Coming Up .....Wednesday 21st May
New Wave_Indie

Stop Scratching + Chicks Dig Jerks present Aids Wolf + Mirror! Mirror! + Chupacabra

‘AIDS Wolf embraces the hate. If they can’t draw you in, they will make you run away cursing and bitching. Their songs speak to the terminally alienated, the relentlessly negative, the inherently repugnant. The Montréal four-piece (two guitars, drums and insane warbling) formed in early 2003, to the protestations of most of humanity. Since the beginning, they’ve sought to live the life: to practice complete aesthetic immersion, create music in some form every day, and live healthfully to facilitate their creative endeavors, no vacations allowed. AW greets our modern gloom with heady zeal.’

Venue: The Rainbow, High Street, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm – 1am
Cost: £5 on the door
Links:
www.myspace.com/aidswolf
www.myspace.com/chicksdigjerks
www.myspace.com/mirror
http://www.myspace.com/wearechupacabra

Coming Up .....Wednesday 21st May

Drone_Soundscape_Classical_Alt

Polar bear promotions present Stars of the Lid + Chris Hibbert

Although it has been since the turn of the millennium that either member of Stars of the Lid has lived in Austin, the story began as such.... In 1990, Adam drunkenly wandered into the former KTSB radio station on 21st. and Speedway where Brian was rockin the airwaves with some nifty records by Rod Mckuen. He was proclaiming that his car was out of gas, and he hit a deer. It turned out that he was definitely drunk. And although there was blood on his car, Brian saw no deer. This incident was the catalyst that ignited their strange musical relationship. Originally formed in Austin, Texas on Christmas day 1992, Stars of the Lid (one of the most apropos names in all of music) have scratched out quite a niche for themselves in the amorphous world of ambient classical music. From their almost-rock beginnings to the almost-classical fugues of recent albums, Stars of the Lid have excelled at designing subtle, minimalist epics which sound like they’re being played on a single multifaceted organic instrument. They offer subtle, endlessly evolving stories about the dynamics of sonic texture, at the same time seeming to offer a picture of pure, unfettered consciousness. Their music are largely beatless soundscapes composed of droning, effects-treated guitars along with piano, strings, and horns; volume swells and feedback fill the gap of rhythmic instruments, providing dynamic movement within the songs. A wise man once described SOTL as "divine classical drones without the tedious intrusion of drums, or vocals."

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: Doors 8pm
Cost: £12 (from Polar Bear Records, York Rd, Kings Heath)
Links:
www.myspace.com/starsofthelid
www.myspace.com/polarbearrecords1
http://www.hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/

Coming Up .....Wednesday 21st May
Acoustic_Rock_Blues

The Secret Music Club runs every Wednesday night at Nicole's, 18 Hall St, Hockley, Birmingham. B18 6BS (about midway between St Paul's Square and the Chamberlain Clock).It includes one or two featured acts each week, together with an open mic session which begins around 8.30pm. So: Bring instruments, voices, songs, poems...etc. Free pint for any performers

This week MyMateMark + Open Mic

Rock meets folk, meets blues, meets jazz...!!!
‘My Mate Mark’ represents the combined musical talents of Mark Whitmore and Mark Bennett. From the very first chance meeting at a pub ‘open-mic’, a whole sequence of uncanny coincidences have come to light that have just kind of indicated that this duo ‘was probably to be’.

The last song of Mark W played that first night was going to be the first of Mark B’s following set! (fittingly, that tune was the first thing they chose to look at as a duo! - and hardly surprisingly ‘Wild Wood’ was high up the shortlist of possible band names!!). Born the same year, just three months apart, they both have Irish cousins, both had the same bike as a child, both are ex-triathletes, and they even chose the same kitchen from Ikea (it turns out!). The fact they both happen to chose to use the same brand/colour/thickness of guitar pick almost goes without saying….. With the friendship that followed, some form of musical collaboration was inevitable.

And musically, although coming from two quite distinct musical directions, once the two elements are brought together the rapport is very obvious. MB’s bluesy/jazzy guitar style compliments MW’s powerful vocals and forms the core of what they do. The warm fat bluesy sound of MB’s acoustic finger-style blends wonderfully with the more open-stringed brighter often folkier sound of MW’s (often altered tuned) Yamaha. The two guitars work together wonderfully to create a rich multi-layered sound with much texture and depth. Add the vocals and it is a classic case of it all very definitely adding up to far more than the sum of the parts.

Venue: Nicoles, 18 Hall Street, Hockley, B18 6BS
Time: 8pm
Cost: FREE ENTRY
Links:
www.myspace.com/mymatemark

http://www.myspace.com/secretmusicclub

Coming Up .....Wednesday 21st May

Indie_Ska_Rock_Alt

Platform Promotions present their Quids in night with 360 + Liner + The Heathers

360:
360 is made up of 8 musicians who have been together for quite a while, but have now been settled into their present incarnation for the last 2 years. They are a “live” band, bringing excitement to the stage and transmitting that to the audience, who never fail to pick it up and run with it for all they are worth. All their material is original – most of which is written by their guitar-playing singer Ross Lydon. First hearing is noted for the influence of reggae and ska to their music, but upon listening further, you quickly begin to realise that there is more. More melody, more catches and more rock.

In 2006 the band were voted Best Urban Band in Birmingham at the Birmingham Music Awards, and headlined at the popular Birmingham University Vale Festival. 360 have played at numerous festivals, including Shambala, Big Green Gathering, Beach Break Live and Eastern Haze. They have a loyal and large fan base in and around the Birmingham area, but it is obvious to anyone who hears or sees them that the time has now come for their music to be heard by more people, North, South, East and West......

Venue: The Cross, 147 Alcester Road, Moseley
Time: 8pm doors, Indie DJ’s to 11.30pm
Cost: £1
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/360sound
http://www.myspace.com/linerband
http://www.myspace.com/theheathersuk

Coming Up .....Wednesday 21st May

Metal_Hardcore_Thrash_Progressive

Rehab present Black Fortress + Defiant True Blood + Sons of Chaos

UPDATE ON THIS: Black Fortress have cancelled – but the gig stills seems to be going ahead as I write this.

Check the Rehab link below to find out more

Venue: Costers, 5 Dalton Way, B4, City Centre
Time: 8pm - Midnight
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/rehab_brum
http://www.myspace.com/blackfortressmusic
http://www.myspace.com/defianttrueblood
http://www.myspace.com/sonsofchaos

Coming Up .....Thursday 22nd May
Folk_Rock_Blues



The Cool Catz Club present Nate Pilgrim & The Magnificatz + One Eyes Blue + Liberation Works
Liberation Works are Jack Clark (vocals/rhythm guitar),Gary Dixon (drums/backing vocals),Brian Wright (Bass) and Mike Vousden (lead guitar). The band started in February 2007 with Mike Joining in October 2007 after the departure of the original lead guitarist. The band was a collective effort after a series of vague cover projects disbanded.
So the band formed together with the intention of creating a whole new style of music with influences ranging from Rock and Roll to Blues, Country to Folk Rock, Indie to Western. Over the short period of the bands existence the interest in the band has been absolutely brilliant. Already signed to Kidderminster based M.A.S. Records the band have just recorded the new EP ‘The Moonshiner Sessions’, have made an appearance on Red TV (Sky Channel 186) and recently performed live on the BBC Radio WM’s Introduces show.

The sound is a mixture of ‘Dylan-esc’ song writing, alternative grooves, memorable riffs, infectious beats, hard hitting guitar, bass and drums meeting with rave success and applaud. The Band has also been compared to artists such as The Kings of Leon, Bob Dylan and Jack Penate.

Venue: The Sunflower Lounge 76 Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost: £3 in
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thecoolcatzclub
http://www.myspace.com/liberationworksuk
http://www.myspace.com/magnificatz
http://www.myspace.com/oneeyesblue

Coming Up .....Thursday 22nd May
Drum n Bass_Bassline_4X4

Night Movements are back at OC’s this Thursday. Dirty Jump up DnB in one Room, Bassline and 4x4 in the other.

Venue: OC’s, Digbeth
Time: 8pm start
Cost:
Links:
www.myspace.com/nightmovements

Coming Up .....Friday 23rd May
Serious Bass_Dubstep_Hiphop_Beats

MyBass and OpenBeats:

Line-up: Headhunter (Tempa, Planet Mu, Tectonic) + Emile + Jamanji + Waylin J + Boogie Dave
Open Beats in the bar line-up: Skeleton + Royal + Fusion + JK + Fletch

Venue: Concrete (The old Boiler Room),The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Jewellery Qtr
Time: 9pm -4am
Cost: £5 all night
Links:
www.myspace.com/concretebirmingham
http://www.myspace.com/openbeats


Coming Up .....Friday 23rd May
Tape Music_Club_Garage_Acousmatic





Bleep Bleep at the Bulls Head present Raffertie

This is what they’ve been sayin:

"His bass-heavy style flits between speed, garage, hardhouse, dubstep and electro - shamelessly ripping off the poppiest of pop along the way. It’s brutal and it works, get some." - NOISE PORN (01/05/2008)

"DJ's of the planet are you listening?? This is the stuff that make panties moist, now please, without further ado, GET ON THIS MIX!!!!!!!!!!!!" - TRASH MENAGERIE speaking about Raffertie's NLLR MIX (07/03/2008)

"Raffertie once again proves himself to be one of the most innovative and hands down fun DJs in the U.K. or for that matter, the world!" - NLLR (07/03/2008)

"We're also excited to have new talent from Birmingham, in the way of Raffertie, who's unique mutation of bassline garage and electro is breaking boundaries and pioneering a new sound for 2008." - HOLD TIGHT (20/02/2008)
"As far as I can tell, he’s made entirely out of plaid and his production is quite unique. It incorporates all the elements that are found in his mix but without getting too messy like some cross-genre pollination can be. Lotsa bass, of course and honestly, it resembles Burial’s subdued, bassy style in the same way that TS7 resembles MJ Cole in that, its certainly not as well produced as the latter but it sticks to the same theme, it hits hard and will work on the floor." - TRASH MENAGERIE (22/01/2008)

Venue: Bulls Head, Moseley
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/raffertie


Coming Up .....Friday 23rd May
Drum n Bass_Old Skool_Electro_Garage_Dubstep




Renegade Hardware, Broken Minds & Magnetik present Babylon

Line-up:
Fabio B2B Randell + Black Sun Empire + Vicous Circle + Loxy B2B Ink + Teebee & Calyx (4 Decks) + 2Shy + Verse + Rage + DJX + Phase2 + Heist +
Sabre + Aries + Serum + More…

Also Bangers and Mash DJ Garage, Dubstep, Electro, Ragga & Classics

Magnetik DJ Electro House, Minimal & Breakz

Venue: The (Custard) Factory, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 10pm till the early morn

Coming Up .....Friday 23rd May
Indie_Alt_Rock



Indie-Go! present Revellers Riot + Century Man + Eastern Gun Club + Indie/Alt/Rock’n’Roll DJ’s

'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)

Century Man come into the scene with a forward thinking attitude. Its four members bring with them a unique ability and mind set fused together to create an energetic, insistent sound, molded carefully around a classic structure of bass, drums, guitar, and vocal. Formed in the summer of 2004, the band bring an intelligent brand of 90's influenced indie twinned with new ideas that have gained recognition nationwide.

The bands 2006 promo ..'Look away Now'.. also features as part of a compilation album available, JAM CENTRAL RECORDS, along with its accompanying video directed by Lewis Arnold of ARGO PRODUCTIONS (See Below)

Having shared the stage with such acts as KOMAKINO / ATHLETE / THE BISHOPS / DUKE SPIRIT , the band are on the edge of touring 'The Marauder EP' with the dates planned above along with much more to come in the coming months.

Quite simply we write tunes about HOPE, LOVE and FEAR.

Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, B4 6SE
Time: 9pm
Cost: £3 N.U.S, £4 on the door
Links:
www.myspace.com/hoohahpromotions
www.myspace.com/soundbarbirmingham
http://www.myspace.com/revellersriot
http://www.myspace.com/centuryman
http://www.myspace.com/easterngunclub

Coming Up .....Friday 23rd May
Alt_Indie_Rockabilly_Garage_Rock



444 Club present The Leonards + The Joe Fox Band + Parma Violets
+ Red Route + Plastic Plastic Noise DJ’s in between the bands

Venue: The Rainbow, High Street, Digbeth, B9 0LD
Time: 8pm – 4am
Cost: £4
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/thejoefoxband
http://www.myspace.com/leonards5
http://www.myspace.com/sayyestoredroute

Coming Up .....Friday 23rd May
Rock_Acoustic_Pop_FolkRock_Alt



Platform Promotions present The Jodie Lawrence Band + Beneva + The Matthew Bennet Band + LP45

The Jodi Lawrence Band have a lot to look forward to, Less than a year after forming , they are beginning to intrigue record labels with their combination of original writing and complex musicianship. Drawing in a range of influences, including jeff buckley, A perfect circle and Fleetwood Mac, it is almost too easy to describe their sound as beautiful. Beautiful it certainly is, but also emotionally resonant and often wonderfully unpredictable. Live, may represent something of an experience, fronted by the unashamedly jodi Lawrence who never fails to give her audience the best live performance and a voice that should be heard and definitely will be. Currently based between Birmingham and london this band should be caught now while still playing the smaller intimate venues.

The Matthew Bennett Band are a Midlands based five piece. Matthew Bennett was born in Wolverhampton, Matt Foundling, Tom Farnell Jr and Peter Brown in Birmingham and Lesley-Marie Turner in Hull. All children of the 80’s...

In our teens we were overwhelmed by music, new and old but especially that of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Nick Drake, Tim and Jeff Buckley, The Band, Gram Parsons, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Kate Rusby, Ryan Adams, Ron Sexsmith, Neil young, The Clash, all types of early blues, English, Irish and Scottish folk music, some jazz, gospel and various country music. We wanted to create a sound that would encapsulate all that energy and history along with its style and substance.

It was these influences that encouraged Matthew to write, to write freely without restriction of genre or expectation. To write up-tempo rockabilly punk songs while also writing traditional Cole Porter style ballads. To write soulful gospel songs while still writing English folk songs and country music. To write lyrics that dealt with big issues but in a microscopic way.

Matthew met Matt at Coventry University where they were both studying Music Composition, and it was Matt who introduced Matthew to Tom. Gradually the seeds of The Matthew Bennett Band were sown. Together we recorded songs for a University project, songs that brought us to the attention of Redhouse Management. Still in need of a bass player, a female voice and fiddle to enhance our sound we started our search. After some months we found Peter and his bass, and Lesley-Marie who was able to add the female voice and violin as well as the mandolin and tin whistle...

Venue: The Cross, 147 Alcester Road, Moseley
Time: 8pm doors
Cost: £4 adv, £5 on the door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/jodilawrenceuk
http://www.myspace.com/beneva
http://www.myspace.com/thematthewbennettband

Coming Up .....Friday 23rd May
Indie_Alt_Rock_Beats

The Bees present The Sound Selection.
The Bees DJ Set featuring Aaron Fletcher + Bees Tour DJ Guy C + Twirlin Merlin

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High St, Kings Heath
Time: 9pm – 2am
Cost: £2
Links:
www.myspace.com/thebeesofficial

Coming Up .....Saturday 24th May
Funk_Ska_Electronica_Breaks_Beats




Custom Made present Luke Unabomber + Bigger Bush +Royal Gala + Jinx in Dub + Lenny

Luke Unabomber (Electric Chair)
His sets cannot be characterised; house, disco, hip-hop, broken beat, latin, soul and techno thrown into the pot, and making the links between quality music with a rcih vain of funk and soul. As one half of The Unabombers, and a resident and promoter of the Electric Chair (one of the UK’s longest running club nights), Luke has been accorded cult status for this monthly night of madness and mayhem.

Biggabush (Rockers Hi-fi / The Big Chill)
A past master of genre blending, expect to hear gems of deep funk, quirky late 60s mindbending prog, acid house, afrobeat original and reborn, electronica, psychedelia, dub, rocksteady, bluebeat, insane cover versions, exotica, big bands, boogaloo, rockers, bangers and classics and as the man himself says: “everything but trance”.

Royal Gala (9 piece funk / ska band)
Royal Gala are a cocktail of Dub, Reggae, Funk, Soul and full on brass laden orchestral grooves.

Also on the night more DJs + bands + visual artists + comedy:
DJ Wee Poo + Ariake Waveband + MASH Cinema + LML + The Chop Shop

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High St, Kings Heath
Time: 7pm
Cost: £7
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custommadeevent
www.hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk
www.electriks.co.uk
www.myspace.com/unabomberspace
www.biggabush.co.uk
www.myspace.com/lionheadrecordings
www.myspace.com/royalgalaband
www.mashcinema.com
www.myspace.com/mashcinema
www.myspace.com/lmlpaintteam


Coming Up .....Saturday 24th May
Drum n Bass_ Beats

DISK - CONNECTED RETURNS TO BIRMINGHAM IN STYLE WITH OVER 50 ARTISTS ACROSS 3 ARENAS

Arena 1 - Drum & Bass

DJ’s: CLIPZ +TAXMAN + STEPPA + CALLIDE + ALPHA + GOLD & DIRTY + RAW THEORY + ASSASSIN

MC’s: EKSMAN + TRIGGA +MAGIKA +ACCAPELLO +PM +HIDRO +TEMPO +JAFF +MENNIS +ROBES

Arena 2 - Jungle // Future Stars

DJ’s: SHOCK C +ARIES & BENNY +MISTRESS MO +SUBDUE (Lee Tempest) +REPLAY +CYBERGROOVE B2B ASTRO +NOIZE B2B GRAVITY +BLAIR (Competition Winner)

MC’s: JAFF +DAP +WHITEY +TAZ B +G MAN +HUBZY +MG MOD

Arena 3 ’The Courtyard’ - Hip Hop // Reggae // Breaks // Electro // Liquid D&B//SMOKING AREA

Hakka +JPM +The Doctor +Cemtex b2b Evolution +Grom +Darkside Mafia +Hosted by Bass6 (human beatbox)

Venue: The Rainbow Warehouse, Adderley Street, Digbeth, B9 4EE
Time: 10pm – 5am
Cost: £9 (+ £1BF) Adv. £12 before 11pm, £15 after on the door.


Coming Up .....Saturday 24th May
Electronica_Jazz_Latin_Afro_World_Reggae_HipHop




Shuffle present a mix of great music from around the world.

Line-up: DJ Magoo + Chris Mapp

Venue: The Bulls Head, Moseley
Time: 8pm til late
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/headandfeet (Chris Mapp)

Coming Up .....Saturday 24th May
Indie_Shoegaze_Psychedelic_Experimental_
FolkRock



Sounds of Confusion present Sennan + The Tamborines + Mourning becomes Electra + Eat lights become lights

Venue: The Flapper & Firkin, nr the NIA, City Centre
Time: 8pm till late
Cost: £4 entry
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thisissoundofconfusion
www.myspace.com/flapperbirmingham
http://www.myspace.com/sennenwidows
http://www.myspace.com/thetamborines
http://www.myspace.com/mbemusic

Coming Up .....Saturday 24th May
Metal_Alternative_Rock_Thrash_Gothic



Rehab present Scarlet Fear + Vegas Assault + Fury + Awake By Design

Scarlet Fear are a five piece band that are noted for their explosive live performances.
Scarlet Fear's style toys with metal, punk, rock and flirts with influences of all kind,
promising an intense sound of their own.

"Their sound is definitely on the heavier side of Alternative-Rock; with tight basslines, dark riffs and sharp percussion coming together for a well constructed noise that twitches with energy and shows a genuine skill as a band for composing and performing their tracks. Heather’s got an excellent vocal that really works with their sound, it’s the perfect mix of melody and raw emotion, and powerful enough to hold her own against the rest of the band going full-out." Surface Unsigned 2008

Vegas Assault is a four-piece hard-rock band that formed in October 2006. The group came together when Christopher Mountford, Simon Donovan and Christopher Allen met on a Music Technology course at NEW College in Bromsgrove. From that moment, they hit it off and decided to carry on outside college as a full band.

However, their search for a singer was a very difficult task. As all members had been in previous bands where they were not content with their vocalists, they wanted to make sure they picked the right person for the role. As many applicants as they had, they just could not find a person that would fit. Over the next few months, VA went into the shadows as they concentrated on other musical exploits.

In July 2007, they decided to return full time into Vegas Assault and once again started the search for a new lead singer. However, their patience paid off with the acquisition of vocalist Dave Collins.

Since Dave's arrival, the band have concentrated on writing new material. They took their material live for the first time in December 07 in Worcester and have since played the Birmingham Barfly, became runners up in Trigger Record's Band Idol Competition (winning three-track recordings out of that) and are currently finalists in the Redditch Battle Of The Bands 2008.

Venue: The Black Horse, Jennens Road
Time: 7pm – 1am (bar to 2pm)
Cost: FREE ENTRY
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/scarletfearband
http://www.myspace.com/vegasassault
http://www.myspace.com/furymetal
http://www.myspace.com/awakebydesign

Coming Up .....Sunday 25th May
Techno_House_Deep



Below Daytime Party – Last party for 4 Months
Line up: Jesse Rose + Tristan Da Cunha + Dan Wild + Despo + Adam Shelton
Jem Atkins + Al Mckensie + Dean Smith + Slobodan

This is the last below at the rainbow for a while as they have some exciting new venues to introduce their events to over the summer months. For this special party they welcome Jesse Rose for his debut at below. Jesse Rose is well known across the world as both a producer and DJ.

His record label ‘made to play’ showcases the party side of deep house and techno, and Jesse has recently become a monthly resident at probably the worlds best club: Panorama bar in Berlin.

Venue: The Rainbow, High Street, Digbeth, B9 4EE
Time: 3pm - Midnight
Cost: £7 Limited Advance, £10 on the door
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/belowdaytime
http://www.myspace.com/djadamshelton

Coming Up .....Sunday 25th May
Techno_DnB_House_Electro_Rave



Bacardi present Eclectricity - Bank Holiday Festival Special!!!

The Lakeside Marquee line-up:

Annie Mac + Plump DJs + The Count & Sinden (Live) +The Whip (Live) + Pete Jordon

The Factory line-up:
Steve Lawler + Paul Woolford + Rebekah + Gaz James + Myke Smith

Rooty Fruity line-up:
Jack vs Bumpty Bumpty + Cameron + Patrick Cresswell + Jim HB + More…

Warehouse line-up:
Roni Size Reprazent (Full live band featuring Roni Size, Mc Dynamite & Onalle) + The Scratch Perverts + Andy C & MC GQ + Friction + Caspa & Rusko + Mylz

The Kitchen line-up:
Jackfront + Steve L + Tom Belte + Jon Gilday

Venue: The (Custard) Factory Complex, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 9pm – 6am
Cost: £15 + bf Limted Adv, £20 + bf General Admission
Links:
www.myspace.com/custardfactory
www.myspace.com/spectrum48k
http://www.factoryclub.co.uk/
http://www.bacardi.com/

Coming Up .....Sunday 25th May
Beats_DJ_Live Samba_Acoustic



Hare and Hounds celebrate their 1st Birthday with AIM (DJ Set) + Future Boogie DJ’s + Live Samba Drums + Live Acoustic performaces

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High St, Kings Heath
Time: 6pm – 2am
Cost: FREE ENTRY
Links:
http://www.hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/


Coming Up .....Sunday 25th May
Acoustic





Acoustic Brew all dayer featuring The Barrel O Baddies + Fox + The Prelude + Sam Parkes + Mellow Peaches + Pete Heywood + Aquila + One Sixth of Tommy + Raging Angel _Alex Lanyon

Live artists and bands from 2pm til 10pm.

Venue: Atticus, Three Shire Oak Road, Bearwood, B67 5BT
Time: 2pm Start
Cost: FREE ENTRY
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk

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 Cost
Any 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..... 12th May to 18th May 2008

Weekly Live Music Guide for Birmingham

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 Cost
Any 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 12th May
Rock_Spazz_Folk_Noise



Capsule present Pissed Jeans + Bee Stung Lips + Doom Control

Hardcore quartet Pissed Jeans' rock is sourced in the early-80s loose-booty sludge of Flipper and Black Flag, the tightly wound treble-spray of late-80s/early-90s noise-rock such as Drunks With Guns and the Jesus Lizard. Whereas Drunks With Guns and Flipper often dealt with chemical-induced nihilism in their lyrics, Pissed Jeans rally against bad weather and sing about overeating to deal with emotions. They’re human. They will appeal to anyone who’s ever crapped their pants and can admit it. Having a sense of shame is critical in appreciation of shit like this.
www.myspace.com/pissedjeans

Spewed up from the murky depths of Birmingham at some point in mid 2006, Bee Stung Lips is a four-headed hideous beast, with blood-shot eyes and tentacles stretching far back into the Midlands music scene. Chewing on notes from The Jesus Lizard, Hot Snakes and Oxbow, and then spitting them back out, with additional nods to literary giants such as Charles Bukowski and John Fante, they create a provocative mixture of wilfully abrasive noise and viscera-shredding rock ‘n’ roll. Howling, anguished, and convulsive vocals tussle with rapid-fire drums, riotous guitar and blistering bass lines, before collapsing into a chaotic heap, breathless and foaming at the mouth.
Fiercely intelligent, yet unashamedly reckless, Bee Stung Lips possess an irrepressible addictive fury along with an abundance of technical aplomb. Rapidly garnering a sizeable reputation for their infamous live performances.
http://www.myspace.com/beestunglips1

Doom Patrol are 2 non-hardcore punk kids playing hardcore punk, without the bullshit or posing. basically fast, loud and fun.
http://www.myspace.com/doompatroldoompatrol

Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth
Cost: £7 in

Links:
http://www.capsule.org.uk/
www.myspace.com/pissedjeans
http://www.myspace.com/beestunglips1
http://www.myspace.com/doompatroldoompatrol

Coming Up .....Tuesday 13th May
Post-Folk_Anti Folk_Alt-Acoustic



Bohemian Jukebox runs every two weeks, (on a Tuesday) at the Bull's Head, in the leafy suburb of Moseley, Birmingham – this week The Lazy Lizards + The Wellbeing

The Lazy Lizards
Impassioned and powerfully arranged songs of intelligence and politics, with shades of the 1960’s psychedelia of Arthur Lee’s Love.

The Wellbeing
‘Well crafted and shows obvious talent - quite James Taylor’ -Bracken Records
‘Folk-tinged guitar with an almost trip hop beat’ -Hampshire Chronicle

Venue: The Bulls Head
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 - 1st shot of Sebor Absinth is £1.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bohemianjukebox
http://www.myspace.com/thewellbeingband
http://www.myspace.com/thelazylizards

Coming Up .....Wednesday 14th May
Hardcore_Punk_Melodic

Second City present So Far Away + Deal With It + Honour Amoung Thieves + Tell Them Nothing + Twelve Nail Headache + Unbound

So Far Away are a 5 piece band from ASCHAFTENBURG started in 2005. From that time on the band created a melodic hardcore sound in the vein of bands like BANE, KILLING THE DREAM, IGNITE, MODERN LIFE IS WAR, STRECTCH ARMSTRONG, FINAL FIGHT, SET IT STRAIGHT.

After a line-up change they’ve tried to play as many shows a possible to get more people involved in their music and to do what they can do best: Burn down the stages in almost every state of Germany, other countries in Europe and through a small tour in the US.

They’ve shared the stage with bands like COLD WORLD, RISE AND FALL, KILLING THE DREAM, BANE, IGNITE, BOYSETSFIRE, VERSE ALLEGIANCE and many more.

With their positive attitude developed from a STRAIGHT EDGE lifestyle and their lyrics dealing with the problems of life, they will catch your attention, and once you’re in you will never get out.

At the end of April 2007 they released an EP called ALL ALONE on GUIDELINE RECORDS. This year they have also signed to DOUBLExCROSSED RECORDS who will put out their new spilt CD with POST COLLAPSE.

Venue: The Black Horse (check)
Time: Doors 6pm
Cost: £6 in

Links:

www.myspace.com/adders (info)
http://www.myspace.com/sofarawayhc
http://www.myspace.com/dealxwithxit
http://www.myspace.com/honouramongthieveshc
http://www.myspace.com/tellthemnothinghc
http://www.myspace.com/twelvenailheadache
http://www.myspace.com/unboundhardcore

Coming Up .....Wednesday 14th May

Metal

Rehab present Descent To Cocytus + Support

Venue: Costers, 5 Dalton Way, City Centre
Time: Doors open 7pm
Cost: Costers usually have FREE ENTRY on Wednesdays for gigs

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/rehab_brum
http://www.myspace.com/dtcuk
http://www.myspace.com/costermongers

Coming Up .....Wednesday 14th May

Indie_Ska

Platform Promotions present The Tounges + Old Ions + The Sculptors

The Tounges: In the Summer of 2007, off the strength of their debut EP, ...As seen on TV...,

The Tongues made it as a TOP 6 FINALIST (Out of over 1300 bands) in the Independent Music World Series West!

The Tongues are now recording a debut full length album and are touring Europe in April and May of 2008.

The EP ‘As seen on TV’ comments:

"Though only five tracks long, ...as seen on TV... shows how far The Tongues can reach, musically speaking. The Oakland group’s debut EP runs the gamut from upbeat, danceable pop-rock (think new Brit rock/pop invasion without the attitude) to catchy punk (like a slightly softer version of The Vandals or Bad Religion) to languid, lamenting rock." -Performer Magazine

Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8pm start
Cost: £4 in

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/thetongues
http://www.myspace.com/oldionsarcadianmonkey
http://www.myspace.com/sculptorsband

Coming Up .....Friday 16th May
Reggae_Mashup_Crossover





Friendly Fire sessions is a live reggae event, showcasing established and upcoming bands and artists from around the UK. This month, Friendly Fire presents a soundsystem special, featuring the legendary Daddy Freddy, lie on the Jam Jah Sound.

Daddy Freddy is a true living legend, with too many achievements to mention. His first recording was for Studio One, he had his first Jamaican number one in combination with Pinchers in 86, earning him a spot on Sugar Minott’s Youthman Promotions European Tour. Since then, he has recorded a plethora of tunes ranging from Dancehall to Jungle to Dubstep and is credited with the creation of Raggamuffin-Hip-Hop recording with the best producers out of the US, UK and Europe, and earned recognition as one of the worlds most energetic performers. As his first Friendly Fire produced singles and his new album are being finalized, FFM are proud to welcome the godfather DADDY FREDDY for a live PA ON Jam Jah Sound, supported by the full Friendly Fire Crew for an up-tempo cross-genre mashup session.

Line-up:
Daddy Freddy + Jam Jah Sound + The Usual Suspec + Pablo Rider + Lion Art

Venue: The Hare and Hounds
Time:
Cost: £7 adv, £10 on the door
Links:
www.friendlyfiremusic.com
www.daddyfreddy.net


Coming Up .....Friday 16th May
Funk_Afro Beat

Funkbox present Mr Thing (Extended players)

Former Scratch Pervert and World DMC Champion, Mr Thing comes back to Birmingham to rock the floor after an amazing gig for us last year, FUNKBOX looks forward to one of the worlds best Hip-Hop producers and DJ’s digging deep for us once again.

Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place
Time: 8pm
Cost: £2

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