetar, and brought in the 4th person stupid enough to befriend us, dan.."TAMPAX DAN" a double bass kicking, hobit looking, ego maniac with the charm and good grace of a rhino in heat. NOW WHOM DARE TRY AND STOP US ... seriously,.. no one try , were loverly really

When Autumn Falls:
The band started back in early 2004 after various name changes, band line-ups and styles we each grew into our own and fell upon what is now When Autumn Falls. The current line-up has stuck since January 2006 and has never been stronger since Ryan took to the stage.

We take influences from bands such as Thrice, Alexisonfire, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Taking Back Sunday to name just a few. Live we blend a sound of raw energy and power with a presence to match.

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/thebadpenniesbanduk
http://www.myspace.com/daveemach
http://www.myspace.com/whenautumnfallsuk

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 26th August
Acoustic_Folk_Indie_Rock_Roots

Acoustic Brew presents Ivan Campo + Blue Radio, Bernard Payne + One Sixth of Tommy

Ivan Campo: (from his myspace)
Ivan Campo, the super Spaniard with the big hair, shares his name - with a nu-folk ensemble who will take you on a journey through the mysteries of their minds. Hitchcock and The Beatles’ White Album are just some of Ivan Campo’s preoccupations. Characterised by a playful suspense, their songs are as likely to be about the unsolved death of Alexander Litvinenko as they are about love and loss. Based in the Northwest of England, Ivan Campo produce interweaving melodies combined with a musical unpredictability influenced by artists as varied as Devendra Banhart, Nick Harper and Arcade Fire. The effect is a unique style infused with echoes of films, snatched memories and a healthy sense of the absurd. Playing live regularly, Ivan Campo have been spotted in pubs, clubs, venues, kitchens, festivals, ballrooms & basements, all over the UK, & have shared stages with Marrisa Nadler, Thomas Denver Jonsson, Jeff Lewis, Misty's Big Adventure, Jay Jay Pistolet, Dufus, The Courteeners, Jim Noir, Shack, & The Pale Fountains. Their first song, Bandit (visit ivancampo.net), was produced in 2003, and they have since recorded 9 seven track E.P's. Meanwhile, their self-directed videos echo the gentle yet unexpected pace of their sounds.
“A unique and mildly unsettling sound, like David Lynch circa Blue Velvet. Can't recommend them enough!” Yorkie - Space
"they are pretty good in a refined, literary kind of way." Simon Hattenstone - The Guardian
"Mixing a strong sense of the traditional singer-songwriter genre, this three-piece made their audience feel a little like we had just stumbled into the best jam session ever." Meg - manchestermusic.co.uk

Venue: The Island Bar, Smallbrook, Queensway, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
http://www.myspace.com/ivancampo
http://www.myspace.com/bluenation
http://www.myspace.com/bernardpayne
(One Sixth of Tommy)
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=271199204

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 19th August
Rock_Indie_Alternative



444 Club presents Glamour of the Kill + My Alamo + The Mannequin Republic

My Alamo:
Fresh from a year of touring and releasing their debut album, My Alamo emerge from the woods as the sun rises on summer 2008.

With a new albums worth of material already recorded, work on album 2 continues. 2007 saw the band play major festivals (Download, Oxygen) and highly well received supports including the explosive winter UK tour with The Zico Chain.

Already critically acclaimed in Kerrang! (4 k's 'this crackling taut debut casts a satisfyingly heavy shadow - brilliant') and Rock Sound ( 7 /10 'Modern punk spirit and bags of raw energy these tracks stand out every time') My Alamo's eponymous debut is available to buy via the bands own label 7th Star Recordings. Intense, original and unafraid of hyperbole... We give you the fantastic: My Alamo.

The Mannequin Republic:
The band that is The Mannequin Republic started off as pure jammin' nearing the end of 2005 but then, soon developed into something far greater. At the beginning of 2006, after Loz left old band Farside, they decided to take things to the next level, developing new, exciting and original material. After taking time to polish up their act and develop their own style, they hit the stage for the first time, mid 2006 at a low-profile gig at The Actress and Bishop. After the huge success of that gig, The Mannequin Republic are set to be gigging all around Birmingham very soon.

With the tight, complexed rhythms of Dan and Ben, complimented by the genius lyrics, intense fretwork and jaw-dropping vocal-work of Loz, it's easy to see that The Mannequin Republic are going places!

Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth
Time: 7pm
Cost: £6adv, £8 on the door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/myalamospace
http://www.myspace.com/themannequinrepublic1

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 19th August
Alt-Folk_Post Folk_Americana_Anti-Folk



Bohemian Jukebox runs every two weeks, (on a Tuesday) at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath.
This Tuesday:

Kings of the Heath
Punky folk tunes from the best heath in B’ham!

The Go-By
Watford band playing a fusion of folk and rock melodies taking notes from early 70's punk bands.
The Drip-Dry Man
Smoky, scary, dark and growlin’ Blues.

James Summerfield
Sounds like he could be holed up in a log cabin, swapping songs of misery and murder with preacher men and moon-shiners.

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 in
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bohemianjukebox
http://www.myspace.com/thegobyuk
http://www.myspace.com/thedripdryman
http://www.myspace.com/jamessummerfield

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 19th August
Rock_Alternative_Indie_Experimental



Humbucker / Arc Promotions present The Meaning + Angelheart + Dusk + Blue Nation

Blue Nation:
Neil Murdoch (Vocals / Guitar)

Neil is the main songwriter, guitarist and singer. He aims to always keep things simple with his song writing and the band. He brings ideas to Oli, Paula and Ade then they thrash it out until it is just where they want it! His main influences are The Who, Small Faces, The Beatles, Paul Weller, OCS and many, many more. Likes any guitar as long as it’s a Gibson!
A few years ago during a sound check “Big Mick” sound engineer for Metallica , was heard to say “ where the ****** **** did that skinny kid (Neil) get that great voice from?” We still don’t know…

Paula Keogh (Vocals)

Paula is an accomplished musician and adds these skills to the group to work out the harmonies and the vocal arrangement of the songs. Can play any instrument after about 5mins and has sung Blues, Jazz, show songs and choir you name it she sings it. During a recent studio recording session became known as “one take” due to the quality, accuracy and speed with which she nailed her vocal. Her brother was clearly impressed as he had taken a little longer.

Oli Jefferson (Drums)

Oli is the youngest member of the band, he definitely falls in to the category. “If you’re good enough you are old enough. “ Being the son of a renowned Midland drummer, it was quite obvious drumming would play a big part in his life. From an early age he has been entertaining, having performed with the Royal Ballet in both Birmingham and London, but after an injury ended his dance career, he threw himself heavily into music. His preferred instruments are drums and percussion, although he also plays piano and guitar. Musical influences are the Trevor Burton Band, having watched almost all of their gigs since age 11, Spin Doctors, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Clash, The Who, Inme and many more!!

Ade Derbyshire (Bass Guitar)

Ade is the most recent member of the band, joining in Jan 2007. He was at a BN gig when Neil asked the audience if they knew any Bass Guitarists as BN were looking for one. Ade had a word and after a few rehearsals and an audition gig he was offered the slot.
Ade considers himself an easy going musician who never takes things too seriously. He has been playing guitar for many years and became a full time Bass Guitarist with his last band Jaygo. Because of his guitar background his bass riffs really compliment Neil’s rhythm / lead work. Not surprisingly Ade’s influences 5ac are guitar based Indie bands like The Smiths, Idlewild, Manics and the lovely unsung heroes of the mid 90’s, Gene.

Dusk:
We are a three piece alternative rock group from Sutton Coldfield, consisting of frontman Jon, drummer Matt and bassist Adam. The band formed when frontman Jonno and drummer Matt had a practice session at the Way Inn in Sutton, and invited Adam along. Adam picked up the bass at that session and the band was then formed. We have a number of our own songs and are currently writing more, heading towards an EP or album in the not-too-distant future. We're working on getting recordings up on the MySpace, so check back every now and then for new songs and stuff =]

Bands we have been fortunate enough to share the stage with:
- Babelfish
- Big Ice Gem
- Blemish
- The Flare
- Fusion
- The Last Bullets
- Look See Proof
- The Low Orders
- Manchurian Candidate
- The Marxist
- Midas
- Over The Line
- The Southern Cradle
- Strangle Kojak
- Superhero
- Tempting Rosie

Angelheart:
We are a newly formed band, who are now a 4 piece band consisting of :- Alan The Fonz guitar and vox Aaron Foy guitars Hayley Dyke bass guitar and Nathan Gavin drums ,Alan began playing guitar at a very early age playing guitar in bands with his brother Dave A K A Doug Sutheran playing their first gig at the Odeon theatre in Shirley Solihull in the seventies with a band called the Black Blood Band ,DOUG Produced Angel Hearts recent EP at his DJS@52 Studio and is finding great success with his band Dusk who can be viewed as one of Angel Hearts friends. Alan then played in various bands with his brother doug . after a break from music Alan formed Bond Street in the mid eighties, Bond Street merged into After The Rain some members left and some joined and this was the birth of Alans most successful band to date The Reign signed to rooster records The Reign released the debut single in 1987 and were close to signing a major deal with CBS records before splitting in 1989 The Reign can be viewed as one of Angel Hearts friends .Alan did not play in any other bands until 2007 when he formed Angel Heart .Aaron Foy began playing guitar whilst at school and soon became a natural to the axe ,through his school years Aaron played with several line ups some of those line ups included his girlfriend and bass player Hayley Dyke Aarons ability and determination shows in his playing ,his dedication and input into the material alan has wrote has been priceless, Hayley was unsure whether or not she wished to continue playing but she was soon back into groove of things and has become a major asset ,her style of bass playing fits in great and as aarons girlfriend and a great friend of both alan and nathan we are all pleased to have her . Alan Aaron and Hayley met Nathan in the winter of 2007 and all became good friends very quickly, Nathan was at this point playing guitar with a band but he expressed an interest in joining angel heart as a drummer an instrument nathan has been studying as a student at stratford college , Nathan a music tech student brings many attributes to the band he is a talented guitarist ,drummer, and vocalist

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

Coming Up ..... Monday 11th August
Punk_Rock_Hardcore_Screamo_Alt



The Go! Club present 4 Star Treatment + Behind the Story + Save the Theory

4 Star Treatment:
“We are a Funk Punk Rock band from the west midlands, sutton coldfield to be specific ;). We consist of three pedofiles and one child, Adam W, Dwight R, Jessie C, and Tom L. formed in early i dont know when, we have created our own songs, with a vary in influences and tastes (Adam likes his kids for example, just to confirm we are only joking, he does not dabble in the pre teen reigon) leading to our unique sound. soon we shall start gigging following our upcoming demo recording of the 5 and counting songs we have. we give you the 4 star treatment, but only one star performance (lol oj,i wouldent give it one star....id give it lots 0=]). infact we should rename ourselves LOTS Star Treatment, which is far less catchier than our origional name, Which was more catchier then a baseball glove. please leave us some love, and enjoy our music.”

Behind The Story:
“We are a 5 piece Alternative/Screamo band from the Midlands. We have recorded our debut E.P with Romesh Dodongoda (FFAF, Glassjaw etc) and samplers of each song are on the myspace page now!” (link below)

Save the Theory:
Many years ago, in the lowly slums of Shitfield...Now known as Kings Norton, in the glorious Communist city of Birmingham...A child was born....
His name? Neil Williamson
Rumour has it, he was born with no eyes...Yet the doctors, desperate for an alternative for eyes, sew Neils testicals into his eye sockets as a cheap substitute for eyeballs...This is not true. It is true, however, that the midwife, instead of slapping the babies arse to make it cry, slapped Neils mother.
18 years later...
A young skinny-pale boy named Timothy Edwards comes of out rehab with Amy Winehouse, due to his unsationable addiction to sniffing Daz. He was pictured leaving many a night club with white soap powder around his nose and leaving behind him the scent of lemony freshness...
Tim, with nowhere to go but back to Tesco for more Daz to snort like chop, he decided to go to College, where he "accidently" walked in on Neil Williamson having a wank in a recording studio in September 2006.
A friendship unlike no other was born...
With little in common apart from comparing penis sizes and talking about The Artist Formely Known As Prince, they decided to put their knobs away and form a band.
Way back in 1989, the year the 80's dieded (thank God!), another boy-wonder was born...His name?
David Long
Rumour has it, that he got his surname from a porn mag. This is not true. He got his surname from a packet of school rulers.
Born with 4 arms, he was known as Doctor Octopus till the age of 4, when he woke up to find his 2 extra arms has fallen off and disappeared (to this day it is not know what happened to those arms). This lack of extra-arms forced David to play drums, while chained up to a drumkit, for a living outside a corner shop in Frankley till he ran away and went to school, where he befriended Neil Williamson after walking into the school toilet and stumbling over Neil, who was lying on the floor. Having a wank.
Neil, Tim and Dave, when not circle-jerking, were forming a band...But how can you have a band without the shitty forth member? The member no-one gives a fuck about?
The Bassist?
Fame turned to a steriod-enhaced she-male called Sam Moggan, when Neil was looking around on Myspace for photos of innocent, underage girls and saw a picture of Moggans Messed-Up Mixer and decided "We need him in the band even though he is aweful at bass!"
Rumour has it that Moggan is actually a Mongolian Vagabond Rug-Sales man who moved to Rubery to cocklefarm, but instead turned to steriods and grew a mini vagina.
This is not true.
All we know...He was born in 1990 and has 23 toes.
Togather, the band was born...PS I LOV- Waaaaiiit! No! That name was Shiiiiteeee!!

This is...SAVE THE THEORY

Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/4startreatmentuk
http://www.myspace.com/behindthestory
http://www.myspace.com/psiloveyouband

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 12th August
Indie_Rock_Punk_Pop



Humbucker presents Dead Like Hereos + Man! Points! + Hudson + Ethan Jackson.

Hudson:
For a band that started life over 5 years ago, Hudson are feeling surprisingly fresh! With a career that has consisted of numerous line-up changes, countless shows, oodles of music making, some bad experiences and even more good ones; when you look upon Hudson today you will find a band that are super-charged with a new lease of life.
Now with their strongest line-up to date they are armed with an innate passion & natural talent for what they do. Thunderously efficient drums cast forward an onslaught of guitar hooks that grab you by the lip and reel you in to an ever heart felt vocal where you will find deeper connotation & significance. Present them your heart strings and they will pull.

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, B4 6SE (Nxt 2 Childrens Hospital)
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4, £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/manpointslive
http://www.myspace.com/hudsonband
http://www.myspace.com/ethanjamesjackson

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 5th August
Pop Punk_Rock_Alt_Acoustic



Humbucker present Textbook Rumours + Afternoon Workshop +Blue Noise +The Fallen Dukes.
Textbook Rumours:
Textbook Rumours consists of Tom, Dave, Chris and our newest member Ben. After parting ways with our previous lead vocalist, the band is now entering an exciting new era full of drive and ambition to express our passion for music and to make our mark on the music scene.

We’ve decided that once we’ve done our last few gigs were going to take a few months out from the live scene to write some more material, record more and focus on other aspects off the group. But keep your eyes open cuz September time we will be back!!!

Afternoon Workshop:
Presently we are working on a two piece 'covers' gig, along with working on our own material!! Performing a repertoire of male and female songs with Amie's melancholy tones and Hollie's acoustic style on electro acoustic guitar.

Blue Noise:
Blue Noise are a four-piece Indie Rock band who hail from Cheltenham. Their live performances are showcases of the energy and charisma of their music, which is lyrically existential and musically both raw and sensitive, explosive and dynamic. Matt (guitar) Will (drums) and Joe (guitar, vocals, songwriter) met whilst still at school and formed the basis of what would be Blue Noise. With the addition of bassist Adam in 2006, the band started their musical career and are currently working on new recordings

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, B4 6SE (Nxt 2 Childrens Hospital)
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4, £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/textbookrumours
http://www.myspace.com/afternoonworkshoplive
http://www.myspace.com/bluenoisesite
http://www.myspace.com/fallendukes

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 29th July
Acoustic_Roots_Folk Rock_Blues_Indie



Bohemian Jukebox presents Richard Batsford + The Lazy Lizards + Pony Chair Back + Tom Peel

“A lovely little affair, mostly centring around singer-songwriters but with other stuff too. (Some quite surprising other things at times.) I liked the vibe, and indeed the value - four quid gets you four musical acts and a chit that lets you get a shot of absinthe for a pound. You can’t say fairer than that.” (russl.wordpress.com)

Richard Batsford
"His music displays amazing beauty in repetition and minimalism. Definitely a performer to keep your eyes on."
Evening Mail

"Each piece brimmed with an inherent sense of poignancy ... Batsford created a spectral ambience which made him stand out from other composers. Utterly spell-binding."
Birmingham Post

The Lazy Lizards
Impassioned and powerfully arranged songs with a strong sense of social consciousness. There are shades of the 1960’s psychedelia of Arthur Lee’s Love within ‘em.

Pony Chair Black
Emotionally-charged stories deceptively presented in pop wrapping. Catchy tunes that tell tales of lives spent living, loving, losing, despairing and, just occasionally, winning.

Tom Peel
Ivor Culter-esque up-tempo, uplifting folk-rock blues from an excitable and instantly likable fellow.
"This is the new Bob Dylan, re-born and relocated to Birmingham. Unique, witty, intelligent and a must see."
Sunday Sessions

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: Doors 8.30pm
Cost: £4
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bohemianjukebox
http://www.myspace.com/richbatsford
http://www.myspace.com/thelazylizards
http://www.myspace.com/ponychairblack
http://www.myspace.com/tompeel

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 29th July
Rock_Alternative_Indie_Electronic




Humbucker presents The Chase + Half Day Closing + Reprobate + Before I Explode

The Chase:
“y'alright, we're the Chase.
We’re a Birmingham based band who love doing what we do, and are passionate about it, its not just a hobby... its what we want to do.
Its 2008 and we hope to make it a good'n, its started off well for us, booked up for several gigs in just the first 2 months of the year, lets hope the rest of the year follows the same pattern.”

Reprobate:

REPROBATE are a five piece band from Tamworth. We have been around since December '04. We are a band with many influences combining powerful riffs, grinding bass lines, authoritative drumming and vocals with attitude.

Reviews:
A great set from Tamworth based Reprobate saw them voted through to the second round by the other bands. A heavy, guitar driven rock sound they made great use of dark basslines, hurtling solos and front man Richard’s rock-drone vocals. Memorable tracks with interesting lyrics and inventive structures, at times they were almost experimental, and while their music was always grand, it never seemed overly indulgent. For such young lads they have great ability and stage presence, and gave a tight but energetic performance

Before I Explode:

Before I Explode are Sophie and Jak

They write electric music. They met in a queue.
It was a very long queue. They were at the front.
and whilst queuing in this queue discovered they were in a band.
They write our music over msn. Most of the year we live a billion miles away from each other.

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, B4 6SE (Nxt 2 Childrens Hospital)
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4, £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/thechasehq
http://www.myspace.com/halfdayclosing
http://www.myspace.com/bandreprobate
http://www.myspace.com/beforeiexplode

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 29th July
Acoustic_Experimental_Pop_Indie



Acoustic Brew presents Babajack + Bruno Gallone + Richard McGuire + Cathal Keenan + Rob Lane

Bruno Gallone:

“I was born in July 1972. That means I was your age, when I should have been doing what I'm now doing at my age. Being ancient has its advantages, though: for instance, young whippersnappers can provide amusement by taking my decrepitude a bit too far, and by asking me if I saw Hendrix live. This allows for the imagination to kick in, and I can describe being at that Bank Holiday 1967 Spalding all-dayer with Hendrix, Cream, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, Syd’s Floyd and Zoot Money all on the bill for a quid.

The first record ever bought for me was London Bridge is Falling Down by Pinky and Perky. From that moment (circa 1975), a star was born. Riding hypnotically around and around the manhole cover in the back yard, on my tricycle with the Mary Mungo and Midge sticker on the seat, I wore my Bay City Rollers tartan dungarees while munching on my Dalek Exterminator ice lolly. In such a state of serenity, I dreamed of being a rock godhead, like Orinioco from The Wombles, or Rory from Animal Kwackers.

At the age of fifteen, I started playing guitar. In those days I was very harsh and loud – not much has changed – and I used to like playing my electric through an old Watkins Copicat and various assorted pedals, and making aeroplane and UFO noises at the neighbours walking past. I had an idea of forming a band called Oasis, but my bassist Baz said that was a crap name. I suggested Nirvana instead, and he retorted that we’d never make it with a name like Nirvana. I think we settled on All Night Orgy and the Conservative Candidates for a while. Our band meetings consisted of the usual mantra (“Gotta get a drummer, man”). We never did get a drummer.

When I was eighteen – the day Maggie Thatcher resigned – I got my twelve string acoustic Sigma, Ziggy, and a DADGAD-tuned odyssey began. That’s when I got into writing songs masseeeeeve seriouuuuuussss. Or not. Once I hit the age of about twenty-four or five, it was Kevin Duffy from Whiskey Before Breakfast who insisted I take my writing and singing a bit less lightly, and it was local Cambridge saxophonist and musical luminary Dom “The Hat” Latter who got me performing at places such as the now defunct Boat Race, supporting The Levellers, Ezio, and a few others.

I jacked in the songwriting and singing lark again for a few years, to get some OU degrees – I never was much good at singing and being sensible at the same time – but once I escaped through the other end of spouting Lukacs and Althusser and deconstructing sweet wrappers, I returned to making tunes.

So, there's the meteoric rise to semi-obscurity, for you. I’ve been gigging a fair bit, this past year or two, before it’s all too late. I was even on Tom Robinson's Introducing Old Blokes Who Have Been Around Forever (But Have Just Discovered The Internet) show, the other week. I like a nice PA system, so if you have one, please feel free to book me, and I will come to you. I’ve even recorded an album, and when I’ve the dosh to release it, you will have it. If you like me, let me know. You’ll make an old man very happy.”

Venue: The Island Bar, Smallbrook, Queensway, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE ENTRY
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
http://www.myspace.com/brunogallone2
http://www.myspace.com/finsburytunes (Richard Maguire)
http://www.myspace.com/cathalkeenan
http://www.myspace.com/roblanesite

Coming Up ..... Friday 1st August
Indie_Rock_Acoustic



The Go Club with Rock and Rose Promotions presents Golf Sale + The Love Jones + The Low Orders

The Love Jones:
From the birthplace of rock n roll & centre of the universe - Wolverhampton, come five men of no fixed hairstyle who offer something a bit different to the current crop of miserable new wave revivalist arseheads doing the rounds at the moment...

Drawing from literally quite a few influences, The Love Jones create their own type of power pop touching on everything from bittersweet ballads about orange girlfriends, to claustrophobic introspective kazoofests, to exciting all out twin guitar solo battles - and all in the time it might take you to fold up some washing and make a cup of tea.

The band figured heavily on Channel 4’s 2007 4music website relaunch, appearing on radio and television ads nationally, and secured plenty of remix work as a result - most notably for Seb Fontaine’s “Reflekt”.

The first album was received well by critics and the public at large and the second album is coming along very nicely too thankyou very much. Despite the thrill of listening to The Love Jones in a tamed recorded setting, the real joy comes from spotting this band in the wild, stalking gently so as not to startle them in their natural environment - wowing audiences at pubs, clubs and dedicated music venues across the Midlands. Even festival crowds who only turned up by mistake as slightly lost, confused & bumbling ale tent seekers leave as trusty LJ's devotees

The Low Orders:
STOOD WATCHING THE ENEMY AT THE BARFLY LATES SUMMER 2007 CHRIS LANG AND ANDREW HEATH WERE DISCUSSING BAND NAMES, LANGY TURNS TO HEATHY AND SHOUTS OVER THE ROARING CROWN "I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE LOW ORDERS WOULD BE A GOOD NAME FOR A BAND" AND THERE IT WAS DECIDED AND THE ORDERS WERE BORN.

LATER THAT YEAR MATHEW FRANCIS WILLIAM PRINCE CAME TO WATCH HIS MATES JOHNNY HOLYMAN AND HEATHY RUNNING THROUGH SOME SONGS THAT HAD FALLEN OUT OF HEATHYS GUITAR. HE WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE TUNES THEY WERE PLAYIN AND THE SOUND THE TWO HAD FORMED OVER A FEW YEARS OF JAMMIN, CHATTIN OUTSIDE WITH HEATHY HE REALISED THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE WAY HE COULD SEE IT GOIN AND THE BELIEF IN THE ORDERS WAS STRONG, MATTY GOT A BASS AND FOR 3 WEEKS EVERY DAY THE TWO MET UP TO GO THROUGH THE SONGS AND FORMED THE NOW BACKBONE OF THE ORDERS. A OPEN MIC NIGHT IN CANNOCK ROCK CAFE BY HEATHY SAW A FIRST GIG OFFERED BY WIDE AWAKE PROMOTIONS TO THE ORDERS WHICH THEY SNAPPED UP WITH ONLY 4 WEEKS TO GET A BAND AND SET TOGETHER.

TIME SPENT BY THE THREE FOR THE FIRST 2 WEEKS WAS MINIMAL DUE TO THE DRUMMERS WORK LOAD AND IT WAS LOOKING LIKE HEATHY WOULD BE STANDING THERE ALONE. FRUSTRATION WAS MOUNTING IN THE ORDERS CAMP AND A CALL TO MATTYS YOUNGER COUSIN THE AZZ WAS MADE WHO WAS PLAYIN IN A GREB BAND CALLED PALE IN STAFFORD. A CALL TO THE FIRST TEAM CAPTAIN OF ARMITAGE CRICKET CLUB WAS MADE AND THE ORDERS MET UP FOR A NOCK ONE COLD SATURDAY IN NOVEMBER. THE DRUM SKILLS OF THE AZZ WERE APPARENT AS SONGS LIKE FOREVER YOUNG, DRINKING BY MY SELF AND YOUR MARDY WIFE BLEW THEM ALL AWAY. THE GIG WAS BACK ON AND A SET OF 7 TUNES WAS THROWN TOGETHER FOR FRIDAY THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER.

THE GIG WENT TO PLAN AND THE CROWN WERE IN AW OF THIS BRAND NEW 3 PIECE FROM RUGELEY AND TAGE. THE ORDERS KEPT ON ROLLING AND GIGIGING WHERE EVER POSSABLE SUPPORTING LISTEN TO JOHNNY TO A CROWD OF THE LADS CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE ROCK CAFE LICHFIELD WITH A SET 13 STRONG.THE FOLLOW UP GIG AT THE CANNOCK ROCK CAFE ON THE 28TH OF DECEMBER WITH A CUT DOWN SET OF 8, A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT WAS SEEN AND THERE FIRST HEADLINE GIG WAS OFFERED THAT NIGHT FOR THE 25TH OF JAN 2008, 1 MONTH FROM THERE FIRST.THE ORDERS PACKED THE PLACE OUT WITH FAMILY FRIENDS AND A GROWING FAN BASE AND NAILED IT CLEAN KNOWING THATS WHERE THEY BELONGED.

THERE FIRST RECORDING WAS BOOKED IN THE LIVE ROOMS OF UNIVIBE STUDIOS WALSALL EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THE 2ND OF FEB 2008 AND 18 SONGS WERE PUT DOWN AS A LIVE DEMO TO USE AS A REFERENCE TO THE SOUND THE ORDERS WERE GETTING A REPUTATION FOR........

Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/golfsaleband
http://www.myspace.com/thelovejonesband
http://www.myspace.com/theloworders

Coming Up ..... Friday 1st August
Punk_Ska_Reggae_Oi!_2tone



Back in 2005/6 DJ Adam started off ‘Punk & Ska @ the Gallows’(John Bright St, Birmingham) as a weekly night playing the best in ska, punk and reggae. DJ Adam, shared the decks with the impecciably mannered DJ SMIJ . Together they took over Wednesday nights and soon began putting on shows featuring bands such as Mouthguard, Drongos For Europe, Self inflicted, The Cunts, Vigilante, Kamikaze Sperm, Jessi Eastfield to name but a few.However, in November 2006, something inexplicably terrible happened. Edwards No 8/Gallows fell victim to an arsonist attack rendering the night obsolete.
Things lay dormant until May 2007 when Mark Detrimental (pushed on by the brainpower that is the lovely Mel aka Miss Siren) decided to do what hadn't been done before - restart the night!
Starting at the end of Summer 2007, the new night – ‘PUNK & SKA AT SCRUFFYS’ is now held downstairs at Scruffy Murphys 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. They also like to play small and local bands. And if you want anything played, bring your CDs along.

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

Coming Up ..... Friday 1st August
Rock_Indie_Punk_ALternative



Humbucker presents Friday Night Live – Reluctant Hereos + Underclass + Burning Thirteen

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, B4 6SE (Nxt 2 Childrens Hospital)
Time: Doors 8.15pm – bar to 2am
Cost: £3
Links:
www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
www.myspace.com/underclass1
www.myspace.com/reluctantheroes
www.myspace.com/burningxiii

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 22nd July
Rock_Post Punk_Indie_Funk

Humbucker presents Angel Heart + To The Side Fringe + Sonic Sound System.

Angel Heart:

We are a newly formed band, who are now a 4 piece band consisting of :- Alan The Fonz guitar and vox Aaron Foy guitars Hayley Dyke bass guitar and Nathan Gavin drums ,Alan began playing guitar at a very early age playing guitar in bands with his brother Dave A K A Doug Sutheran playing thier first gig at the Odeon theatre in Shirley Solihull in the seventies with a band called the Black Blood Band ,DOUG Produced Angel Hearts recent EP at his DJS@52 Studio and is finding great success with his band Dusk who can be viewed as one of Angel Hearts friends. Alan then played in various bands with his brother doug . after a break from music Alan formed Bond Street in the mid eighties, Bond Street merged into After The Rain some members left and some joined and this was the birth of Alans most successful band to date The Reign signed to rooster records The Reign released the debut single in 1987 and were close to signing a major deal with CBS records before splitting in 1989 The Reign can be viewed as one of Angel Hearts friends .Alan did not play in any other bands until 2007 when he formed Angel Heart .Aaron Foy began playing guitar whilst at school and soon became a natural to the axe ,through his school years Aaron played with several line ups some of those line ups included his girlfriend and bass player Hayley Dyke Aarons ability and determination shows in his playing ,his dedication and input into the material alan has wrote has been priceless, Hayley was unsure whether or not she wished to continue playing but she was soon back into groove of things and has become a major asset ,her style of bass playing fits in great and as aarons girlfriend and a great friend of both alan and nathan we are all pleased to have her . Alan Aaron and Hayley met Nathan in the winter of 2007 and all became good friends very quickly, Nathan was at this point playing guitar with a band but he expressed an interest in joining angel heart as a drummer an instrument nathan has been studying as a student at stratford colledge , Nathan a music tech student brings many attributes to the band he is a talented guitarist ,drummer, and vocalist.

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 7.45pm
Cost: £4/£3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/angelheartuk
http://www.myspace.com/deathtothesidefringe
http://www.myspace.com/thesonicsound

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 22nd July
Indie_Pop_Folk Rock

The Autumn Store presents The Smittens + The Zebras + Red Pony Clock.
All these bands are from outside the UK!

The Smittens:
The Smittens are a five-piece indiepop band from Burlington, Vermont and like to think of themselves as a DIY twee pop explosion. Dana Kaplan, Colin Clary, David Zacharis, Holly Chagnon, and Max Andrucki, with help from the talented Emily Hilliard, switch up instruments, song-writing, and singing to create brilliantly lyrical and hyper-catchy pop songs of all colors, shapes and sizes. Formed on a whim at a party in 2002 by a group of popkids who wanted to make for their friends the kind of music they love, the Smittens have emerged as one of the country’s best-loved underground indiepop quintets, with headlining slots in the past year at the New England, New York, Toledo, and Athens Popfests. The band’s hotly anticipated third album Pop Your Heart, mixed by Eric Masunaga, will be out in early 2008, on Athens, Georgia’s indie institution Happy Happy Birthday To Me. The critically acclaimed 'Gentlefication Now!' and 'A Little Revolution' are both now available through Happy Happy Birthday to Me.

Red Pony Clock:

From the sun-kissed shores of San Diego, CA comes Red Pony Clock, an ever-shifting musical collective with a penchant for jubilant horn arrangements, effervescent vocal harmonies, and confessional song-writing. Primarily a recording project based on the songs of Gabe Saucedo & Tony Prudhome; the live Red Pony Clock lineup can oftentimes swell into the the double digits, with members switching back and forth between a wide variety of non-traditional instruments, such as trombone, banjo, accordion, & vibraphone. RPC will pretty much try to work with whatever they can get their hands on. The same goes for their song-writing, which has been known to take from such diverse influences as mariachi, disco, country, jazz, & R&B.
At first listen, the density of Red Pony Clock's music can be overwhelming, even confounding. But take heart!! While most twelve-headed monsters are intent on luring you under your bed only to inflict unspeakable acts of torture, Red Pony Clock would rather help you build a pillow fort in which to chill out and have a sing-along. Or better yet, a jamboree!!!
Over the course of 6 years, Red Pony Clock has gone from being a one-man lo-fi recording project to the incalculable, cult-like assemblage of today, sporadically releasing their music on 7" records, cassettes, and hand-decorated CDRs. Their latest release, God Made Dirt (HHBTM records), marks RPC's first foray into professional studio recording. With the help of their old friend, Roy Silverstein at Habitat Studios, Red Pony Clock has finally made the record they've been trying to make since they started. It's a boundlessly sprawling work, made to be absorbed as a whole, and brimming with the spirit of a band who makes music only because they love it more than anything else in the world.

Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrooke Queensway, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost:
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theautumnstore
http://www.myspace.com/thesmittens
http://www.myspace.com/redponyclock
http://www.myspace.com/ilikezebras

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 15th July
Acoustic_Indie_Folk

Bohemian Jukebox presents Lewis Garland and The Kett Rebellion + Miss Martin + Abie Budgen + Marieanne + Catalina Knight

Lewis Garland and The Kett Rebellion:
Fresh from Glastonbury, Lewis Garland and the Kett Rebellion have been highly acclaimed for their energetic yet intimate performances. The group’s folk tinged sound provides the perfect complement to Lewis’s intricate, often caustic, wordplay.

Miss Martin:
Forget the cockney chirp of Kate Nash, Lily Allen and all that-This is the future of female Indie-Pop: Surreal narratives and imagery with shades of Homegenic-era Bjork, and Radiohead-esque chord progressions.

Abie Budgen:
Rambling dusty guitar and scratchy ol’ magic delta spirits. Raggedy hobo stories and beautiful crazy noises from far away places.

Marieanne

Catalina Knight:
Blues meets Bohemia, with of vocal range reminiscent of Billie Holiday.

“A lovely little affair, mostly centring around singer-songwriters but with other stuff too. (Some quite surprising other things at times.) I liked the vibe, and indeed the value - four quid gets you four musical acts and a chit that lets you get a shot of absinthe for a pound. You can’t say fairer than that.” (russl.wordpress.com)

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: Doors 8.30pm
Cost: £4 in
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bohemianjukebox
http://www.myspace.com/lewisgarland
http://www.myspace.com/missmartin4
http://www.myspace.com/abiebudgenmusic
http://www.myspace.com/maziebaby

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 15th July
Acoustic_Folk_Indie

Acoustic Brew presents R.J Barstow + Afternoon Workshop + Flames of our Neighbours & Motion In Colour

Venue: The Island Bar, Suffolk Street, Queensway, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
http://www.myspace.com/rjbarstow
http://www.myspace.com/afternoonworkshoplive
http://www.myspace.com/flamesofourneighbours
http://www.myspace.com/motionincolour

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 15th July
Indie_Rock_Retro

Humbucker presents Lucky 27’s + Rock Dog Project + Framed + Dance of Starlings

Lucky 27’s:
Here's a review of the Lucky 27’s by Sandman Magazine:

The Island – Birmingham 22 Feb08

On a Friday night in the heart of Birmingham, one band tried capture the true essence of Rock “n” Roll. I attended this gig not knowing anything about the Lucky 27’s. I did not know anything about their line up or more importantly their sound. I was ready to be impressed...and I was. A four piece band (drums, bass and two guitars) who really strived to bring a modern Rock “n” Roll sound through an old battered sound system. It’s nice to see a young group of musicians respecting that 60’s sound and keeping their sound close to the original. A mixture of guitar and harmonica solo’s thrown in along the way meant they captured that 60’s vibe everybody loves.

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4, £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thelucky27s
http://www.myspace.com/rockdogproject

Coming Up ..... Friday 18th July
Indie_New Wave_Rock

The Go! Club presents The Funhouse Robots + Panda Pop Culture + Golf Sale

The Funhouse Robots:
The Funhouse Robots want to entertain. The Funhouse Robots play short (most of the time), catchy rock n roll punk songs, about a world of sci-fi glam, along with several truly unique and disturbingly inspirational covers. Any deep meaning to their lyrics is entirely accidental. Their secret is not to ruin a good song by trampling it to death with their egos. Performances are exhausting for the band, but exhilarating for the audience! Well, worth going to see at the least. Their biggest accolade is being the band that other bands want to be (or at least that’s what they tell them)! A bit of history; the band rose as the phoenix from the ashes and embers of Fantastics, a quite similar rock n roll space punk band who played in the Birmingham area a few years ago. Mark (vocals and guitar) and George (bass) spent several years attempting to form a new band after the demise of Fantastics, before finally putting up a scrap of paper towards the end of 2006 in a local studio requesting musicians. They had toyed with the idea of putting a request on the web, but wisely realised this would only delay their efforts by at least another couple of years. They soon had a response from Chris the drummer. Very fortuitously, Chris knew all of The Fun House Robots’ material, as they would be playing the same stuff that Fantastics used to play, and Chris was Fantastics old drummer. Chris’s contact was soon followed up by a call from new boy, Nigel (guitarist), who liked the CD he was sent more than just a little bit, thus injecting the new band with the enthusiasm needed to make it happen. With the players in place, let the performances begin.

Panda Pop Culture:
Formed in mid July 07’ and give and take a few members we are simply four friends intent on writing melodies and telling tales from a bedroom hidden away in sleepy Sutton Coldfield. Our songs are recorded with a 16 track recorder and, where “LIVE” we have basically used one microphone from outside the bedroom (low-fi but quick). We are looking to do proper recordings of our better songs as soon as our A-levels die down but for the mean time here we are.

Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/thefunhouserobots
http://www.myspace.com/pandapopculture
http://www.myspace.com/golfsaleband

Coming Up ..... Friday 18th July
Indie_Rock_Alternative

Humbucker presents ***FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE*** with Galleon Ryders + The Dandilions + SaturdaySunday

Galleon Ryders:
Galleon Ryders are a band with the focus and determination to strive forewards making the music they love to write and perform. Based near Birmingham, Danny, Jason, Dave and Luke managed to start playing music together as a four piece around summer 2007 after originally meeting each other at a local music festival and have since started to turn a fair few heads in this crazy industry. With explosive guitars, thunderous drums and melodies that will keep you endlessly hummimg along, the band continue to strive forward in meeting new people and making friends with the other bands along the way. 2008 is an exciting year for Galleon Ryders and have recently been a featured band on Clint Boon's XFM exposed show!

The Dandillions:
Ignatious Read and Bonsey had been playin and writing together for a few years before they were walking through highfields and heard bob marley being played proper loud. they followed the sound and came across a portugese bloke sitting on the floor jamming along to it on an old bass guitar, shortly after oli and sam asked him to join the band and began to add loud basslines to their hybrid poetry and melody. after a long search 4 a drummer the boys stopped by outside an old burlesque house 2 skin a j, they noticed sum guy struggling to get a drum kit down a set of stairs, the lads decided they would help him as they were feeling quite peacefull after their ..... as the geeza was putting the drums in his van they blindfolded him and took him away to officiate him as a dandilion.the rest is the present.

SaturdaySunday:
Arriving in August 2007, 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.

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 9pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/galleonryders
http://www.myspace.com/thedandilionsband
http://www.myspace.com/saturdaysundayband

Coming Up ..... Friday 18th July
Electronica

Robot vs Dinosaur:

“So, it's the summer, the sun's shining, and seemingly every electronic act in the country's currently on holiday! Consequently, we're fucking off live stuff this month in favour of a free entry DJ party.
Taking place at Island Bar on Friday 18th July, our crack team of DJs will be playing chart-topping '90s indie anthems from the likes of aphex twin, autechre, battles, boards of canada, the books, broadcast, cylob, the flashbulb, four tet, germlin, holy fuck, hood, kid 606, matmos, max tundra, mouse on mars, polysics, the postal service, prefuse 73, squarepusher, stereolab, amon tobin, tortoise, venetian snares, luke vibert, xiu xiu, susumu yokota and whatever else we might have lurking about in our record collections. We'd also like to know what you've got lurking about in your collections too, and what you might like played on the night- drop us a comment if you have any requests, either below or via our proper website which can be found at http://www.robotvsdinosaur.co.uk/. ”

Venue: The Island Bar, Suffolk Street, Queensway, City Centre
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/robotversusdinosaur
http://www.robotvsdinosaur.co.uk/

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 8th July
Gypsy Punk_Global Grooves_Acoustic Madness



444club presents Mama Matrix + Hidden Half + Frutaloka + Pete Heywood

Mama Matrix:
Mama Matrix are an exciting five piece band based in Birmingham UK. Heavily influenced by Balkan gypsy music, they play their own blend of Zappaesque, Gypsy Punk Madness. They are fronted by the charismatic Singer/Guitarist Daz Dolczech who sounds like something between Elvis Presley and Jony Iliev. Backing him up are Dark Mavis on Tuba, Mike Hurley on drums, Anka J on Violectra and The Hedge, aka Guantanamo Bay Ray on electrical guitar. Take out your handkerchief and prepare for an emotionally charged psychedelic experience.

Frutaloka:
We are a group of musicians who came together with unique, individual ideas but a similar vision and philosophy - to play music we love and to love the music we play! Our music is a fusion of world, latin and global grooves. Just open your mind and enjoy.........

Hidden Half:
HIDDEN HALF is not about the things that you already been told about...
We are about the development of the soul and spirit...in what sense? you may ask... Well...you will have to just wait and see...

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth
Time: Doors 8pm
Cost: £4
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/mamamatrix
http://www.myspace.com/frutalokamusic
http://www.myspace.com/thehiddenhalf
http://www.myspace.com/peteheywoodmusic

Coming Up ..... Tuesday 8th July
Indie_Alternative_Rock



Humbucker presents Dead Letter Office + Hoden Lane + NewLine + The New Socials.

From the Dead Letter Office myspace:

‘Dead Letter Office are an alternative rock and/or roll group from Kidderminster near Birmingham in the UK. In recent months we have retired from the glamorous unsigned live circuit to concentrate on writing and recording our debut album with our humble and very portable home studio equipment. It's now finished and is avalible to purchase form our official website. We spent 2006 gigging relentlessly and have thus far gained not a great deal from it (however we have had the chance to support popular eNeMEy endorsed bands such as Howling Bells, 1990's and Tiny Dancers). We also recorded and gave away many free copies of our debut EP (The "Sunshine Gasoline" EP of which we have no more of) If you need some frame of reference as to what you can expect from us... in press reviews and by random drunken gig attendees we have been likened to the following... Radiohead, Joy Division, Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine, Galaxie 500, Movietone, Muse and The Cure... there are more but... you get the picture - miserable, expansive loud/quiet/loud musak.’

From the Hoden Lane myspace:

'The Lane consist of 4 skinny little runts who write infectious melodies and stomping beats. In the 18 months since the band was formed, there have been gigs, there have been tales, there have been fights and there have been ales. There has also been a very positive response from the crowds of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, London and the hometown of Evesham.

On stage the lads create a fusion of noise and presence summed up beautifully by Jims Mum as quite simply ' A RACKET'. Although citing influences are often the first dig of a grave for most bands, the sounds of The Coral, The Strokes, The La's and The View have been used in reviews and comments from some fans. Although this cant be a bad thing, the lads clearly like people to make their own minds up on their sound.

"If people like our sound, then boss, if they dont then they can do one and go back shopping in Waitrose..." Andy (May 2007, BBC WM)

With a singer originally from the North West, the band met in Evesham through playing 5 aside with jumpers for goalposts pretending to be Robbie Fowler or Dalian Atkinson, then later going to Libertines and Oasis gigs all over the country.After a few jamming sessions and having absolutley fuck all else to do in the delight of Evesham, the band was formed.

Hoden Lane continue to play all over the UK and have graced stages from The Cavern and The Barfly in Liverpool, to The Hope And Anchor in London. The lane regularly play all around the Midlands from The Jug of Ale in Birmingham to the Two Pigs at Cheltenham. Main highlights so far have been supporting signed bands such as The Rifles in front of a packed crowd at The Gloucester Guildhall, opening for The Enemy and The Blueskins aswell as having the pleasure to perform with the legendary Buzzcocks, again to a packed crowd at The Guildhall. In the words of Pete Townshend Hoden Lane are always looking to gig 'anyway anyhow anywhere'!’

From The New Socials myspace:

The New Socials are a four piece indie/rock outfit from Cheltenham, their sound derives from varying influences which results in providing there high tempo original sound.
Chris Newman is an enigmatic frontman on rhythm Guitar and Vocals, whilst Dean Harvey on Lead Guitar provides a powerful yet melodic edge to the guitars.

Ben & Dave Ramage complete the line up on Drums and Bass respectively, Ben plays the drums to a standard well beyond his years.
The lads pride themselves on writing catchy, upbeat tunes that make you wanna tap ya feet.

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/deadletterofficeofficial
http://www.myspace.com/hodenlane
http://www.myspace.com/thenewsocials