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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December 2011 @ The Brook

Tickets On Sale When Price is Shown

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THE SAS BAND - Experience The Ultimate Rock Party

Legendary recording artists, singing their greatest hits and session musicians from the Who's Who of Rock and Pop, join Queen's musical director and keyboard player Spike Edney for a night of fun and explosive music.

In addition to being Queen's Musical Director and keyboard player since 1984, SAS bandleader, Spike Edney has toured and recorded with the living and late legends of our time and has played with some of the world's finest musicians.  It is through this extensive network of close musicians friends, that Spike founded The SAS Band. 

Since The SAS Band's debut, Spike and his band have made television appearances and performed at select private, public and major corporate events around the world. The SAS Band's previous corporate appearances include performances for companies such as Mercedes, Microsoft, Harley Davidson and the Super Yacht Cup, to name a few and as Rod Steward, Paul McCartney, Brian May, Phil Collins and the Stones choose this band to play at their private parties, you can be sure you won't be disappointed!

The artists that have graced the stage with The SAS Band to date are part of an ever-growing collection of some of the world's greatest Rock and Pop performers and have included the likes of Roger Taylor of Queen, Roger Daltrey of The Who, The Sugababes, Roy Wood, Annie Lennox, Josh Groban, Beyonce´, Tony Hadley, Gary Brooker, Paul Rodgers, Madeline Bell (Blue Mink), Graham Gouldman (10cc), Brian May, Leo Sayer, Kiki Dee, Paul Young, Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earth Band), Fish (Marilllion), Bob Geldof, Midge Ure and more recently Amy Winehouse, Queen Latifah, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Gaynor, Cyndi Lauper, Alicia Keys and Leona Lewis, when as Nelson Mandela's 46664's Musical Director, Spike was asked to bring The SAS House Band to back an array of stars for Mandela's 90th and 91st Birthday Concerts in Hyde Park, London and Radio City Music Hall NY.

The musicians Spike uses to back this all-star guests are some of the UK's and USA's most renowned session musicians, who between them have played with a veritable "who's who" of rock & pop performers, from the Stones to Tina Turner, Alice Cooper, Whitesnake, The Who, Eric Clapton, Bowie, George Michael, Radiohead and Robbie Williams, to name a few.

Spike only believes in real music and real singers, so you know you will witness some of the best vocals you'll ever hear.  The SAS Band always guarantees a night of fantastic music, in an electric atmosphere sure to get everyone dancing!

One of the best and most underrated radio friendly rock bands of the rock genre

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TYKETTO Formed 1987, U.S.A. Albums: 1991 Don't Come Easy 1994 Strength In Numbers 1995 Shine 1996 Take Out & Served Up Live History:

Tyketto was one of the best and most underrated radio friendly rock bands of the rock genre. They were never able to reach the massive success they so deserved, with their brand of hook heavy AOR sung with majestic vocals, mainly due to the Grunge explosion.

Formed in New York, New York by former Waysted vocalist Danny Vaughn, Brooke St. James (guitar), Jimi Kennedy (bass) and Michael Clayton (drums). The debut was an instant classic, sounding like a heavier version of Journey and Foreigner. The real talent was Vaughn's wonderful vocals, as displayed on the debut single "Forever Young" and the powerful ballad "Standing Alone". Following on from the release of the second album, Strength In Numbers, Danny Vaughn temporarily retired from the music business to spend time at home with his very sick wife. Tyketto recruited Steve Augeri (Journey), but the magic was lost.

A brief reunion in 2004 saw Tyketto reconnect with all their original fan base, and since that date, Tyketto have played odd dates around the world, filling in the gaps between the individual members other working schedules. And the world took solace in 2 of the greatest records of a generation.............until.......

.............Under cover of darkness, surrounded by secret service agents who were sworn to take a bullet for any and all of them, Brooke, Michael and Danny got together in Las Vegas. Not only did they have a great time, but they started writing together! In no more than one week, they came away with 8 new song ideas that they are all very pleased with, and that will form the basis of a brand new Tyketto album, their first with the original line-up since 1991's Don't Come Easy!

So, if you want to hear all the classics, along with some brand new Tyketto material, The Brook is the place to be!

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

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Highly respected and local Pink Floyd tribute band Perfect Alibi are pleased to bring the Floyd'77 show to The Brook - this will be a recreation of Pink Floyd's 1977 world tour setlist, arguably one of the strongest in the rock music canon, and it is likely that this will be the first time that this particular setlist has been played live since the original Pink Floyd world tour back in 1977!

Commonly referred to as the ‘In The Flesh' tour, Pink Floyd's 1977 world tour showcased both the 'Animals' and 'Wish You Were Here' studio albums in their entireties, in what can arguably be classed as their definitive versions that were played with edge, dynamism and utter conviction by the band. The tour was also notable for a number of firsts and lasts: it was the last time that Pink Floyd performed as a touring live band with founding member Roger Waters in the line-up. In fact, after this particular tour, as a band Pink Floyd were never really the same entity, and Roger Waters himself would use the energy (both positive and negative) derived during the live shows develop 'The Wall' concept and project who increasingly alienated he felt from the people to whom he simply wished to play his music. The tour was also the last time that Pink Floyd played any music from the stunning 'Animals' album and so it is always welcome to get the chance to play catch-up and hear the songs from 'Animals' live and in the flesh. Footage and photographs of the Pink Floyd 1977 shows is also very hard to find, although the supporting concert tour artwork can be readily tracked down and is highly valued by Pink Floyd fans.

In terms of the musicianship on the tour, Pink Floyd were augmented on stage for the first time by the acclaimed lead guitarist Snowy White and this allowed the intense, complex guitar lines from the studio albums to be replicated live on stage; in addition, Snowy White's presence provided the opportunity for the Pink Floyd lead guitarist David Gilmour to exchange and trade guitar riffs throughout the songs taking them into a new dimension as live songs. To some extent too, 1977 was the last time that Pink Floyd would feel free to jam their material live on stage, exploring the boundaries and pushing the envelope with dramatic effect. A good example of this occurred during the closing section of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' where the guitar interplay between Gilmour and White is particularly stunning; curiously their work together remains to this day buried in the archives and otherwise lost to the classic rock world. Aside from the lead guitar work, the rhythm section of Roger Waters (bass) and Nick Mason (drums) was delivered with a certain hard edged level of aggression, fitting in with the general New Wave musical vibe of the time, and emblematic of the overall themes of the twin studio albums. Buried in the live recording vaults too, is perhaps one of Pink Floyd's greatest and yet mostly unheard bass and drum rhythmic phrases that could only be heard live on the 1977 tour itself and which provides compulsive listening as the show is driven to its conclusion. Last but certainly not least is the very fine live keyboard work of the dear departed Pink Floyd member Richard Wright who was totally involved in the music and who cut loose on this tour (probably for the last time too?) as he augmented the studio material with extended instrumental passages and superb understated playing on the Hammond organ.

Perfect Alibi - Floyd'77 Show - Live at The Brook - come along and immerse yourself!

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THE QUIREBOYS, Britain's ambassadors of good-time rock ‘n' roll,have announced a 13 date UK & Ireland tour later in the year with support from RED, WHITE & BLUES.

THE QUIREBOYS are at the top of their game and are one of the most entertaining live acts on the road today and they are inviting you to ride with them on their rock ‘n' roll journey.

No-body does it quite like THE QUIREBOYS - Led by Spike Gray, one of rock's most talented and recognisable frontmen, the band promise to deliver a memorable set jammed full of their sing-a-long classics (‘Hey You', ‘7 O'Clock', ‘I Don't Love You Anymore', ‘Mona Lisa Smiled') as well as spicing things up with a few surprises and even a new song or two.

On their ‘This Is Rock ‘n' Roll' tour Spike and original guitarist Guy Griffin are joined by long-time band members Paul Guerin (guitar) and Keith Weir (keyboards) together with Matt Goom (drums) and Chris Corney (bass) for a show full of energy, entertainment and great songs – reckless fun is guaranteed!

Special guests on the mainland dates RED, WHITE & BLUES is a new band featuring classic rock stalwarts Myke Gray, of Skin, and Jagged Edge singer Matti Alfonzetti.  RED, WHITE & BLUES draws upon blues-rooted but insistently hard-driving, melodic rock. 

For all true British rock fans these shows are not to be missed!

Preview...

Glamrock, retrorock, sleazerock - call them what you will - The Quireboys are back on the music scene after apparently stealing the show from Whitesnake on their autumn tour last year. We're looking forward to an explosive debut here at The Brook. The band originally formed in London in 1984 as The Quireboys, but were known as The London Quireboys in America and came across originally as a 90s version of The Faces. They were on the verge of hitting it big when a similar band named the Black Crowes appeared on the scene and proceeded to upstage and steal the Quireboys audience.

The original lineup consisted of Spike on vocals, who sounded exactly like Rod Stewart, guitarists Guy Bailey, Ginger and Nigel Mogg, Coze on drums and Chris Johnstone on keyboards. Their debut album "A Bit of What You Fancy" released in 1990 spawned four singles which charted in the UK and Europe and had minor success in the USA. Three years later the band released their next album "Bitter Sweet and Twisted" featuring new drummer Rudy Richman. But the long gap since their last album meant that the band had lost their momentum, and they temporarily broke up. The Quireboys reformed in the late 1990s, releasing the album "This Is Rock 'N' Roll" in 2001. Then in 2002 Clear Channel Promotions and Danny Bowes of Thunder brought back the Monsters of Rock idea, putting it in the arenas in November of that year. Alice Cooper was to headline with Thunder supporting; they needed a band who had performed at one of the original shows at Castle Donnington, so who else to ask but The Quireboys, who gladly accepted. Jason Bonham (son of the late John Bonham of Led Zeppelin helped out on drums and the concerts were recorded resulting in the "Live 2002" album released early the following year.

The rest of 2003 saw the guys playing The Bulldog Bash Series Z Festival in Spain and a small tour of the UK. Jason left to join UFO making way for Michael Lee (Page & Plant, The Cult ) to fill the drum slot from August to December. In the meantime the band made 'Well Oiled', their fourth studio album, with new members Paul Guerin (Red Dogs, Michael Schenker, The King) on guitars and Pip Mailing ( The Pecadiloes) on drums. It was at this time that Phil Mogg of UFO asked his manager Peter Knorn to take on The Quireboys. Peter then managed to secure a deal with SPV Records in Germany and Crown/Nippon in Japan. 'Well Oiled' was released in June 2004. Support slots with David Lee Roth and UFO, headline gigs and major festival appearances in Spain, Italy and Germany made it a great year for the band. Preview by Peter Ashton

Retiring after 25 years together and here for one final show at the Brook: the guitar, bass and drums trio The Hamsters have long been established as one of our premier live attractions.

Although primarily playing their own brand of Rock, Blues and Americana, they're also widely regarded as the UK's leading interpreters of the music of JIMI HENDRIX & ZZ TOP - and will no doubt be featuring some tonight. Also, another popular feature of their two-hour performance will be the inclusion of a few acoustic songs! Guitarist/singer Slim has recently been featured in Guitarist magazine's 'Blues Guitar Heroes' book

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"The Hamsters are fabulous: one of Britain's very best live bands" - Bob Harris, Radio 2
"The Hamsters are a great Blues band" - Johnny Walker, Radio 2
"Nobody does the music of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top better (apart from the real ZZ Top)" – The Times
"F****** brilliant!" - Suzi Quatro

Our guitarist Slim's been interviewed again in the 'Seasick Steve' edition of Guitarist magazine.

He's also contributing a lesson to Guitar Techniques magazine early in the new year.

We released a new three-hour live double DVD set in September, titled 'Curse Of the Killer Hamsters!'

The band are appearing in a new three-hour DVD documentary about the Fender Stratocaster titled 'Strat Masters'. Some players featured in the film are Ry Cooder, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, Chris Rea, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Robert Cray, Rory Gallagher and others. The makers have also filmed the USA and Japanese Fender factories.

The track 'Taxi Driver' from our latest album 'Open All Hours' has been included in Classic Rock magazine's '100 Blues Anthems'.

We were recently mentioned on BBC1's 'Bargain Hunt' programme... we thought it was weird too....

From the hinterlands of the Thames River Delta come THE HAMSTERS:

Now in their twenty-fourth year together, having performed over 4,000 concerts and with a national mailing list exceeding 20,000, the Hamsters are established as the UK's premier blues-rock attraction. This has been achieved purely by hard work with the band handling all their own affairs, thereby disproving the popular misconception that it can't be done without major-label "muscle".

The Hamsters have been voted one of the UK's best unsigned bands by Kerrang magazine. (We already have a record deal, but it's a nice compliment). Even BBC's Top Gear magazine recognises the band as the UK's hardest working, and featured them in an article on in-car entertainment, the Hamsters being the ideal people to ask as they're always travelling somewhere.

Although primarily performing their own brand of material, they are also widely regarded as our leading interpreters of the music of Jimi Hendrix and more recently ZZ Top.

Originally forming for their own amusement (and taking their name from the Sex Pistols, who once used it as a pseudonym to outwit hostile councils), the Hamsters enjoy the irony of being an aggressive band with a cuddly name. Although serious about what they do, they don't take themselves too seriously.

Members have performed with artists such as Eric Clapton, Alison Moyet, Doctor Feelgood, Walter Trout and the late, great gentleman of British Blues, Alexis Korner.

World Champion Formula 1 driver Damon Hill is a fan, and was spotted wearing a Hamsters tee shirt at the Hungarian Grand Prix!

Slim has been voted one of the top 100 guitarists of all time in a radio poll on LBC .

Our version of Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile" has been used in an edition of BBC TV's Top Gear.

We performed a series of open-air shows Summer 2004 as special guests to Status Quo.

We've been voted the UK's best blues-rock band by the readers of Blueprint magazine.

Our second session for Paul Jones' Radio 2 Blues show was broadcast September 2004.

We contributed a track for inclusion in the BBC Radio 2 series "Bright Lights, Big City". It documents the story of British Rhythm and Blues from the fifties to the modern day. It's presented by former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, and was broadcast in the Autumn of 2001.

We recently conducted an interview for the Sunday Express, and were also the week's featured concert in The Times 'Play' section, December 2002.

A member of Natalie Imbruglia's band was spotted wearing one of our t-shirts on an appearance on Graham Norton's show on Channel 4.

We performed at 2003,4,5,6 & 7's London Guitar Show at the Wembley entertainment complex, attended by over 15,000 guitar players - aspiring and professional alike - and are booked to appear again next May when it moves to the London ExCel arena.

Slim is featured in a book called "17 Watts? The First 20 Years Of British Rock Guitar", talking about his early musical experiences alongside Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, George Harrison and David Gilmour.

The band's album "The Jimi Hendrix Memorial Concerts" was rated Album Of The Month in Germany's leading musicians' magazine, "Guitar and Bass".

Their version of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" is included on an album of Dylan cover versions, featuring artists such as Bryan Ferry, Joe Cocker, The Byrds and many others, released throughout Europe by Polygram in '93.

Slim was interviewed for the Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison editions of "Mojo Working", a Channel 4 TV series broadcast through Summer '92 documenting the most influential figures in popular music.

Slim also writes for Guitarist magazine when he has time, and was featured talking about his equipment(!) in the September '94 edition of Guitar Techniques magazine. He has also been included in the "Guitarist Magazine Book of Guitar Players", published in '94. In addition, Guitar Techniques has asked Slim to contribute a recorded lesson on how to play the Blues each month, for inclusion on the CD which accompanies every issue.

The band have been interviewed and filmed live by MTV Europe and German national TV, as well as being featured in session and interview on Radio One for Bob Harris and Johnny Walker, Radio Two for Paul Jones, for GLR in London, B.F.B.S in mainland Europe and Dutch national radio.

Early in '95, the band released ROUTE 666 which entered the New Musical Express chart at number 7. The Observer newspaper even pinched the idea from the CD booklet, for the cover of a colour supplement! Photographs for the album were taken by the celebrated snapper, Gered Mankowitz, who is especially known for his seminal photographs of Hendrix and the Stones, among many other Rock icons.

The Hamsters are: Slim — Guitar, Singer / Rev. Otis — Drums, Sings a bit / Zsa Zsa — Bass, Sings a bit

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

Slim is one of my children - Albert Collins, blues legend
We love The Hamsters here on the show, they're one of our favourite bands. You must see them, there's so much energy from their live performances - Bob Harris, Radio 2
Superb as always, and in a class of their own - Blues Matters magazine
Playing a dynamic, driving brand of Blues-Rock, The Hamsters are the greatest British power-trio since the days of Cream and Hendrix. Excellent original material and classic Blues - Venue
Keep on playing the Experience! - Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix Experience
The best little band in the country! - Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac)
We make a great double bill - John Mayall, blues legend
The Hamsters really kick ass, Slim is one of your greatest guitar players - Walter Trout
If there was a Grammy for being kings of the road, The Hamsters would walk it - The Times
A seamless, brick-s**thouse rhythm section combined with hurtling, supremely confident guitar - Blues in Britain
Nobody does the music of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top better (apart from ZZ Top) - The Times
They've proved themselves to be one of the best live blues acts in the UK - The Times
The Hamsters' set was one of the most amazing and breathtaking events of the weekend - Martin Taylor's Kirkmichael International Guitar Festival
A guitar virtuoso performance you'll rarely see matched anywhere, and the tightest rhythm section in the business - Blueprint
Outstanding – The Guardian
Top drawer, rough-edged R'n'B – Time Out
These guys are awesome! - Ents24.com
Blistering Blues-Rock - Manchester Evening News
You really can't ask for a better night out: the best, most fun, most loved band anywhere; totally perfect! - Powerplay

The fervently followed British institution and original pioneers of UK bass culture released ‘The Best of Dreadzone: The Good The Bad And The Dread' - a compendium of their excellent musical story so far in May this year. Still going strong after seventeen years, Dreadzone have carved a large niche and cult following. Hit records, critical acclaim and a huge, devoted fan base are theirs, due in part to their utterly storming live shows. The all-killer-no-filler 16 tracks collate the many highlights of ‘the Zone's' output to date - a coherent and still fresh-sounding body of work

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Album: ‘The Best Of Dreadzone: The Good The Bad and The Dread' Label: Dubwiser Records Release Date: 16th May 2011

"Witty, inspired soundscapes'" The Guardian
"In the tradition of Lee Perry and Holger Czukay" The Times

On 16th May 2011 Dreadzone, the fervently followed British institution and original pioneers of UK bass culture present ‘The Good The Bad And The Dread' - a compendium of their excellent musical story so far.

Still going strong after seventeen years, Dreadzone have carved a large niche and cult following. Hit records, critical acclaim and a huge, devoted fan base are theirs, due in part to their utterly storming live shows. The all-killer-no-filler 16 tracks collate the many highlights of ‘the Zone's' output to date - a coherent and still fresh-sounding body of work.

Dreadzone deal in accessible yet credible club sounds with pop nous, referencing everyone from Woody Guthrie and Max Romeo to John Holt and classic films. They also like to wander into uncharted territory, melding Celtic, Jamaican and Asian influences to their riddims and samples, thus turning out unique, quirky gems like ‘Captain Dread' and ‘Little Britain'. The latter track is available here in its more rare vocal incarnation, which wasn't featured on the album Second Light (the instrumental was). Their dubwise beats and bottom end, often adorned with the unmistakably dulcet tones of Earl Sixteen are a product of the cut-and-paste magpie nature of the ever-morphing world of dance music. Other collaborators who've passed through the house of dread include cultural figurehead Don Letts, Melanie Blatt and Alison Goldfrapp.

Dreadzone originators Greg Dread and Leo Williamsare the drum and bass respectively in the seminal post-punk-electro-pop band Big Audio Dynamite. Tim Bran was also a founding father, still involved in shaping the Dread sound. Dreadzone was born from the duo's shared love for reggae, ska, dub, dancehall, hip hop, breakbeats and the burgeoning electronic music scene of the time.

Dubstep, UK funky, 2 step, jungle and the multitude of fangled sub genres have been born post Dreadzone, and whilst it maybe a sweeping statement to claim they've been
a direct influence on all such producers, they can definitely stake claim to a very large branch on the family tree of all things dance, quality and of black origin.

Dreadzone have released six artist albums: ‘360', ‘Second Light', ‘Biological Radio', ‘Sound', ‘Once Upon A Time' and last year's ‘Eye On the Horizon'. They delivered a storming set on Later with Jools Holland and ‘performed' their top-twenty hit ‘Little Britain' on Top Of The Pops. That single has since become ubiquitous, due to countless TV program syncs and generally being a much-loved anthem.

John Peel was a big fan of the band too. He included five Dreadzone tracks in his festive fifty and chose their 360 LP as one of his top ten albums of all time. Ironically that release hasn't been available since the closing of Alan McGee's iconic label Creation records, to which the they were signed. Dreadzone also DJ under the ‘Dreadzone Soundsystem' moniker, tearing up dancefloors worldwide in a fashion that's unmistakably their own.

Dreadzone are:
Greg Dread (beats and electronics), Leo Williams (bass), MC Spee (MC), Earl 16 (vocals), Chris Compton on (guitar) and Chris Oldfield (technology).

The Best Of Dreadzone: The Good, The Bad & The Dread Tracklisting
Zion Youth (Dreadzone Mix), Little Britain (Vocal Version, Ali Baba Captain Dread (Single Edit, Iron Shirt, Digital Mastermind Biological Radio (Edit), House Of Dread, Life Love & Unity (‘96 Mix), Fight The Power (‘95), Return Of The Dread Gangster, I Know, The Good The Bad & The Dread, Different Planets, American Dread

Subgiant

Now well established on the UK Festival scene Subgiant are continuing to develop their unique brand of live electronica.

The band have played at pretty much every UK festival and BBC Radio 1's Rob Da Bank has booked the band no less than 4 times for the ever expanding Bestival on the Isle of Wight

The Band pride themselves on producing a unique live experience, Drowned in Sound saying… "It's fantastic to see talented musicians squandering their talents on dance music"

2012 will see the band concentrate on recording and releasing a load of new material, watch out for some exciting collaborations.

...is about sound, it's about being on stage and feeling that push of energy from the PA, it's about the cavernous depth of a bassline against the scratch of vinyl. It's about sound and movement, making people move, in their minds or on their feet.

"...imagine my surprise when i discovered i wasnt the only music head to come out of southampton. Subgiant are a live act to check - electronic beats and bloops at their finest..." Rob Da Bank BBC Radio 1

"...gut-melting bass ..." Steal Life

"...quality dub passages and thunderous beats burst from ambient soundscapes..." Vanity Project

"...Well, they're good, that's what. The production on the CD is faultless and if the same sound is delivered live then the crowd jolly well should go wild. Ambient dub with sub-bass to test your speakers, driven by breakbeats and catchy melodies..." Simon Marks BBC

"...It'll make you want to start dancing again! I can't wait to hear more..." SouthScene

Voted UK's Best Tribute Act by the BBC. About as close to the music of T-Rex as you're likely to get.  Usually sells out so get em early of you want to go. 

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The World's Only Official Live Tribute Band To Marc Bolan & T.Rex

CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF MARC BOLAN'S 65TH BIRTHDAY &
COMMEMORATING MARC BOLAN'S 35TH ANNIVERSARY
1977 - 2012

On 16 September 1977 the world lost one of it's most original, flamboyant and charismatic rock'n'roll stars.  Marc Bolan's life was cut short after that fateful early morning car accident which would end his life - he was still only 29 years old.  Although Bolan released many successful singles and albums throughout the 1970s, two songs epitomise Bolan's status as the ‘King of Glam' – ‘Telegram Sam' (which sold 500,000 copies within the first two days of release), and ‘Metal Guru', both of which were included on the iconic album in 1972 called ‘The Slider'.  Later in the year, on 8 September 1972, one of his most memorable and distinctive records that would inspire future generations was also released, entitled ‘Children of the Revolution'.  40 years on, the song has become legendary, along with the name Marc Bolan….

T.Rextasy have now been gigging around the world for 20 years, a career that ironically out lives Marc's very own T.Rex.  The band are now accepted as the world's only official live tribute band dedicated to Marc Bolan & T.Rex, and the only band endorsed and approved by Marc Bolan's family, estate, original        ex-members of T.Rex, and Bolan's catalogue management.  Due to their passion, musical ability, longevity, and attention to detail, they are consistently described by many as ‘beyond the boundaries of tribute'.

They have, with their ‘Marc Bolan' doppelganger lead singer/lead guitarist, Danielz, signed with Columbia Records, Madman Records, and Liberation DVD, won the accolade of ‘Best Live Tribute Band in the UK on BBC1, and performed at the original Billy Elliot premiere party, filmed for ‘Arena' on BBC TV.  Over the years they have toured around the world from Europe to Japan and have performed at many Arena venues in the UK (such as Wembley Arena, and Birmingham's NEC). They have played alongside many of the 1970s original contemporaries such as Wizzard, Cockney Rebel, Slade, Sweet, and Ian Hunter, to name a few. In September 2007 they played to 40,000 at the BBC Proms Night at London's Hyde Park, and later headlined their own sell-out concert at the Shepherds Bush Empire with their special guests including Marc Almond (Soft Cell), Gloria Jones (Marc's girlfriend songwriter/singer), and Shakin' Stevens.  

The band have also accepted invitations from ex-members of T.Rex such as Mickey Finn (original percussionist), Marc's son Rolan Bolan, and Bowie/Bolan producer Tony Visconti, to play alongside them in past special anniversary concerts.  Dino Dines (original keyboardist), a long serving member of T.Rex even joined T.Rextasy and remained with them until sadly passing away a few years ago…the list goes on…

Expect T.Rextasy to play all of Bolan's biggest hits, such as ‘Ride a White Swan', ‘Jeepster', ‘Telegram Sam', ‘New York City', ‘Debora', ‘Teenage Dream', ‘Hot Love', ‘20th Century Boy', ‘The Groover', ‘I Love To Boogie', ‘Get It On', and of course ‘Telegram Sam', ‘Metal Guru', and ‘Children of the Revolution'.  The band plays totally live without the aid of any backing tracks, recreating the music, performance and excitement of those heady and outrageous times of glam rock. 

Truly a rock'n'roll concert for all ages - if you would like to know exactly what a Marc Bolan concert was like in the 1970s, this gig is for you!

T.Rextasy – awarded the accolade of ‘The Best Live Tribute Band in the UK' by BBC1 TV.

 ‘They're the closest you're ever going to get to the real thing'
- Bill Legend (original T.Rex drummer)

‘T.Rextasy are the tribute act who break all the rules by being bloody brilliant.  Danielz is an exact replica of Marc, he's uncanny. 
- The Independent on Sunday

‘Danielz is a curator of Bolan's life, a perfectionist protector of the legacy – T.Rextasy play with a poignant, flamboyant skill.'
- The Observer

"Danielz looks and sounds uncannily like Bolan and has dedicated his life to the man" – The Times

"Danielz is more than a career lookalike.  Here we have a serious guitarist with the animal grace of early Bolan and the clear unequivocal love of the music"
– The Stage

"Danielz just freaks me out!"
– Mickey Finn (original T.Rex percussionist)

Come up and see them - make them smile! Steve Harley is back on the road with his virtuoso band mates, Barry Wickens on violin and guitar, and James Lascelles, piano and percussion, in his "A Closer Look" Acoustic Set.

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STEVE HARLEY With Barry Wickens & James Lascelles Live In Concert

The original Cockney Rebel, STEVE HARLEY, has many facets to his life: writer, actor (including starring in a Beckett play in London's West End), broadcaster, and performer.

Now, the performer is back on the road with his virtuoso band mates, Barry Wickens on violin and guitar, and James Lascelles, piano and percussion, in his "A Closer Look" Acoustic Set.

Harley will draw on tracks from all 13 of his albums, including the great hits, JUDY TEEN, MR SOFT, SEBASTIAN and MAKE ME SMILE, in a two-hour-plus concert. The show promises intimacy mingled with great improvisation and rocky rhythms.

Recent Press reviews have described the performance as "STAGGERINGLY, FABULOUSLY GOOD", with "WONDERFUL TRACKS RICH WITH LIFE EXPERIENCE".

Harley has been described as "A CONSUMMATE PERFORMER AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME" and one reviewer described the three-man Acoustic show as the "IDEAL WAY TO APPRECIATE THE QUALITY OF THOSE LYRICS".

There are many facets to Steve Harley's life and world, but it is on stage, in the spotlight, that he really comes alive: the consummate performer.Make me smile (come up and see me), reached number one in 1975 in the UK and many European countries and is regularly voted among the top singles in the history of the charts, which covers six decades of releases.

The Performing Rights Society has confirmed it one of the most played records in British broadcasting.  The song has been covered more than 100 times in seven languages and has been featured in several movies including The Full Monty (whose soundtrack album went triple platinum in the UK, and platinum in the USA and Australia), Velvet Goldmine, Best and Saving Grace. The song has also been used on more than twenty TV and radio advertising campaigns around the world.

Steve Harley was born as Steven Nice, on 27 February 1951 in South London, growing up in New Cross and attended the school Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College. His musical career began in the late 1960s when he was busking (with John Crocker) and performing his own songs, some of which were later recorded by him and the band. The original Cockney Rebel was formed when Steve hooked up with his former folk partner, John Crocker (fiddle / mandolin / guitar) in 1972. They auditioned drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys, and keyboardist Milton Reame-James. They were signed to EMI after playing just five gigs. Their first single "Sebastian", a soaring rock epic, was an immediate success in Europe, though failed to score in the UK singles chart. Their first album, The Human Menagerie, was released in 1973 to critical acclaim, and is still felt by many fans to be their best. The orchestra arrangements were penned by a guy named Andrew Powell who was suggested to the group by their record company. The interesting aspect about Steve's backing band was that they had no real lead guitarist, which equaled to a revolutionary move at that time. Steve's unashamed theatricality, the weird costumes for his stage appearances and the dithyrambic live performance soon made Cockney Rebel one of the most critically acclaimed acts on the circuit, soon gaining a strong cult following.

Harley managed to irritate a significant segment of the music press with his self-aggrandisement, even as the music itself was getting rave reviews and gaining a wide audience.

Moody, Floydian Celtic-tinged Rock

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"The best band you have never heard"

Since forming back in 1996, British rock outfit Mostly Autumn have garnered themselves a name for their relentless touring schedule and outstanding live shows. And this Autumn, the York based outfit are set to hammer this home with the upcoming 'Go Well Diamond Heart' tour of the UK,  Holland and Belgium.

They have built a loyal and cult following since their first album twelve years ago and in that time such luminaries as the late Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple's Jon Lord and the BBC's own Bob Harris are amongst its many fans.  
Mostly Autumn has also toured as an invited support act to Blackmore's Night, Uriah Heep and Jethro Tull, as well as being special guests at Bryan Adam's Murrayfield Stadium gig three years ago. That alone should give some indication as to the calibre of the band. 

Their musical palette is diverse and while they draw on influences from the golden age of seventies' rock, they have developed their own unique sound and style that both captures some of the essence of that heady era and yet looks forward into the future. 

 Bryan Josh is that rare beast – a hugely talented guitarist who knows how to play with feeling and for the song.  His soaring guitar, always drenched in pure emotion, at times recall the golden era of guitar heroes such as David Gilmour but never outstays its welcome, always leaving the listener wanting a little more. Lead vocalist Olivia Sparnenn is a true talent, the range and beauty of her voice is world class.  The magnificence of Iain Jennings on keyboards, complimented by a rock solid yet fluid rhythm section - Andy Smith (bass), Gavin Griffiths (drums), Liam Davison (rhythm guitar) and the delightful vocals and multi instruments of Anne-Marie Helder make Mostly Autumn a band that will enthrall you and awaken memories of what real music is really about.

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As you will know, Glenn Tilbrook is an exceptional song writer and musician who shot to world fame with one of the best bands to come out of Britain, Squeeze.

Tilbrook shows have the feel of a big rock concert. Enjoy a terrific atmosphere, great crowd, a few pints and lots of good humour. He is  highly entertaining and crams loads of songs into the set including Squeeze classics and yes, he may sing your song, if you ask him.

Glenn has been singing, playing and writing songs for many years.  Squeeze have recorded 13 albums to date and many, many singles - most of which have been hits of some kind: some very big, some very small. More than this, however, Glenn Tilbrook and Squeeze have become synonymous with a particularly London oriented style of high quality pop song that bears comparison with the classic songs of Ray Davies and The Kinks - not to mention more recent contenders such as Blur and Supergrass. 

The first hit single, "Take Me I'm Yours", came in 1978 and was followed by a steady stream of hits, many of which have passed into the canon of pop folklore and will surely be sung in pub singalongs as long as pub singalongs exist. Outside of Squeeze, Glenn has played and sung on records by Elvis Costello and Aimee Mann and on Mark Knopfler's solo album.  Songs he has co-written with Chris Difford have been covered by the likes of Sting, Joe Cocker and Grandmaster Flash.

"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

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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 Wurzels' first commercial video was released in 2002 along with another CD - both now highly sought after by collectors. In recent times several albums and singles have been released, including their first collaborative single 'Cider Drinker 2007' along with DJ Tony Blackburn – a single to raise money for a prostate cancer appeal following band member Tommy Banner's fight with the disease. More recently a re-recording of the single 'One For The Bristol City', also a charity single for prostate cancer, tickled the national charts.

Demand for Wurzel music has also resulted in yet another 'Greatest Hits' collection - there appears to be no end to the phenomenon of 'The Wurzels' – hardly a day goes by now when they can't be found on stage, appearing on TV shows, raising money for charities close to their hearts and most of all bringing so much pleasure to so many people with simple sing-along numbers extolling the virtues of living in the land of cider and sunshine.

The Wurzels are regularly asked how long will they keep going. The band members always respond that they intend to keep going whilst they enjoy performing – and that suits the rest of us just fine.

Delays have long been British rock's best kept secret. A heady concoction of angelic harmonies, beat-group hauteur and groove-based hedonism, they belong to British pop's most regal bloodline: (early) Floyd, The Smiths, The Stone Roses.

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Delays return to The Brook to play their hometown Christmas show. Its always a special night when the band are back in town and this night will surely kick off your Christmas weekend.  

Southampton's very own ‘Delays' burst onto the scene in 2004 with the release of their debut album ‘Faded Seaside Glamour' on Rough Trade Records. It charted top 20 and became one of the most critically acclaimed albums of that year... "First band in a decade to lay serious claim to the Stone Roses throne" The Guardian, "Heavenly pop glory" Q. ‘Nearer Than Heaven'- One of the finest pop singles of the year- NME

To date the band have released 3 further critically acclaimed albums, each one achieving notable chart success.  Delays soar above – NME 5* you wont hear a better album all year -The Sun. Valentine- Best comeback single of 2006-NME. Pop song mastery uniquely honed to perfection - The Fly ‘Right now in British rock the Delays are the ultimate high' David Fricke Rolling Stone

Consistently touring throughout the world the bands live shows are always acclaimed as stunning and celebratory. Be sure to join them for this must see hometown Christmas spectacular!

Our very own fab four return to their very own 'Cavern Club'.

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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

Eight piece soul band give you two hours of classic soul... as if you didn't know

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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.