The Brook, 466 Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD
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February 2009 @ The Brook

Tickets On Sale When Price is Shown

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Dublin-born Imelda May has the rare kind of raw talent and timeless glamour that truly illuminates the stage. You don't just watch Imelda perform, you experience it, "She holds her audience by the scruff of the throat, reaches down and tears out your heart" (www.rhythm-and-booze.co.uk). Whether it's her infectiously unique fusion of rockabilly, blues and jazz, her extensive self-penned repertoire, her sassy burlesque-inspired performances or her distinctive interpretation of classic standards, her appeal is both seductive and undeniable. As such, she is fast emerging as one of the finest vocalists from the UK Roots music scene today.

Winning friends and fans from a diverse cross section of people, from the late Kirsty MacColl to Jools Holland, Imelda May has shared the stage with an impressive array of musical talent - Alison Moyet, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, Bryan Ferry, Anastasia, The Supremes, Sister Sledge, Scissor Sisters, Matt Bianco, Elvis Costello and Elton John, to name but a few. Winter 2007 will see Imelda accompanying Jools Holland on tour, culminating in her Royal Albert Hall debut in December.

Imelda's creative evolution began at an early age. From singing with her sister in Church as a child to performing in nightclubs as an under-age teenager (she was once turned away from one of her own gigs for being too young!) her journey continues to be one of passion, substance and insight. In her own words "My whole life revolves around music. There's no magic story in there, just that I've been singing my ass off since I was four!! Oh, I did sing the jingle for a Findus Fish Finger ad when I was fourteen but I think the less said about that the better!!"

Inspired by such Jazz greats as Billy Holiday, Dinah Washington, and the undisputed queen of rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, Imelda is forging a contemporary sound all of her own. With a nod to the glory days of old but with her heart and soul very much in the present, this rockin' little minx belts them out with all the musical force of a veteran Rockabilly wildcat! As one reviewer put it, Imelda has a "voice so throaty and powerful, it suggests that this young twentysomething actually lived through the 1950s" (METRO).

2007 has been an exciting, affirming year for Imelda. In amongst being nominated for Best Burlesque Singer 2007 and making her movie debut in L.A., starring as the singing voice for a character in forthcoming American gangster movie, 'Dark Streets', she has been working on a new album of original material, Love Tattoo, alongside her talented band of renowned musicians; Steve Rushton on drums, Al Gare on bass, Darrel Higham on guitar, and Dave Priseman on trumpet.

Releasing her first album on November 19th, Love Tattoo is a timelessly truthful collection, an intoxicating blend of Jazz-a-Billy delivered in a direct and personal voice - unmistakably Imelda May and nothing short of captivating.

Hold on whilst Imelda May is rockin'. It's quite a ride!

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Glory Days were formed over 10 years ago by longtime Springsteen fans and although not a look a like band they perfectly recreate the Boss's music and are undoubtedly the best Bruce Springsteen tribute band on the planet.

The full E-Street, seven piece line-up will take you on a blast down Thunder Road playing all the 'classics' on the way. They are more than likely to throw in a few choice album tracks too! These boys will rock for three hours (when they're allowed) and give you that Bruce experience you thought you just couldn't get anymore. Their exhaustive repertoire includes; Born In The USA, Thunder Road, Jungleland, Born To Run, Glory Days, Dancing In The Dark, Badlands, Tenth Avenue Freeze Out, The River, Promised Land, Atlantic City, Brilliant Disguise, Better Days, Darlington County, Bobby Jean, Darkness On The Edge Of Town, Racing In The Street, Spirit In The Night, Backstreets, Fire, Rosalita.. JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING!!

Check them out and see what all the hype is about… you will not be disappointed!

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

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Article Taken From Wikipedia

Blunstone's plaintive, wistful voice was one of the factors making The Zombies' single, "She's Not There" (written by fellow band member Rod Argent), such a big hit worldwide. After the amicable split of the band, shortly after completing the baroque-pop classic LP, Odessey and Oracle, Blunstone briefly worked in the insurance business before resuming his musical career. In 1969, he signed with Deram Records and cut three singles under the pseudonym of Neil MacArthur, including a re-make of The Zombies' hit, "She's Not There" which charted in the UK.

He had some success as a solo artist, singing in a much gentler, softer style, notably in 1972 with "Say You Don't Mind" (written by future Wings member Denny Laine) and "I Don't Believe In Miracles" (wtitten by Argent member Russ Ballard), both with distinctive string arrangements by Christopher Gunning

One Year (released in 1971 and produced by Chris White) was his first solo album, and includes the song "Caroline Goodbye" about Blunstone's break-up with the model and actress Caroline Munro. This was followed by Ennismore, which is now considered a classic of that period, and Journey, of which the highlight was a track released as a single, "Wonderful", written by Chris White and featuring the keyboard work of Rod Argent.

He signed with Elton John's Rocket Records and released three albums, Planes (1976), Never Even Thought (1978) and Late Nights In Soho (1979), which was only released in Europe.

Blunstone also contributed his unique, breathy vocals to Dave Stewart's hit cover version of the Tamla classic, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (1980).

He went on to appear on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project including Eye in the Sky and Ammonia Avenue. In 1984, he joined with other Parsons musicians to form Keats.

He has appeared quite a few times on the principal radio and TV shows in the UK. He and his band performed several sessions for the John Peel Show and Johnnie Walker Show and on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1971 where he performed live with a string quartet.

He has had only a limited acting career. He was in "The Savages" (2001) TV Series and Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1997) both as a singer. Other TV appearances include "The Dan and Dusty Show" (2004) as The Zombies, "Shindig! Presents British Invasion Vol. 2 " (1992) also as The Zombies, and "Pop Quiz" (1982). His sole movie part was in Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) a movie directed by Otto Preminger (as The Zombies) and starring Laurence Olivier.

Blunstone still tours to this day, sometimes on his own, occasionally in tours with 1960s bands such as Manfred Mann - and most often with his old Zombies colleague Rod Argent. Some of his recent albums are As Far As I Can See, the mid 1990s Echo Bridge and Out of the Shadows (with Rod Argent).

His most recent album, also in conjunction with Rod Argent, was released in 2006.

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Boomtown Rats Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe
Founder members In Concert
With their new band:

The Rats
with Peter Barton (vocals/bass) &  Darren Beale (guitar)

The Boomtown Rats first crawled into the semi-darkness of founder member Garry Roberts' kitchen as a group of six friends in Dublin in 1975. Guitarist Garry and drummer Simon share a passion for raw R'n'B and rock music and have been playing together since they formed a band at school. Now, some three decades later, these original Rats have returned to reclaim their lair as true pioneers of New Wave.

The Boomtown Rats began as a hard-hitting, guitar-driven Rhythm and Blues band with a straight up, stripped-down sound. Their first album was considered a classic R'n'B offering - likened to the early Stones and Dr Feelgood. Their debut single 'Looking After Number One' gnawed its way into the UK charts in 1977. This was the first of a succession of Boomtown Rats' hits spanning the next decade.

The hits kept on coming, with 'Mary Of The Fourth Form', 'She's So Modern' and 'Like Clockwork'. Then, in 1978, the band released 'Rat Trap' which shot straight into the Number One slot and remained in the charts for 15 weeks. 'Rat Trap' was the first New Wave Number One and the first UK Number One for an Irish group since The Bachelors' 'My Diane' in 1964. The band's second album 'A Tonic For The Troops' also went to Number One, staying in the album charts for an amazing 47 weeks, and was voted the Number One Album by Melody Maker readers. The Boomtown Rats were now well established.

1979 saw the massive international Number One 'I Don't Like Mondays' followed by major Top Five hits 'Diamond Smiles', 'Someone's Looking At You' and 'Banana Republic'. The band continued having million selling albums and chart success up to 1986, when singer Bob Geldof left the band to pursue a solo career.

Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe, the driving force behind the Rats sound, have put their powerful alliance together once again to re-ignite and develop the essence of their music as it should be heard, with its driving rhythms and meaty guitar riffs. Their new band The Rats, with Peter Barton on bass and vocals and Darren Beale on guitar, perform all their classic hits along with 'live' favourites like 'Joey's On The Street again' and 'Neon Heart'. Their music still holds its appeal and is a reminder of how this dynamic sound is as relevant today as it ever was.   2008 sees the band performing a select number of UK festivals and touring Europe in December and 2009 will see the release of a new album!

What they said after 'The Rats' first few gigs………August 2008……..

"After all this time it's such a vibe to get up and play our music again with this great new band!" – Simon

"…I can't wait for to see 'em all again . 'Mondays' was the big finish! and what a finish !! they should release that right now!"  Paul Reeves

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

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Southern soul is back and so is its First Lady - Candi Staton, who racked up 16 grits and gravy R&B/Pop hits between 1969-1974 such as the Grammy-nominated "In the Ghetto" and the swamp boogie of "I'm Just A Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin')." After detours into disco during Jimmy Carter's administration and a twenty-year return to the gospel of her youth, Staton is back on the path that first established her name. She's also back with the follow-up to her acclaimed 2006 Honest Jons/EMI CD His Hands - her first secular LP in 24 years. Featuring tunes by noted songwriters such as Will Oldham, Mary Gauthier, Dann Penn, and Staton herself  - the new project Who's Hurting Now? is a defiant, brutal musical storybook on the ups and downs of love and life.

The set opens with "Breaking Down Slow," a smoldering ballad first recorded by Lee Roy Parnell and Bonnie Bramlett in 2001. Co-written by Dann Penn (who co-wrote Aretha Franklin's "Do Right Woman" and Staton's 1969 gem "Another Man's Woman"), this track pops with the earthy nostalgia of Staton's hallowed, Rick Hall-produced Fame recordings.  "That's my kind of music - gut bucket blues," Staton giggles. "I loved singing that. It was given to me by Mark Ainley at Honest Jons. I didn't understand what it meant until I lived with it for a few days.  There were other things on my mind but the guy in the song keeps doing things to win this woman over and she resists him. She's probably been hurt before and is hesitant about another relationship but he keeps pursuing her and she eventually breaks down and gives in to him. I thought it was a song about weakness at first and I didn't want to sing anything about weakness. I had done enough of that at Fame."

Clearly, Staton shows no weakness on the sly title track, "Who's Hurting Now?" that boasts a funky '60s vibe reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. The song began as collaboration with the British dance duo, Groove Armada, in 2006. "They sent me two instrumental tracks and asked me to write the lyrics," she recalls.  "I hear words when I hear music and the words I heard were 'who's hurting now?'" The duo used Staton's voice and lyrics but totally transformed the song from an African tribal-styled vamp into a sophisticated club song with a new title, "Paris" for their hit CD Soundboy Rock. "What Andy and Tom did to it was really nice," Staton says. "But, no one would recognize it was the same song. Since they changed the name and since I liked the demo so much, we decided to do it for this project."

Honest Jon's Mark Ainley and producer Mark Nevers searched near and far for both new and vintage songs to add to the album. Friends sent Ainley tapes of obscure soul and country songs while Nevers called upon his Nashville songwriting buddies. Ainley found Bonnie Raitt's 1973 recording of "I Feel the Same" and presented it to Staton. "I loved that right off," she says with a chuckle. "That's my kind of song. It's just the blues. I listened back at it and I had to pat myself on the back. I did a pretty good on that if I do say so myself."

Nevers brought up the idea of Staton covering Mary Gauthier's harrowing social commentary "Mercy Now." "This might seem repetitious," Staton laughs. "I really like that song too. With everything that's going on in the world right now, that song is very relevant. That is a world song. It's a prayer. This country needs a little mercy now. You can hum along with that and understand what's going on in the world and that we all need mercy." This has her thinking on the historic nature of Barack Obama's becoming the first African-American U.S. President. "It gives me hope," she says. "I have a lot of hope. I pray to God that he keeps his promises. Political people promise a lot of things but when they get in there they don't do half of it. I know he can't do everything but I hope that he's able to accomplish some great things."

David Crawford wrote Staton's biggest American pop hit "Young Hearts Run Free" which reached #1 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1976. Staton refreshes his 1968 composition "I Don't Know" which was recorded by Baby Washington. "David's sons have always stayed in touch with me," Staton says. "So, one day we were talking and I asked if his dad had any songs that hadn't been recorded. His son came by and brought me a bunch of tapes of songs David recorded but never released. 'I Don't Know' was in that mix. I remembered it because David had played it for me one time. I said then that I wish I could do it but it was the disco era and ballads were not really selling then. We were looking for hit records and that would have been an album cut. But, he wouldn't have let me record it anyway because he was keeping it for his own solo LP."

A Vancouver, WA school bus driver named Connie Knapp, co-wrote the mid-tempo "Lonely Don't" with her collaborator David Graham.  She's been writing songs for 30 years but this is her first tune to be recorded. "David would send me ideas and sometimes partial songs and ...then tell me I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted with what he sent and go whatever direction...Well, with 'Lonely Don't,' I immediately loved what were his main ideas in that partial song, and so I just rolled with that idea that I picked up on of Lonely being a living, caring being, of sorts, and doing the things a mate or partner was supposed to be doing but wasn't." When Staton's publicist first sent her the demo, Staton immediately connected with the song. "I love that song too," she says. "That's my testimony right now. I'm lonely in my personal life right now but it wont be that way always. It's just a temporary situation as the song says but until I find the right guy who will treat me the way I want to be treated, Lonely will be spending the night."

Will "Bonnie Prince Billy" Oldham has a cult following in the indie music sphere. Aside from composing the classic "I See A Darkness," he also penned Staton's haunting masterpiece of domestic abuse, "His Hands." He wrote the organ-driven "Get Your Hands Dirty" for Staton. Some of the lyrics threw Staton who grew up on an Alabama farm.

"Its not what I would have chosen but the record company felt very strongly about that song," Staton explains. "Planting trees? Picking peas? I picked enough peas in Alabama in my young life.  Maybe that's why I didn't want to say that line but Will allowed me to move a few things around so that I could become comfortable with the lyrics. I think there's an individual lesson in all of the songs. I've had a man who didn't want to work but I had to take care of him, so it won't hurt him to get his hands a little dirty."

Staton wrote the country ballad "Dust on My Pillow" during the time that she recorded His Hands. "That's the blue pill song," she cracks. "Viagra. That pill is causing so many marriages to break up because the older guys have a new burst of vitality. They were stuck on the porch with their wife of 30 years. Suddenly, because they are retired and have a little money and their manhood, they are going after these young girls.

The Cox Family, a Louisiana bluegrass outfit, recorded the track "Cry Baby Cry" in 1993 as almost a dirge. However, Nevers and Staton transformed it into a country rock tune. "I love that song," Staton says. "It's beautiful. It reminds me of the Staple Singers." "I Don't Want for Anything" is mellow and soothing. "That's more like an inspirational song," Staton suggests. "When I was singing it, I was singing it to God. I don't know what the writer had in mind."

Dan Tyler wrote the closing song "Light in Your Eyes" when his son was going through a depressive period. Tyler and his godfather Tommy were attending Ole Miss football game when they began to discuss his son's condition. " I said to Tommy, 'It's like he's losing that light in his eyes,' Tyler recalls. "Tommy said, 'Man, that's a great idea for a song and he suggested I write it with my son in mind." Eventually, LeAnn Rimes enjoyed a #5 country hit with it in 1997.

There's one more song available on some Internet sites as a bonus track. The funky "You Treat Me Like A Secret" drives hard with organ simulating bass by Mose Davis of the Counts and ferocious drum lines by Staton's son, Marcus Williams. "Things don't bother me like they used to," Staton says of the song about a man with a roving eye. "I used to I have thick skin now I let a lot of things soak in that I should have shook off I don't do that now if I know u not good for me I don't deal with u. When I see red flags, I try to move out of the way I used to let you do these things and now I'm over it. When a bad man treats you bad and finds other people to run around with and they don't add up to you? They wanna come back and it's too late for them now. They are trying to backtrack with that 80/20 rule."

English folk outfit with a sinister edge and a variety of instruments. Eclectic only begins to describe them. In three years, eleven piece folk-big-band Bellowhead have exploded onto the festival scene and fast became one of the most talked about bands on the contemporary folk circuit.

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"With the exception of the Who, Bellowhead are surely the best live act in the country" The Independent 5****

"One of the country's greatest live outfits. They should be a greater source of national pride. " The Daily Mirror

"Fresh, vibrant and cool" The Sun

"Pure entertainment." Roots World

"When they hit full stomping mode, nobody does it better" Mojo

"Prepare to be amazed." – fRoots

"This has to be one of the best gigs I've ever seen." BBC Nottingham

The rousing, sharp-suited Bellowhead were first unleashed onto an unsuspecting audience at the Oxford festival in April 2004, brought together by the award-winning duo Spiers and Boden. Their plan was to gather a talented collective of disparate musicians into a group capable of playing many styles, idioms and textures from around the world - big band to soul; jazz-funk to classical strings - yet retaining, at it's heart, an exquisite sensitivity to the essence of English traditional music. The band was an instant, riotous success and within a few months had already been voted 'Best Live Group' in the 2005 BBC Folk Awards. The response to 'E.P.onymous', a 5-track demo initially produced only to send to promoters, was so great that public demand forced them to release it and it promptly received a 5 star review in MOJO.

2006 saw the release of their extraordinary, groundbreaking album, 'Burlesque', to universal critical acclaim, garnering awards and plaudits everywhere. 'Burlesque' was widely heralded as one of the most important folk recordings ever made and "it's flowing stream of humour, intelligence, meticulous research, and free-ranging imagination" had fans and reviewers searching for ever-greater superlatives.

At the end of 2006, Bellowhead further impressed when performing on BBC TV's 'Later with Jools Holland' wowing the audience and winning a host of new fans, including The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The band started 2007 in characteristic style winning 'Best Group' and 'Best Live Band' again at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. After livening up proceedings with their show-stealing performances at the re-opening of London's Royal Festival Hall, the band spent the year honing the ever-increasing theatricality of their euphoric live shows touring the UK and at a series of major festival spots throughout Europe including The Big Chill, Glastonbury, Roskilde & Womad.

Voted 'Best Live Band'

'Best Live Band' for an incredible 3rd time at the 2008 BBC Folk Awards, the year had already begun well for Bellowhead when they were further honoured by being asked to follow in the footsteps of Saint Etienne, becoming Artists in Residence

Artists in Residence at London's Southbank Centre.

On top of tours of the UK & Canada, numerous headlining festival-appearances (including prestigious spots at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall and Proms in the Park alongside Jose Careras) 2008 has also seen the presentation of a 'Copper Disc' by Proper Distribution to acknowledge a phenomenal 20,000 sales of 'Burlesque', and the wrecking of yet another dance-floor by their over-excited fans at Towersey Festival.

The eagerly awaited new studio album 'Matachin

Matachin' (Ma`ta*shin) was released on the Navigator Label in July, and went into the UK Album Charts at No. 73.

Matachin', a dark and riotous collection, takes big bold steps on from Burlesque, and captures "an exuberant, exciting group stretching themselves, and enjoying the experience. "

The reviews were once again unanimous in their praise. The 2008 Autumn Matachin Launch Tour was a huge success with many of the venues selling out, including the beautiful, 1500 capacity Koko in London.

Bellowhead finish the year with another 3 nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – Best Live Band, Best Group and Best Traditional Track (Fakenham Fair) and a nomination for album of the year in the fRoots Critics poll.

Fingers Crossed…

Expect hit after hit after hit - and all for charity!

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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???

Full rocking out blues rock; These guys are friends & Jamming buddies of Mr Springsteen + Southside Johnny!

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In the history of rock n roll there is a long tradition of guitarists trading in their jobs as sidemen to become virtuoso frontmen in their own right. Early on Jimi Hendrix played in Little Richards' band and Eric Clapton worked with numerous groups like John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Cream and Derek and the Dominos before starting his legendary career as a solo artist. Even Stevie Ray Vaughn had a stint as a member of David Bowie's touring band before going solo. There seems to be something about apprenticing with another artist that brings out the best in some guitar players. After spending years honing their craft it becomes impossible for their unique style and personality to be held back.

Such is the case with Billy Walton. Since the age of 15 Walton has plied his craft in the Asbury Park/New Jersey shore music scene--most notably as the guitarist/vocalist for Boccigalupe & the Bad Boys which features Tony Amato a veteran of the Asbury scene since the 70s (the nickname...Boccigalupe was actually given to him by Bruce Springsteen & Little Steven Van Zandt). During his time with Boccigalupe, Walton has played countless gigs in both the United States, Europe and UK tours in 2002, 2004, 2006 and sat in with numerous of rock luminaries including Springsteen, Gary US Bonds and Stevie Ray's backing band, Double Trouble.

The 30-year old Walton's talents are no secret among everyone in the Jersey shore music scene and with the founding of the Billy Walton Band there's little doubt his reputation will grow far beyond the Garden State. The Billy Walton Band's sound is a combination of hard blues reminiscent of Hendrix, Clapton and Vaughn mixed with a healthy dose of Warren Hayes and Derrick Trucks. Live, Walton has always been an explosive performer with jaw dropping talent but with the addition of bassist William Paris, drummer Marcus Croan the Billy Walton band churns out a singular brand of funky blues that has deep roots in both the jam band musical tradition as well as the Jersey shore Walton has cut his teeth on.   

Since 2007 the band has played over 200 shows.  Some of the highlights are shows supporting Robin Trower, Johnny Winter, and Southside Johnny.  Touring has brought the band to North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.  There have been tours to the UK in Sept 07, Feb 08, and Nov 08.

Walton's connection to his heroes is not just through his record collection. Over the years he has developed a close friendship with Roger Mayer, the well-known British guitar effects guru whose devices have played such a pivotal part in rock n roll for nearly every major player since Hendrix.

But regardless of his influences or where he's from, the Billy Walton Band's ultimate appeal lies in the unique musical gifts of its founder, Walton himself, who, like his forebears is poised to join the long and storied list of sidemen whose time has come to step out front.

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18 years after going their separate ways, the original four members of The Blow Monkeys; Dr Robert, Mick Anker, Tony Kiley and Neville Henry are reunited.

Formed in 1981 the band made their recorded debut on the tiny independent imprint, Parasol, in January 1982 and supported its release with extensive gigging in London, eventually securing a residency at the dearly departed Moonlight Club in Hampstead. The band's idiosyncratic pop songs secured a record deal with RCA, inked in July 1983. The Blow Monkeys debut LP 'Limping For A Generation' was released the following year, produced by Jam/Style Council sound manicurist Pete Wilson.

'Animal Magic' was the band's second album, released in May 1986, and achieved the much sought after breakthrough. It contained the massive worldwide hit "Digging Your Scene", which burst into the top ten singles listings in both Europe and the USA. Amongst the album's many gems was a duet with bizarre Jamaican toaster Eek-A-Mouse, entitled "Sweet Murder". Such duets were a portent of things to come.

By January 1987, the band considerably consolidated their status with the irresistible single, "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way", which peaked at the number five position in the UK top ten. March of that year saw the release of the band's third album, 'She Was Only A Grocer's Daughter', and achieved silver sales status on release. Produced by American Michael Baker, it featured "Celebrate (The Day After You)", a glorious duet with Chicago soul/funk legend Curtis Mayfield. If the album title was a thinly veiled reference to the then British Leaderene, Margaret Hilda Thatcher, the duet made explicit what much of the UK would have felt had she been ousted from power in the 1987 election. However, the BBC banned the single from broadcast because of a perceived anti-Conservative lyrical theme. Undeterred, the band further underscored their political affiliations by joining the Red Wedge tour later that year.

The band's next album, 'Whoops! There Goes The Neighbourhood', was a thematically linked collection written in response to the aforementioned prime minister's notorious pronouncement ". . . there's no such as society".

Contained within its grooves was another collaboration, this time with soul diva Kym Mazelle, entitled "Wait". This earmarked the band's status as pop innovators, not only by embracing political themes but also by seeing the potential in the dance/pop experimentation crossover at a time when the whole dance scene had yet to go "overground". This experimentation would achieve its full fruition on the band's last album, 'Springtime For The World'. In the meantime, RCA released the band's "greatest hits" collection, 'Choices', in 1989 – the album going "gold" on release.

Springtime was an eclectic and unusual album which, despite confusing both record company and music critics, has retrospectively become revered as an innovative record – perhaps some way ahead of its time. It contained the Balearic classic "La Passionara", and "Be Not Afraid", a duet with Algeria's primo Rai exponent Cheb Khaled. The track gave the band a profile in such rarely-charted pop places as Pakistan and North Africa. The band split in late 1990 after nearly ten years together.

Besides achieving Top Ten status with singles and albums in the UK, Europe and the USA, the band also contributed the song "You Don't Owe Me" to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack which has now racked up sales of 41 million!

"Devil's Tavern" – the new album which was part funded by their fanbase was released in September 2008 to huge critical acclaim.

"The warmth and ease...suggest Dr Robert might do a Richard Hawley yet"
UNCUT

"Devil's Tavern is vintage Blow: breezy soul-pop, "proper tunes" and Dr Robert's nonchalant croon intact"
WORD MAGAZINE

"If the Devil's Tavern had a lock-in, you'd stumble out at dawn, blinking, your head heavy but your heart won forever"
RECORD COLLECTOR

"Musicians with fire in their bellies....flashes of brilliance"  
MOJO

"Their first album in 18years still finds the frontman in fine voice, Robert
continues to sound like he dresses only in velvet and smokes cigarillos" 
Q

The Blow Monkeys are now set for a UK tour in February 2009 as well as festival dates in Australia, Japan, Germany, Spain and Norway.

18 years on and everyone is poised for the next Blow Monkey's chapter.

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.

Door £

The Smyths

Formed in 2003 and impressing audiences ever since, The Smyths are an authentic & loving tribute to the music of their heroes, The Smiths.

During their first 18 months, The Smyths built their reputation by playing to sell-out crowds in many venues across London, including regular appearances at "Quarry", the celebrated club night for Smiths & Morrissey music.

2005 saw The Smyths widen their horizons and play to passionate audiences across the UK & beyond, including a successful tour of the Netherlands. They were invited to headline the world's first "Smiths conference" which saw hundreds of Smiths fans from around the world flock to Manchester for a weekend of Smiths activities. 2006 has seen The Smyths joined on stage by 80's legend Frank Sidebottom and return to packed audiences in some of Europe's premier venues

With a repertoire of hits from over 20 years, the band's set ranges from the early Smiths singles such as "What Difference Does It Make?", "This Charming Man" & "How Soon Is Now" all the way up to hit songs from Morrissey's triumphant "Ringleader Of The Tormentors" album. A Smyths concert will feature all those hits as well as B-sides, album tracks and any other Smiths or Morrissey song the crowd request that night.

The Smyths are a brilliantly accurate & thrilling live tribute act.

Formed from the ashes of Paul Young tribute band, Joy Division, New Order have blazed a trail of innovation and inspiration since 1880. At first the band found it hard to cope with the loss of their lead singer and what they should be called (bernard, barney, bertie, dicken, albrecht, hooko, hooky, morris-y). Audience indifference also greeted their struggle to find a musical direction until by chance they found some studio out-takes left behind by top '80s synth-rock-dance act The Cure As Trotsky once said : "inspiration waits for no man – while innovation borrows…"

Within years 'Blue Monday' was born! This seminal release was to become the biggest selling 12" single of all time every year until CDs were invented. In an appropriately altruistic move, the money made from this single was donated to local charities including a project building a home for Spanish children. The band also used some of the money to fund the development of an innovative all-in-one inflatable boiler suit for the 1987 Olympic Gymnastics Team. Initially these efforts were met with ridicule, but then later – derision and scorn. Fortunately the accompanying backing music went on to chart as the seminal 'True Faith'. The next two years were spent learning how to take drugs.

After the surprise success of the seminal comedy record 'Fine Time', New Order had found a niche and were on top of the ball. The following year they went on to invent rap music with the release of their only number one hit – the seminal 'World In Motion (St Beardos Fire)'. A true crossover hit, appealing to both New Order fans and novelty football record buyers. However, this could be considered the pinnacle of their achievement as without the services of Des Walker and comedian Dave Allen they've never since matched this success.

The next three years were spent denying accusations that the band had split up. This was emphatically disproved with the release of the seminal hit 'Regret'. Then they split up.

After seven years of petitions, threats and court actions, New Order were finally forced by the public to stop releasing solo albums and get back together again to inspire and innovate yet another generation. And the seminal album 'Gut Ready' proved to be their best return to form yet. Yes! New Order back in their pomp !