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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March 2009 @ The Brook

Tickets On Sale When Price is Shown

Emergency Services night in aid of The Wessex Cancer Trust. 3 bands made up of Emergency Services personnel playing anything from the Beatles to the Kaiser Chiefs.

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Guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger, Steve Lukather is set to release his new solo album All’s Well That Ends Well on Monday 11th October 2010.

The founding member of Toto, Lukather will showcase his innate feel for rock and jazz guitar music, along with his song writing talents. The new album is laden with extraordinary guitar playing performed across some of the best and most emotional songs of Steve’s career.

Fee Waybill of the Tubes is featured on backing vocals and contributes to some of the co-song writing with CJ Vanston and Lukather.

Track Listing:

1. Darkness In My World
2. On My Way Home
3. Can't Look Back
4. Don't Say It's Over
5. Flash In The Pan
6. Watching The World
7. You'll Remember
8. Brodie's
9. Tumescent
Running time 47:21

Album will be released in 3 versions:
M 7308 1 Vinyl
M 7308 2 Jewel case CD
M 7322 2 Limited Edition CD (Details will follow, first print run only)

“I’m very excited because I have some great new music,” says Lukather. “I am trying for a personal best and working very hard on all aspects of music. It’s a journey that’s for sure.”

For over 30 years Lukather has been known as one of the founding members of the multi million selling band ‘Toto’. He has played on hundreds of albums with the biggest stars and music legends including Van Halen, Whitney Houston, Alice Cooper, George Benson, Cher, Rod Stewart and even played guitar on Michael Jackson’s multi-million selling milestone album ‘Thriller’.

Along with several Grammy Awards over the years, in April 2010 he received the international Eddy Christiani Award for 33 years of guitar mastership.

To coincide with the release of the album, Steve will embark on a European tour in November that will take in concerts in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland and England.

The concerts will showcase classics from his all his solo albums, Toto, plus tracks from his new album.

An evening of classic Wishbone Ash Music, just as it sounded in the early days, featuring original bassist and singer Martin Turner

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With millions of album sales and concert attendances worldwide, Wishbone Ash's heritage as one of the most enduring and best loved British rock acts is assured, while the band's innovative twin-guitar hallmark has influenced numerous successful rock acts over the years. Fronted by the founding member, lead vocalist and key creative force of the original Wishbone Ash, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash remains faithful to the original Wishbone Ash blueprint and, during its live concerts, performs a wide variety of material from the band's classic album releases.

In a move which is certain to delight Wishbone Ash aficionados and fans of classic rock music in general, 2008/09 sees Martin Turner revisiting Wishbone Ash's classic 1972 album Argus. Generally revered as one of the definitive albums of the rock era, Argus won 'Album of the Year' awards in celebrated UK music papers Sounds and Melody Maker and was one the best selling UK albums of 1972. As the lead vocalist, bassist and principal song-writing force behind Argus, Martin Turner is delighted to be able to bring his creation to life once more and, in addition to the release of Argus: Through The Looking Glass, a stunning fresh interpretation of Wishbone Ash's most critically and commercially successful work, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash will be making worldwide concert appearances throughout 2008/09, with the centre-piece of the live show being a performance of the complete Argus album - the first time this rock masterpiece has been performed live in its entirety.

The Argus tour follows Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash's highly successful and acclaimed period of UK and European touring throughout 2006/07 to promote their two-part live album New Live Dates. During the Argus concerts, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash will perform a two-part set and, prior to the complete performance of Argus, the band will perform a varied selection of material from other classic Wishbone Ash albums.

Martin Turner describes working with his current band line-up of Ray Hatfield (guitar/vocals), Danny Willson (guitar/vocals) and Dave Wagstaffe (drums/vocals) as "an extremely rewarding experience on both a musical and personal level, with a positive vibe not unlike the early days of Wishbone Ash. Collectively we have had a great time revisiting many of the classics from the vintage days of Wishbone Ash, recreating the essence of many songs, some of which have hardly ever been performed live, and reminding us all of the diversity contained in the Wishbone Ash back catalogue. I am confident that we have compiled a show that will please all true Wishbone connoisseurs."

Martin Turner's return to the live stage has clearly delighted the Wishbone Ash fanbase:

"Martin was in fantastic form! This band surpassed everyone's hopes and expectations. The twin harmonies were spot on."
"The best thing was hearing those bass-lines again. Good to hear a few songs live for the first time."  
"The show was a stormer and the band did more than justice to the songs, many of which I thought I would never again have the privilege to witness live on stage. Martin's in fine voice and the interplay of his bass with the guitars was a joy."
"MT and band exceeded all expectations. The band were spot on with just the right feel for Wishbone Ash music.."
"Better than anyone could ever have expected - the best performances of WA classics outside of the Mk.1/2 line-ups.  It was quite simply the music as it is supposed to be heard".
"Martin and band blew us all away. They really were first rate.  The two guitarists were incredibly polished and of first division quality."
"The best Wishbone show I have seen since 1980 - and yes, that includes the original reformed band and definitely anything since." "Best gig this year, probably this century.  Took me back 30 years, can't believe how good it was to hear those songs sung by the master.  I always loved the soul edge in Mart's voice."
"The voice is back, and firing on all six."
"For any Wishbone Ash fans out there, this a must see band. If you fondly remember 1970's Wishbone, you will not be disappointed. In fact you will be enthralled and inspired as I was tonight."

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

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

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

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

At one point Batten was in 6 different bands, playing everything from straight ahead rock, to metal,fusion, and funk. A major turning point came when she was selected from over one hundred guitarists to play in Michael Jackson's highly skilled band which toured the world for one and a half years playing for over four and a half million people.

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The buzz on Jennifer Batten rose from the guitar underground, and the guitar magazines promptly began chronicling her savvy musicianship and highly original approach to the electric guitar in print.

At one point Batten was in 6 different bands, playing everything from straight ahead rock, to metal,fusion, and funk. A major turning point came when she was selected from over one hundred guitarists to play in Michael Jackson's highly skilled band which toured the world for one and a half years playing for over four and a half million people. Jennifer wasted no time after the" Bad"Tour's grand finale, diving into work on her own album with renown producer (and Stevie Wonder guitarist) Michael Sembello. The stunning results can be heard on "Above, Below, and Beyond", the title appropriately describing the interesting diversity within. With this debut release, the world at large learned what all the excitement was about.

Shortly after the record's release in the spring of '92, she was asked again to join Michael Jackson for his upcoming "Dangerous Tour". In January '93, she joined Jackson to partake in Superbowl XXVII's half time entertainment which aired to one and half billion people in 80 nations. It was the largest audience in television history.

She completed her second solo record "Jennifer Batten's Tribal Rage~Momentum," just before she was again asked to join Michael Jackson for his 2 year world tour supporting his double album "HIStory" in 1997.

Jennifer's Tribal Rage project took a much different direction than her first record and is heavily influenced by world music. It is a hybrid of rock and very exotic sounds, including African percussion, Australian didgeridoo, Caribbean steel drums and Scottish bag pipes.

In the spring of 98 Jeff Beck asked Jennifer to join his band. They joined forces for 3 years on the CD's "Who Else", and "You Had It Coming" which were both supported by world tours.

Other guest appearances include CD's with Carmine Appice, Michael Sembello, Carl Anderson, Carina Alfie and several rock tributes.

Jennifer has authored two music books and ihas just released her third solo CD/DVD entitled "Whatever". With this 3rd effort, she's ventured into electronica, vocal samples, and film. She's supporting this release with a multimedia one woman show, playing guitar in synch with films projected onto a giant screen. The companion DVD includes over 90 min of art films, previously unreleased music videos, interviews, commentary, and an innovative guitar lesson.

Since the release of his 1999 debut CD Treat Me Right, Sardinas and his band have toured throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia.

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Eric Sardinas and Big Motor

On his fourth album, Eric Sardinas and Big Motor, the artist delivers a powerful musical statement that stands as his most accomplished release to date, fueled by a wily sense of adventure, imagination and ferocious lead guitar finery. Honest, soulful and fire-branded with a gritty passion, Eric Sardinas is the real deal, infusing his music with an embattled spirit, reconfiguring deep southern blues with the finesse of a master.

Picking up the guitar at the age of six, Sardinas reaped a heavin' helpin' of inspiration from a melting pot of influences numbering R&B, gospel, rock and roll and most tellingly, his profound love of traditional blues forms. All inform the songwriting and incendiary playing onthe new album. And while those influences inexorably shape his playing he's no mere mimic. Instead, he's absorbed all those styles into his DNA, reinterpreting them into his own driving contemporary blues/rock sound. On the new record, helping to power Sardinas' musical engine is a crack rhythm section featuring the driving bass of Levell Price and drum thunder of Patrick Caccia.

Produced, engineered and mixed by Matt Gruber, the CD kicks into overdrive with the propulsive kick of the opening cut "All I Need," the musical ride accelerating into top gear, blowing rubber at 100MPH. A relentless groove, Sardinas' earthy vocals and tasty slide guitar make this the perfect introduction. "The swampy introduction is kind of a metaphor for the big motor sound coming at you," attests Sardinas. "I wanted the songs to take you on a ride."

Gospel meets Texas rock on "Ride", "Door To Diamonds" is the ultimate kiss-off to a spurned lover while "Find My Heart" pile drives the listener with walls of explosive guitars, soulful vocals and contagious energy.

"Listen, can't you hear that train, coming down the line now and calling my name" croons Sardinas on "Gone To Memphis", a more lyrically reflective track, earmarked by contours of melodic innovation, impassioned singing and an arresting, hooky chorus that refuses to leave your brain. "'Gone to Memphis' is not literally about walking out the door but already being through it," asserts Sardinas. "It's more about mentally moving forward and doing what it takes to make those moves. Memphis is a big part of my psyche so I used it in the song."

Opening with the strains of a live audience, a snarling lick drives "Just Like That," a gut-busting blues stomper characterized by the artist's jaw-dropping dive-bomb slide guitar pyrotechnics, which reflect his love of Son House and Robert Johnson.

An amphetamine paced rootsy take of Elvis Presley's 70's smash, "Burning Love" updates "The King's" slice of gold with dobro flavored ferocity. "It's a beautiful and honest song and one I grew up with," said Sardinas. "The simplicity of the message belies a complexity and that appealed to me."

Setting the scene on the closing track is the lonely sound of the swirling wind whistling through the fields, the Tony Joe White penned "As the Crow Flies" is the record's tour-de-force. The song's glorious wide-screen sound serves as a showcase for Sardinas' emotional vocal and dobro playing before racing toward the finish with the rhythmic thrust of layers of acoustic and electric guitars.

Scoring accolades for his previous studio albums (1999's Treat Me Right, 2001's Devil's Train and 2003's Black Pearls), Sardinas has garnered acclaim for his explosive live performances, which clearly demonstrate his consummate six-string agility. A veteran of the live circuit, he's racked up thousands of performances worldwide.

You don't need a weathered road map or expensive GPS system to navigate your way through the 11 musical signposts on Eric Sardinas and Big Motor. So what are you waiting for? Rev this baby up, crank the motor, and take it out for a thrilling musical ride you'll never forget....

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Groundhogs

The Groundhogs are an iconic blues and progressive rock band characterised by improvised screaming guitar solos, which achieved several top chart albums (Thank Christ For The Bomb, Split, Who Will Save The World & Hogwash) through the 1970's.

Tony 'TS' McPhee is the talent behind 'The Groundhogs', and his outstanding writing and phenominal guitar skills have formed and pushed at the outskirts of British blues and rock for the last fourty odd years. Despite the album success, The Groundhogs retain a cult status, you are either absolutely passionate about them or have never heard of them.

In the early 1960s Tony was invited to join his mates band, 'The Dollarbills' a local pop band, he persuaded them to start playing Blues and R&B after he had seen Cyril Davies and the All-Stars playing at the Marquee club and suggested 'Groundhogs' as a name for the band, after a John Lee Hooker album track.

Tony and the band played all of the gigs on the blossoming blues circuit and then were fortunate to be asked to back Hooker on the final week of his first British tour. John enjoyed the company of the band and preferred to travel with them in their Commer van and asked the "Number one British blues band", to back him on later British tours. At around the same time the Hogs also backed Champion Jack Dupree who later told Melody Maker that they were 'the best band he'd ever played with'. In 1965 the Hogs backed Hooker on an album which was initially called John Lee Hooker, but which has also been re-released as 'Hooker & the Hogs', & 'The London Sessions'

The first album 'Scratchin' the Surface' (1968) was a blues album with line up bass player Pete Cruickshank, drums Ken Pustelnik and Steve Rye on Harmonica. The second album 'Blues Obituary' saw the departure of Steve Rye and a more 'progressive' approach. Tony was now growing in confidence and wrote all of the songs for the third album 'Thank Christ for the Bomb', which entered the charts after John Peel played one of the tracks 'Soldier' on his Sunday afternoon Radio show and it sold 30,000 copies.

The follow-up 'Split' went straight in the charts and would have made number one, however the record company had not re-stocked in time! Despite this ridiculous cock-up the album re-entered the charts, stayed for 6 months, sold 100.000, became 6th best-selling album of 1971 & Tony was voted 5th best guitarist. Also in that year they toured with the Rolling Stones and Glyn Johns, who was recording the Stones recorded the Groundhogs set, this was first used as a promo for the States (rare item as only 100 were produced) and released later as 'Live at Leeds'.

Tony and the Groundhogs have released over 20 new albums since then, notably 'Who Will Save The World?' in 1972, which was a UK Top Ten entry, reaching No. 8 and staying in the charts for 9 weeks. The famous comic strip style album cover was designed by Marvel Comics artist Neal Adams of 'Spiderman' Fame. 'Solid' was released in 1973, this was also the year which saw a resurgence in Tonys solo career with the release of 'The Two sides of Tony McPhee'. The album featured one side with a collection of blues and electric solo numbers and side two, an innovative synthesizer based work called 'The Hunt', which expressed his disgust and hatred of blood 'sport'. In 1974 the band disbanded, till 1975 and two albums 'Crosscut Saw' and 'Black Diamond' were released in 1976.

The Groundhogs lead by Tony McPhee (despite some short lay-offs and various line ups) have been gigging ever since.

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

Go West are back with a new album 'futurenow' and a brand new tour.

With their full touring band - all the classic hits 'We Close Our Eyes', 'Call Me', 'The King Of Wishful Thinking', 'Tracks Of My Tears'……

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Go West are Peter Cox and Richard Drummie. This year they are celebrating 22 years since the release of their first single "We Close our eyes" with a worldwide tour and a new album due out very soon.

For all the information you need to know then please go to the Official Go West website at http://www.gowest.org.uk

It was 1982 when Peter Cox and Richard Drummie first pulled their artistic talents together to form Go West. With only a publishing deal and a portastudio, but lacking a band or record company, Peter and Richard decided, with the help of their manager, John Glover, to find a producer, go into the studio and record two of their songs for themselves. These songs were 'We Close Our Eyes' and 'Call Me'. Within a matter of days John Glover was negotiating with Chrysalis Records and Go West signed their first record deal.

Their debut single 'We Close Our Eyes' was released in 1985 and reached number four in the UK charts, and became a top ten hit in the USA. The success of 'We Close Our Eyes' was followed by three other top ten hits; 'Call Me', 'Goodbye Girl' and 'Don't Look Down'.

Their debut self-titled album, Go West sold 1.5 million copies worldwide and established the pair not just as a chart force but as one of the great singer/songwriter duos to emerge in the 80s. They became the focus of media attention, gracing magazine covers and making numerous TV appearances. The Album was quickly followed up by Bangs and Crashes a collection of 12" mixes and Live performances. Including One Way Street from The Rocky 4 sound track. In 1986 they won a BRIT Award for 'Best British Newcomer'.

Their third album Dancing On The Couch was released in 1987. The singles 'True Colours', 'I Want To Hear It From You' and 'The King Is Dead' were all top thirty hits, and although it didn't match the success of their debut LP sales, it once again established them as extraordinary songwriters and has become something of a cult collectors' item.

In 1992 their fourth album Indian Summer was more mellow, justifying more than ever their early description by legendary producer Arif Mardin as 'modern Motown'. This album contained their single 'The King Of Wishful Thinking' the opening song in the hugely successful film Pretty Woman. The soundtrack album from this film has sold over ten million copies worldwide. 'The King Of Wishful Thinking' received an ASCAP award in 1991 for one of the most-played songs on American radio and 'Faithful', the second single from this album, received similar BMI awards in 1992 and 1993.

Aces and Kings, the album released in 1993, was a collection of their greatest hits, and the single 'Tracks Of My Tears', a re-working of Smokey Robinson's classic, was released from this album and entered the Top 20 singles chart.

In 1994 Peter Cox made the move to Los Angeles where he decided to base himself. That year he recorded his self-titled solo album with EMI Records. He released two singles, 'Ain't Gonna Cry Again', which reached the top thirty in the UK, and 'If You Walk Away'. Peter has continued to live in the States, writing for specific projects and other artists.

In April 2001 Go West released an album, The Best of Go West - Live At The NEC, a concert recorded during their last live tour together in 1993. This contained all their greatest hits performed live in front of a sell-out crowd in Birmingham. The album also included two brand new tracks 'All Day, All Night' and 'Hangin' On For Dear Life', which were their first studio recordings together in seven years.

Over the past 18 months Go West have performed a number of live shows around the UK including two arena tours, the first and second sell-out Here And Now tours. After a fantastically well received first tour they were the automatic first choice to step on the second tour.

Peter returned in the summer from the USA following seven weeks on Granada Televisions' Reborn In The USA. On 30th July he performed to a sell-out audience with Tony Hadley at the Shepherds Bush Empire. This eventually led to a full-scale tour of the UK in 2004 with Tony Hadley that played to over 90,000 people. In the same year, he released his second solo album Desert Blooms.

Over the past six years Richard has concentrated on his songwriting and record production and has worked with amongst others, Ritchie Neville, Lena Fiagbe, Robbie Craig, Next Of Kin, 21st Century Girls, Kenny Thomas and Debbie Gibson.

2005 was another busy year for Go West as they celebrated their 20th Anniversary with another sell-out tour of the UK featuring a sell out gig at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, where special guests from the past turned up to wish them happy anniversary. 2005 also saw Peter celebrating his 50th birthday with a gig at Shephards Bush Empire in London.

2006 promised another uk tour for Go West. A new solo album from Peter .

A Live DVD of the 21st anniversary tour was released in 2007, featuring all the songs from the first album and all the songs currently written for the new album

2008 started with 7 date tour of Australia

The new album called futurenow is finally here, and was released on the 23rd June, and is now available from everywhere.

(Text taken from Go West's MySpace)

Mary brings her 'House of Ill Repute' to The House of ill repute! - The Brook - ha ha. Mary emerges from the catharsis of record making, waking up to a new day; confident in the knowledge that she has produced an album which will stand up as one of the very best of her stellar career to date.

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MARY COUGHLAN – Welcome to "The House of Ill Repute"

Over the course of nine studio albums, two live albums and countless concert performances in the past twenty-five years, Galway-born torch singer Mary Coughlan has established herself as one of her native land's most enduring and remarkable vocal talents. From her break through success on 1985's 'Tired And Emotional' to her internationally acclaimed 'After The Fall' (1997); and onwards to her faithful and poetic rendering of the songs of Billie Holiday in 2000. She has cast her meditative eye over songs of joy, sadness, mischief and melancholy; and has delivered each one with a voice that effortlessly straddles jazz, blues, chanson and pop in equal, sublime measure.

She embarks on the next phase of her career with an extraordinary new album. Entitled 'The House of Ill Repute' – its thirteen songs represent the end of a thirteen year relationship in Mary's life. The album re-unites her with Dutch producer ErikVisser, whose previous work with Mary has inspired them both to career best performances on the aforementioned 'Tired And Emotional' and 'After The Fall' albums. Seldom has there been a better matched maestro and muse; as the immaculate song selection, sympathetic arrangements and matchless performances on this record reflect.

The first single is the late Kirsty MacColl's wry discourse on misadventure 'Bad', an early highlight of an album that runs the gamut of emotions like a long night of Reeperbahn madness. Flirtatious on 'Love Is Extra', salacious on 'Pornography', outrageous on 'Tootsies'; Madame Coughlan knows the intimate details of all the visitors to The House of Ill Repute. And in the cold light of the morning, we find them adrift on the emotional tundra of 'Antarctica' or clinging to the barren (Celtic) rock of 'The Whore Of Babylon'.

It's often said that an artist's best work is made under the most trying of personal circumstances. With the release of 'The House of Ill Repute'; Mary Coughlan emerges from the catharsis of record making, waking up to a new day; confident in the knowledge that she has produced an album which will stand up as one of the very best of her stellar career to date.

The House of Ill Repute has been released on CD and download on Rubyworks on 17th October 2008. 'Bad' was released as a download only single on 10th October

The original guitarist, singer and main songwriter in The Legendary Stranglers brings his band to The Brook - His last show here was fantastic - Don't Miss!!!

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Hugh Cornwell is one of the UK's finest song-writing talents and accomplished live performers. The original guitarist, singer and main songwriter in The Legendary Stranglers enjoyed massive UK and European success with ten hit albums and twenty-one top forty singles in the 17-year period that he was in the band. The Stranglers etched themselves into the UK's musical psyche with many hit singles, including 'Peaches', 'No More Heroes', 'Golden Brown', 'Always The Sun', 'Grip', 'Nice N Sleazy', 'Duchess', 'Walk On By', 'Strange Little Girl' and 'Skin Deep'.

Hugh has revelled in his musical freedom ever since he stepped off the stage after a sold out Stranglers gig at London's Alexandra Palace in the summer of 1990, when he announced that it was the last time he would be fronting the group. He felt it was a bit like having a noose around his creative neck and that it was time to do something different.

He has released six solo albums, Nosferatu (1979) ,Wolf (1988) Wired (1993), Guilty (1997) Hi-fi (2001) and Beyond Elysian Fields (2004) The studio catalogue is completed by Footprints in the Desert, a compilation of rare and unreleased tracks.

Hugh's book, The Stranglers: Song by Song, was published in November 2001 and gained massive media coverage. In the book he sets the record straight, displaces the myths and explains for the first time the real stories behind the Stranglers' extensive catalogue of songs.

The Stranglers' most successful song, 'Golden Brown', featured on the soundtrack to Guy Ritchie's Hollywood blockbuster 'Snatch'; whilst 'Peaches' appeared in its entirety in the opening sequence of the hit film 'Sexy Beast' as well as in a Nike TV ad for 2002's Football World Cup.

'Beyond Elysian Fields', produced by Tony Visconti and Danny Kadar, was released in October of 2004, alongside his eagerly awaited autobiography, 'A Multitude of Sins', published by Harper Collins.

Cornwell was the only non-Czech artist to be formally invited to perform at the Prague Street Festival to celebrate 15 years of the Velvet Revolution and to open Speakers Corner in the Czech Republic.

A triple live album, 'People Places Pieces' is currently available by online mail order only at www.peopleplacespieces.com and contains 45 tracks recorded at London's Carling Academy in April 2005, spanning the whole of Cornwell's career in one glorious live package. It is the culmination of a lifetime of songwriting genius and spans his time with the Stranglers from 1974 to 1990 plus his entire critically acclaimed 6 album solo career to date.

The songs range from the Stranglers first ever single, 'Grip', right through to 'Henry Moore', the final track from his last studio CD, 'Beyond Elysian Fields', and features remarkable new performances of old and new standards throughout its breathtaking journey.

'Dirty Dozen' (available through Invisible Hands Music), is the 12-track single CD containing selections from 'People Places Pieces' and is available in all good record stores. It features a pick of superb live rearrangements of Stranglers and solo classics. Hugh will be supporting this release with a UK tour in late August; through September 2007 accompanied by Robert Williams on Drums (The Beefheart Band) who made the now legendary Nosferatu album with Hugh in 1979. The trio is completed by his current bass player; Caroline (Caz) Campbell. Don't miss it.

'I laughed my head off!'– A Boleyn.  'Thenthational'– C Eubank.  You can't argue with reviews like that.        

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Rufus Hound

Rufus Hound is a comedian and a presenter and an actor and the owner of a fine moustache.

He likes: Rum, kites, tattoos, Nintendo, driving, Las Vegas (where he got married), making his kid laugh, Scrabble, television and steak.

He doesn't like: football, Westlife, Tequila, sportless exercise, leafy salad, ill-manners, the widespread disregard for the three lane motorway system and of course, hecklers.

You might have seen him on ITV's "Thank God You're Here" (which he won), Channel 4's "Richard and Judy" (weekly, in a slot called 'Eurovision' that was specifically created for him) and on The BBC's festival coverage (Glastonbury and Reading for the last few years).

Yes – he did used to present "Top of The Pops" (the last one, in fact), or you may have caught him on various panel shows for Dave or on the fact-ent spectaculars "Grime Scene Investigation" (BBC3) or "The Farm: Revealed" (Channel 4 Schools).

That said, you could have glimpsed him on "Law of The Playground" (C4) or many of those talking head shows which featured Rufus' uncanny knack of remembering things and then, brilliantly, speaking about them.

Indeed, it's Rufus' knack of saying words aloud that's seen him asked to provide voice over for shows such as Sky One's "Gladiators Ready!", "The A-Z of Gladiators" and "Playr", Bravo TV's weekly video games round-up.

As an actor, Rufus has just completed work on a Funny Cut on E4 called "Think Tank", and appeared as 'The Producer' in bad-taste-TV-show-idea-brainstorm internet short "Life's A Pitch". There was more of Rufus on the Internet when he was the co-anchor on spoof news show "NewsLog" (www.log.tv), but that's apparently not happening any more. Seems like a shame.

Tom Wrigglesworth

"Down-to-earth Sheffield bloke Tom Wrigglesworth is a fine stand-up who excels in seeing the funny side of everyday life. Throw in some folksy original tunes and it makes for an utterly endearing act." Metro

"The ultimate crowd pleaser' Guardian

"His persona lies somewhere between Daniel Kitson and John Shuttleworth; sharing the accent of the former and the benign, modest aspirations of the latter. He has a strong self-deprecating streak, and his material is drawn from everyday domesticity." www.chortle.co.uk

"The saving grace of the show is the final act, Tom Wrigglesworth who engages the audience with his zany comedy and his uncanny resemblance to Postman Pat. His set alone makes the show worthwhile" Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

"Boundless in his energy...got the audience with him at once. His material is wide and varied...definitely one for the future."4 Stars One 4 Review

"Excellent set"Independent

"With such an impressive stage presence, and equally impressive writing, Wrigglesworth's is a name to keep an eye on" www.chortle.co.uk

Come have a hoot with Paul Young & his tequila drinkin' party boys

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Los Pacaminos are a band you can absolutely count on for a great night out! & some tasty nosh!!! Tex-Mex music is somewhere between the Mariachi and Norteno styles of Mexico and the country/blues sounds of South-Western America. The band empathises with Ry Cooder, Flaco Jiminez, The Texas Tornadoes, Los Lobos and Sir Douglas Quintet. (Their set includes songs like "Wooly Bully" the national anthem "La Bamba" and sometimes, if enough tequila is flowing, even "Speedy Gonzales"…) The band comprise some of the best known names in the business. From a variety of backgrounds they've covered all kinds of music but are all in accord on one - the sound that's brought them together as Los Pacaminos. (Photo - Keith Curtis)

The line-up is as follows: Drew Barfield: Guitar / Vocals. From A&M signings The Keys and The Big Heat, his song-writing credits include Go West, Joe Jackson, Paul Young and Level 42.

Melvyn Duffy: Pedal steel. Probably the finest young pedal steel guitar player in Britain, his credits include Jimmy Nail, Leo Sayer, and Deana Carter while his most recent tour was with Robbie Williams.

Steve Greetham: Bass / Vocals. Has worked with Joan Armatrading, Paul Young, Julia Fordham and Chris De Burgh.

Matt Irving: Keyboards / Accordion / Vocals. Has played with a whole host of artists including Lords Of The New Church, Paul Young, Squeeze, Chris Rea, Jools Holland, Roger Waters and Manfred Mann.

Jamie Moses: Guitar / Vocals. An accomplished session player, he's worked with The Pretenders, Mike And The Mechanics, Chaka Khan, Gary Barlow, Mica Paris, Tony Hadley, Pete Townsend, Karl Wallinger, Paul Rodgers, Curtis Stiegers and Dave Stewart…to name but a few.

Mark Pinder: Drums. Several renowned cult acts claimed Mark's services including the Vampire Bats From Lewisham and Zaine Griff before he headed off to join Paul Young and Alison Moyet.

Paul Young: Guitar / Vocals / Super-Chef. Needs little introduction… from his days with Q –Tips to his number one solo hits "Wherever I Lay My Hat" and "Come Back And Stay", as well as "Every Time You Go Away", his hit albums and his collaboration with top Italian star Zucchero, Paul has always been loved for his unique vocal style and great personality and making a jolly good sauce!!!

There's only one Bowie but if there were two Jean Genie would definitely be the other one.

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Jean Genie were formed in 1993 in Birmingham by John Mainwaring the lead vocalist of the band. They play all over the world and pay tribute to Bowie's music of the 70s 80s and 90s. John has had many recording contracts with major companies under different guises and has toured with David Bowie's original band of the early 70s - The Spiders From Mars - being their vocalist. John has been produced by Bowie's producer Tony Visconti in the early 80s and worked with Jarvis Cocker of Pulp and Joe Elliott of Def Leppard. He has also had a number one hit in The Lebanon in 1990. Jean Genie play all of Bowies hits in an amazing show of complete detail. John Mainwearing is without doubt the only other David Bowie on the planet, his voice is exactly the same but you don't need to close your eyes because he looks just like him too.

"one of the best and brightest guitar heroes performing in the world today" Classic Rock magazine

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Up until 2002, Oli Brown had never picked up a guitar, yet by 2006 (at just 16) he had toured in America, TWICE, opening for  Blues royalty such as Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal, shared UK stages with Walter Trout, Paul Jones, Buddy Whittington and even the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall.

Such hallowed connections only serve to reaffirm the belief, that for many, Oli is the most promising Blues man to emerge from Britain in a long time. Not only a guitar prodigy but also a singer, songwriter and consummate performer. This is a  young man who shows total dedication to the genre he loves.

In late 2006, whilst playing at jam sessions, Oli met Simon Dring, a superb drummer and Fred Hollis, a highly talented bass player. It was during these sessions, finding that not only did they get on well musically, but also as friends,  that Oli asked both Fred and Simon to join him in The Oli Brown Band. March 2007 was the start of their live gigs.

Paul Jones saw and heard the potential and invited The Oli Brown Band, to do a live session for his BBC Radio 2 show. The session was aired May 14 2007 and received rave reviews.

Oli went back to play in the States during July and August of 2007 (guesting with the American Blues band, Blinddog Smokin') there he hit the Mid West with his young British Blues and built up his reputation even more.

In November 2007, The Oli Brown Band was selected by "Blues in Britain" to perform at the 24th International Blues Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. Oli and his band were the ONLY UK act to be chosen to represent Britain at this prestigious event !! 

In February 2008, Oli  was invited to record at Ardent Studios, Memphis, by John Fry himself, not only to cut a couple of tracks, but also to have The Oli Brown Band  record a live session for their "Ardent Session" (a weekly radio transmission). An honour indeed and not taken for granted. It is worth pointing out that The Oli Brown Band live session had over 1.4 million hits (YES ! 1.4 million !) in three weeks !

Oli signed to the major Blues label, Ruf Records, in January 2008  and went into the studio (with Fred and Simon) in March 2008 to cut  the tracks for his first official album "OPEN ROAD"(consisting of 8 original tracks and 3 great covers), it was released in  June 2008 and has received excellent reviews.

Here are just a few of the UK reviews for "Open Road"

"has the Blues under his fingernails" Classic Rock
"a debut that lives up to expectations" Mojo
"the future of the Blues is evidently bright" Guitarist
"definitely one for the present as well as the future" Guitar and Bass
"a sparkling debut" Sunday Express

2008 had The Oli Brown Band gigging extensively and included supporting artists such as Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, Walter Trout, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Devon Allman's Honeytribe, Jon Cleary and Buddy Whittington.

Oli spent the month of August gigging in America, alongside Sherman Robertson, Miss Blues, Billy Branch and Blinddog Smokin'.

In 2008 Oli secured endorsements from Hofner, Fender, Vanquish and Ernie Ball.

Ecstatic reviews here, Europe  and in America, only go to show that this young British singer, songwriter and musician has a great future ahead of him.

Haven't seen Oli perform ? Here are some comments from people that have,

"a great talent" John Mayall
"Oli is MY hero" Walter Trout
"one of the best and brightest guitar heroes performing in the world today" Classic Rock
"a great band, the BEST we have worked with" Devon Allman (son of Greg Allman)
"East Anglian whiz kid not to be missed" Paul Jones (Manfred Mann, The Blues Band, BBC Radio 2 )
"Blues prodigy set to shake the British scene out of its slumber" Classic Rock
"Oli is the most promising Blues man to emerge from Britain for a long time" Blues Matters magazine
"a lot of fire and passion" Aynsley Lister
"he PLAYS the Blues" Otis Grand
"more soulful and rhythmically creative than a Zulu war drummer !" Elmore (American music magazine.)
"the real deal" Blues in Britain magazine
"we would like Oli for future shows with Johnny Winter" Paul Nelson, Johnny Winter's manager.
"let's do it again !" The Fabulous Thunderbirds

 

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A fantastic slither of shouty, pissed off but damn tuneful inner-city contempt that could stand alongside The Clash' NME

The Rifles punchy mod-punk influenced rock is winning fans across the board from NME to Zane Lowe [who debuted their last record 6 weeks prior to release], XFM and beyond.

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Keeping the spirit and songs of the legendary Zep alive with their unique energy and stage presence , Whole Lotta led play to over 40,000 enthusiastic fans every year.They don't try and reproduce what the Classic Led Zeppelin line up looked like because for these guys it's all about the music, And what music.

With recent 3 page review in the Sunday Express and live footage on the BBC 6 o'clock News this band go from strength to strength. Whether a fan of the original Led Zeppelin or new to the sound come and be astounded by the music of Led Zeppelin .

Given the thumbs-up by no less a guitar god than Jimmy Page himself , Whole Lotta led are THE Led Zeppelin tribute band

Hailing from England Whole Lotta Led are now considered by many to be one of the greatest tributes to Led Zeppelin around. Generally playing two and a half hour sets and over 100 concerts a year their enthusiasm on stage is unequalled, with a stage presence full of magnetism that all audiences feel and share.

They are all exceptional musicians in their own field and without realising it create much the same energy, flair and magic that still holds Led Zeppelin as one of thee largest and most influential bands the world has ever seen. New generations are getting involved in the Zeppelin experience, audiences at Whole Lotta Led gigs span four generations from six to sixty and for most it is the first opportunity of seeing Zeppelin's music performed live. It has been many years now since Zeppelin split up, tributes keep the music alive but when Whole Lotta Led recreate a Zeppelin concert they keep the music fresh. Uniquely for a tribute band they don't have the pretence of trying to look like former members of Zeppelin, their integrity and musicianship comes through in the passion for the music they play. Jimmy Page met them and gave his blessing to what they are achieving. The band also raises funds for The ABC Trust, a charity founded by Jimmy Page's wife to help under privileged children in Brazil. She keeps in touch with the band and informs Jimmy of there progress.

"The most entertaining and exciting Queen tribute band"

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The Queens perform a show packed with the hits,  anthems and live favourites from the world's most majestic rock 'n' roll band.  With great attention to detail, they bring you the look, sound, raw energy and  showmanship of Queens' most memorable live gigs, faithfully recreating  highlights of their Live Killers Tour '79, Montreal '81, Milton Keynes Bowl  '82 and Wembley '86.

The band have rocked many large audiences, from  hardcore Queen fans at the Official International Queen Fan Club Convention,  to a 6,000 strong crowd at Cowes week. With an energetic stageshow and  outrageous costume changes, The Queens are the closest you'll get to  experiencing Queen perform live.

"They were very impressive, great  sound and show!" Jackie Smith, Official International Queen Fan Club  Convention.

The show includes such classics as Fat Bottomed Girls,  Killer Queen, Another One Bites the Dust, Bohemian Rhapsody, We are the  Champions and many more.

Cunningly combining Fab with the name of pop group ABBA to get FABBA. 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'!!