This will be Dean’s third Cellars show!

In the summer of 1977, Dean Friedman marked his entry into pop consciousness with the enormous success of his infectious hit single Ariel, a quirkily irresistible and uncategorizable pop song about a free spirited, music loving, vegetarian Jewish girl in a peasant blouse who lived, as the lyric goes, "...way on the other side of the Hudson."

A year later, Friedman struck again, this time with a magical duet, performed with singer Denise Marsa, entitled Lucky Stars. Lucky Stars zoomed to the top of the UK singles charts going instantly gold.

The now classic single Lucky Stars paved the way for a slew of hits off of Friedman's humorously titled album "Well, Well" Said the Rocking Chair", including familiar tracks such as Lydia and Rocking Chair as well as singles from his first album, Woman of Mine and Ariel.

"An amazing Talent" - The Sun, "Outstanding" - Record Business, "Songsmith extraordinaire! A great performer!" - Music Week. "Immaculate writing and magnetic personality" - Cumberland News, were just of few of the superlatives used to describe Friedman's powerfully unique and original talent.

Although Friedman's next single, McDonald's Girl was officially banned by the BBC for mentioning the name of the well known fast food restaurant in its chorus, the irrepressible pop song has been covered by a number of acclaimed new bands including the ground breaking Canadian group Barenaked Ladies (WEA). (BNL member, Steve Page, sings background vocals on Dean's latest album.) And, just this summer, a new group named, The Blenders (Universal), recorded another cover of McDonald's Girl, which soared to #1 on the national airplay charts in Norway.

During the '80's, Friedman turned his hand to composing and producing music soundtracks for TV and film. Unbeknownst to many of his fans, he has composed, performed and produced all of the music to Central TV's hit series BOON. And it's Friedman, himself, who sings the country & western songs played over the end credits of every show, familiar to millions of viewers, such as The Texas Rangers, He's My Friend, He's My Buddy and Handsome Stranger. Other TV credits include the popular TV series Nick Arcade / Nickelodeon and Eerie Indiana / NBC.

Friedman also composed, performed and produced the soundtrack to the underground cult horror film classic I Bought A Vampire Motorcycle (Hobo Films/U.K.) in which he performs the unforgettable track She Runs on Blood, Not Gasoline.

While recording remains his main love, Friedman has always had a strong interest in state-of-the-art technologies (he has authored several best-selling MIDI synthesizer books for Music Sales Publishing). Much of his apparent reclusiveness is due in part to his having achieved considerable success in the hi-tech areas of virtual reality software and video game design, with his company InVideo Systems. Since creating TV's first VR game EAT-A-BUG for Nickelodeon TV, InVideo has established itself as one of the world's leading developers of VR entertainment systems with award winning installations in leading children's museums, science museums and family entertainment centers, including venues such as Disney and Blockbuster Golf and Games in Sunrise, FL.

Friedman has also managed to merge his musical and hi-tech interests by inventing an unusual and popular line of musical instruments called the Music Atrium "a musical playground for kids" originally featured at the Eureka! Children's Museum in the U.K. and now being reproduced by his company, Cool Stuff For Kids, for major theme parks, family entertainment centers and museums around the world, including Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, FL, Barney's Playland / Universal Studios and Dynalecx, Japan. These strange and playful instruments have names such as the Booble, the Honkblatt and the Jingle-Lingle-Lily and have proven to be a huge hit with millions of kids.

Despite Friedman's apparent absence from the popular music scene, evidence that his name and music have made a lasting impact can be found in repeated appearances in popular media: The British band Half Man Half Biscuit released a best selling EP which contains a track incredibly titled The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman. (Dean emphatically denies this claim.) Underground poet, Nicholas Awde, published a well received collection of poems entitled, I Saw Satan on the Northern Line (Desert Hearts), which includes a romantic poem featuring three ardent Dean Friedman fans. In interviews, the popular American band, Ben Folds Five (Sony/550), acknowledges Dean as an important musical influence and their song Kate, off their album, Whatever and Ever Amen, pays direct homage to Dean's first single Ariel.

And so, it came as no surprise to Friedman’s UK fans when British TV personality Gaby Roslin, host of the The Big Breakfast show, confessed on air to being a massive Dean Friedman fan, herself. Viewer response was “overwhelming” according to the show’s producer. Sacks full of mail, faxes and phone calls immediately began pouring in from viewers expressing their love of Friedman’s music and support for the idea of a Dean Friedman revival. Friedman has recently been featured on the BBC TV series ‘I Love the ‘70’s’, confirming him as a pop culture icon of the decade. Friedman also taped a guest star appearance on comedian, David Baddiel’s new TV series ‘The Baddiel Syndrome’ (SKY TV) in which Dean delivered a tour-de-force comedic acting performance playing ‘himself’ in an hilarious episode written about him.

Anyone who knows anything about the Portsmouth music scene will know that this is one hell of a line-up. When Clym and Stef from TAP first sent over the details for this daytime extravaganza of local music, I was actually gob-smacked. Any A&R man / woman sitting in London, could do a lot worse than jump in a car and check this lot out!

The only thing I’m fed up about, is that I’ll miss most of it, because I’m running the barbeque! Yes, that’s right, we’re feeding everyone too!

7 quid for all of that, a right bargain if you ask me!

Addy Van Der Borgh

Addy Borgh has that rare talent of making people laugh when he walks on stage (helped of course by a large nose and mad eyes). Addy is a great performer of highly acclaimed and original material, an ability
noticed immediately by the BBC when he appeared on the 'Stand-up show' (BBC1) after only one year as a comedian.

He has subsequently appeared on 'Live at Jongleurs' for Sky TVand will be appearing in the forthcoming BBC3 series from Baby Cow Productions, "Baby Candy".

With brilliant timing and an array of voices and characters which animate and enliven even the most drab subject matter (computers, museums, libraries) Addy has built a following of fans not just in all the major clubs in Britain (Comedy Store, Jongleurs, Comedy Cafe etc) but also worldwide, including Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

Addy appeared at the Edinburgh festival in 1998 as part of the Screaming Blue Murder comedy showcase and in 2000 with his own sell-out show '21st century fool'. He returned in 2002 with
another hit "Hearing Voices": "With a potent mix of brilliant mimicry, offbeat character comedy and hilarious observations, Addy takes you on a journey of the mind to the many voices in your head, that come together in a brilliant combination" - Time Out.

"An excellent stand-up with intelligence and wit" The Guardian

"Addy's excellent. His flights of fancy and gentle manner are a brilliant combination" Time Out

"Comic genius" The Scotsman

"Addy has a brilliant sense of comic timing" The Independent

"Fantastic. I've seen a lot of comedy and this is the real thing" The Evening Standard

"A revered funny man" The Times

Paul Ricketts

Musician, playwright, pornographer, chimney sweep, stage hand and primary school teacher before turning to stand-up comedy on the advice of his therapist three years ago. His black, sub – urban humour on everyday, topical and satirical subjects is now in demand at the Comedy Store (London & Manchester), and clubs across Britain.

In 2006 Paul co-hosted his first Edinburgh fringe show - 'Peter Friends' at the Roxy Art House. A year later he was part of a late night show as part of the Laughing Horse free festival, performed at the Smirnoff Underbelly and MC-d 'Pretty Dirty Things' which received a four star review from ONE4REVIEW.COM. In 2008 Paul hosted 'Up The Arts Comedy Lock-In' to packed audience as part of the PBH Free Fringe and performed his first solo hour show 'Paul Ricketts & Buff Wood - Wood Pushers' awarded five stars from THREE WEEKS.

Paul also made the Laughing Horse New Act of The Year 2007 semi-final, Beat The Gong @ The Comedy Store 2007, Comedy Cafe New Act winner 2008 and appeared on 'The Weakest Link' – voted out second.

'a really funny comic' ED BYRNE (2008)

'Ricketts excels as a natural story-teller, with an amusing eloquence that would make you smile even if he was the one telling you that your granny's just died.' THREE WEEKS (2008)

'always amusing' TIME OUT (2008)

TFP night with 4 of the area’s best emerging bands.

Ben and Jerm met while studying at The Johnston Center For Integrative Studies, part of the University of Redlands in southern California. A fancy name for what was effectively 'a hippy commune within this boring business-major kinda place' says Jerm. More phraseology: 'you could create your own course of studies within a cross-disciplinary free-thinking space'. Which means Ben and Jerm could make music, any music, and it counted as homework. Ben: 'It was a school where anything goes. Whatever you can justify, do it. Whatever you feel passionate about, as long as you're having a good time... '

The pair began rockin' local parties and playing clubs around LA as two men and a drum machine. After being a duo for some time, they decided they wanted to expand and become a full band 'that came into a room and made a big noise and expressed songs and had a dynamic, we couldn't do that with a drum machine' They deemed only one song from that intense period of writing and recording as a duo good enough to make the grade for Mind Chaos: Song Away, a golden, glorious tribute to the power of song that, in its choppy riffs, recalls The Cars giving it some Saturday Night Fever.

With artsy college studies at an end, Ben and Jerm relocated to Spokane, Washington to hook up with drummer Anthony. They began writing songs. Curse This City is brilliantly superfly, a soulful song born (improbably) of the frustration of Jerm and Ben being robbed of their bikes in Spokane. They were brimming with ideas. On one level they were an indie band who dug Michael Jackson. On the other, they wanted to mix the rawness of old school hip hop with the rawness of garage-rock.

Eventually the new trio moved on, to Portland, Oregon - a place with a buzzing music scene. If Hockey could make it there... Jerm: 'Being in the big city was an eye opener after Spokane, which is pretty remote. Those people in Portland aren't easily impressed. You have to elevate your game. It's Darwinian in a sense - evolve or perish.' Hear the hypnotic grunge-funk of Too Fake and you might call this survival of the phattest. The latter song was an early gem, emerging from a stoned extended jam during a gig. Ben, alternating falsetto with a throaty holler, began channelling James Brown: "I'm just too fake for the world... I've got too much soul for you..."

By day they were holding down dead-end jobs, washing dishes, rolling burritos, pushing pencils; by night they recorded in the basement, scraping together enough money to buy one microphone and one outboard compressor. They had nothing to lose so they had everything to aim for. 'Moving to Portland was kind of crazy, It being our third move as a band' says Jerm with a chuckle. 'We called it Custard's Next Stand.'

In spring 2008 Brian, an old bandmate of Anthony's, joined. The newly-minted four-piece began gigging down the west coast of the US. The featherlight but souldeep rock groove of Work and The Strokes-meets-LCD Soundsystem jitter of Learn To Loose, attracted the attention of Zane Lowe at Radio 1. The label buzz got loud, and the band eventually signed to Capitol Records in the US and Virgin Records in the UK.

Finally, in late 2008, Hockey came to the UK, to play Water Rats and an NME showcase night, and to mix what they're calling (for now) Mind Chaos Version 2.0. Their first full release will comprise around six of the tracks from the original album, plus a handful of newer songs. Like the abortive stint in Los Angeles, the ill-fated stay in Spokane and the testing times in Portland, it's all part of the journey that makes Hockey such a thrilling, edgy, real group. If it hadn't been hard it wouldn't have been worth it. They're a brandnewbuzzband with proper graft, heritage, soul and songs within them. Crucially of-the-moment but, brilliantly, for-tomorrow too.

'We were just mercenaries to the music,' says Jerm. 'Didn't matter if we moved to LA or the middle of nowhere – it was just a battle pursuing this band, pursuing the idea, being 100 per cent all the time. That was the only way we would have success, if we worked like maniacs.'

'We don't take it for granted,' adds Anthony. 'We have a bigger picture.'

And the bigger tunes. Listening to the radio/hitting a club/hitting a festival in 2009? Get ready to lose it to Hockey.

Spearheading a return to form where Pop music stimulates the heart and mind rather than the eyes

They don't frequent the celebrity hangouts and liaise with the tabloid sleaze of the week.

They're too busy working on crafting their infectious and intelligent songs. Celebrity and pop culture's excesses have become passe. Jo Webb & The Dirty Hands' relentless devotion to music is the new Rock N' Roll philosophy.

Jo Webb & The Dirty Hands are spearheading a return to form where Pop music stimulates the heart and mind rather than the eyes.

Each song delivers a message to the listener in contrast to the abundance of sugar-coated talent show crooner wanabees and the endlessly retro style-over-substance pseudo-art Indie guitar currently on the scene.

Influenced by lyricists such as Andy Partridge (XTC), Roger Waters and Frank Zappa, Jo Webb writes hook-driven songs that combines lush vocal harmonies (inspired by The Beatles and The Beach Boys) with twin guitar-solos (a la Iron Maiden & Thin Lizzy), powerhouse drums and bass with new-wave inspired synths (think The Cars & Todd Rundgren).

Throw The Dirty Hands' love for volume into the mix and the result is an explosive and hard hitting contemporary sound.

With the debut album "Acrobat" released in February 2009 on Clean Feet Records, their first UK tour and several festival slots already in the diary, Jo Webb & The Dirty Hands are the band to watch out for in 2009.

What people are saying about them:

Kerrang

"There are plenty of high points to come from Guildford's A Stranger In Moscow, Indulging in sharp, hi-hat driven, angular indie- tempered by occasional bursts of atmospherics, searing riffs, and sampled beats, this is a band who are impressively fully-formed."

Rock Industry

"A Stranger In Moscow pull off an impressive performance of Indie mixed with progressive melodies and electronica overtones"

Disorder Magazine

"ASIM get their atmospheric party started, throwing thrusting shapes while wringing out what can only be described as grand scale guitar armageddon - tense, beautiful structures played by urchins, dropping into savage riffs like a plane nose-diving to the ocean, pulling up at the last minute and throwing in a hip shaking chorus to reassure you"

Alex Zane

"A Band I really like!"

The Sticky Fungus

"(ASIM) ..provide the necessary feel good poptastic squeal-songs that cause the assembly of pretty young things in the front row to coo and thrill with joy. But this young band also proves that they can be a power-house of richly constructed and majestic sounds - also ‘hitting the spot’ for those oldies in the crowd."

The Boileroom

"A Stranger In Moscow fuse post-hardcore guitars and progressive arrangements with layers of synths, samples and soaring hooks. The Guildford based quartet have created a sound that is unmistakably 'the now' whilst craftily referencing the last three decades of guitar pop."

Airbag Recordings

"The catchiest hooks you are likely to hear. This is music to get your teeth into, time and time again."

“I was taken aback when I first encountered Dirty Revolution in the dark grotty stick-floor depths of TJ's in Newport. They sounded so different from the other bands... no screaming vocals, no cover versions... and their sound - Reggae Ska Punk! I'd only ever heard this when I saw The King Blues once in Sketty (Swansea) or when I put on my favourite Clash and Rancid records.

The thing that stands out about this band is their originality. Reb's signature vocals teamed with the uniquely rich, upbeat bouncy sound of Dirty Revolution make this band one to watch out for.

They have already been aired on the BBC's punk show 'The Lockup', which showcases only the best in international punk, reggae and ska. This year have also seen this band play festivals such as renowned 'Strummercamp' in Manchester, 'Workhouse' festival here in Wales and legendary punk rock festival 'Rebellion' in Blackpool as well as countless gigs up and down Britain”

“Wales’ Dirty Revolution are already getting tons of dates all around the UK, and off the back of this EP of punk rock mixed with rootsy reggae and ska, they'll get more. Reb and Stu share vocals duties, singing about peace, unity, injustice and racism. The lyrics are honest and true to life, highlighted on "50p", and this is the band's charm. They are already coming up with some real corkers live and the next release can't come soon enough. Being taken under the wing of UK ska heavyweights such as The King Blues and Sonic Boom Six can't hurt either.”

Portsmouth’s own Ska explosion The White Coats have been gigging since the beginning of last year. They have landed seven slots so far at the legendary 'Wedgewood Rooms'. They always provide fun and entertainment to everyone who goes to see them. They broadcast a very Punk-like style with their lyrics, but stick to the happiness of the Ska music, adding a unique mix of fun and seriousness...genius!'

Natasha Jones- Bumblechook Promotions.

Young British band blending punk, indie and progressive Ska. Upbeat music with a new edge. Feel good factor 10. CDbaby.com

TIGHTER THAN A NUNS CHUFF!

Lovely Lara (Wedge Showcase Judge 2008)

Hello from Robb Blake: OK guys! Where shall we start then??!! Well, I used to be in a UK Punk/Ska outfit ‘Whitmore’ until 3 years ago! We released 2 albums and 1 box set on Moonska Europe records. We played over 1000 gigs in 13 countries in 4 years! Needless to say we played hard and partied harder!!! After the split in 2005 I had a couple of years off to recharge my batteries a bit, before I started writing and recording again. In 2007 I signed to the rather excellent Do The Dog Music, releasing my first solo album ‘No Time To Waste’ in the September and then the follow-up ‘One Man Ska Explosion’ in September 2008. Hope to see you at the show!

Hello from Detached,  6 guys from a place near Cardiff in South Wales. We play ska punk mixed with a whole lotta other stuff in there for a bitta originality. We’ve been going since summer 2006, and after little bit of practice, we started playing shows as much as we could wherever we could. We’ve been lucky enough to play with some real cool bands such as – Wheatus, Bad Manners, The Toasters, N-Dubz, Sonic Boom Six, Random Hand,Bomb The Music Industry, Fandangle, Jesse James, The JB Conspiracy, 3 Minute Warning, Mike TV, Freefall Felix and many more.

The Muscle Club say:

Basically we did some noises with guitars and distortion and delay pedals and recorded them... in Eastbourne, the UK. All courtesy of Killing Moon and Small Town Records! (Cheers guys.) Currently we got some dates splattered around the country which will no doubt involve late 3 a.m drives but that’s a small price to pay of course.) Anyway we'll be selling the CD at these places so you can buy it, play it, feed it wash it... et al! Oh yeah and a shout out to our previous milestones (laaaaamme): We completed our own UK tour in March of this year, played at "MAIDA VALE" for our BBC Radio 1 session and lastly but not lastly we self released our own 7" of our single 'Hail! Joe Hale'. And then there's playing with some of our favourite bands! Thank you kindly.

Others say:

Loud & Quiet Magazine

"So it sounds like a place where Arnie is ID'd since turning soft and letting his pecks sag, but Wales' The Muscle Club are in fact resurrecting spiky art pop pretty bloody well"

Kruger Magazine

"Things began to look far less bleak when perky indie types The Muscle Club stepped up, inspiring grins-a-plenty with their bashful on-stage banter and catchy little ditties"

Decimals (by God Is In The TV)

To anyone who knows Gethin Pearson (24), Alun Thomas (24), and Alex Pennie (23), Decimals' pop sensibilities might come as a surprise. However, reason states that our knowledge of them and their recent musical past should not dictate their musical future: we do not know them, and it is what they do now that is of interest.

There are computer algorithms, derived from an entire history of pop, that can point labels in the direction of the perfect pop song containing everything needed to get to number one. So how is it that three guys using synths, apples and guitars in a converted basement studio in South Wales are able to craft three minute pop gems? Collectively they have sixty years of listening to Everything to thank; they know pop-music inside out. They've Rickrolled; they've discovered Phil Spector through listening to the Ramones; they've had Tommy Emmanuel, the Who, New Order and Dire Straits pushed upon them through long car journeys with their dads; and overheard Roxy Music, Paula Abdul and The Police with their mums. They have discovered Daft Punk because the girls in school were playing Stardust at house parties; listened to Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre because the bigger boys made them hip hop mix tapes; and listened to Oasis, Life Without Buildings and Chemical Brothers because Steve Lamacq told them to!

Gutsy live performances and melodic, grungy, guitar-led sound reminiscent of Nineties Brit Pop at its best

Bleech hail from London's East End and are set to release their stand-out self-penned debut single "Is It True That Boys Don't Cry?" on April 14th. The single is also the debut release for Ban*Jam records, the logical extension of the famed Ban*Jam club nights.

With the presses still warm, the wry high energy tune has been snapped up by the National Theatre for its nationwide New Connections youth theatre programme. The programme's finale will be at the NT on the South Bank in July with Bleech closing the show.

The talented three-piece, now managed by Andy Ross, who discovered that little known band, Blur, have already created a buzz among the cognoscenti having been featured by Steve Lamacq and John Kennedy.

To date, they have supported Pete Doherty, The Rifles & the Kooks in their short but explosive career.

Bleech are fast gaining a reputation for their songwriting skills, gutsy live performances and their melodic, grungy, guitar-led sound reminiscent of Nineties Brit Pop at its best.

TFP night with 4 of the area’s best emerging bands.

'Epic, thoughtful rock with an alt-country twist.' - Music Week

Here's some nice words other people have written about Tiny Spark:

'Epic, thoughtful rock with an alt-country twist.' - Music Week

'Slickly executed...perfect' - Artrocker

'There's something theatrical and majestic about Tiny Spark. It's a fantastic combination of all that's good about British Pop-Rock music.' - www.toxicpete.co.uk

'Melodic Pop/rock with filmscore back drops and hooks.' - www.getreadytorock.com

'Alaska is a monumental pop song; the hook in the chorus is infectious - even from the first play. Take early Simple Minds and morph them into the feeling and we're getting close...' -Is This Music? Magazine

'Well thought-out, instrumental - lush fantastically produced pop songs'
- www.sunderlandmusic.com

iTunes Singer-Songwriter Album chart topper and Amazon No 1 artist plays a rare UK show

A quick recap of how Meiko (mee-ko) spent 2008: the singer-songwriter signed a label deal, released a self-titled debut to critical acclaim, performed on "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" and the premiere episode of "The Bonnie Hunt Show," appeared in the pages of the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Spin and Paste, shared stages with the likes of Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Brett Dennen and Rachael Yamagata, had her music appear in episodes of "Grey's Anatomy," "One Tree Hill" and "The Hills" (among others), garnered significant radio airplay for lead single "Boys With Girlfriends," and hit the No. 1 spot on both the iTunes Singer-Songwriter Album and Singles charts.

Not bad... especially when you consider that she was still waiting tables when the year began.

A Georgia native, Meiko got her start at the famed Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, where she was a waitress and performer before local and national buzz allowed her to put aside her drink tray for good. "I am now officially retired from the waitressing field," she muses. "Getting up in the morning and writing songs is my new profession."

Listen to her songs in a single setting and it's clear that she's very good at her job. A songwriter with a keen eye and vivid narrative gift, Meiko collects jagged moments and devastating conversational flashes and turns them into deceptively simple tunes with hushed, gentle tones and stunning detailed imagery.

Heartbreak has never sounded as lush or felt as wrenchingly familiar as it does on her breathtakingly beautiful debut. The album finds the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter simultaneously tough, tender and funny on songs that explore loss and loneliness but remain hopeful. "I don't write love songs," she says. "I write frustrated love songs."

Many of the songs on her Lucky Ear/MySpace Records/DGC debut were sharpened on the Hotel Cafe stage, and then recorded over the course of two years, often in wine-fueled late night sessions. "I had no money to record, so I wound up calling in lots of favours, usually recording at 3am when the studio wasn't being used by other bands."

Self-released by Meiko in '07, the disc was the No. 1 Folk Album on iTunes with more than 200,000 downloads. She also earned regular play from LA tastemaker KCRW and key placements on prime-time television, including a prominent spot on the season premiere of Emmy-winning TV show "Grey's Anatomy."


Intense label interest followed and Meiko eventually signed with MySpace Records and DGC (Lucky Ear is her own indie label), sensing their commitment to nourishing her as an artist. "I feel like I'll be given the creative freedom I need to flourish", she says, "rather than be pressured to put out music I'm not comfortable with."

Months after its initial release, the album was remixed, remastered and includes re-recorded versions of fan favorites along with a brand-new track/lead single: "Boys with Girlfriends," a jaunty send-up of the dangers of befriending gents with jealous girlfriends. Among the album's many highlights is "How Lucky We Are," a sumptuous folk-pop confection; "Under My Bed," which showcases the versatility and strength of Meiko's stunning voice as she considers the souvenirs left behind by a former flame; and the spare and compelling "Reasons To Love You."

And though her music is inspired as much by Sade and Cocteau Twins as by Patty Griffin and Nina Simone, Meiko credits her father as being the most important influence in her life. She grew up in Roberta, GA (population 808) in a log cabin (really) built by her dad. Her folk-pop sensibility is a mix of his favorites, which included classic rock staples from the likes of The Eagles and The Allman Brothers. "He had this beautiful old Gibson guitar," she recalls, "and he played and sang for me ever since I was a baby. Of course, back then I didn't realize that he was playing covers, so I was pretty surprised years later when I heard some band named Led Zeppelin playing my father's song - 'Stairway To Heaven' - on the radio."

After high school, Meiko moved to Los Angeles, started attending open mic nights and cut her teeth on the Hotel Cafe stage. She got the chance to open for Patty Griffin, whose album Living With Ghosts changed her life. "When my boss at the Hotel Cafe asked me to play that gig, I swear I almost lost it. I mean, sharing the bill with Patty Griffin was a huge deal to me."

Next up for Meiko is non-stop touring (and she wouldn't have it any other way).

"I wanna get my music to as many people that will listen," she says. "Most important of all, I wanna reach the headphones of that girl in that tiny town, like me way back when, and let her know that there's a whole other world out there."

Here's some nice words other people have written about Meiko:

"If you like singer/songwriters then you will be foaming at the mouth for Meiko" - Perez Hilton

Amy Studt marries an astonishing voice to lyrical complexity belying her tender 21 years. Strong and vulnerable Amy's music demonstrates a fresh appreciation of alternative pop music, a sonic terrain charting a brand new landscape amidst the classic peaks of Bjork, Jefferson Airplane, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Alanis Morisette and the sweeping cadences of Carl Orff and Gregorian chant.

"It's like stepping into my world" states Amy "being privy to my most private thoughts and peering into my brain". It's a brain which pinballs deftly through the human spectrum of sex, pain, loss, love, death, lies, hope, fear, art, wine, voodoo and venom through dreamscape lyrical poetry.

By the time she was six years old Amy was writing songs at home in Bournemouth. Inspired by the classical violin played by her musician father, the piano played by her head music teacher mother and, via her brother, dance music, Radiohead and Jimi Hendrix. "I was writing songs before I knew I was writing songs" muses Amy "I've got tapes of me aged six singing and making up songs. Some sort of 'bup bup bee da, yer baby lets rock n roll..' style vocal ramblings. Thankfully I've moved on a little from then”.

At age 12 Amy was bed-ridden, unable to walk, having contracted the rare bone disease osteomyelitis in her hip. Still, though, she had her music. "I used to practise my songs on the grand piano in the hospital cafeteria," she remembers, "playing my songs on the piano to other sick people. Shameful!" By age 13 she had turned a selection of piano-led songs into a demo CD (via her dads’ friends small studio), giving the CD away to friends and their parents. One CD found its way to 19 Entertainment seeing Amy signed, aged 14, to the pop stable of Simon Fuller.

For three years Amy was a reluctant and considerably successful teenage pop star. Despite the fact she had three top 20 singles and her 2003 debut album 'False Smiles' (full of teen-angst promise) sold around 200,000 copies; in 2004 Amy shyed away to contemplate a new, non-musical life working in a coffee shop in Cornwall. "I very nearly walked away from it all" she says "then of course you wake up and go 'actually I've got this fantastic opportunity to actually do something'". She stayed with 19, signed to their own burgeoning record label, toured with Razorlight in 2006 under the fabulous alias 'Jane Wails' (as a way of overcoming "terrible stage-fright") while writing songs exactly as she pleased.

Amy Studt is a creative maverick. A complex personality who is driven and dreamy, cynical and romantic, confident and fearful and whose extraordinary second album is, at last, "a true depiction of who I am". The sort of acutely musical person, in fact, who hears sounds which do not exist.

"When I hear music if I'm somewhere where the music's loud" she explains "it's like my ears break the sound off into too many parts and there's too much frequency. I start hearing people singing lyrics that aren't there and all these counter melodies flying around. I have to check peoples’ mouths around me to see if anyone is singing. I'll be sitting in a rehearsal room and suddenly hear these awesome harmonies so I just put them straight into my music. I was comforted to find out that my brother also experiences the same thing but with violins".

Amy muses on what she'd like to happen this time around. "We only get one shot at this life and I am making the most of what I've got. I think this is what I was born to do. But more than anything, I just want people to hear my music"

Press quotes:

“Rude double-entendres and ruthless memorability of tune make you want to take that rough ride with her again and again.” MOJO

“Musically it should keep Kate Bush fans happy, Sad Sad World would sit well on a PJ Harvey album and She Walks Beautiful echoes soul-searching female singers from Fiona Apple to Tori Amos.” Sunday Times

…you’ll be hard pushed to hear a more powerful performance from a British singer songwriter this year.” Get Ready To Rock.co.uk

“Chasing the light’ is a full-blooded epic which bristles with emotion...” All Gigs.com

“I would encourage any of you to seek Amy out she is something a bit special.” All Gigs.com

“Amy Studts’ first new music in four years possesses a wilting understated charm that strikes an emotional impact.” Music Week

“Positively incandescent torch-singing Londoner with a hair-raising emotional range that varies from cut-glass fragility to cat-o’-nine-tails avenger.” LA Times

"Its clear that The Foxes have the talent and confidence to make a huge impact on the UK music scene" - NME

Following the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP 'Lover, Killer' in late 2007 The Foxes hit the road with Yeti for a 30 date UK Tour in early 2008.

Following a year of almost constant touring encompassing the UK, Germany, and the Czech Republic, the band released their debut single " Trauma Town" in October 2008 on 7" vinyl and download which entered the UK Indie Charts at No.9.

Their second single, "Bill Hicks", was released on CD, Download and 7" Vinyl on March 16th 2009 and has fared similarly well.

Here's some nice words other people have written about The Foxes:

"Its clear that The Foxes have the talent and confidence to make a huge impact on the UK music scene" - NME

"...The Foxes have a bright future ahead of them. Expect to hear them all over the radio soon" - Ents24

Formed in Spring of 2007, Sheffield sextet Dead Like Harry consists of an eclectic mix of friends brought together by their love of writing and performing music.

Since their early teens, song-writing brothers Matt and Sam Taylor have been most at home in the spotlight, hitting the stages of various smoky Sheffield bars, from the tender age of fourteen for charismatic front man Sam.

Joined by old school friend and vocalist Alice Faraday, talented rhythm section Robin Baker, John Redgrave and Adam Crofts, Dead Like Harry were ready to pen some fresh new tracks and put nearly a decades worth of material to good use.

The result is a sound coloured by rock, blues, country and even folk influences, but which remains at its centre an honest, from-the-heart collection of songs written and performed by a group of young friends who want nothing more than to make great music.

The growing interest in Dead Like Harry can be seen at their regular captivating UK gigs, and in their rapidly growing fan base. The act retain an innate showmanship live, whether showcasing their talent in front of 6000 (such as recently at Sheffield Hallam FM Arena) or serenading a fan’s girlfriend by moonlight for £20. This has led to further fantastic slots, such as supporting chart-toppers Scouting for Girls, being placed on the same bill as the legendary Paul Simon at the famous Cornbury festival in Oxford and becoming first runners up (picked from thousands of acts) in the Rockstar ’08 competition to play Glastonbury 2009.

Dead Like Harry have been tipped as the next big thing from the Steel City by everyone from local press to Steve Lamacq and are currently collaborating with celebrated producer Alan Smyth (Richard Hawley, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys) to make stand out records that live up to the live hype.

The band have recently been confirmed for The Cambridge Rock Festival, Riverside Festival, Cornbury Festival, Spratton Festival and Glastonbury.

This will be their 4th appearance at The Cellars and they have a growing band of devotees, won over by their superb performances.

"3-part harmonies will flood Crowded House fans with deja vu" - Telegraph

The Storys are a 6 piece 70s west-coast-influenced country-rock band from South Wales who formed in Spring 2003.

With 4 singer-songwriters all taking lead vocals on different songs, their sound is both fragile and intense, underpinned by a dark lyrical edge.

They can turn from tender country-tinged ballad one minute to an as-wide-as-the ocean stomp the next - in the same category as classic harmony vocal bands such as Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and The Beatles, all of whom also had multiple singers.

Formed with the intention of writing classic songs with great hooks, melodies and lyrics, their beginning was prolific with songs falling out of the sky and behind every song a story containing characters and a soundtrack to their lives.

There was a natural vocal chemistry: "Everyone would just sing a part and it would fit naturally. Nothing was worked out. We went for a 'if it sounds good, it is good' approach and kept the natural parts even though they might have been musically imperfect", says Steve.

Their debut album was recorded in an old converted cinema in the heart of the Welsh hills. It took over a year to complete, and was initially released on the band's own Hall Recordings label. It had some fantastic initial reviews, and somehow got into the hands of Sir Elton John.

A huge music fan, Elton personally called Steve and told him how much he loved the album. He then invited the band to tour with him all over the UK and Europe during the summer of 2005. He invited them again during the summer of 2006 and they played the Liberty Stadium in their hometown of Swansea in the summer of 2008.

In between, the band successfully headlined several of their own British tours and supported Katie Melua on some UK and European dates. The Storys ended 2007 supporting Joe Cocker in the UK.

The debut album 'The Storys' was picked up by the iconic Warners Korova label in the UK, and Ryko in the US. Soon after, the band headed off for the South By South West festival in Austin, Texas where they played to great reviews. As a result of their appearence, the song 'Be By Your Side' was picked up and used in hit US teen drama One Tree Hill. And 'I Believe In Love' and 'Save Me' were used in hit Brit gangster flick 'The Bank Job'. Director Roger Donaldson loved the band so much he asked them to appear as themselves in the movie!

The band headed to Peter Gabriel's Real World studio complex with renowned producer Jon Kelly. Kelly's impressive CV includes Kate Bush, The Beautiful South, Paul McCartney, Chris Rea and The Damned. They had what Andy describes as, "the most enjoyable time ever!" making the record, and the fantastic results can be heard on their current album 'Town Beyond The Trees'.

2008 was a fantastic year for The Storys. It kicked off with the Dear Mr Fantasy gig at the legendary Roundhouse in London, which saw the band on stage with Joe Walsh, Steve Winwood, Pete Townsend, Bill Wyman and countless other legends playing the songs of the late Traffic drummer Jim Capaldi.

This was followed by another successful tour of the UK and a week of shows in Monte Carlo. Unfortunately , at this time Dai Smith decided to leave the band and was replaced by the brilliant and beautiful country/folk singer Rosalie Deighton.

From there the band headed to Amsterdam for the biggest gig of their career - supporting Celine Dion. The Storys received a standing ovation from the sell out crowd of 64,000 people at the Amsterdam Arena that night.

A huge show as special guests of Santana in Locarno, Switzerland followed. Then a long drive straight to Germany for a week of gigs with fellow Celts, Runrig. As if this wasn't enough, they were than asked to open up for Van Morrison on his British shows as well as playing at a terrific festival with Daniel Lanois and Sinead O'Connor in Belgium.

The Storys have performed at many festivals in the UK - notably Glastonbury, Guilfest, Bestival and the Maverick Country Music Festival. They have also played at a number of festivals across Europe, including Stars and Moon in Switzerland, Lokerse in Belgium, Tollwood in Germany and Take Root in Holland.

The Dutch seem to be taking The Storys to their hearts as their first 2 singles from 'Town Beyond The Trees' - 'Long Hard Road' and 'Evangelina' have been playlisted on many national and regional radio stations. As a result, 2008 ends with the band heading to Holland again to play some radio shows and make their debut at the legendary Paradiso in Amsterdam.

With lots of great new songs penned and a new album in the pipeline, The Storys are eagerly looking towards 2009 and the many more adventures that lie ahead.

Here's some nice words other people have written about The Storys:

"There is much to revel in within the intricate vocal harmonies of this Swansea sextet's sound" - Classic Rock Magazine

"The Storys possess an ability to pen instantly classic songs which ooze class" - Music Week

"They have made a fantastic debut album" - Elton John

"Swansea's answer to The Eagles" - Classic Rock Magazine

"Robust and rewarding The Storys serve up soaring harmony rock that suggests a well-spent youth absorbing all things good from the USA's West Coast" - Rock 'n' Reel Magazine

"Wonderful songs, great playing and instinctively beautiful harmonies" - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

"Hotel California opens South Wales Branch... can bang out a Laurel Canyon ballad or freeway cruisin' harmony-rocker with aplomb. This second album finds them almost insolently self-assured..." - Uncut Magazine (4/5)

This group is really tight, the vocals are superb and the songs are written to last through the ages. What's not to like?" - Maverick Magazine (4/5)

Some of the area’s best original bands take a night off from promoting their own music to pay tribute to some of their icons.

Since forming in the Summer of 2006 MiMi Soya have risen fast in their short career. Now the pop punk quartet from sunny Brighton aim to bring their addictive melodies, innocent lyrics and beastly guitar riffs to the world.

After the initial EP self release which included the anthemic lead track “Crazy” and the visionary salsa pop song “A Memoir”, they then recruited their current front woman Hero at the start of 2007 and started creating brand new stadium crowd pleasers. Since playing shows constantly they’re bringing their intense, passionate, killer live shows to a town near you. With crowd participation and band energy second to none, it’s visual ecstasy for their fans.

Now signed to LAB Records with Crown management (Sugababes, Good Shoes, Get Cape,Wear Cape. Fly) in tow, expect incredible things. MiMi Soya are hot, you’d be crazy not to check out their mixed gender, punk-driven sing-a-long anthems!

What they’re saying about The Auteur:

"...five very, very good pop-punk songs. Each song will make you singalong, each song has been nailed to get maximum impact. As far as summer pop-punk records go, there will have to be something special from either side of the pond to top this one" – Punktastic

"...loud, energetic and technically faultless" -The Fly

Elephants are a four piece Indie/Pop Band from Folkestone in Kent. They formed in September 2008 and since then it has been a rollercoaster ride for them. With constant support from BBC Kent almost from the start and radio play from BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq. They have recently signed to Vacuous Pop and are getting ready for the release of their debut 8 track mini - album which will become available in May. Keep your eyes peeled because 2009 will be the Year Of The Elephant!

"It was like an earthquake but outside it was hailing. Utterly confusing beats. Guitars were immense, drumming was energetic enough to cause technical faults and the bass was grounding." - Sea Tea zine

"Alexander (resurrected) is a polyrythmic masterpiece!" - Andy Burrows

"Melody & Melody & Melody & Harmony!. Every song almost tugs at your heart strings saying 'like me, like me'. Most of these boys songs could pass off as a decent single and it makes for a fucking interesting show!" - tc dj's

"Raw energy and passion are central to the band’s aesthetic, no more so than Alexander, the opening track of their forthcoming Lions EP, that twists and turns with a pounding insistence. They seem intent on creating big music." - God Is In The Tv Zine

"Where Elephants succeed is in their imaginative tunes, matched equally with well thought out lyrics that sweep from childhood memories of telling “secrets using cups on strings” through to the plain weird use of metaphorical lions. Elephants are an exciting band who tell an old story in a new way. Listen out for more of them and catch them while you can." - Stephen Morris (BBC Kent)

"African elephants have big ears. Indian elephants have smaller ears. These Elephants, from Kent, just have good ears. For everyone who thinks the only exciting thing to leave Folkstone is the channel ferry these recent BBC Introducing session guests spectacularly knit together marching rhythms and chugging riffs into the kind of heady spell last seen cast by Mystery Jets." - Greg Cochrane (newsbeat review of top 5 new bands at Radio 1's Big Weekend)

Touted as the hottest new thing touring the south coast

There are plenty of acts out there who are touted as the hottest new thing touring the south coast... but how many can say that they were asked to play at Rock Against Racism before they even had a recording contract?

The Perils hold the honour of being the only unsigned act ever to play the prestigious event, sharing a stage with the likes of former Clash man Mick Jones' Carbon Silicon, the Buzzcocks and The Thirst (who themselves played an acclaimed Cellars show).

The Brighton based four piece made their name selling out venues like Komedia and Brighton Coalition (no mean feat for a new act) and it's paid off, they've already headed out on a national tour throughout February, taking in a number of Club NME dates along the way!

Here's some nice words other people have written about The Perils:

"Give it a year and you'll be bigger than me! - Mick Jones (The Clash)

Welsh rockers Attack! Attack! are going to be on Guitar Hero!

Formed in January 2007 in a rundown industrial estate on the outskirts of Cardiff, Wales, Attack! Attack! UK have already made an big impact on the UK music scene in just a few short months. The band features ex members of Welsh bands Dopamine, Adequate Seven, Midasuno and Pete's Sake. These bands have toured countries all around the world and had releases worldwide too.

Says guitarist Ryan Day: "Neil and I were in a previous band together called Dopamine and we decided to start going through some ideas we both had. We wrote in Neil's house -- in his kitchen -- and I remember the first songs we wrote were 'Lights Out' and 'Home Again.'"

They added bassist Will Davies to the mix next, an acquaintance from the live music circuit. Mike Griffiths came on board as drummer after another friend didn't work out in that slot. Says Day: "I knew Mike as we had played in bands together for years. In fact, Mike and I were in our first ever band together called Pete's Sake."

Taking influences from 80's punk, 90's grunge, pop rock and new wave (everything from Stereophonics to AC/DC, The Police, The Ramones, and the Sex Pistols), and powering a sound that Day calls "no frills or bullshit... just honest, melodic and rocking," Attack! Attack! UK have been building a loyal fan base, playing shows across the UK with the likes of The Ghost of A Thousand, Kids In Glass Houses, Tonight is Goodbye, Flood of Red as well as main support slots with Lostprophets and Aiden. The band flew out to Los Angeles in November 2007 to record their eponymous debut album with Lostprophets bassist Stuart Richardson. 

"Working with Stu was really cool as he had so many different ideas and views on things," says Ryan. "We knew he was really trying to get the best out of us and we really respected that fact as it was pushing us to get better results. It was one of the coolest times I've ever had. He's just a top guy and he really knows how to make things sound great!"

The album came out in the autumn of 2008, with Rock Ridge Music releasing the album in the U.S. on October 7th and in the UK on October 6th. Although Day is thrilled with the entire record, he cites "Say It To Me" as his favorite song. "I really love this song just because it sounds so evil but it's really melodic at the same time. It's one of the heavier tracks on the album but also has some really good hooks in there too. I just really like the contrast of the song. This song was one that came straight out to -- it just felt right from the start. In a nutshell, it's all about falseness, vanity and lies, and someone I know who always wanted to impress everybody with their bullshit stories. In the end, it did them no good!"

For a band who likes to make their music and live performances fun and inviting, their name might sound a bit, well, aggressive. "We struggled for a while to think of a name," says Day. "At the time we were hanging out with some friends who were also starting a new band and we were discussing names and they said, I think for a joke: "We were thinking of calling ourselves "Attack! Attack!" but we have a different name now so we are not using that,’ and we were like, 'WOW! That's such a cool name!' So we stole it from them!"

Attack! Attack! UK was nominated as best newcomer in the Welsh Music Awards 2007. The band has also already received national airplay on Radio 1 and Radio 6, recorded a live session for BBC Radio 1 Wales and a National Radio 1 session in Maida Vale back in March.

What can we say? It’s a bit of Ska and a bit of Punk, diverse influences from Bob Marley to Metallica, leave your preconceptions outside with your scooter, the next generation collides with the old skool, it ain't right but you are gonna love it, The Skandalz will rock the ska world!

Orange Street’s Ian and Stewart provide the familiar brass section of this new band who are already making a name for themselves on the local scene and beyond.

This show has been rescheduled from Saturday 18 July.

The Mods performed their first gig at the Steve Marriott Memorial Concert when during sound check, Noel Gallagher turned to Paul Weller and said ‘Can you believe how f**king tight that band is ?’ – they’ve never looked back.

Performing the classics from the 1964-1970 era, Steve Marriott, Humble Pie, Small Faces, The Kinks, The Who, The Move, Desmond Decker, Nashville Teens, Pretty Things and The Animals, they were described by Time-Out as ‘The Best 60s Tribute Band in The World’.

The Mods are:

Johnny Warman - vocals (Ringo Star/Peter Gabriel)
Johnny Marter - drums (SAS Band/Fish),
Stephen Barnacle - bass (Tina Turner/Pete Townsend)
Steve Byrd.- guitar (Gillan),
Micky Simmons - keys (Bonzo Dog band)

Tom has completed an extensive solo, acoustic tour of the UK, Ireland and, Germany playing  to over fifty thousand people. His style plays testament to twenty five years of singing, in church, and later as lead singer of Inspiral Carpets. 'I only play songs I like' says Tom, 'that's the only real criteria'. This logical approach resulted in a series of headlining and support dates, including most notably  the new years eve celebrations supporting Ian brown in front of 20 000 revellers in Manchester , two Scottish dates with Shed Seven, and a major UK tour with Glenn Tilbrook.

He is still lead singer with the Inspirals where, along with Shaun Ryder and Ian Brown he came to the fore as part of the late eighties Manchester music scene. As well as being the finest singer of that generation he also wrote many of the Inspirals hit singles.

The singing style incorporates Soul, R and B, and Jazz. His delivery is technically superior, and easily more emotive than many of his contemporaries. Celebrated artist Lenny Kravitz was moved to comment 'You should be singing on Broadway' after witnessing Hingley singing live at a television recording. Damon Gough (Badly Drawn Boy), is another aficionado.

'Keep Britain Untidy' is Tom's debut album with no overdubs, just one guitar, one voice and 11 great songs.  Few artists could carry off such a minimalist approach , but Tom's unique talent makes him an all together different proposition. His vocal prowess is something to behold, and it is almost impossible to convey the beauty and sheer power this man can produce with his La Scala Larynx. It is surely tuned to his very heart and soul.

'Keep Britain Untidy' is a heavily personal anecdote charting Tom's recent marriage break up, perhaps most potently in 'Good bye to the Lord of my Life'. The lachrymose nature of this track is deep enough to crush a whale. 'Port In A Storm' is another highlight where he shows the full extent of his awesome vocal range. The haunting arpeggio intro recalls Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway', but the chorus lift establishes the tune in its very own territory.

 In many ways this material, despite the unmistakable voice, couldn't be any further away from the Inspiral's pop format. Tom seems to be tapping into ramshackle Blues, roving folk and Soul, the type which John Martyn made his name with his 70's albums 'Solid Air', and 'One World. This is roots music.

Ian Fortnam in his Music 365 review of Tom's 100 club concert in London said,''Armed with only an acoustic guitar and sporting a Hilfiger lampooning 'Tommy Hilfiger T shirt, Tom Blasts out a series of denuded epics from his forthcoming debut album along with the stunningly forceful 'Straight Into Your Heart' (complete with spine-tingling falsetto climaxes), through the deliciously salacious 'Taste Of You' to the stunning Scott Walker-esque fire of 'What Can I Lose?' Hingley's self- penned material is by turns brooding, explosive and undeniably awesome.''

''Tom Hingley could always be counted upon to shatter lenses at fifty paces with his rare clarity, and heavens be praised, he's lost none of his power, In fact, it would seem that he's extended his range to a quite stratospheric level''.

This will be Tom’s second visit to The Cellars and we’re delighted to have him back!

DRUM CLINIC WITH STANTON MOORE – 2-4PM – FRI 7TH AUGUST – COST £8 PER PERSON. LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE

Please note: when booking this clinic online, you will see an additional option for ‘Clinic and Show’. This is priced at £18, a saving of £2 for the combined event. Show tickets may also be purchased separately.

Stanton has graced the cover of 6 different drum magazines world wide…Modern Drummer (US 2004)  Drums and Percussion (Germany)  Rhythm and Drums (Japan)  Classic Drummer (US) Drummer (UK) and DRUM! (US).  He places in reader’s polls every year and has won (1st place) book of the year (Modern Drummer) Jazz drummer of the year (Rhythm) and Funk Drummer of the year (Mike Dolbear.com biggest drumming website in the world).  Most currently he placed in 2 categories in Modern Drummer’s reader’s poll and placed in 6 categories (including drummer of the year, and clinician of the year) in DRUM! magazine’s annual Drummies.

He has a book and DVD package out entitled Take it to the Street that covers his approach to New Orleans second-line drumming. He has hosted clinics and master classes the world over (most recently at the Montreux Jazz Fest) and has appeared at some of the biggest drumming events including Modern Drummer Festival Weekend, PASIC (twice), Columbus Pro Percussion’s Drum Daze, and Drummer (UK) magazine’s Drummer Live!

Stanton’s presentations cover the history of New Orleans Second line and funk and can be tailored toward everyone from drummers, musicians and students to the general public.  

Here are some quotes from educators who have had Stanton teach to their programs…

“Stanton Moore's clinic on New Orleans drumming at Berklee College of Music was an awesome ear-opening event!  His presentation was clear and exciting to listen to. The room was packed with a wide cross section of Berklee students and faculty and was topped off with Stanton performing with a student band playing his material.” --Dan Moretti Professor CWP department Berklee College of Music

“His clinics inspire audiences with the combination of his easy-going  nature and burning live performance. His p