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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August 2009 @ The Brook

Tickets On Sale When Price is Shown

Ska & Soul Night

Door £

Bang Bang Lulu

Bbl was formed in 2005 from ex-members of south coast two tone bands such as looney tunes, 2 tonic and orange street. As with most great ideas, it began life for very simple reasons.. Namely, as a vehicle for a bunch of ex band mates and scooterists to get together again, have a laugh and play some music.

Even in these very early days however, it was agreed that bang bang lulu would try to move beyond, one step beyond.........

In a nutshell, BBL as a band, line up with those that hung onto the original "working-class" concepts and ethos of the early scene. They identify with the music that frequented the London clubs like The Lyceum, Klooks Kleek, The Orchid, The Scene, The Locarno and of course The Flamingo. They also identify with the second coming in 79, they have to, some of the elder statesmen of the band were very much part of it. "I can remember the first time i turned up at my youth club in a smart boating blazer and cricket flannels, the week before i'd been wearing bondage trousers" Dave recalls, "they thought i'd really lost it this time. I told them that i was now a rude boy, i didnt even know what it meant but it was a term used by The Clash, so i knew it had to be cool. The Clash liked reggae and ska, we went to see them at the Top Rank in Southampton back in 77 and the sound system played nothing but bluebeat, rocksteady and dub for hours before the band came on stage, they always knew what was coming down and where their roots were."

So, what next for BBL? Well no more line up changes we hope, but BBL as always, are writing and working on new songs for the show, which recently saw the introduction of "The Rat" and "Rude Girl" plus a few BBL treatments of cover songs, such as Roland Alphonso's Shot In The Dark and a version of Frank Wilson's Do I Love You to name but a few. Whatever happens, we won't be moving into experimental tripped out soundscapes or exploring new boundaries in audio-visual wotname's anytime soon. We'll be playing Ska, Soul and proper R&B, and bringing the gritty sound of six decades of our adopted musical heritage to those that know and those that want to know.

The Raptures

The Raptures are a 4 piece Ska, Reggae & Northern soul outfit. The band have been playing in various Ska bands on the south coast for over a decade, including Bad Manners, Neville Staple (The Specials) and many other local acts. After years of gigging Two-Tone Ska The Raptures have decided to play more old-school Trojan Ska, whether it be Toots & The Maytals or more modern bands such as The Slackers. As the name suggests, The Raptures produce enthusiastic energetic noise... Perfect for dancing to!

Don't you just love the tribute names. These used to be Desprate Dan. Steely Scam - much better! Complete with fantastic horn section!

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STEELY SCAM, Southampton's premier Steely Dan tribute, will be back on stage at The Brook, once again featuring The Division Horns, for another evening of outstanding musicianship.

The five piece line up – Bob Phillips (bass & lead vocals), Simon Tilley (drums & vocals), Mike Steele (guitar & vocals), Pete Smith (guitar & vocals) and Ray Drury (keyboards) - had a fantastic year in 2009 playing to audiences across the South and have been gathering a loyal fan base.

One fan emailed this message:
'I love the way the band recreates the sound of Steely Dan as they were – the sound of Steely Scam really is as close as it gets to the original recordings'.

The whole band is passionate about the music of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker and this is reflected in their fabulous recreation of the complex chord structures and stunning vocals which are undeniably Steely Dan. The guys are all at the top of their game as musicians and hugely respected in the South. You can look forward to a brilliant performance of classic Steely Dan tracks including Josie, Bodhisattva, Green Earrings, Reelin' in the Years, Aja - each song capturing the true essence of Steely Dan.

The Division Horns line up – Dave Desmond (trombone), Neil Penny (trumpet), Matt McKay (tenor & bari sax & flute) and Andy Libby (soprano and alto sax) – love to work with Steely Scam as often as their own busy performance schedule allows, in venues which comfortably permit ten to a stage.

Steely Scam really is as close as it gets to the real thing.

Seven piece tribute to reggae's finest son.

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The ultimate tribute to Bob Marley & The Wailers)

LEGEND are eight great musicians and singers dedicated to the life and music of the late, great Bob Marley. This dynamic band led by the charismatic Micheal Anton Phillips has a pedigree second to none, whose members have worked with such reggae greats as;

The Mighty Diamonds, Dennis Brown, Rankin Roger, The Beat, Burning Spear, Apache Indian, Errol Dunkley, George and Desmond Decker.

This two hour show covers many of Marley's timeless classics; Is This Love, No Woman No Cry, Waiting in Vain, Exodus, I shot The Sheriff, Jamming, Could You Be Loved are just a few of his million selling hits brought to you in this fantastic two hour tribute to the master of reggae.

The Marley "LEGEND" Lives on

The ultimate party band featuring Jamie Moses (Queen), Spike Edney (Queen), Johnny Marter (Marrilion, SAS Band) & Steve Stroud (Cliff Richard)

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The World Famous Red Sox  have been booked by Paul & Linda Mccartney, The Rolling Stones, Brian May, Tina Turner, The Songwriters Of Distinction, Fender Musical Instruments 50th Anniversary Concert (Wembley), Lotus Software, Fender (Europe) Artist's Showrooms Opening, The British Grand Prix, Peter Green, Rudi Dolezal (Queen/Rolling Stones Video Director), Phil Collins (Wedding in Geneva), Rhys Daniels Bone Marrow Appeal, Microsoft, Graham Gouldman (10CC) and Bob Geldof, and have performed at just about every top party venue, at home and abroad...

COLLECTIVE BAND MEMBERS' CREDITS INCLUDE:

Gary Barlow, Jimmy Barnes, The Beautiful South, Madeline Bell, George Benson, Nuno Bettencourt & Gary Sherone (Extreme), Bon Jovi, The Boomtown Rats, Jack Bruce, Broken English, Buck's Fizz, Eric Burdon, Paul Carrack, Deana Carter, Roger Chapman, (Family), Eric Clapton, John Deacon (Queen), Kiki Dee, George Ducas, Dean Friedman, Fish (Marillion), 5ive, Bob Geldof, Graham Gouldman (10cc), Peter Green, Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Haddaway, Justin Hayward, The Hollies, Paul Jones, Chaka Khan, Paul King, Steve Lukather (Toto), Yngwie Malmsteen, The Brian May Band, Freddie Mercury, Jimmy Nail, Olivia Newton-John, Los Pacaminos, Elaine Paige, Mica Paris, Martine Mccutcheon, Cozy Powell, The Pretenders, Queen, Cliff Richard, Lionel Ritchie, Tom Robinson, Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke (Free), The Rolling Stones, Mike Rutherford & Paul Young (Mike & The Mechanics), The Sas Band, Mark Shaw (Then Jerico), Southside Johnny, Edwin Starr, Shakin' Stevens, Ami Stewart,  Dave Stewart,  Curtis Stigers, Suggs, Swing Out Sister,  Roger Taylor (Queen), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earthband), Judy Tzuke,  Karl Wallinger (World Party),  Carl Wayne (The Move),  Roy Wood (The Move/Wizard), Paul Young,  Zucchero  And…  Ken Dodd (Honest!).

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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???

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.

Blondie Tribute returns to The Brook

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Celebrating over 30 years of Blondie, and their induction into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, do not miss this explosive tribute!!

No other female fronted band has ever beaten Blondie with their string of hits and run of success! Blondie emerged as the great pop icons of the late '70s new wave punk scene by defying easy categorisation. They scored their first major hits with reggae, rock/disco and hip-hop songs. They wrote great rock hooks and brilliant ironic lyrics. They had the hippest clothes and the coolest hair – blonde bombshell Debbie went from the pages of Punk magazine to being on the cover of just about every mainstream publication on the news stands! 2008 was the 30th Anniversary of the Fantastic Album, Parallel Lines and saw Blondie performing a World Tour including major UK Sold Out dates.

Cardiff based Atomic Blondie, now also hotly tipped as one of the UK's leading Blondie Tribute bands, have performed all over the UK and Europe and has also had the pleasure of featuring on tour with the legendary 'SLADE' and 'ROY WOOD' on a regular basis, plus performances with 'SHOWADDYWADDY'!! Plus recently with Dr & The Medics and Bad Manners! Our 'Debz' has also had the pleasure of performing for top musician and member of 'Yes' RICK WAKEMAN plus an event for the cast of BBC 1's Eastenders.

You do not want to miss this tribute!

The show features all the classic hits including; Heart of Glass, Sunday Girl, Maria, Tide is High, Rapture, Hanging on the Telephone, Denis, Dreaming and many more including recent versions from Blondie's 'Live By Request' TV Show in the USA.

A combination of great experienced top-class professional musicians and a stunning experienced professional vocalist!

SIR OWEN GEE – KISS FM – "Electric!!!!!!!"

Quote from:

The Blondie Review (USA) - "I recently visited your Web site and must tell you that I am very impressed with the performances from you and the guys. Your vocals, Deb-style presentation, the music, the arrangements ...... everything, are most impressive and spot-on." TBR

You Do No want to leave them Hanging on the Telephone!

Call Me! ....on 02380555366

A return visit by this fine band - "Make no mistake about it. they are good... very good" The Observer

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Money for nothing was formed in 2000 as a tribute to one of the world's premier rock bands - Dire Straits. The abundant energy and the excellence and musicality of their performance makes Money For Nothing a "must see" for any rock enthusiast or Dire Straits Fan. Fronting the band is the brilliant guitarist and Mark Knopfler sound-alike Aled Williams. Behind him the line-up features top-class and experienced musicians that make this band a worthy tribute to Dire Straits.