What's On
ALL NIGHTS ARE FREE UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
Thursday 23 May
SAM EVANS BAND + Kayla Kelly
With crowd pleasing performances Sam Evans and the band play an incredible jazzy, urban vibe that you just have to dance to. Almost impossible to categorise this young, upcoming group perform a remarkable range of unique, 'one off' compositions that get the crowd on their feet as they engage with the great sound from the stage.
Playing acoustic guitar Sam’s vocal style consists of blended soul, funk and reggae creating something reminiscent of Ed Sheeran but kept interesting with incredibly quirky vocal acrobatics that have to be heard to be believed. The lyrical complexity of Sam’s work make for an intriguingly different sound experience and has a rare quality only fully experienced by hearing it played 'live and loud' as he and the band do what they love to do – perform!
'no doubt the mustard in this ham sandwich” – Claire Morrell, FearofFiction.com
'Fantastically talented ….. going to go to some great places' – Elise Rayner, BBC Radio Bristol
Friday 24 May
Bristol Rock Guitar Presents
METALHEAD - The Ultimate Tribute To Heavy Metal+ Area 51 & Peruvian Fighting Sheep
Bristol Rock Guitar present their own night of music at The Thunderbolt!
Headline act 'Metalhead' are a BRG tutor band including vocals/guitar tutor Chris Hawkins and bass tutor Becky Baldwin. Opening act are a rock band consisting entirely of BRG students.
10pm: Metalhead play a full hour set of the greatest guitar weilding anthems from AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Iron Maiden and many more!Area 51 - 9pm A dynamic alternative rock band from Bristol, UK.
Peruvian Fighting Sheep - 8pm Peruvian Fighting Sheep are a group of young rockers who met up at Bristol Rock Guitar in 2010. They play classic punk/new wave covers such as The Clash, The Adverts, The Velvet Underground and The Ramones.
Saturday 25 May
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Sunday 26 May
SUNDAY ROASTS with Great Veggie Options
12am-4pmHead Chef, Debbie Fisher, owned and ran one of Dorset's finest gastro pubs, Winyards Gap, where her superb cooking was regularly enjoyed and endorsed by celebrity chefs James Martin and Lesley Waters, singer-turned professional cook, Toyah Wilcox, and well known wine buff, Andrew Kindness.
Debbie delivers an all-round-top-notch eating experience in the beautiful interior and gorgeous beer garden at the fabulous Thunderbolt pub.There's plenty of tables available inside. However, when the weather is better, you can enjoy and eat in our stunning south-facing large enclosed rear garden with childrens' play equipment.
You might want to book you know. (Call 0117 3738947) See you there!''It was all cooked with care!''
MARK TAYLOR (Food Editor) Bristol Evening Post & MetroBooking: Contact 01173738947(24hrs) or e-mail on info@thethunderbolt.net
Tuesday 28 May
NIGHT TRAIN BLUES JAM
NIGHTTRAIN run Blues guitar evening classes for guitarists of all ages who want to end frustration, lack of direction, and confusion Take their creativity, expression and competence to a new level.
The NightTrain Blues Band will be performing with support Featuring tutors Luke Mosse (guitar and vox) Jack Jennings (bass/guitar and vox), and George Paice on drums. A chance for students, friends and newcomers to get up and jam with a professional backing band. A warm welcome will be extended to all who want to come and play some blues guitar!
So that the night goes well and everyone knows what to expect and also how to prepare, we are providing a backing band who can play a variety of different standard Blues tunes.
Wednesday 29 May
Manchester`s favourite young troubadour !
GIDEON CONN + LocksUnique Mancunian songster GIDEON CONN comes back to the thunderbolt to celebrate the launch of his second LP entitled 'TAKE IT ALL'
It is an extraordinary record, showing Gideon at the height of his song crafting powers. The record opens with lead single 'FALL UNDER TOKYO' a pumping radio tune with pure pop beats, soaring synths and Gideon's mellow-sweet vocal.
With his acoustic guitar, Gideon has been astonishing UK audiences for as long as anyone can remember. Influences are as broad as the day is long. Perhaps hip-hop, joyous, thought provoking, soulful and always eccentric.`The people of Britain may not know it yet, but Gideon Conn is a national treasure.` Scroobius Pip
Thursday 30 May
IJ Presents:
AZTECS + Inner Jungle + The Void + First Class Thugs + Summit + Hannah MacleoddHANNAH MACLEOD: 'singer song writer with powerful, haunting and sensual vocals. Bristol based Hannah accompanies her vocals with piano and guitar.'
SUMMIT: 'beautiful female harmonies and powerful solo vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar. Recently played on BBC Bristol'
FIRST CLASS THUGS:Great live performance, stunning stage craft, skank off beats and pirate rhythms.'
THE VOID: 'multi-effect vocals, psychedelic guitar and rhythms. Controversial bass lines'
INNER JUNGLE 3 part X harmonies, sixties hooks, mix of electric and acoustic jungle drum beats.AZTEC: (headline band ) 'Heavily rhythmic, but always melodic. Aztecs are an exuberant blend of British Indie rock, world music and pop, and have been swiftly carving a name for themselves in the modern indie scene since their inception in 2012.'
Friday 31 May
NANCY + Nicole + Kira
NANCY:Original Electro/Dancefloor Pop-Sounds gauging elements of Goldfrapp and Lady Gaga and soon to release her debut single.
So far Nancy has supported Tinchy Stryder, The Hoosiers & will be playing other major events this year.To sum Nancy up, she is a creative, charismatic, spellbinding performer with sex appeal and attitude. Her songs are catchy, the show is hot.
Nancy is a star and should definitely not to be missed!NICOLE: Nicole sings about life, love and loss in a genuine and sincere way. Her music is a collection of heartfelt pop songs with intimate, haunting ballads. She writes honest stories about life experiences with catchy melodies. Nicole’s songs have a classic singer/songwriter sound with an impressive and soulful vocal depth.
``Never a dull day working in the studio with Nicole, a professional singer with huge potential. A pleasure to work with`` – Angelo Bruschini (Massive Attack)KIRA: Electronic duo combining ambient soundscapes with ethereal and seductive vocals. Kira is part of an emerging scene of electronic artists, mixing contemporary studio production techniques with live performance.
At the heart of Kiras’ sonic landscape you’ll find textures and sounds from an earlier psychedelic age blended with beats and ambient glitch. Kiras’ music transcends pop to create a new musical experience.
Saturday 01 June
THE LEGENDARY DJ DEREK + DJ Beavis ..
DJ DEREK returns!! Legendary Bristol DJ whose blend of reggae, dub and ska has made him an icon for many in the industry, including a host of Jamaican producers and Massive Attack. Derek isn't your average turntablist - a former accountant in his late 50s (at least!) with a major cardigan habit, Derek kindled his love for music as a washboard player in the 1950s; nevertheless he continues to blow away audiences with his unique selections.
DJ BEAVIS-Reggae, Dub and Ska from the brilliant young upstart!
Wednesday 05 June
Word of Mouth Presents
Storytelling in verse, prose and song (Free Entry) ANGIE BELCHER PRESENTS!Word of Mouth is a free event held on the first Wednesday of the month at The Thunderbolt focusing on 'storytelling in verse, prose and song'. We aim to provide an informal atmosphere where poets, authors, artists and musicians can meet and exchange ideas. All welcome.
Thursday 06 June
DODGY
'3 x 1' Acoustic Tour
+ GAVIN THORPEDodgy embark on a short Acoustic Tour in 2013, staying true to their pledge to keep visiting towns they’ve never visited before.
DODGY sold over a million records worldwide, released three albums and 12 Top 40 singles, including 3 Top 10s and the Top 5 hit Good Enough, still a staple of the Radio 2 playlist; sold out the Brixton Academy for three nights in a row and were awarded an unprecedented 90-minute Saturday evening slot on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival in 1997 just before Radiohead...
They have returned in 2012 with a critically acclaimed new album 'Stand Upright in a Cool Place'. They will perform acoustic versions of songs old and new at the best place to do so, at the intimate Thunderbolt!'Dodgy's new album is a revelation' - The Guardian *****
'one of the true highlights of Camp Bestival, they're back' - Mojo ****
GAVIN THORPE:'Bristol based singer songwriter boasting a stunning voice, an arsenal of cheeky onstage asides and looks to match'. Bastard:VENUE MAGAZINE l
Friday 07 June
ZEN HUSSIES + Mr. Tea and the Minions
Bristol-based festival favourites The Zen Hussies blend a diverse range of genres – R&B, ska, swing, rockabilly, calypso – into their own punked-up swingska sound. This six-piece present a high octane music revue, guaranteed to set the even the most troubled feet dancing.
MR TEA AND THE MINIONS: New 5 piece Balkan Electro-Swing band with influences from many other genres such as ska, dub and gypsy jazz. They mix these world music genres with electronic dance music.
Saturday 08 June
GENO WASHINGTON & The YO YO Band + The Regz
A brand new touring show from a true legend. Geno on those unmistakeable vocals plus bass, guitar and drums - all the blues, soul and R'n'B favourites in one hi-energy set. Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band had two of the biggest selling UK albums of the sixties.
The Yo Yo Band is a recession busting Up-Tempo, ‘kick ass’ show featuring Geno’s 4 piece combo. Geno, with half of the Ram Jam Band take to the streets to play a blistering party set of pared down Soul, Blues, Jump and R&B to make the joint jump.
THE REGZ:Nine piece band cover Soul/ Ska/ Funk and Pop with un-believable energy, enthusiasm and a touch of glamour! The REGZ will take you from Mr Otis Redding, James Brown to Aretha Franklin with all the Soul and inspiration from the wonderful Motown and Stax days !!
Wednesday 12 June
SARFRAZ MANSOOR- THE BOSS RULES: HOW BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CHANGED MY LIFE
........POSTPONED UNTIL WED JUNE 12th..(Tickets valid for new date)
In his brand new one man show, Sarfraz tackles race, religion and rock'n'roll. He believes Bruce Springsteen's songs contain the secrets of life, love and happiness.
The journalist and broadcaster turned performer - best known for his work in The Guardian, BBC 2's Review Show and Radio 4's Saturday Review and Front Row - takes us on a humorous journey through his life and shows how The Boss's words saved him, then helped him get out of hometown Luton and find the woman of his dreams.Using Springsteen's songs as a starting point, Sarfraz tackles everything from family to fatherhood to faith. He invites the audience to share their dilemmas and he offers advice based on the lyrics of Springsteen.
From Edinburgh Fringe 2012 -'a heartfelt and funny show...a gentle, affectionate mix' TV Bomb
' a light-hearted but poignant memoir and family portrait....his confident, open manner creates a relaxed and enjoyable show that should resonate with everyone' The List'The show is a little ray of sunshine: very uplifting' The Skinny
Thursday 13 June
I AM HORSE
I AM HORSE are Left-field, beguiling electronic chamber pop, a 3+ piece band of multi-instrumentalists Magda, Suzi Lamb and Anna from Bristol. From twisted love-lorn chamber ballads to electronica driven tracks, the 'Horses' take you through a range of genres with an occasional nod towards the dance floor. I Am Horse are a distinctly original up and coming band, band members play a variety of instruments which provides some great live surprises.
March 2013 saw the self-release of their debut album 'Then let me go' recorded at Bristol's Toybox studios [PJ HARVEY, Perfume Genius]. This collection of tracks has been an evolution of material created and fine tuned since the 'Horses' formed in 2009.
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Friday 14 June
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Saturday 15 June
THE RAVONS
THE RAVONS:What are you going to get? Four geezers with a shared rock aesthetic and identifiable roots; a classic guitar band; riffs that are familiar, but not quite ( the Ravons do very few covers); a lyrical content that takes in the madness of our lives and spits it out in 12 bars; songs that are personal but with universal resonances; a resistance to the glib, the glossy and the self-important, Derivative in an original way-Rave on!
Friday 21 June
JERRY DAMMERS (DJ SET)
+ CUT CAPERS + DJ Roy StrongJERRY DAMMERS:Cov wonder and founding father of The Specials and the seminal British ska label 2 Tone Records, whose current project The Jerry Dammers Spatial AKA Orchestra ( a tribute to the late Sun Ra ) continues to get rave reviews across the world. Jerry needs no introduction. Jerry will be doing his classic DJ set which will be a night of Reggae, Ska and other related music from the 60`s to the present day played on lovely vinyl!
CUT CAPERS: A live Hip-hop/Ska 8-piece from Bristol and Cardiff; dual Emcees, triple horn section, Capers Rhythm Section® & guitar. With brass roots and head-nod ska-hop beats!
DJ ROY STRONG:Support comes from Space Invader Radio's Roy Strong, a regular at Big Chill, Cosies to name but two who will be armed with a killer selection of reggae, ska, soul, funk and modern dancefloor beats and breaks.
Saturday 22 June
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Wednesday 26 June
Dead Frogs Society Presents:
THUNDERBOLT COMEDYwith MIKEY AVERN + guests
Bristols most eclectic venue hosts a bi-monthly combo of fringe stand-up, music and topical review.
MIKEY AVERN: Mikey is a Southampton based comedian whose frenetic pacing, sardonic eye and mix of animation with live stand-up make him the perfect host for this vibrant mix of comic performers. A lively cabaret atmosphere combines with a thought-provoking, equal parts earnest and absurd commentary on current affairs that challenges received wisdom with pluck, gusto and spanners.
Strewn with esoteric references, bizarre imagery, and digressions into the murky back alley of pop culture, The Thunderbolt Comedy Review brings you the best mix of local and national acts in Bristol before they head to the Edinburgh Fringe this August!'Excellent use is made of music and visual imagery, resulting in a show that is consistently teasing and ironic.' – THREE WEEKS MAGAZINE
'…the phantom plumber in a tutu who has anger management issues andcan't tell a real boiler from a drawing of one on a flipchart [was] memorable - it's very wrong, but very funny.' – THE SCOTSMAN
All supporting comedians are free-range, locally grown and booked from sustainable sources of talent. Some satirical content, and not just topical lip service either, actual satire, with irony and sneering and everything.
Wednesday 03 July
Word of Mouth Presents
Storytelling in verse, prose and song (Free Entry)SHEILA HANNON & FRIENDSWord of Mouth is a free event held on the first Wednesday of the month at The Thunderbolt focusing on 'storytelling in verse, prose and song'. We aim to provide an informal atmosphere where poets, authors, artists and musicians can meet and exchange ideas. All welcome.
Thursday 04 July
MARCUS BONFONTI
From the first note of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog”, sixteen-year-old Marcus Bonfanti knew he wanted to be a guitar player. Now 29, Marcus has become the sum of all the great music he was exposed to as a young boy growing up in North London and is widely tipped as Britain's next blues guitar hero. His latest album, What Good Am I To You, led to a British Blues Award for Songwriter of the Year and nominations for two consecutive years as Best Male Vocalist and Best Guitarist.
In 2011 he was also invited by BBC Radio 2's Paul Jones to perform at his 25th anniversary show at Maida Vale Studios and appeared as a special guest for his legendary Cranleigh Arts Centre Christmas gig. Marcus learnt his trade out on the road, playing three sets a night, seven nights a week all over the country with his own band, as well as with Classic Rock Award nominated act Saint Jude and as a member of legendary singer P.P. Arnold's band.
Though not yet 30, Marcus has already opened for the likes of Chuck Berry, Robert Cray, John Mayal and The Yardbirds, spellbinding audiences with his passion and mastery of everything from stomping electric blues to delicate acoustic finger-picking.
Saturday 06 July
STAN WEBB`S CHICKEN SHACK
Stan Webb is recognised high in the top ten of British blues guitarists. He started Chicken Shack in 1965 and within two years they were topping the charts with‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ featuring Christine Perfect (aka McVie), later of Fleetwood Mac‘ Rumours’ era.
Stan’s style owes much to his friend and mentor, the legendary Freddie King, who inspired Stan Webb's delicate vibrato and sustain, and above all else his emotive blues tone.Aside from a stint with Canned Heat (the only UK guitarist to ever play with them) and Savoy Brown, Stan continues to tour Chickenshack in Europe and occasionally in the UK.
Monday 08 July
JULIA FORDHAM
Having sold millions of records around the world, critically acclaimed singer songwriter Julia Fordham will be returning to the UK for her first tour in 20 years. Performing with her will be Grant Mitchell, pianist/arranger/producer of her early hits Happy Ever After, Where Does The Time Go, Porcelain & I Thought It Was You. The set will be filled with these favourites plus many others including: Girlfriend, Lock and Key, Towerblock & the International hit (Love Moves) In Mysterious Ways. After living in Los Angeles for many years, Julia is thrilled to be coming home to sing her songs again around the country.
This is an evening not to be missed and early booking is advised.
`A stylish pop balladeer with a voice that glides easily between the languor of Sade and the smooth high notes of Philadelphia soul.` - The London Telegraph
Tuesday 09 July
DEADWOLF CLUB
With their roots in Tintagel, but their base in London these days, Alwin, John, Martha and Serra, otherwise known as Dead Wolf Club, are set to make waves.
The band have just released their second album ‘RAR’. They `ve recently supported The Wedding Present, The Black Belles, Our Lady Peace, Bow Wow Wow and Atari Teenage Riot.
' This record had already won me over, making me more than happy to swim around in their sound as things got more tangential.' FEAR OF FICTION
Thursday 11 July
MODESTY BLAISE + Woog Riots
MODESTY BLAISE: The ultimate good time, kitsch and kute band. Bristol's Modesty Blaise have been blazing their own singular path for a while, achieving considerable fandom in foreign places with all tunes firing on their sleek space-pop cruise ship to the outer limits of 21st Century popadelia. WOOG RIOTS: Duo playing with the sounds of Kraftwerk meeting Television Personalities!
Thursday 11 July
LEEROY STAGGGER
Leeroy Stagger is soon to release his 8th studio album `Truth Be Sold` produced by Grammy Award winner Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. Recorded at Portland Oregon''s Mystery Machine Studios `PDX` takes listeners on a journey to the edge of Stagger's Heavy Roots Rock n Roll mind.There is a space floating between pop and punk, between folk and kickass, a sweet spot that Leeroy Stagger inhabits with buoyancy, acerbic wit and ridiculously catchy melodic hooks. Stagger`s music combines tender honesty of the songwriter with a ballsy punk-rock swagger; he isn`'t afraid to call bullshit when he sees it, even when it`s on himself.
Acoustic strumming is balanced with tasty distortion, lilting balladeering with driving pop-punk sweetness. The 11 song album is a mix of brand new songs as well as Berlin''s picks from Stagger'`s demo vault. The beautifully scathing `Cities On Fire` was written 8 years ago but was updated in the studio to document the Occupy Wall Street movement that was gaining momentum while the record was being made.'
Saturday 13 July
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed this evening for a private event.
Thursday 18 July
TAFFY (From Tokyo, Japan)
Tokyo based four-piece Taffy are something of a unique entity in being possibly the only Japanese band this past ten years to stir up any kind of interest in western territories.
Pitching themselves somewhere between the hard candy of The Primitives, wistful experimentalism perfected by the Boo Radleys and elegant new wave of Echobelly and Elastica, Taffy's sophisticated blend of sweet and sour guitar orientated pop has attracted a spate of attention, particularly from the UK.
Signed to London's Club AC30, their debut LP Caramel Sunset is about to hit the shops in a matter of weeks, preceded by limited edition lead single 'So Long' on Record Store Day. ' Everyone's a zinger, baby, that's no lie. And they rattle through them like the music's about to go out of fashion, which is funny because that's never going to happen.' THE GAURDIAN (2013)
Saturday 20 July
THE SORROWS + Hi Class Joes + DJs Alex Fuzz & Craig Steptoe
The Sorrows are considered perhaps to be the archetypal 'Freakbeat' band. Formed in 1963 in Coventry, England, they released their first album 'Take a Heart' in 1965 on the Piccadilly Records label which was a subsidiary of Pye Records. The Sorrows were at the time the hardest, most aggressive and contemporary R&B band of that time, although later this brand of music was eventually termed 'Freakbeat'.
The Sorrows were so edgy and raw they simply made The Rolling Stones seem like easy listening music. Their hallmarks are boomy, raucous vocals, lightning fast guitar solos and frantic thudding drums. The musicianship is excellent yet the band failed to achieve too much success probably due to the fact that their brand of proto-punk rock and roll, was simply too ahead of its time.
Hi CLASS JOES:Playing storming British rhythm and blues, this classy combo will get you moving your feet and shaking your tinfoil/mammoth-wool clad behinds!!! It’s a rave up!!'The fans in the theatre have a fire in their eyes. With an almost contemptuous ease, the Hi Class Joes hit the stage and slam the audience back into their seats. They finished their set of R&B-type numbers with the audience standing and screaming on their seats, begging for more.' Reverend John Charles, Beat Sounds magazine
DJs Alex Fuzz & Craig Steptoe: Damn good garage and freakbeat sounds!
Friday 26 July
MILES HUNT & ERICA NOCKALLS
(The Wonder Stuff)+ Dirty Ray (Immaculate Fools)
Over the past 20 years The Wonder Stuff have notched up 5 top 20 albums and played to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the UK. Best known for their number 1 single with Vic Reeves, Dizzy, the band have performed hundreds of TV shows with their 17 top 20 singles and made 2,000,000 sales worldwide. Having played 7 festivals and 2 UK tours in 2006 founder-member and lead vocalist, Miles Hunt, and fiddle player Erica Nockalls have recorded the incredible album `Not An Exit` which has been heralded as Milesfinest work.
Erica brings a new dimension to the set, playing fiddle on classic Wonder Stuff songs as well as on songs that have never featured fiddles before. The strings throughout the entire set show the more roots/folk side of The Wonder Stuffs songs.
By way of introducing each song in the set, Miles recounts stories of life on the road, tales from The Wonder Stuff and life in general. It's a double dose of Miles; the singer-songwriter and monologue-ist!DIRTY RAY: Former Immaculate Fools Frontman Kevin Weatherill plays gritty blues. Influenced by John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Tom Waits, and Nick Cave, Weatherill released his debut album `Primitive` erlier this year.
www.dirtyray.co.uk
Saturday 27 July
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Saturday 03 August
Rescheduled from Sat Jan 19th 2013-All tickets valid
JOHN COGHLANS (Status Quo) 5B`s Band + Peruvian Fighting Sheep
John Coghlan, founder member and drummer with Status Quo from 1962 - 1981, who played on all their biggest hits, including Rockin' All Over The World, Down Down, Whatever You Want, Pictures of Matchstick Men and loads more.
Playing a mixture of Quo classics, album tracks and some of John's favourite songs by other artists, including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Shadows and many more.John will be teaming up again with Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster, the original `Frantic Four` band line-up, are reforming for a one-off, never to be repeated series of UK dates in March 2013.
PERUVIAN FIGHTING SHEEP: Young rockers..
Friday 16 August
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Friday 23 August
THE VIBRATORS
The Vibrators produced without doubt two of the finest pop Punk albums in 'Pure Mania' and 'V2' along with some classic singles along the way.
Yet the band have always, like the Stranglers, been outside the 'Punk' circle of recognition. Their credibility was under scrutiny from the 100 Club Punk Festival with the Sex Pistols to signing with pop producer Mickie Most.
But the Vibrators have always been a great Punk band, and more than just a ramalama 3 chord thrash, with tunes and songs a plenty. Enjoy!
Friday 30 August
THUNDERFEST 2013
Michael McNeil, The Thunderbolt & Omni Beta Events Present:
JOHN E VISTIC + RITA LYNCH BAND + Clayton Blizzard + Evie Woods + Michael McNeil + BEERGARDEN BBQJOHN E VISTIC- John E Vistic Experience were winners of the American Independent Music Award 2005 for best bluegrass and country song, for their song ' Riverboat Blues' Following on from their success in the IMAs, the JEVE went on to release their first alternative country record `Lighting Out For the Territories` through Borders Books (US) and Black Heart Studios (UK). John E Vistic (the band) was the winner of the 'Rockstar 09' competition and they were the first band to be confirmed for Glastonbury 2010, playing the Pilton Party with Dizzy Rascal and Florence and The Machine.
John E Vistic released their first single of their new rock and roll sound in 2010 on Impedance Records (Australia). John E Vistic shows are known for their raucous rock and roll and unrelenting live performance.
They have gigged with The Alabama 3, The Jim Jones Revue, C.W Stoneking, MC Rut, and The Bookhouse Boys, as well as playing many UK festivals, such as Glastonbury, Trowbridge, Secret Garden, Shambala, and the Bulldog Bash.They have received airplay on BBC Radio by Tom Robinson, BBC Bristol and Triple R in Australia. The latest John E Vistic album, Modern Love, produced by Paul Corkett was released to wide acclaim!RITA LYNCH BAND: Passion, fear, danger and narcotics pack this new offering from Bristol’s veteran blues-punk goddess Rita Lynch so tightly you’re slightly surprised not to find blood oozing from the jewel case. It’s raw and unprocessed stuff, built around Lynch’s fierce guitar and chafing, shapeshifting voice - one minute she is a frightened child crooning herself to sleep, the next a firebrand working herself up into a frenzy - but always pushed along by a simmering, propulsive beat. The comparisons with ‘Dry’-era PJ Harvey are well-worn but bear repeating: listen to ‘Valium’’s jerky, obsessive 'He’s my prince/He’s my king/He’s my future/I’m gonna love him' and try not to think of ‘O Stella’. ‘He Talks Me Down’, meanwhile, evokes no less an uncombed, unhinged god than ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’. (Anna Britten: VENUE MAGAZINE 2013)
CLAYTON BLIZZARD (solo) Singer, MC, poet, writer, agitator and cheekylittlebrother from Bristol.An acoustic folk rapper, beguiling of lyric and intricate of instrumentation, Blizzard mashes folk and hip hop like the long-lost cousins they are, seeing and showing that the characteristics are the same, even though the accents are different.WOLFHOUND:All female electro/acoustic guitar based band with an original melodic mix of folk, pop, rock and blues with a little country thrown in!
EVIE WOODS Band: ' With a refreshing narrative approach to songwriting, often exiled in those dollar making choruses...Evie Woods has the ability to steer her songs in any way she pleases' #8203;Fear Of Fiction, October 2012MICHAEL MCNEIL: To kick us off, a solo acoustic set from the event organiser.
BEERGARDEN BBQ: Burgers,Salads and Veggie options.All served from 7.30pm-10.30pm.
Saturday 14 September
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Saturday 21 September
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Wednesday 25 September
DAVEY ARTHUR: 'Ireland`s Leading Folk Musician'
DAVEY ARTHUR is famous for being one of Ireland’s most successful, talented and influential working musicians with over 40 of his compositions being recorded and performed by some of the finest artists and bands ever to grace the world stage. Although still touring widely with The Fureys, Davey also enjoys great success with his own show ' AN EVENING WITH DAVEY ARTHUR & FRIENDS'
Thursday 26 September
JOHNNY DOWD
Singer/songwriter Johnny Dowd was almost 50 when Wrong Side of Memphis, his debut solo record of wracked country-folk-rock tunes, drew comparisons to Nick Cave in the alternative press. To a degree, that parallel was justified, as Wrong Side of Memphis devoted itself to murder songs and tales of doomed sinners.
Dowd had grown up in Texas, Memphis, and Oklahoma before operating a trucking business in upstate New York, and his songs veered close to the source of American creepiness. Yet gallows humor and Dowd's crackly voice tended to undercut any traces of self-importance, while his debut album -- dominated by his singing and guitar, yet featuring spooky dabs of organ and synthesizer that placed him outside of the rootsy Americana camp -- immediately established Dowd as an important cult figure whose weirdness seemed to be wrought from true experience.
Thursday 03 October
3 BONZOS AND A PIANO (Rescheduled from Oct 17th)
The founder members of the truly legendary Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band promise a surreal evening of music and mirth, with their psychedelic take on music hall, rock n roll and jazz. This is panto for adults, with robots, unsuitable medical technology and ancient theatrical props.
Formed in a distant 60s art school by great British eccentric Vivien Stanshall, The Bonzos provided the missing link between the Goons and the Pythons with such classics as 'Urban Spaceman', 'Jollity Farm', 'Hunting Tigers Out In India', 'Monster Mash' and 'Can Blue Men Sing The Whites?'
Comedians Stephen Fry and Adrian Edmondson have proclaimed the Bonzos as “our heroes!`. Eddie Izzard and Bill Bailey acknowledge them as a formative influence and `they're as sharp today, both musically and satirically, as they ever were`(Shindig).Inspired by their motto 'if you don't rehearse, it can't go wrong', expect a show `so packed with entertainment it remains a beguiling mystery, a joyful triumph` (Who's Laughing Now).
Friday 04 October
IAN MCNABB(Icicle Works)
Former The Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb joins the Thunderbolt line-up with a formidable back catalogue and series of accolades already behind him. With his 1994 Mercury Music Prize nominated album featuring the legendary Crazy Horse as his backing band, comparisons to Neil Young are obvious, but with an intrinsic knack for melody you have a feeling McNabb may still be just getting started.
`The sweetest guy in rock'n'roll - a legend as far as I am concerned.` - Alan McGee
Thursday 10 October
Pub Rock Legends!
EDDIE AND THE HOTRODS + DJ BruceEddie and the Hot Rods began life in 1976, when four teenagers from Southend on Sea got together and playing their own style of fast energetic rock and roll / r'n'b, were soon a big hit on the London pubrock scene. Catching the eyes and ears of the music press and the major record companies, they were soon signed up by the legendary Island Records and went on to have three hit albums and four top forty UK singles including the Top Ten hit 'Do Anything You Wanna Do'.
There have been numerous TV appearances worldwide and they have filled almost every major venue in the UK. A success in the USA too, they have toured alongside The Ramones, Tom Petty, The Police, Squeeze and Talking Heads.
Still led by the 'very Rock n Roll' Barrie Masters, for the last 15 years the band have been playing all over the world including France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Croatia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, Japan and Russia, as well as four successful tours of the USA in 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2011.They have also found time to record two albums of brand new songs, `Better Late Than Never` in 2004 and the aptly titled, `Been There, Done That...`.in 2006. On the video front, there is a full concert DVD, `Live in London - 2005`, recorded at London Astoria and the soon to be released DVD of the legendary 1977 performance at the Rainbow (details to follow soon).
Saturday 12 October
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Saturday 19 October
THE EMPERIALS
The Emperials are a long running major force on the UK’s Ska scene with a live reputation for fun, entertaining, professional and very lively shows. With an 8 piece line up; the rock solid drums, pounding bass, skanking guitar and Hammond keyboard provide the basis of the band, with the tightest and most energetic brass section in the land adding the blasting horn lines, all topped off by versatile lead & backing vocals.
They`re set consists of their own take on classic ska songs, from the days of 2tone, Trojan and Studio One, they never fail to fill a venue, get the dance floor packed and the crowds singing, dancing and shouting for more!
Saturday 26 October
THE MONOCHROME SET + Rapid Pig
The Monochrome Set are an English post-punk band originally formed in 1978, notable for its witty lyrics, the laconic delivery of lead singer Bid, and the idiosyncratically retrogressive playing style of lead guitarist Lester Square.
Lost in the mists of musical history, the Monochrome Set appeared in the hazy period just after punk and were around for a good two decades, releasing clever albums full of hook-crammed melodies and coloured with a dark sense of humour. Bid’s arch vocals gave the band a wonderful camp quality, and it was probably his lyrical smarts that alerted a young Morrissey to their presence; they were even one of his favourite groups before he formed The Smiths.Other fans include Franz Ferdinand, Johnny Marr, Iggy Pop and Graham Coxon. The Monochrome Set regrouped in 2010 and since then the band have played fantastic shows in the UK, Europe and Japan, as well as releasing their 10th album, 'Platinum Coils', in 2012.
RAPID PIG:Manchester antagonists Rapid Pig have been terrorising, delighting and baffling listeners ever since. Their list of raw materials range from folk to metal, from prog to punk and from funk to honest-to-goodness R'n'R.
Saturday 02 November
THE GODFATHERS
Notoriously 'ard and never ones to suffer fools or mix their words, The Godfathers are back with a vengeance.The Godfathers were formed by Peter and Chris Coyne from the ashes of The Sid Presley Experience in 1985. After acclaimed independent single releases produced by Vic Maile and collected on their debut Link label album `Hit By Hit`they signed to Epic Records in 1987. Touring extensively the UK, Europe and the USA, The Godfathers earned a reputation for their no-holds barred live shows and electrifying brand of primal rock ‘n’ roll. Their guitar-driven alternative rock sound stood out in the electronica-driven music scene of the UK at the time, while laying the foundations for the Brit Pop rock resurgence of the nineties. Particularly Their biggest track “Birth, School, Work, Death” made the top 40 US Billboard charts in the late eighties after heavy US College Radio play but, they were only marginally recognised in the UK. .
The reality is The Godfathers have never played a bad gig. They are too passionate about their work and too loyal to their crowd to leave anything to chance. The Godfathers live performances are hour long thunderbolts of pure passionate rock 'n’ roll, with influences varying from Johnny Cash to Dr Feelgood to the Sex Pistols and all specially delivered with a 'Best of British’ stamp of approval.
Thursday 07 November
THE BLOW MONKEYS
With hits like 'Digging Your Scene' and 'It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way', The Blow Monkeys epitomised the glamour of mid-80s pop at its most graceful and sophisticated. The band’s frontman Robert Howard penned witty, incisive songs with three immensely talented musicians in bassist Mick Anker (he of the trademark bowler hat), saxophonist Neville Henry and drummer Tony Kiley.
Shortly after the release of their Springtime For The World album in 1990 the band split up and for a while in the 90s, Dr. Robert worked on his solo career.
In 2008, The Blow Monkeys got back together and have just released their third studio album since doing so. The album, entitled, ‘Feels Like A New Morning’, might just be their strongest album to date, fanfared by the groove-driven anthem ‘Oh My’.Feels Like A New Morning inhabits a refreshed, creative atmosphere, suffused with a desire to inspire that produces some frequently dazzling musical gear shifts, underpinning a set of sharply-crafted and mature songs.They will continue to promote their new album Feels Like A New Morning throughout 2013 with further single releases and live shows including summer festivals and a comprehensive UK tour in November… taking in the Thunderbolt on the 7th!
Saturday 09 November
PRIVATE EVENT
The Thunderbolt is closed for a private event!
Thursday 14 November
MARK MORRISS (The Bluetones)
90's brit pop star Mark Morriss found fame fronting The Bluetones, and in more recent years he has established himself one of the UK's finest solo acoustic raconteurs. Now, for the first time, Mark plays the Thunderbolt on his UK tour.
Expect classic Bluetones tracks mixed between both previously released and new material from the artists solo back catalogue in an evening of exceptional live music not to be missed!
Friday 06 December
KIRK BRANDON (Spear of Destiny)
Kirk Brandon as the leader of post-punk combo Theatre Of Hate, he hit the top 40 with the haunting single ‘Do You Believe In The Westworld’. Theatre Of Hate split up after just one album (‘Westworld’) but Brandon took his trusty bassist Stan Stammers into Spear Of Destiny, who released a series of fine albums in ‘Grapes Of Wrath’, ‘One Eyed Jacks’ and ‘World Service’. ‘One Eyed Jacks’ is considered a classic by many.
Brandon has experienced setbacks in the recent past, but is currently going through one of his most active periods for many years, a new studio album in the can, a box-set on the horizon and a tour by the current line-up of Spear Of Destiny.Kirk brings his acclaimed solo acoustic show to the thunderbolt for the first time.We cant wait!
Saturday 21 December
The REGZ Festive Feast 2013
The REGZ bring their annual Festive Feast to the Thunderbolt for the very first time. This is sure to be the start of your Christmas celebrations, bringing the ultimate party to the fun loving people of Bristol!
This nine piece band (including a full brass section!!) cover Soul/ Ska/ Funk and Pop with un-believable energy, enthusiasm, a sense of humour and a touch of glamour!
The REGZ will take you from The Specials to Mr Otis Redding, James Brown to Aretha Franklin with all the Soul and inspiration from the wonderful Motown, Stax and Rude Boy Ska days!!After a long, hot summer of Festivals and private bookings, this event is a very popular occasion as a big thankyou to all of the people who have supported the band throughout the year (and a big `hello` to those of you who have yet to experience a REGZ party!!)
Don't forget to tell your friends as well!!