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 2010 @ The Brook

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"...Cover bands are big business these days, but this quartet are clearly a cut above most with suits, mop-tops and jerking stage manoeuvres all in place as they blast out 'From Me To You', 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'Please, Please Me' with note-perfect aplomb."

The Daily Telegraph.

There seems to be two different methods employed by tribute bands in copying their heroes. One is to immerse themselves totally in character, become the band. The other is to still do this, but do it with tongue very much in cheek. So how to interpret the greatest pop group of all time? The Silver Beatles go for option B, not taking themselves too seriously and this approach definitely works for them. They indulge in banter among themselves and with the crowd, making the most out of the fact that every Beatle is instantly recognisable. The first half of the gig is the young Beatles, suits and mop tops, covering all the early hits; 'Saw her standing there, Can't buy me love' among others before finishing on 'Twist and Shout'. Then it's a quick break and costume change where they miraculously transform into the older, hippie era Beatles; the period where they wrote some of their finest songs. Just point non-believers to songs like 'In my life' and 'Let it be' which show, more so than the early years, why the Beatles are still held in such esteem. Not that anyone here needed convincing. The 500 plus crowd, arms held aloft, nah-nah-nah-ing during the encore of 'Hey Jude'. Nope, no non-believers were present.

Review by Thomas Christie

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They recreate the classic hits whilst evoking the atmosphere of those heady times for a new generation to witness and for the older one to re-live. Not only does the music contain all of the right ingredients but a closer visual representation would be very hard to find.

Even The Who can't manage to resurrect Keith Moon like they have! Drummer, Paul (Moonie) Kemp resembles Keith so much in his looks and playing style that Keith's mother invited him home for tea when they met at a fan club convention! Who's Who's exiting live performances with Townshend's leaping and Daltrey's microphone whirling antics receive incredible reactions and at one of them Pete Townshend's brother, Paul, danced at the front of the stage for the whole performance ecstatically declaring later that the band were "Astounding and brilliant!"

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The Rebs

Road To V Winners The Rebs are from Southampton. In mixing modern synth-pop with classic songwriting, they have created a unique and large sound with a stage presence to match. Just ask Carl Barât.
With the band taking their influences from good songs, not just hip artists, the results are unique and catchy tunes, inspired by real life stories. They don't sound like anyone else. When playing live the band shine, endearing any audience as they quickly get across what they are all about.

2007 saw them support major acts such as The Enemy, Tiny Dancers, John Power (Cast) and Five O'Clock Heroes, as well as lining-up with Supergrass and The Ordinary Boys at GuilFest.

2008 saw them open V Festival infront of thousands, sharing the stage with Kaiser Chiefs, The Zutons and Reverend and The Makers as winners of the Virgin Road To V competition, picked ahead of 2,500 bands by top industry judges such as The Libertines Carl Barât and NME's Marc Beaumont. They also came out as the favourites in the "Gig At GuilFest" competition judged by a panel including Charlotte Hatherley and EMI Studio Group. They performed on the massive Ents24 Stage at the 24,000 capacity festival.

2009 has seen them writing and recording their debut album, consisting mostly of brand new material. One of these new tracks, "Don't Fool Yourself" won "Best Pop Song" and "Best Overall Song" at the Exposure Music Awards in April, judged by a panel of music professionals including representatives from Sony/EMI and Virgin.

If you purchased your tickets from the box office, please phone during office hours to arrange a refund. If you bought on-line from WeGotTickets - they will be in touch regarding a refund.

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"The very image of the modern, haunted romantic - A fabulously talented musician and singer." - Metro

Seth was shortlisted for the mercury music prize in 2005,dont miss this chance to see a charismatic and talented performer.

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Seth Lakeman, widely regarded as the UK's foremost folk singer songwriter, has announced a short run of UK tour dates in December. Seth will be playing tracks from his previous studio albums plus some brand new songs from his next album scheduled for release in the Autumn. Expect a captivating, energetic and undeniably compelling live show from award-winning Seth Lakeman and his superbly talented band as they play just nine UK cities on this tour.

Having come to wider public attention following his Mercury nominated Kitty Jay album in 2005, when Seth brought folk music to a new, younger audience, he has been widely credited with breaking down perceptions and barriers often associated with folk music and its acceptance (or lack of it) in the mainstream.

His 2006 album ‘Freedom Fields' has sold over 120,000 copies in the UK alone and helped Seth build on his traditional cult following, finding a whole new audience for his rhythmic, captivating brand of indie-folk song writing. Seth was named Folk Singer of the Year and ‘Freedom Fields' awarded Album Of The Year at the prestigious Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2007 and his 2008 album ‘Poor Man's Heaven' charted at number 8 in the UK on its release and he released the follow-up ‘Hearts & Minds' in 2010.

New Album Out 18th November

"I'm really excited to be able to let you know about my new album "Tales From the Barrel House" which is going to be available to pre-order from this Friday and will be out on the 18 November!

In every way this is a very different project for me but one I really hope you'll love! I've been aching to do something musically like this for some time, to get right back to the basics of Kitty Jay - and beyond. It's also the first release on my own label Honour Oak Records and that's helped me to do what I want and in my own way. I'm grateful for having worked in some of the best-equipped studios and with top producers, but with this record I feel free. I've not had A&R men looking over my shoulder or record bosses influencing me in any way. It's all me, the songs are mine, I played everything you hear on the album and I produced and mixed the record.

Tales from the Barrel House was made in a unique way and so I'm releasing it in my own way too. The album is NOT going to be available from all the usual places; it will only be available from my website via my friends at the Propermusic.com store. The album is going to be a strictly limited deluxe digipak edition, each copy is numbered and I am going to sign the first 1,000 copies sold! In order for everyone to have a chance at getting one of these, the pre-order link for the record will be live on www.sethlakeman.co.uk from 10.00am this Friday 4th November. I'll be emailing you more info about the record, including details about the tracks when it's available to pre-order.

I hope you enjoy listening to the album as much as I enjoyed writing it and recording it"

Seth

Tales From The Barrel House
Pre-order from 10am on Friday 04 November
Album out Friday 18 November

Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland Dan now lives and plays in New York and is a regular fixture on the NY live scene. He plays his own, with his band Sonovagun and with other bands including Joy Zipper and the Invisible Swords Men.

Dan has been singing, playing and writing music since an early age. He started his career as singer and songwriter in critically acclaimed Belfast band Watercress and penned many of their most popular songs including "Candlemaker", which reached number 1 in the Irish indie charts and "Stars Shine On", which also topped the same chart. He has played with Watercress, solo and with Joy Zipper all across the globe supporting bands such as, Air, The Levellers, The Darkness, Duran Duran, Ian Dury and Turin Brakes to name but a few.

He has gained considerable recognition as a singer and songwriter in recent years. In 2006 Dan has supported Seth Lakeman twice on sell out tours of Britain. In the summer of 2006 he played at festivals in the UK including the Beautiful Days Festival and many solo gigs around England, Ireland and America. In the latter part of 2006 saw the release of "The Beach E.P." In 2007 Dan released the album "Yearning a Living" which has already sold considerably in The U.K. and U.S.

Dan's gig schedule for 2007 was intensive and varied including slots at, The Big Session Festival UK, The Prague Fringe Festival CZ, Glastonbury UK and The Great Escape Festival UK. Dan also both supported and played onstage with Oysterband for their "Meet You There" album tour in the latter half of 2007 and then again for their acoustic tour in early 2008. He is one of the only artists that has performed with both The Levellers and Oysterband, arguably the finest folk rock acts in the U.K.

Steve Knightley and Phil Beer are widely acknowledged as the finest acoustic roots duo in England. Recently shared a stage with Peter Gabriel.

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Playing to full houses as diverse as the prestigious London Guitar Show Wembley to theatres and rock festivals in the UK, Europe and even Cuba where as soloist Marcos Rodriguez' performance was described as 'a musical bridge between Cuba and Spain' 'When they made Carlos Santana someone forgot to break the mould !' said one astonished fan, who himself was veteran of listening to 5 decades of that distinctive Santana guitar tone.

It's all there, from the powerful 4 piece rhythm section that brings the heartbeat of the band that is congas, timbales, drums and bass with a precise understanding of traditional and modern Latin rhythms , to the infectious Cuban piano and haunting Hammond organ wizardry of a truly gifted keyboard maestro. The famous soulful vocal melodies in the native languages of the Americas by the only UK Santana tribute band that boasts Latin members completes what was recently described by Classic Rock Magazine as 'One Of The Top 5 Must See Tributes In The UK' Though the tag of Tribute band just doesn't do this group of talented musicians justice.

Guitarist Marcos was recently quoted as saying 'Santana live is almost like a religious service. Carlos is the Pope and you can't always get to see him. So when I play I'm just a priest reciting the Gospel. But the message is the same! The audience response at our shows and their messages on our website proves it!! '

Carlos Santana changed the face of Rock Music forever when he stormed Woodstock in 1969 with his own special fusion of rock, Latin, jazz and the music of Africa. Now, at last, a chance to experience the raw emotion of a Santana concert. Created in the spring of the Millennium year by inspirational Spanish guitarist Marcos Rodriguez.

The VivaSantana family consists of talented, dedicated, professional musicians who fully immerse themselves to recreate the moods, sounds and atmosphere of Santana's music with passion, heart, soul and chilling accuracy.
The current line up of musicians have played and toured with such artists as Roger Daltery, Joan Armatrading, Matt Bianco, Jethro Tull, Bad Manners, Desmond Dekker, Yes, Robin Jones and many more.

This powerful six piece band take you through the Santana years with a stunning two hour show. From Santana 1, Abraxas and Moonflower to the recent hits from Supernatural, Shaman and All that I am .

Now recognised as the number one tribute to Carlos Santana and officially used recently by Santana's UK online Marketing.
VivaSantana Much more than a tribute, a Supernatural experience!!

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AC/DC is a band whose appeal is huge, widespread through the generations and totally indifferent to musical fashions. Their unique formula of tight riffs and fat rhythm combines dance ability with hard-rocking anthems that flow through the blood of all who have been smitten by their cheeky-but-colossal offerings. If you want to see AC/DC, but your options are limited, then check out DIRTY DC. You will not be disappointed. All the energy and electricity of an AC/DC show along with completely faithful renditions will leave you trembling, with a smile on your face.

DIRTY DC have been playing throughout Britain and parts of Europe since 1998, and have developed the line-up and dynamic stage show that has made their current reputation seriously strong amongst AC/DC fans, whether die-hard fanatics, or just people who want a good night out. Every visual detail has been fine-tuned; from drum kit model to footwear, but most importantly, the musical delivery and stage show has an impact that does not fail to impress. DIRTY DC gives real value for money where others seem to fail. Every superlative in the book has been repeatedly used in describing the DIRTY DC show. From "I was totally amazed by your performance", "The best tribute band we have seen for ages, and we've seen a few"," The whole band are amazing, you guys are so good that you look and sound just like the real thing" and from Chris Slade himself (AC/DC drummer from 1989-94) "You have it spot on, excellent, I really enjoyed the gig." The extraordinary passion that AC/DC arouse, and which has ensured they remain one of the biggest, if not the biggest band in rock flows through the DIRTY DC performance and through their audiences. If you really want to rock and can get to a DIRTY DC gig, do not miss the chance.

Britain's most talked about and exciting contemporary Blues guitarist.

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Brighton folk-punk legends Levellers have long been and still are, one of the best live bands around. Often overlooked is their outstanding back catalogue of recorded music. The Levellers sold more platinum, gold, and silver albums in the 1990s than any other act. 5 of their 6 Top 40 albums (which spawned 14 Top 40 singles), including the number 1 Zeitgeist, were re-released in 2008 on Warner Brother's Rhino label.

Levellers released 'Letters from the Underground' their most exciting album in years in 2008. The album conveys the passion, energy and conviction that shot the band to fame in their early years. Produced by Sean Lakeman, it charted at No 24 in the UK album charts. In November 2009, the band released a 10 track live album which is a recording taken from their unique 20th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The album features songs from the albums 'Weapon Called The Word', 'Levellers, 'Zeitgeist', 'Mouth To Mouth' and 'Letters From The Underground'

With an ever changing music industry the Levellers are at the forefront of a now established DIY industry. They are the perfect role model for other bands trying to find their way in today's music scene having released their own records, bought their own building/ studio and started their own sell out festival in the UK, Beautiful Days, which is now approaching its eighth year.

Levellers have ridden waves of huge popularity and chasms of widespread mistrust over the years. They have ignored fads, fashions and trends, and in doing so have existed alongside them. The original line-up still play with a passion and pride that, having seen off many of their early contemporaries, is setting a standard that many young pretenders find hard to match.

"Levellers prove that they've still got the energy, charm and political passion"
Rock Sound 8/10 (Letters from the Underground)

"The Levs provide rugged anthems for crowd consumption...with frantic fiddles and rabble-rousing guitars that burn holes in festival fields and club floors"
Mojo (Letters from the Underground)

"This is folk music as it is meant to be….a stirring call to arms, a get-off-your-knees-and-resist rock record, hard-hitting and hard to forget"
Daily Mirror **** (Letters from the Underground)

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Cunningly combining Fab with the name of pop group ABBA & adding Zoe & Susie to get FABBAGIRLS. Genius!

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THE FABBAGIRLS are quite simply the best Abba tribute band in the business…. which is why they are regulars at The Royal Albert Hall. They are now recognised as the best Abba Tribute band in the busIness. Their saucy sense of humour and fabulous vocals, coupled with stunning costumes and choreography puts them right at the top of their game!

After fronting Abba tribute band Bjorn Again, they decided to form a band of their own. Along with their 'world class' band, this Abba tribute band have performed all over the world; In USA for Microsoft on numerous occasions, Marrakesh for an amazing 40th brithday, Trinidad for the Islanders, on a yacht in Sardinia - for Royalty, on beaches in the Caribbean & South of France and in Sweden, where they dressed up as nuns before ripping off their habits to reveal their saucy white satin costumes! Since its inception, THE FABBAGIRLS - fronted by Susie Webb and Zoe Nicholas, has become the No.1 Abba tribute band.

As two of London's most established vocalists and away from THE FABBAGIRLS .COM, Susie and Zoe have worked together with QUEEN, LIONEL RITCHIE, THE WHO, BILLY IDOL, WILL YOUNG, PHIL COLLINS, PAVAROTTI and many more of the greatest rock/pop bands in the world . They are always in the studio with various artists and their singing and speaking voices can be heard on TV commercials for PEPSI, MACDONALDS, FISHER PRICE, CALGON, WOOLWORTHS and many more……….

Susie and Zoe have performed at PARTY IN THE PARK on numerous occasions to audiences of hundreds of thousands and they were given the honour to sing with 'QUEEN' at Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Golden Jubilee concert, where BRIAN MAY played his legendary guitar on the roof. Here, they sung alongside all artistes including STING, THE BEACH BOYS and WILL YOUNG. The girls were then invited to Modena, Italy with QUEEN, to perform in the home town of the great PAVAROTTI, for a special concert 'PAVAROTTI & FRIENDS' singing with ERIC CLAPTON, BONO, ANDREA BOCELLI, LIONEL RITCHIE and other great performers from around the world.

THE FABBAGIRLS are a great team and have a brilliant sense of humour, which derives from having worked with many of the great British comedians. They are also longstanding members of the SAS BAND (Spike's All Stars) with whom they perform on a regular basis.

'We love what we do'!!

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"The girl who's career began with online concerts from a basement has shown that she can deliver beyond the confines of the internet."
Sheffield Scenester

"If you like great music played by great musicians, then go see Sandi Thom and the band, as they're one of the best live acts around at the moment."
BlastRadio

" It's clear that everyone in the room was blown away, a true testament to Sandi's will as an artist, and that she is in fact one of British musics greatest assets."
GIGAPE

In 2006 Sandi Thom's infamous debut single 'I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker' topped the charts in seven countries with the ensuing album 'Smile...It Confuses People' shifting nearly two million copies to date worldwide.

After spending the last four years touring the globe alongside her incredible live band  - Spring 2011 will see Sandi Thom take to the long winding roads of the UK once again to perform at some of the UK's most loved intimate venues.

Thom's set will include tracks from her new album "Merchants & Thieves", which also features blues legend Joe Bonamassa was released in May, topping the UK iTunes Blues Chart and the top 5 of the respective U.S. Chart. The album showcases a new sound from Sandi Thom, bringing to light her passion for the blues.

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Realising at an early age that if you picked up a guitar you got attention, especially from her dad whose guitar it usually was, it was inevitable that she would get one of her own. So at the ripe old age of three, she got her first guitar, a half size acoustic.

At seven she started lessons but soon noticed that not only did the electric guitars have a smaller neck, making them ideal for little hands, but they could also make a lot more noise. After more lessons and a lot more noise, and at the grand old age of eight she became the youngest person in the country to pass a Rockschool grade. More lessons followed and with them came the realisation that if you want people to listen, you need to sing!

So it came to pass that at the age of twelve she arrived at the famous Melborn Hotel in Bradford to play and sing at the weekly jam session. Helped and encouraged by all the musicians, she developed rapidly into a incredible rock and blues musician.

Now described as a "prodigy", a visit from a major label soon followed and at fourteen she was told "great voice, but girls don't play guitar like that!" by the head of their A&R. Their advise to change styles because boys would be intimidated was met with an attitude of "that's their problem! I'm not changing!" Singing and playing on national television and radio soon followed.

A meeting with two renowned producers soon lead to a change in direction from live performance to recording and writing. This coupled with exams and advice meant an end to live performing for around four years. As seems common in the music industry, once lawyers get involved, things can get messy!!!!!

Now qualified at Grade Eight, the wrong "A" Levels required for a music degree course meant enrolling at the world renowned Leeds College of Music for a Btec in Popular Music where she became the first student in the college's history to achieve a 100% pass mark, 18 distinctions. Progressing onto the degree course she became the holder of the prize for outstanding musicianship for 2006/7 on the way to achieving a First Class Honours degree in Popular Music in July 2009 and at the same time the award for guitar.

This has lead to the formation of the rock blues trio, the Chantel McGregor Band

The band takes the technicalities of Vai and Satriani and blends this with the excitement of Hendrix to create high energy blues-rock in the vien of Joe Bonamassa and Aynsley Lister's Blues Matters. Having started playing guitar at the age of 7, Chantel went on to perform regularly with local blues-rock bands by the age of 12. Qualified at Grade 8 and the holder of Leeds College of Music's prestigious 'Outstanding Musicianship' award for 2006/7, she formed her own band in early 2007, completing her music degree in 2009 with first class honours. Chantel McGregor is now one of the rising stars of today's British Blues-Rock scene.

Outrageious 2 hour show - Onstage 8:45pm

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The Queue

The Queue are a band from Southampton that formed In February 2007. Ever since then the band have begun to form a dedicated and ever growing fan base in the South, and have had worked with many promotion companies, with many shows under their belt in Southampton, London, Portsmouth, Guildford and Winchester. The band have supported various acts including "Nizlopi" and "Dlugokecki", and have even been supported by Paul McCartney's Son, James McCartney,  on his first ever show with his brand new music project "Light". The Queue will also be supporting Mod revival outfit 'The Lambrettas' in Southampton and playing at The International Pop Overthrow Festival in Liverpool at the end of May. The Queue's explosive live shows are held in high regard by their fans and applauded by reviews. 

2010 looks to be a very busy and important year for The Queue as they continue to progress in widening their fan base and developing their music. The band has recently taken up show dates in Coventry, Liverpool and London as well as a few home town shows.

The Queue have many gigs lined up for the remainder of the year, so get yourself along to one of them, and you won't be disappointed.
'A genuine air of excitement and togetherness about their musical ability'.  Playingoutloud.co.uk

Tuesday Coma

Tuesday Coma have played a number a venues in the South including headlining at The Talking Talking heads hosted by Jurassic Mark and have also been booked for private gigs.

They made it to the final round of the Enska Battle of the bands competition, coming 3rd out of 45 bands. The final round was broadcast on Pure radio, and reported on by local papers.

Tuesday Coma are hosting a night for the re-opening of the Brass Monkey in Fareham.

They are now recording their first single with Sound Amp Studios, which is intended to be out in May 2010.

10p Short

Lead by singer/songwriter Thom George, 10p Short formed in 2008 and made an immediate impact playing along side 'The Parlotones' in their first ever show. Since then the line up has changed but the message remains constant .. 10p Short will leave you with a smile on your face.

Songs deal with everything from love to loss to contemporary politics, and boast a unique dynamic musicality to compliment the lyrics of Thom George.

2010 has seen a change in direction for 10p Short, and it will not be long before the 10p train stats knocking on the door of the majors, climb aboard now so you don't get left behind.

Sam Ziggy

Sam is a young singer/songwriter from the Southampton area, who writes his songs and sings his songs, and sometimes other peoples songs too. He's been playing his guitar and singing his songs for almost as long as he can remember, but only started performing a year or so ago. Inspired by his surroundings, the weather, Woody Guthrie and old time blues, his songs are as thoughtful as they are catchy, and he can only entertain!

Not a night to be missed ,there is a scene in the South . . . we like to call it the . . . "Sound of the C" ( and The Brook was always destined to run into the C )