The Brook, 466 Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD
Box Office Hours - 1.00pm - 7.00pm Mon - Sat (023) 8055 5366
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April 2009 @ The Brook

Ex Murderdolls Frontman

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From Frankenstein Drag Queens through Murderdolls to this, Wednesday 13's true vision of horror-punk rock and roll!

Never mind your Wigan Casino, Rufus Stone at the Brook is where it's at.

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Time to dance the night away with the band who make every gig a party night! Those that have followed the band will know that the Rufus Stone Soul Band, based in their home town of Southampton, has been around in many guises since their start in late 1984. After all this time you would expect that some of the sparkle would have gone, not a bit. They still have the same distinctive sound, which ensures that they get the maximum involvement from their audience.

Over the years they have built a loyal following and it is this support that has kept the band not only on the road but still as soulful as when they started. The music is authentic soul with selections from The Blues Brothers and The Commitments, but the bulk of the set comes from the soul greats such as Otis Redding, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Joe Tex and many others.

During their time together there have been a number of highlights that include support to some of the top soul artists like Jimmy Ruffin, Edwin Starr, Curtis Mayfield, Geno Washington, Ben E King, and Gloria Gaynor.

If you like Floyd and haven't seen them yet then sort it out you crazy diamond!

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Now, with the passing of Rick Wright in 2008 there will sadly never be the reunion that we all hoped for, but the music is timeless and will live on for many more years to come. How many 60's bands today are still attracting new and often young fans 40 years on?

Today, there are many bands trying to emulate this music, the most outstanding by far being Perfect Alibi. Founded in 1990 the hampshire based band have been described as "the definitive Pink Floyd tribute."

When Dave Blake (lead guitar) formed the band they were playing covers of classic rock songs by Pink Floyd, Marillion, Eagles, Neil Young and more. Being huge Floyd fans themselves and from the reaction and requests from the audiences, more and more of there songs crept their way in to the set until it got difficult to mix other material in. Realising this, a concert was staged in a theatre as a tester and Perfect Alibi emerged as a totally dedicated Pink Floyd tribute.

With Perfect Alibi, you have the chance to hear Pink Floyd songs as they are meant to be heard. The band are now widely respected and appreciated in their field, giving the audience a truly authentic reproduction of the music of Pink Floyd. With the emphasis on capturing the live Pink Floyd sound. With well over 40 songs in their repertoire, spectacular lighting/lasers/projections, this is a show not to be missed!

But don't take our word for it... judge for yourselves. You won't be disappointed!

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Imagine a guitar player who played with musicians like Claus Ogerman, Alan Price, Herman Brood, Peter Banks, Charlie Byrd and Ice-T. You won't be guessing anybody else than Jan Akkerman. During his nearly 50-year career, he did almost anything a musician could possibly do. Even now, he has been developing himself towards new musical fields with a sheer enthusiasm which is so typical for all his projects so far.

Dutch guitar player Jan Akkerman (1946) did almost anything a musician could possibly do. He worked with many different musicians like BB King, Charlie Byrd, Cozy Powell, Claus Ogerman and Ice-T, besides being a former member of international acclaimed bands such as Brainbox and Focus and made more than a dozen solo records that showed his versatile playing without any boundaries or limitations. Whether it's 'Tabernakel' (1973), the famous guitar-in-bed album 'Jan Akkerman' (1977) or his most recent studio outing 'CU' (2003), he explores and combines elements of rock, jazz, blues, classical or modern dance music and give those his own signature.

On stage, Akkerman has been touring all around the world. Besides several appearances at the Swiss Montreux Jazz Festival, the Dutch North Sea Jazz Festival, his countless tours around theatres and different stages, the guitarist also performed far beyond Western Europe, in countries like Japan, Russia, North & South America and Australia. He also has a long-time fan base in many parts of the world. In his own country, Akkerman received a Golden Harp in 2005 for his complete oeuvre and again gained recognition and sympathy for his distinctive role in guitar music by many people. His lateste cd/dvd-set 'Live in Concert at The Hague' shows the many sides of the guitarist: with his band during The Hague Jazz Festival in May 2007, a solo gig At the Output Festival in the Amsterdam Bimhuis and at a workshop 'for all ages' in 2006 in Roermond.

Seeing Jan Akkerman live in concert is always a refreshing and fascinating never-to-be- repeated experience. Being an authentic improvisator he shows his maximal capability and, during band gigs, shares his affection on guitar with band members Coen Molenaar (keyboards), Wilbrand Meischke (bass) and Marijn van den Berg (drums).

What would be his next challenge?

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I was born in the rural serenity of Winchester and raised by wolves in a meadow among the blue bells. (Well the Winchester bit is true.) I must have been about six when I moved with my family from Winchester to Totnes, South Devon where I spent the rest of my childhood. I was pretty young when I started having piano lessons and singing in a choir. I even started to learn the violin. I had one lesson. It was disastrous. I am left-handed and they made me play right-handed (I could have been a contender!)

The secondary school I went to was very different from most. It was an alternative, progressive school called Sands. I started there when the school had just opened. I think there were about 25 pupils. In the beginning we had lessons at one of the children's parents houses and we used to go to another parents house for lunch where they had a drum kit that I would play with chopsticks at lunch times.

I started playing the drums in jam sessions at school. No one ever wanted to be the singer it was too embarrassing. Being a natural show off and a clown I grabbed the mike and started crooning an Elvis impersonation. From then on I took to the idea of singing in a band.

Another pivotal turning point on my road to rock n' roll was the decision I made to trade my games console for an electric guitar and a fifteen watt guitar amp. For about a year I played a right-handed model upside down. The first song I leant to play was 'I'm the king of the swinger'. It was when I tried to learn the Beatles song 'I've got a feeling' from the 'Let it Be' album and couldn't reach round the neck to play one particular chord that I decided to get a left handed model and learn the other way round.

I was sixteen when I wrote my first song. At about the same time I joined a local covers band, as a singer/guitarist.

The first music that really captured my imagination was The Beatles. At a friend's house I found a copy of Sgt. Peppers on cassette. After I'd stretched that tape playing it constantly I went in search of the rest of The Beatles back catalogue. From there my interest spun off onto Led Zeppelin, then onto singer songwriters like Dylan, Neil young and Tom Waits. My parents bought me a 4 track recorder for my birthday one year and that really turned my interest on to the way that songs and arrangements were constructed, and the way the different instruments interact with eachother. I started experimenting with recording myself, layering vocal harmonies and generally exploring the multi-track recording process.

When I finished college I thought it would be a good idea to get out of Devon. It had become a claustrophobically sleepy place and I wanted to be somewhere where there were other musicians and some kind of scene. I applied for and got a place on a degree course at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. During my time there I became a stronger and more focused songwriter. In my third year at LIPA one of my demos received a five star review in a magazine called 'Making Music'. From that I got some offers of London Management so the decision to move there after graduation seemed natural.

Since I've been living in London I have played several support gigs for Damien Rice, KT Tunstall and Jose Gonzalez among others. Fans of my music within the industry include Coldplay producer Ken Nelson and Guy Chambers. Recently I have supported Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris at Wembley Arena, Manchester MEN and The Zenith in Paris. Also Mark Knapfler has very kindly offered to play guitar on one of my tracks called Sarah. If I were to try to describe my music or my sound I would say 'Green' (joke) Seriously, I guess I have a soulful, slightly gravely voice and I'm into roots, blues and folk music. - Jon Allen

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Mick Slacker & Co's tounge in cheek tribute act just gets better and better.

The BOG ROLLING STONES have earned a reputation as one of the most authentic sounding tribute acts around. Satisfaction's always guaranteed when these long haired boys come home to the Brook!

Their tongue in cheek humour, wigs, stripy trousers and boundless energy make them an act not to be missed. The question is.....would you let your daughter go???

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The rebirth of Dirty DC II could be described as initially painful, but, has quickly come together to produce a healthy, bouncing bundle of energy. With 30 years combined service in Dirty DC, the four ex members of that band - Simon, Grant, Tony & Paul - the classic Dirty DC line up, with Colin as a top Cliff, are now back to kick your ass! Rest assured when you buy a ticket, what you will see is what you would get from AC/DC. A good, honest rock n roll band, who play their balls off.

The chemistry of Dirty DC II stems from five musicians who choose to do what they do because of their passion and respect for AC/DC, one of the finest and most influential bands in the world. Pushing the boundaries of a quality AC/DC tribute band with real credibility, they work hard to entertain their fans both visually and sonically and give great entertainment. One thing's for sure. They've got the reputation and really have the knack of making your heartbeat thump and your starter jump!

Dirty DC II are:

Simon - lighting the sky with a guitar bite, Simon is a true replication of the present day Angus Young, both in sight & sound.

Simon is an experienced guitarist in many fields, having formed and played in various original bands since 1983, including TV and radio appearances. He has also recorded a large amount of his own instrumental work over the years, with accolades from Brian May amongst others.

AC/DC and particularly Angus Young was a pivotal influence from his earliest days of picking up a guitar at the age of 15, and a huge inspiration and influence in his playing and music from then on, leading to many comparisons over the years. He taught himself the electric guitar by listening to Angus' and AC/DC's style, and after many musical diversions felt that he was well-placed to mimic Angus, and get back on stage to do what inspired him to play in the first place. Thus AC/DC is a fundamental part of his playing and a style which he has incorporated into other musical forays, and to which he always returns when picking up his guitar.

He acknowledges that from the earliest day, there has existed a mysterious correlation/link between himself and Angus, even being called 'Angus' in the street by people who didn't know him, and which ran into his playing and movements onstage - even before having even seen a video of the band. The electric connection between player and crowd at a Dirty DC gig is one of the reasons he is to go out again as Angus, as well as the prospect of playing alongside old band mates and a demand for the band at this time.

Grant - mirroring the Brian Johnson voice, moves and personality, belting out the vocals with gravel in his lungs and AC/DC in his veins.

It's always been AC/DC for Grant. Since discovering them through the aural assault of 'If You Want Blood', to the first album he actually bought, the phenomenal' Back In Black', it was love at first feel. His mum took away 'Dirty Deeds' when she realised that 'Ain't No Fun Waiting Round To Be A Millionaire', had the word 'f*ck' in it! To this day, they excite him like no other band can.

Initially, Grant went to an audition for AC/Seedy (in which Tony was the rhythm guitarist!) and turned up in jeans, t shirt & flying jacket, smashed out of his face on Jack. He then proceeded to sing in a Bon style. Very badly. What the band wanted though, was a Brian. So, Grant did his best Donald Duck squawk and the rest was history…..

Tony - now ripping it up on the rhythm guitar, where he is in his element.

'Sav' as he is known, first encountered DC on the 'Highway To Hell' tour and is still so proud of his 'European Tour' patch which would bring a fortune on EBay! His first DC tribute was AC/Seedy, where he played the Mal role.

In Dirty DC, Sav switched to the bass and damned fine he was too, but was always a Mal deep down. This line up sees him returning to the role where he is happiest. Especially with a bottle of bud!

Paul - powering the rhythm section behind the giant white Sonor drum kit, sits the engine room of the band.

After gigging pretty much solidly since he was 16, about a year ago Paul really thought he'd had enough, mainly of the travelling, lack of sleep etc. He very quickly realised he couldn't live without it, that playing drums in a rock n roll band was in his blood, and after 8 years in Dirty DC, that playing AC/DC was in his blood. So, Paul's back and if you want blood you're gonna get it!

Colin - those bulldog bass lines emanate from a professional player who knows the importance of when & when not to play.

Col is the new hand, but very experienced at bass playing. He has played in quite a few DC tributes both as a permanent member and someone who was only too willing to stand in, such is his love for all things Cliff. Don't be kidded by his 'Just a lad from Tarn' exterior, Col is looking forward to being a part of the classic line up and making a good impression on the rest of the guys and the fans too.

The best Rock & Roll band in the world! Always on tour but seldom in Southampton, don't miss out on this rock extravaganza!

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Our story is almost impossible to believe. This band is literally a human cartoon. We all grew up among the dead-ends and cactus needles of Tucson, Arizona and have known each other since grade school. We graduated from the same high school together at the same time (a school immortalized in our song "Santa Rita High") and we chose to play in a band together because we liked to hang out together, not because we were great musicians or anything. I truly believe that a band is defined by their limitations, that what they can't (or won't) do is just as important as what they can do. I guess that, in this era of pre-fabricated, put-together-to-have-a-hit bands, we're kind of an aberration and I gotta tell ya that that makes us smile a little every day.

We formed the band in 1988 and we were initially a five piece called The Black Supersuckers (a name found in some quality "adult literature" we had laying around in our impeccably clean band house), with me on bass, Dan "Thunder" Bolton and Rontrose Heathman on guitars, Dancing Eagle on drums and a lead singer by the name of Eric Martin. After firmly proving ourselves to be the best band in town we decided it was time to get out of Tucson and try our luck somewhere else. So we tossed a coin with heads as New Orleans and tails as Seattle. Tails it was and in May of '89 we packed up and went north.

We had no idea that Seattle was about to become "Rock Mecca USA" we just wanted to go somewhere where we could wear our leather jackets a little more often. It was exciting and encouraging to see all of the great bands there, doing their own thing and making some kick-ass, aggressive rock-n-roll that we could relate to, so we started recording immediately. After some classic "creative differences" with our lead singer, we decided to try it as a four piece with yours truly as the singer (I was the only one who knew all the words) and The Supersuckers, as you may or may not know them today, were born.

"If you don't like the Supersuckers, you don't like Rock-N-Roll." -Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead

"They played my birthday party. They rock!" -Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam

"Supersuckers…I love the Supersuckers, our whole band loves you guys!" -Robin Zander from Cheap Trick

"The Supersuckers understand that great rock and great country are, at least on a spiritual level, exactly the same thing. Rock on, boys." -Steve Earle

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Richard Morton

Stand up comedian, singer, songwriter and winner of the Time Out Comedy Award Richard Morton is now a regular on Channel 5.

You can see him on the Comedy Store Show and on the retro quiz show WowFab Groovy. He's also had his own half hour special Richard Morton Live At The Comedy Store. Guest appearances on other Channel 5 shows include Jack Docherty Chat Show, Tibs & Fibs, Night Fever and Live & Dangerous.

ITV appearances include Jack Dee's Saturday Night, Funny Business (both Granada), Good Stuff (Carlton) and The Richard Morton Christmas Special (Tyne Tees Yorkshire).

BBC TV appearances include Gag Tag, The Stand Up Show as well as an acting role in the BAFTA nominated Our Friends In The North. Richard also had several acting roles in C4's Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives series.

A regular on BBC radio, he'll be featured on the new series of Stand Up 2. And Four At The Store, He's a frequent contributor to Loose Ends and The Locker Room and played alongside Caroline Quentin in Cross Questioned. He has also appeared in Radio 1's Comedy Network, Loose Talk and the classic Just A Minute.

Richard has built up a formidable reputation as a live stand up, having completed several UK tours with Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Jo Brand, Lily Savage and Phill Jupitus.

A big favourite at the Edinburgh Festival Richard has completed several sell-out runs at the Assembly Rooms. Other festivals have included the Montreal Comedy Festival, Kilkenny, and The Reading & Leeds Music Festivals.

Press Quotes:

"A great stand up. Audiences laughed longer and louder at Morton than any other act on the Fringe" Sunday Times

"His hilarious songs give musical comedy a good name" The Guardian

"Comic genius" The Daily Express

Hilarious...Newcastle's answer to Billy Connolly" The Guardian

"Leaves the audience rolling with laughter" The Scotsman

"If you only go to see one show at the festival this year, make sure it's Richard Morton" Edinburgh Evening News.

For further information regarding Richard Morton please contact Joe Norris at Off The Kerb Productions on 020 7700 4477.

Kerry Godlimen

STAR OF CHANNEL 4'S 'SPOONS'

Actress and stand-up comedian, Kerry Godlimen, trained at the Rose Bruford College and has since been in numerous Television and Theatre productions while still managing to perform regularly on the UK comedy circuit.

Kerry burst onto the comedy scene in 2003 in Babycham Funny Women, and by 2004 was invited to perform at the Edinburgh Festival as part of BLING BLUSH & BONK with, Ava Vidal and Roisin Conaty, where she was described by Chortle as "the one to watch". Since then things having really taken off for Kerry.

2005 saw Kerry filming an all-new comedy sketch show for Channel 4 called 'SPOONS', ("pretty impressive up-and-coming talent" BBC.CO.UK, "Very funny and very rude… comedy of the week" RADIO TIMES), performing every night at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of the infamous BIG VALUE COMEDY SHOW and she also took part in the DOVE NAKED TRUTH COMEDY TOUR, performing in venues all over the UK representing the best of female stand-up alongside Julia Morris, Lucy Porter Zoe Lyons, Barbara Nice and Arabella Weir.

"A great comic who oozes personality" BRUCE DESSAU, EVENING STANDARD

"She may present herself as just one of the girls, but this young Londoner has clearly got the potential to really stand out." THE SCOTSMAN

"This cocky Londoner knows how to hold an audience's attention, with a well-honed delivery that ensures her material always gets the best response." CHORTLE

"She's bloody good" NORMAN LOVETT

Steve Williams

'Williams scores real laughs with sharp improv' – The Scotsman

'Hilarious, shining through' – Three Weeks Magazine.

'Very special, completely spontaneous lunacy. Tears were universal' – East Magazine

In a very short space of time, this 'enjoyable' (Time Out) young Welshman has become 'seriously recommended viewing' (Manchester City Life) following his 2002 Best Open Mic nomination from Chortle and a successful season on the Avalon Comedy Network.

Following 2002 Edinburgh Fringe success performing in the Edinburgh Fringe Opening Gala night at the E.I.C.C and hosting the sell-out, 25 day run of The Amused Moose Comedy Hot Starlets at the Smirnoff Underbelly, Steve's 'effortless and effective delivery' (Chortle) returned to Edinburgh in 2003 to perform in Room on Top - The Comedy Bus, Birds and the acclaimed Midnight Show.

Performances
Steve regularly performs at the UK's largest clubs: The Comedy Store (London & Manchester), Jongleurs (Battersea & Camden), Up The Creek (Greenwich & Croydon), The Glee Club, Ha Bloody Ha (Ealing Studios & 'Headliners'), The Banana Cabaret, The Buzz Club, Hyena Café, The Komedia and the Avalon Comedy Network

Compering
Steve has compered at numerous venues around the UK most notably Up the Creek in Greenwich, Ha Bloody Ha Ealing Studios, Just The Tonic in Nottingham and at various Avalon Network gigs.

Competitions
2002 Nominee - Chortle Best Open Mic Comedian, Finalist - Amused Moose New Talent Quest, Semi Finalist - Wilkinson Sword Comedy Talent Search.
2001 Semi Finalist BBC – Bath, Semi Finalist Channel 4 'So You Think Your Funny'– Edinburgh, Gilded Balloon,Semi Finalist Daily Telegraph Open Mic Awards – Imperial College London

TV Appearances
BBC 2 – 'Essential Edinburgh' broadcast on 27th August 2003
ITV1 – 'Children of Courage Awards' broadcast on 4th March 2003
Channel 4 – 'The Richard and Judy Show' broadcast on 12th April 2002

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Ruby Turner, one of the UK's finest Soul Singers, has just launched her long awaited new album "So Amazing".  One of the tracks was recently featured in the BBC Drama "Silent Witness".

Ruby was born in Jamaica and grew up in Montego Bay.  She was told that Grandfather Turner was a lead singer in a gospel group.  Music in the blood was confirmed.  She was relocated to Birmingham, England when she was 9. Ruby can breathe life and meaning into a song whether it is a passionate soaring ballad or a soulful up-tempo groove. Her career to date has been sensational with major Tours, Film, TV and theatre appearances.

Her major break came when taken under the wings of Britons own Blues Legend Alexis Korner – sadly now gone from us.  In the mid 1980's she joined 'CultureClub' at the height of their stardom. Since then, Ruby has releasd 13 solo albums.

Ruby's first Album, "Women Hold Up Half The Sky" was released by Jive to critical acclaim in 1986. This period spawned the hits 'If You're Ready (Come Go With Me) and 'I'd Rather Go Blind' and, in the American R'n'B chart, the number 1 hit single 'It's Gonna Be Alright' - one of less than ten British records to achieve this! It was at this time that she also released her hit album 'The Motown Songbook' on which she performed with some of the great stars of that era - The Four Tops, The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin etc.

"Ruby Turner Live In Bristol" was her last album. Recorded live at the Bristol Theatre Royal, she performed some of her biggest hits,  including 'I'd Rather Go Blind', "If you're ready come go with me", "Stay with me Baby" and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'.  

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Maet Loaf & The Never Neverland Express are a new and exciting 8-piece TOTALLY LIVE tribute to the Legend that is Meat Loaf.

They are rapidly taking the nation by storm by successfully combining Meat Loafs original album versions with his live performances, so if you're a lover of Rock Music or a Die Hard Meat Loaf fan then you will be in for an overwhelming experience.

Maet Loaf brings both sex appeal and laughter to the stage with such classics like Paradise by the dashboard light, Dead Ringer for love and not forgetting the more serious Two out of Three and the ultimate Meat Loaf classic Bat out of Hell.

Maet Loaf have on stage the same line up as Meat Loaf & The Neverland Express, . The band featuring ITV1's Stars in Their Eyes contestant Craig Halford.

If you have never seen Maet Loaf before then you in for a night of adrenaline, excitement and humour...............or as Meat says Sex, Drums & Rock 'n' Roll.

Legendary British band, pioneers of the twin-guitar rock that influenced groups from Thin Lizzy to Iron Maiden, stop off in the UK as part of their World Tour to perform such classic tracks from their multi-million selling albums as The King Will Come, Throw Down The Sword & Blowin' Free. As one of the busiest bands in rock, we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment. With Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, Muddy Manninen & Joe Crabtree.

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Having already started the year with an extensive tour of Germany, Belgium & Switzerland, Wishbone Ash stop off in the UK for a twenty-five date tour, taking in many of the country's major towns and cities, and proving they're still one of the hardest-working and in-demand bands.

Their colossal work rate is testament to an enduring popularity that shows no sign of abating nearly 40 years after they first formed. In that time, they have inspired bands such as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden with their pioneering, trademark twin-lead guitars; their unique blend of blues, jazz and English folk continuing to delight audiences throughout the world.

Wishbone Ash has released nearly 40 albums & 6 DVDs and performed on five continents to worldwide acclaim. The band regularly performs more than 150 shows a year, delivering the goods to an ever-growing number of appreciative fans of all ages.

Throughout the years, many notable musicians have contributed their talents to the band, including Asia's John Wetton, Trevor Bolder from Uriah Heep and Laurie Wisefield, who would later play guitar for Joe Cocker and Tina Turner.

The current and established lineup comprises founding guitarist Andy Powell, long-serving bassist Bob Skeat, guitarist Muddy Manninen and drummer Joe Crabtree.

Still selling out venues, they will be performing such classic tracks as The King Will Come, Throw Down the Sword & Blowin' Free as well as songs from their latest album, The Power Of Eternity. With such a vast back-catalogue of material to draw from (including the multi-million selling Argus - considered one of the classic rock albums of all time) the fans will be guaranteed an unforgettable evening of the best in rock.

And as if the band weren't busy enough, they depart these shores the day following their last UK show to start their USA tour by performing in Pennsylvania that very same night!

See what all the fuss is about. Explore the band's website for up-to-date tour information, sound and video samples, complete discography and much more.

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Dizzy Lizzy are the most fantastic tribute dedicated to one of Rock's all time legends 'Phil Lynott'.

Dizzy Lizzy have an amazing sound and resemblance to the classic 70s & 80s rock band. They will take you back in time to relive that magical era with a superb blend of classic foot stomping rock anthems and rock ballads (The Boys Are Back In Town, Whiskey In the Jar, Emerald, Black Rose, Rosalie, Still In Love With You).

Dizzy Lizzy are a long established tribute to Thin Lizzy. Since early 1994 their sound and set list faithfully recreate that trademark Lizzy sound. Philomena Lynott has commented that Dizzy Lizzy are 'the closest tribute to playing her son's music' – a sentiment that has rippled through the years.

During their career this acknowledgement has been recognised by many as the closest and convincing tribute to the real thing. They are now becoming one of the country's leading tributes to Thin Lizzy. Appearing at many prestigious venues, they have headlined the 'Vibe for Philo' in Dublin and performed and toured with the original Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell.

Eric Bell's reaction on first seeing the band…'I could only watch three numbers owing to the emotions, the resemblance to Phil and the mannerisms and playing, it was spooky – it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck…'

They can also be heard on the documentary CD 'I am just a cowboy'.

Although based in the Midlands, Dizzy Lizzy tour extensively throughout the UK and have performed as far a field as Los Angeles and Dubai.

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With their unique progressive rock Focus manifested themselves at the start of the seventies as the most successful and the most appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports.

The band were fronted by the much admired duo of Thijs van Leer on the Hammond organ/flute and Jan Akkerman on the guitar. Their hit potential came in the form of a couple of instrumentals, "Hocus Pocus", "House of the King", and "Sylvia", but we shouldn't forget their timeless albums "Moving Waves", "Focus 3" and "Hamburger Concerto". But like all good things, it couldn't last and internal wrangling ended this legendary group.

After an initial careful comeback which resulted in a well received album "Focus 8", the band are now back on the frontline, with a fantastic line-up! Of course the founder member and musical genius Thijs van Leer is still holding the fort. Also back in his old spot is Pierre van der Linden, the drummer who is internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, and who was and still is a defining factor in the whole Focus sound. Together with Bobby Jacobs who stems from a well acclaimed Dutch jazz family, they are responsible for the rhythm section and that unmistakable Focus groove. The talented Niels van der Steenhoven, who without any shadow of a doubt can hit the mark when it comes to the guitar completes the band's line-up.

A new Focus era has arrived. There is a rejuvenated passion in the new compositions, that adorn the new album "Focus 9 / New Skin", which has been released on the famous Red Bullet label of Willem van Kooten. This album -and the following gigs- will surprise the loyal fans. They will hear once again all the classic Focus tunes and they will be surprised at the strength and depth of the new material. "Our music is evolution, not revolution", Thijs van Leer once said about the music of Focus. Well now, the evolution is at full pace.

Thijs van Leer - Hammond-orgel, flute and vocals
Menno Gootjes - guitar
Bobby Jacobs - bass
Pierre van der Linden - drums

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Not a description of Oscar Wilde, but one of the UK's most popular yet unsung musical heroes, GRAHAM GOULDMAN, whose catchy tunes and lyrical messages are still being enjoyed in most corners of the world, some thirty years after his first hit. If songs like the timeless classic, I'm Not In Love, the poptastic Things We Do For Love or the quasi reggae Dreadlock Holiday mean little or nothing, then reader, read on, you've had you ears tuned to the wrong station all these years.

Between 1972 and 1976, 10cc had an outstanding string of hit records, such as the two No 1's Rubber Bullets and the aforementioned I'm Not In Love, I'm Mandy Fly Me, Wall Street Shuffle, Art For Art's Sake and many more, making them one of the most successful and influential English bands of the '70s.

Graham had found a natural songwriting partner in the sweet voiced Eric Stewart; I'm Not In love became an all time classic love song. "I'd already written the sort of suspended chords at the beginning of the song", says Graham, " and Eric came up with the title … he saw it more as a song about not having to say "I Love You", but I saw it more as someone trying to ignore the obvious".

In the 20-something years since Gouldman and Stewart wrote the song, its been covered by artists as diverse as the Pretenders (their version featured in the smash movie Indecent Proposal), Will To Power, and, more recently, The Fun Loving Criminals.

Between 1972 and 1976 all four of the band's albums were bit hits, with three reached the UK Top 10.

In 1976 Godley and Creme left the band, Stewart and Gouldman retained the name and continued the hits with Good Morning Judge. The No 1 Dreadlock Holiday and the international smash Things We Do For Love. Then fate turned nasty when Eric was involved in a serious car accident at the end of 1979; things were never the same again.

While Eric embarked on a long convalescence, Graham took stock of his career and decided to take on some solo projects. Having always harboured a love of film which rivalled his love of music, he had occasionally toyed with the idea of writing film soundtracks, but hadn't exactly been sitting around twiddling his thumbs looking for something to do. And this was the ideal time to try something different.

First he wrote the theme song to the respectfully successful Farrah Fawcett movie Sunburn and a year later he released an album of songs written for the hugely popular animated feature, Animalympics which continues to sell steadily on video.

As soon as he'd finished Animalympics, Graham was invited by none other than The Ramones to produce their Pleasant Dreams album for Sire Records. Thinking his musical ideas must be a million miles away from those of Joey and da brudders, Graham was, nevertheless, intrigued by the prospect of working with one of New York's finest groups of punk rockers. The result was that they all had enormous fun and the record was the third most successful of The Ramones' huge catalogue of albums.

Into '83-'84 – Graham and Eric decided to formally disband 10cc. Graham subsequently formed Wax with American songwriter Andrew Gold, whose biggest hit to date had been Lonely Boy and whose theme for the evergreen TV series The Golden Girls had made him hot property.

Wax signed to RCA and had hits with Right Between The Eyes (which sat at No 1 in Spain for six weeks, as well as being a UK and US hit) and Bridge To Your Heart which hit No 12 in the UK. Although Wax released their third and last album in 1989, Gouldman and Gold continued (and continue) to write together.

Into the '90s amid renewed interest in everything 10cc-ish, Graham reunited with Eric Stewart to record a new 10cc album, Meanwhile, which featured some input from Godley and Creme. Although a moderate success in the UK, the album was enormous in Japan. Before you could say Sushi, Graham and Eric had jumped on a plane to Japan where their tour was so successful that the duo, with an extended line-up, were invited to return the following year.

Back into the swing of touring, 1991 and 1992 saw the band undertake tours of Japan, the UK, and most of Europe. Touring continued into the following year when the band signed to the Japanese label Avex, recorded a live album and then started work on another 10cc album, Mirror Mirror. Huge amounts of promotional work followed and Graham and Eric found themselves trekking up and down the country armed only with an acoustic guitar.

As if the '90s hadn't been busy enough already, 1995 turned out to be one of the most active periods with tours of the UK, Japan and Europe, an acoustic show at the famous Lloyds of London Building and to cap it all, a BMI citation for an unprecedented THREE MILLION plays on US radio for I'm Not In Love. This followed the BMI citation for two million plays of Things We Do For Love and one million plays of Bus Stop. Graham was beginning to run out of wall space.

Graham has also wrote with and for a number of people. He and Tim Rice partnered on the song The Monkey And The Onion; Graham wrote The Way I'm Feeling Tonight with Paul Carrack for the latter's album (released in August 2002). He also wrote songs with the late Kirsty McCall for her album and with Suggs (from Madness) for his, as well as spending time in Nashville writing with, among others, Country Songwriter of the Year Gary Burr.

The Wax Files, which features tracks from all three Wax albums as well as newly recorded material with Andrew Gold, released in the UK on the For Your Love label (through Dome records) and Graham also worked on writing the soundtrack for Paul Hills' new film, Raving Beauties.

Graham Gouldman is the complete musician; it's what he's always done, it's what he'll always do. And he loves it, "I just can't imagine doing anything else", he says, "I Love working with new, sometimes unsigned artistes because it's great to work with new people. I know I benefit from their fresh perspective, I can only hope they then benefit from my experience."

During the late-'90s, Graham assembled some friends to do the occasional live show, playing mainly 10cc material, but also featuring some of his earlier hits. In 2000, concerts in the UK, Belgium and Germany were so well received that he decided to take it more seriously.

With 2002 being the 30th anniversary of the 10cc hit Donna, Graham thought it good opportunity to play more live shows and remind people of the original band's musical genius. A UK tour covered 28 cities and towns from April-June, followed by selected one-off events during the summer and shows in Europe.

Since then, Graham and the band have played shows across Europe, toured Australia, New Zealand and Japan and performed at several UK festivals.

With increased radio play for the classics I'm Not In Love and Dreadlock Holiday, a resurgence of interest in 10cc developed through 2006 and an exceptional headline spot at the UK's Cropready Festival in August helped set the scene for 2007, when the band played more than 40 UK concerts across two national tours.

To coincide, Universal Records released the TV-advertised, double CD 10cc: Greatest Hits … And More, featuring the obvious band numbers, plus hits Graham wrote for others and collaborations, including two new tracks written with Kevin Godley.

In June 1007, the Mail On Sunday newspaper produced a special 10-track Best of 10cc CD, distributing more than 2.4 million copies throughout the UK and Eire. The MoS reported that their UK circulation rose by 233,000 that day.

This year sees the band doing summer festivals across the UK and Europe, with tours on Denmark and Belgium confirmed and a major UK tour planned for the autumn. The first three months of 2008 already contain a 21-date tour of Holland and four arena shows in Germany.

The live band's line-up is:

Graham Gouldman – bass, guitar, vocals
Rick Fenn – lead guitar, vocals
Paul Burgess - drums
Mick Wilson - percussion, guitar, vocals
Mike Stevens – keyboards, guitar, sax, vocals
Paul has worked with 10cc from the beginning and Rick joined the band in the mid-'70s.

10cc Chart Positions:

Rubber Bullets 1
I'm Not In Love 1
Dreadlock Holiday 1
Donna 2
Art For Art's Sake 5
Good Morning Judge 5
The Things We Do For Love 6
I'm Mandy Fly Me 6
Life Is A Minestrone 7
The Dean And I 10
The Wall Street Shuffle 10