Coming Up ..... Friday 3rd October
Jazz_Nu-Jazz_Soul

Birmingham Jazz and Resonance Events present The Heritage Orchestra featuring Lizzy Parks.

The Heritage Orchestra performing the music of Amon Tobin
Lizzy Parks Album Launch (Tru Thoughts)
DJ Cro & special guests
Visuals by Chromatouch

Lizzy Parks: (from her myspace)
If its an in depth explanation of my life and career so far you'd better catch me after a gig with a big bottle of gin! ...but for those of you without the time or inclination, the basics goes like this...im a Devon lass whose lived and loved music for as long as I can remember. Tooting the clarinet and saxophone from the age of 7 gave me my thirst for jazz, then after discovering my voice with the school big band during a rendition of 'Skylark' aged 11 there was no stopping me! I went on to study music in all sorts of places from clubs to conservatoires and got my first taste of session work with Chris Bowden, performing 'Crockers and Killers' on his 'Slightly askew' album for Ninja Tuneback in 2001. After recording for various other artists I released my debut album 'WATCHING SPACE' in 2005 with an indie label 'The Birds'. Since then i've become part of the 'TRU THOUGHTS' family with whom i'm about to release my spankingly new, exciting and ecclectic album 'RAISE THE ROOF', co-written and produced with bass player Riaan Vosloo and 'NOSTALGIA 77's' Ben Lamdin, due for release Sept 22nd 2008. I can mostly be found gigging in dens and dives all over the UK and Europe! I've got a habit of appearing on stage with 'NOSTALGIA 77' (Tru Thoughts) and 'THE HERITAGE ORCHESTRA' (Brownswood) amoungst others. ...a jazzy lassy? a soulful bird? Call it what you like...lets just hope you like it! the end...or maybe its just the start!?! LP x For the official story visit www.lizzyparks.co.uk

Venue: The Town Hall Birmingham, Victoria Square
Time: 8pm
Cost: £15
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/birminghamjazz2007
http://www.myspace.com/resonanceevents
http://www.myspace.com/lizzyparksmusic

Coming Up ..... Friday 3rd October
Good Tunes and Classics

Maz of Chicks Dig Jerks is DJing at The Sunflower Lounge

Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/chicksdigjerks

Coming Up ..... Friday 3rd October
Indie_New Wave_Rock_Alt.

TROPICAL HOTDOG is a shindig brought to you by SUNSET CINEMA CLUB. On the first Friday of every month we take over the upstairs room at Birmingham's award winning ISLAND COCKTAIL BAR to throw a sexy-party for geeks like ourselves. For each shindig we collect together the bands we already love, the awesome new bands we keep discovering on our travels, and throw in a daddy cool 80s-90s disco at the end for good measure.

We dont care what band you've come to see, or what you think of the night, we just want you to PARRDEEE and CHUG CHUG CHUG your way into oblivion...

So come on down and see what the fuss is about...

Some of the bands that have played so far include:

4 OR 5 MAGICIANS // ACE BUSHY STRIPTEASE // BARRY'S ATTIC // BOURGEOIS FOUR // CALORIES // DEAD WORLD LEADERS // DR GONZO // ELLE S'APPELLE // FALLING & LAUGHING // GENTLE, FRIENDLY // GOFASTER>> // THE GRAVITY CRISIS // HERO MACHINE // HOWLING S. BRABAZON // INSTRUMENTS // JOHNNY FOERIGNER // LITTLE DIPPER // MAYDAY // MISS HALLIWELL // PETE HEYWOOD // PICTURES OF YOU // PUZZLE // SABOTAGE LEFT // SHANA TOVA // SHOCKED ELEVATOR FAMILY // SUNSET CINEMA

Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: 8pm
Cost: £3

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/showagojira

Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Pop-Punk_Indie_Alt_Rock

Platform Promotions present On Screen Heroes + Lady Rain + The Words + The Strikes.

On Screen Heroes:

Born out of the ashes of 2 bands, On-Screen Heroes were formed early in 2007. One rough live demo and several gigs in Birmingham later, they are already building up a loyal fanbase. Despite having only 3 members, the live sound is something to be experienced, as is the real variety in their tunes, which keeps everyone interested from start to finish. The ride has only just begun, but it's already heading somewhere exciting...

Lady Rain:

Are an unbreakable group of friends, united by a passion for creating outrageously contagious music.
Songs that stir the soul, caress with melody and spit venom in equal measure. Tunes that leave you exhausted but longing for more.
Live performances that recapture the exhilaration of the moment the song was written; an interactive outpouring of creations always destined to be shared.
No longer content with only indulging the real music aficionados of hometown Birmingham, Lady Rain want the rest of the world to have some!

The Words: (from their myspace)

Hailing from the Tameside area in Manchester, brought together by luck, chance, but most likely destiny. Lyrically deep, musically profound, will make you smile, break your heart & fill you with a feeling of vitality never before deemed possible via the means of audio. Songs filled with infectious melodies, soft, yet stubborn & angry in all the right places. Cheeky & witty, diverse, yet distinctive. A sound derived from the fun & struggles of everyday life, dripping with a hunger & a drive to improve......
Yeah sure, we could sit back & work nine to five jobs watching the world go by, but we know we're not here for that... We're here to entertain. With one direction, one aim and one sound. A sound that ignites, delights and uplifts leaving you with a sense of fulfillment.. and a belief that maybe, just maybe, 'The Words' are here to make the world a better place...

The Strikes:

Screaming with spat back indie rifts set to blow away there home town of Cov, The Strikes! are ready to introduce the midlands to an all new bread of alternative rock.

Formed in early 2008 Tim, Loz, Tom and Matt instantly found their feet and began to carve their way into the glowing music scene that lay before them in Cov. From then on local venues such as The Kasbah have supported the lads and aided them along their way to fulfilling their potential.

The Strikes! failed to find a ceiling to their music and have since played some of the biggest and best venues the region has to offer, boasting a live show of precision and striking energy. Instantly accepted by fans stretching as far away as Brisbane, Australia, the euphonic melodies created by The Strikes! have hit the airwaves with a bang and caused a storm amongst music lovers.

The four piece are now brimming with tunes to quench peoples thrust for a kick in their music and gigs and will not fail to leave you breathless and bellowing for more….

Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/onscreenheroes
http://www.myspace.com/ladyrainband
http://www.myspace.com/thewordsmusic
http://www.myspace.com/thestrikes

Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Indie_New-Wave_Alternative_Punk

Tropical Hotdog featuring Sunset Cinema Club + Idnetity + Herzoga

TROPICAL HOTDOG is a shindig brought to you by SUNSET CINEMA CLUB. On the first Friday of every month we take over the upstairs room at Birmingham's award winning ISLAND COCKTAIL BAR to throw a sexy-party for geeks like ourselves. For each shindig we collect together the bands we already love, the awesome new bands we keep discovering on our travels, and throw in a daddy cool 80s-90s disco at the end for good measure.

We dont care what band you've come to see, or what you think of the night, we just want you to PARRDEEE and CHUG CHUG CHUG your way into oblivion...

So come on down and see what the fuss is about...

Sunset Cinema Club:

SCC formed way back in 2001 when we named ourselves after a now defunct porn cinema in Birmingham. Our mission has always been to provide party music for geeks and grebos

Herzoga:

Herzoga were birthed, fully grown, when a tempestuous cloud hanging over downtown Fenton disgorged its musicy load. Much to the relief of local residents, Matthew (voice and guitar), Mark (drummering) and Steve (bass and voice) were deposited without injury atop a local grassy knoll. Once they had given up trying to work out the precise biological quirks that had seen them born of a weather system, the chaps decided to make some sweet, sweet music. Sooner rather than later this meant their debut single “Things to Say” was released on Org records. This led to airplay from Steve Lamacq on Radio 1 and Radio 6, Huw Stephens and John Kennedy on XFM. Herzoga smiled in a contented manner as they kicked off their work boots and lit their pipes on the stove. But they did not rest on their entirely metaphorical laurels. Instead, the men of Herzoga decided to go and play some gigs, including topping the bill for Silver Rocket at Highbury Buffalo bar as well as supporting acts such as Maps, Prinzhorn Dance School, Glasvegas and Hot Hot Heat. Earlier this year, the sterling young gentlemen at We Like Danger records decided to release Herzoga’s second single, the double A-side of “Nice Car” and “Blood School”. Again, airplay on Radio 1 and XFM followed, including John Hilcock making “Nice Car” his favourite track for a bit. Recently, a panel of wise people at Radio 1 decided that the band should be one of a handful of up and coming acts to record a live session at Maida Vale for the station’s “Introducing” thing. Herzoga thought it would be rude to refuse, so they went and laid down some hot cuts. That is all for now.

Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/showagojira
http://www.myspace.com/sunsetcinemaclub
http://www.myspace.com/poppunkprats
http://www.myspace.com/herzogaband

Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Indie_Rock_Ambient_Pop-Punk

444 Club presents The Hoi Polloi + Subkicks + Hawker + Dizzolvers (Acoustic Set)Tweak DJ’s.

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 Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/thehoipolloi
http://www.myspace.com/subkicks
http://www.myspace.com/hawker777
http://www.myspace.com/dizzolvers

Coming Up .....Friday 6th June
Experimental_Electronica_Multi-Media

Capsule in collaboration with Integra present a International Festival & Conference Fusing music and technology.

Line-up:
The Bays with John Metcalfe and live ensemble
+ BIT20 Ensemble (Chris McClelland)

festival runs from the 5th June - 7th June 2008
Integra, a 3-year project led by the Birmingham Conservatoire in the UK and part financed by Culture 2000. To develop a new software environment to make music with live electronics, modernising works that use old technology.
We are delighted that the closing Integra 2008 Festival & Conference will be held in Birmingham. Building on the work of the project, the Festival will bring to Birmingham the five participating ensembles for an unprecedented 3-day perspective on European live electronic music, with a special focus on mixed-media performances. The Conference aims to spark a discussion around technology and music bringing together artistic promoters and decision makers, researchers, composers and performers. It is a rare occasion to debate across different domains the challenges and opportunities new technologies bring to music, and how to solve the existing tensions between musicians and technology.

The Bays with John Metcalfe and live ensemble.
The Bays incorporate a classical ensemble into their improvisd electronic performance, using a unique system of real-time music scoring devised by The Bays and projected for the audience to see as well as hear.

The Bays do not believe in rules. The Bays do not make records. They do not rehearse or prepare their entirely improvised live performances. The style of their music ranges from ambient electronica to thundering Drum and Bass, touching all points in between. The four-piece group have taken this project all across the world, performing on massive international stages, in crowded and cramped club rooms, at outdoor festivals, in theatres and even boats. Each performance is new, each idea unprecedented, each appearance a particular adjustment to fit the demands of venue and crowd.

Now, in keeping with this philosophy of uncompromising evolution, for the Integra festival in Birmingham, The Bays have devised a unique system combining computer software and old-fashioned human communication to incorporate an orchestral ensemble. With a classical ensemble, and a team of guest composers led by John Metcalfe, The Bays will combine live electronica and classical ensemble playing in an entirely improvised performance.

Forget what you think "live music" actually means. This music will be created on the spot, in front of the audience, never to be played, heard or experienced the same way again
http://www.thebays.com/

BIT20 Ensemble
Live electronics: Chris McClelland, Sonic Arts Research Centre, Belfast
A musician-led ensemble from Bergen Norway will premier a new mixed-media work by Michele Tadini, commissioned specially for the festival, plus works by Schaathun and Hellstenius.
http://www.bit20ensemble.no/

Venue: SPACE 2 at the Custard Factory
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: £15
Links:
http://www.capsule.org.uk/
http://www.integralive.org/
http://www.myspace.com/thebayslive
http://www.bit20ensemble.no/

Coming Up .....Friday 6th June
Alternative_Blues_Acoustic_Rock

Platform Promotions present Anyone for Shark + Velvet Texas Cannonball + Wes Finch & The Dirty Band + Neil Ivison + Indie DJ’s in-between and after.

Wes Finch and the Dirty Band – The Hope and Anchor, Coventry – 3rd May 2008

Review by Paul Villers

Diamonds come from the most unlikely places. Deep down in the rock one must dig, delve and get dirty for that rarest of stones. Very, very occasionally however you just trip over one as if by accident and things begin to look up – multi faceted and catching the light in just the perfect way. Such is this writer’s discovery of the titular Mr. Finch and his dirty band. Deep in the heart of Coventry, around the corner and up the alley at The Hope and Anchor, there was a musical happening this weekend which restored one’s faith in hitting the motherlode of finely crafted, independent and YOUNG Americana influenced music. Under the auspices of the Sid Norris Organisation ( a local arts promotion concern) a number of talents took to the stage. All was good but imagine the surprise when the enthusiastic dancers in the audience supporting the other acts turned out to be the day’s highlight The Dirty Band. A precursor of things to come entertainment wise, obviously. The thing about rough diamonds is that they need polishing. Not too much but just the requisite amount to make them shine and sparkle. And this is where Wes and the band are at. They can play their instruments alright – accomplished but sufficiently care free to give the tunes the dirty edge. There’s a whole mix in there – the usual acoustic guitar, electric guitars, beautifully brushed drums, a lead guitarist playing bass and a stand in on lead guitar replacing an errant bassist. Add to that the banjo player, the backing vocalist playing djembe and kabbas, the extraordinarily bejewelled Brian Lea on gob iron and the female duettist exuberantly dancing her socks off. What’s not to like? In their tunes they reference plenty of Americana favourites (such as in ‘No Drama’ in which Annie is encouraged once more to ‘take a load off’ – hey, if you’re going to wear your influences on your sleeve you might as well reference the best) even covering The Kings of Leon in a Coventry-stylee - ‘Velvet Snow’ re-written with testosterone replaced by oestrogen. There’s plenty of original material on offer too – “The Pact” for example which deals with every artist’s nightmare about having a soul to sell. There’s more on offer in this nine number strong set too – unfortunately in order to hear it you must make contact with the band to acquire their self produced demo cd or – and here’s the exciting bit – wait a short while for their debut bona fide release.

Neil Ivison & The Misers is the much anticipated debut of former Seymour/The Fever/Shakedown frontman Neil Ivison.
The Shakedown conquered the midlands with melodic rock tunes and a raw live appeal and now Ivison has cast aside pretence and interwoven nuances of the past and the present into everyday musical and lyrical vulnerability.
This new project tastes the five flavours of country, rock, blues, funk, and pop underpinned with prominent, soulful guitars and elegantly simple arrangements.
Neil's voice, a fusion of whispered harmony, and growling rough tones, is rich, provocative and moody, his songs an insightful and engaging personal journey, reflective, heartfelt and beautifully paced.
For Britains very own Man In Black, Neil's latest is but the start of things to come for a young artist and fresh new talent already on the radar of major record labels.

Venue: The Cross, 147 Alcester Road, Moseley
Time: 8pm doors – Indie DJ’s till 1am
Cost: £4 adv - £5 on the door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/anyoneforshark
http://www.myspace.com/thevelvettexascannonball
http://www.myspace.com/wesfinchandthedirtyband
http://www.myspace.com/neilivisonmusic

Coming Up .....Friday 6th June
Rock_Indie_Alternative

444 Club present This Love Affair + All Your Peers + Rase + Laredo + Plastic Noise DJ’s

In main bar (FREE) Adam Adam & Dangerous Dave + Tom (Whyte Boots) + Chris (Chicks Dig Jerks)

THIS LOVE AFFAIR are: Lee Weston (singer/guitar), Jayme Tovey(drummer/backing vocals), Daniel Tovey (guitar/backing vocals) and Andrew La Touche (bass). The quartet formed in 2005 when Lee and Andrew’s, and Jayme and Daniel’s previous bands, ‘8 Days Late’ and ‘McAlister’, respectively, disbanded.

With a new name and bolstered new image courtesy of stylish photography from NME photographer Dean Chalkley, the band’s re-launch as ‘This Love Affair’ is in full swing.

Fresh from these new beginnings comes their stunning new EP, ‘For The Greater Good’, a collection of epic standing on the edge of the world sized pop gems, formulated amidst swirling guitars and ethereal vocals.

From the hard hitting, anthemic opener ‘Brothers & Sisters’, through to the EP’s brooding closer ‘Vultures’, the lyrical content of all four tracks displays the considered maturity of the band’s heroes, who they cite as ranging from Radiohead to Paul Simon.

Whilst a political conscience is evident in track ‘Brothers and Sisters’, it is not an angle the band peruse relentlessly, and it is a broader consideration for human relationships that is the overriding theme of the four tracks. ‘She’s My Enemy’ is a tongue in cheek account of a relationship’s intricacies and the penultimate track ‘Turn the Page’ is the embittered account of love lost.

RASE are an exciting new band born out of the midlands. A fantastic live band with great musicians and better songs, rase set high expectations and deliver.
2007 promises to be a big year for the lads, they are attracting management / label interest and have material for their second album ready to go.
Reactions to live performance have been overwhelming, rase are simply an awesome live band and well worth a look!

Laredo Reviews: The Sugarmill
"Headliners Laredo came on with a terrific energy. Playing with white-knuckled drive, they blasted the crowd with their punchy songs from the outset. Specialising in hard, feedback-squealing dirty rock, they exude a rare Hendrix-like raw sexuality, which, in this game, can only do them good. Vocalist/guitarist Rush, along with fellow-guitarist Kreg, bassist Alx (sic) and drummer Jose offered an unrelentingly exciting show, displaying a fine understanding of their chosen genre. Rock as it should be, in fact"
Review: The Barfly (Birmingham)
"Laredo… Straight up low down rock and roll. An alternative rock band with something to prove. Every gig see’s them thrashing their instruments, oozing energy from every pore, winning over audiences with their almost signature gritty distortion driven athems. Each member adds a unique quality to their distinctive live sound. Chris Rushton’s exceptional vocal ability enables him to thrash out tormented lines like ‘smile like you mean it’ whilst he and Tom Clegg hammer out eerily effected guitar riffs. This, being accompanied by a snare-drum tight rhythm section featuring Alex Day firing deep, stomach resonating bass lines to counterpoint Joe Gilligan’s syncopated and encapsulating primal drumming. Their passionate personalities combined with their shared grit and determination make them a force to reckoned with.".

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth
Time: 8pm – 4am
Cost: £4
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/thisloveaffaironline
http://www.myspace.com/allyourpeers
http://www.myspace.com/raseuk

http://www.myspace.com/laredouk

Coming Up.....Friday 6th June

New Wave_Punk_Indie_Alternative

Mirror! Mirror! Single Release Party with Mirror!Mirror! (Obviously!) + Bee Stung Lips + Calories + William + DJ sets from Chicks Dig Jerks & Ben & Ryan (Stop Scratching)

Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG

Time: 8pm - 1am

Cost: £4

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/chicksdigjerks

http://www.myspace.com/mirror

http://www.myspace.com/beestunglips1

http://www.myspace.com/caloriesband

http://www.myspace.com/williamtheband

Coming Up .....Friday 6th June
Indie_New Wave

Tropical Hotdog present Sunset Cinema Club + The Gravity Crisis + Ace Bushy Striptease + Sexy 80’s party DJ’s

Venue: The Island BAr, Digbeth
Time: 8.30pm – 2am
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/sunsetcinemaclub
http://www.myspace.com/showagojira

Coming Up .....Friday 6th June
Club_Beats_Bass_Disco

Naked Lunch Warehouse Party with Raffertie + others
Includes Ice-Cream Van Soundsystem + Outside Beach

Venue: The Rainbow Warehouse, Adderly Street, Digbeth
Time: 9pm – 4am
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/nakedlunchbirmingham

Coming Up On.....Friday 4th April

Indie_New Wave

'TROPICAL HOTDOG is a shindig brought to you by SUNSET CINEMA CLUB. On the first Friday of every month we take over the upstairs room at Birmingham's award winning ISLAND COCKTAIL BAR to throw a sexy-party for geeks like ourselves. For each shindig we collect together the bands we already love, the awesome new bands we keep discovering on our travels, and throw in a daddy cool 80s-90s disco at the end for good measure.' (Tropical Hotdog Myspace)

Tropical Hotdog @ Island Bar this month is SCS w/ ICE SEA DEAD PEOPLE + HERO MACHINE + 4 OR 5 MAGICIANS. Magic! It all starts at 8pm.