What's On

Friday 03 July
HOWE GELB + Pop Parker
Tucson, Arizona-based musician Howe Gelb is the epicenter and creative force behind the evolving configurations of the band Giant Sand for over a quarter century. `Giant Sand is a mood,` Howe has explained. Gelb’s impressive catalog of music goes back to 1983, and he can easily claim some 40 albums to his credentials as both a band leader and a solo performer. Gelb’s assorted styles of music – from threads of country and the Southwest to infusions of jazz and punk, and whatever other unique sounds happen to be inspiring Gelb to another creative, musical journey of unique notes and beats. `It has to do with the trip rather than the destination,` Gelb says. `Freshly ironic and original` Uncut Magazine www.myspace.com/howegelb www.howegelb.com £7Adv from Bristol Ticket Shop Tel 01179299008 £10 on the Door

Tuesday 07 July
JAZZJAM with Neil Smith House Combo (FREE ENTRY)
Jazz jam with great house band-james morton, sax; neil smith, guitar; greg cordez, double bass; tammy payne, drums all cats and styles welcome, from bossas and ballads to free freakouts. PA, amps drums and guitar supplied. FREE ENTRY

Wednesday 08 July
From Dallas Texas GUTHRIE KENNARD
Guthrie Kennard is one bad ass song writer and this is no mediocre compliment. This man can write a song that is as true as an angel on the witness stand. His songs are intense and none on this album are run of the mill. His gravely vocal performances deliver the songs with such realness that it is hard not to hang on every word. This album is forceful and has a realness very few recordings ever achieve. A winning project. - Five Star Rating, Roots Music Report www.rootsmusicreport.com www.myspace.com/guthriekennard £4 Adv £5 on the door

Thursday 09 July
PETE ROE BAND
In 2006 having all but forgotten his 2:2 in Engineering he released his debut album entitled 'Propeller'. He toured festivals and venues promoting the album including appearances at Glastonbury and the Electric Picnic in Ireland. The stand out track 'Let it go' received a lot of radio play and much acclaim in the local press. In early 2008 he left his small box room at the top of the pub and suitcase and guitar in hand went to London. Looking for session work, he landed a job playing for Laura Marling (now a Mercury Music Prize nominee). In the midst of a hectic schedule that has taken him all over Europe he has recorded a mini album. 'Animals' is a 5 track acoustic record stripped down even more than Propeller. It features just two other musicians - Dave Archer on guitar and Dorian Sutton on double bass. New Mini-Album 'Animals' now available to buy through PayPal £5 + http://www.myspace.com/peteroe http://www.peteroe.com/ TICKETS £3Adv £5 on the Door

Friday 10 July
THE 45`S + Special Guests RITA LYNCH BAND (FREE ENTRY)
THE 45`S:Ace 60`s garage combo featuring the superlungs of Fortune Drives Bobby Anderson.Sir Bob and the guys maximum garage & soul. RITA LYNCH:Rita Lynch has stood on the brink, glanced over into the abyss and dragged herself back. Her songs are an explosion of sexual, religious and social imagery driven by an energy that comes across just as strongly in an acoustic set as when Rita performs with ahttp: www.myspace.com/fortyfivesrockandroll www.myspace.com/ritalynchbristol FREE ENTRY

Wednesday 15 July
THE SUNDAY DOGS + MCDOWELL
THE SUNDAY DOGS: -`loved the tracks you uploaded, 7 white horses is just stunning!` Marie Lennon, BBC Radio Wiltshire `The Sunday Dogs Hicks-EP is billed as a taste of their forthcoming album, This Neck Of The Woods. I want to be first in line for a copy.` - Evening Advertiser `How good were the Sunday Dogs at the 'Hive last night? Well I'll tell you. They were brilliant.` Lazarus @ Green Man Publications www.myspace.com/sundaydogs Spooked folk rock, psych, alt country and baroque pop mesh to create McDowell's exotic kaleidoscope of sound. Visual support comes in the form of vintage lighting effects and moving collage inspired by the music. The band have released a new acoustic album 'The gap in the curtain’ and have lined up promotional dates on which they are joined by Ken Pustelnik of the Groundhogs on drums. www.myspace.com/mcdowelluk ‘Borrowing influences from the past three or four decades and bringing them together with superb musicianship and local hero drummer, McDowell entertained an attentive gathering…the talent and unity in this band are commendable alone’ www.live-music-scene.co.uk £2Adv £3 on the Door

Thursday 16 July
DEAN FRIEDMAN
Dean Friedman first delighted UK audiences with his chart-topping hit, Lucky Stars. The now classic single paved the way for a slew of hits off of Friedman's critically acclaimed album, `Well, Well`Said the Rocking Chair`, including familiar tracks, Lydia, Rocking Chair, Woman of Mine, McDonald’s Girl and Ariel. `An amazing Talent!` - Sun, `Outstanding!`- Record Business; `Songsmith extraordinaire!` - Music Week; `Absolutely Fabulous!` – Hot Press; are just a few of the superlatives used to describe Friedman's unique and original talent. Friedman has since earned a loyal, international following and his music continues to influence a new generation of contemporary artists, inspiring covers and re-workings of his songs by popular groups such as Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds Five and the Blenders. The UK band, Half-Man, Half-Biscuit, even had a hit record with their song, ‘The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman’. (A claim Friedman emphatically denies.) Recently, Friedman has enjoyed a string of internet hits off his album, ‘Squirrels in the Attic’. The fan-funded album has been winning numerous online awards and garnering rave reviews. It contains a batch of hilarious new songs covering a myriad of topics including cloning, Monica Lewinsky, the joys of an illicit herb, and the plight of Koala bears affected by global warming. Friedman will be performing songs from throughout his three-decade career, including familiar, early radio hits and recent fan favorites. Join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant and hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share. www.deanfriedman.com Tickets £12 Adv available through Bristol Ticket Shop Tel 0117929008

Friday 17 July
GKLO + Kovak + DJ Papa G (FREE ENTRY)
GKLO:Stylish vocal driven funk with their influences incorporating D*Note, St Germain, Talking Loud Label, Meters, Curtis Mayfield, Naked Music Label, Roy Ayers. KOVAK: `A glorious indie disco meld of cantankerous old analogue synths and razor sharp buzzing guitar riffs` The Source www.myspace.com/gkaylo FREE ENTRY

Wednesday 22 July
DJUTE
DJUTE play Alternative / Funk / Rock Bristol Venue Magazine - November 2008 Spiky, acid-tongued, funk-tinged, adventurous and structurally smart pop www.myspace.com/djute Tickets £2Adv from Bristol Ticket Shop £3 on the Door

Thursday 23 July
LAST ORDERZ
`The LAST ORDERZ gents have their ears tuned for quality songwriting and are crafting songs with maturity despite their youth. I'll be watching closely... I'm a fan. ` KIERON PEPPER- Drummer with PRODIGY (1997-2007) Western Daily Press - `Who Would Bet Against Them Going All The Way To Become One Of The UK's Top Bands` Evening Post - `Time For The Next Big Thing In Music` Venue Magazine - ` Exuberantly bouncy melodies with touches of ska-lite and classic brit-pop.` (Anna Britten) www.myspace.com/lastorderzband TICKETS £3Adv £5 on the Door

Friday 24 July
VAMOS BAND (FREE ENTRY)
VAMOS are a truly international collective with Spanish, English and French roots. They say ` born as a need to give happiness, movement and love to people. We just want audience to have a good time and do so by playing easy to listen, cheeky, fast rhythmed songs with positive viewing lyrics...for the big and small! Just want to give good times to all, folk, rocky, rumba, latin and also some romance!! www.myspace.com/vamosband FREE ENTRY

Wednesday 29 July
SOME PEOPLE CD Launch
OME PEOPLE have been on the Bristol circuit for about ten years. Originally a four-piece, Mike Bowles & Fran Sinclair now perform their own melodic and innovative compositions as an acoustic duo with occasional guests. Chico Holton from Warminster Radio said `Everybody's music collection should include a copy` of Some People's CDII and SongSmith listed Some People as `making you think about stuff, then making you laugh`. Their large catalogue of thought provoking and insightful songs about love, loss, laughter and life span several CDs and tonight is all about launching the latest, BINOCULARS, available to buy on the night at £5.00. With excellent support from Martin John, another talented singer/songwriter, this should make a night not to miss. £3 on the door www.some-people.com

Thursday 30 July
MY FRIEND FRIDAY + She Tells Lies.............FREE ENTRY...
`A new Bristol based 4-piece playing catchy riff-driven indie/rock/pop. Expect lots of energy and tunes that you'll be humming on your way home!` www.myspace.com/myfriendfriday She Tells Lies:With melancholic electro-acoustic sketches, it's more Elliott Smith introspection than KT Tunstall gusto. Singer Jemima Rose's honeyed Jewel-like vocals rise pleasingly above the purposeful strumming` Venue-2007 www.myspace.com/shetellslies .....FREE GIG...

Friday 31 July
MORTAL Presents THE MOLES + DJ LAW (Free Entry)
Frozen in space by the tail of a comet, THE MOLES have been in stasis in their underground bunker for 39 years. Their psychedelic radiation helmets have only recently been activated by global warming and now these four DUKES OF THE STRATOSPHERE, have come to ply a Supernova of Light, SOUND & Vision with their telepathic ability to beam directly into the frontal lobes of receptive individuals by utilizing their brainbeam. Prepare for a a psychedelic trip to the Planet of Rock! www.myspace.com/themolesuk + DJ LAW will be playing the best of Rock, New Wave and Indie too! Everything from Elbow and Belly to Stiff Little Fingers and Revolting Cocks. It's gonna be anatomical! 8pm - 12am Band at 9.30pm FREE ENTRY

Saturday 12 September
VIC GODARD and the SUBWAY SECT
Punk Gunslinger-Debuted at the legendary 100 Club Punk Festival on Monday 20th September 1976. Sex Pistols' manager Malcolm McLaren had suggested that Vic Godard and his mates should form a band to help swell the number of acts in a line-up that already included the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Vibrators. He was the soul boy, the hip kids' Sinatra and, just maybe, Greatest Living Englishman. During his career, Godard shunned monotony and bandwagon-jumping in favour of innovation. He merged Northern Soul with firebrand guitars, post-war swing with big band; His latter-day material burns brightly and confirms his status as one of the greats.' - Ben Clancy. Subway Sect paved the way for the late 70's post-punk scene. To bring the story up to date, Vic went into the studio earlier this year to rerecord the original 1977 Subway Sect LP with a new line up. The band will be performing at select venues to promote the album playing vintage material alongside classics from the entire Godard canon. SPECIAL GUESTS: The STINGRAYS & THE PIGS Not to be missed. Entry £5 advance, £7 on the door
myspace.com/vicgodard
Bristol Ticket Shop

Saturday 03 October
ALAN CLAYSON &THE ARGONAUTS
There are people around still, who'll tell you that Clayson and the Argonauts were the greatest group ever formed.` Alan Clayson and the Argonauts first performed on the 9th January 1977 at the 100 club, and fast became a traveling rock asylum. Forced out of a venue in Reading at gunpoint, band members in prison or quitting altogether, one going on to co produce `You’re the one that I want` and another to father a future member of Girls Aloud, Alan Clayson and the Argonauts went on to gig all around the country and through the punk era, and a whole host of exciting exploits. From a near lynching in Birmingham, to a punch up in Canning Town, to women clambering on stage to tear of the Clayson’s clothes, it can be expected that a reunion will bring a night of rock and frivolity - 70’s style! www.alanclayson.com 7pm. £5Adv /£7 on the Door

Thursday 22 October
ANDY WHITE
For Belfast-born Andy White it all began when he first heard John Lennon performing Give Peace A Chance, which encouraged him to put his poetry to the sound of his acoustic guitar. Now the singer-songwriter has 12 internationally-released albums to his name, and has worked with the likes of Crowded House’s Finn Brothers and Peter Gabriel. This tour is in support of his 2009 album , which was recorded in his new home of Melbourne, Australia. He was introduced to the city by Tim Finn, who worked with Andy in the supergroup ALT which also featured Liam O Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers. www.myspace.com/andywhitemyspace www.andywhite.com TICKETS:£4 from Bristol Ticket Shop £6 on the Door

Saturday 24 October
WILKO JOHNSON
There’s one thing you can be sure of in 2009: Wilko Johnson, the Essex Assassin, will still be wowing audiences the length of the country with the unique brand of Rhythm’n’Blues-based rock he pioneered with his band, Dr. Feelgood, in the early seventies. The perfect onstage foil for Wilko is bassist Norman Watt-Roy.Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished bass players in the country, Norman shot to fame in Ian Dury & The Blockheads and has contributed his considerable talents to recordings by artists as diverse as The Clash and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. This powerhouse trio is completed by another ex-Blockhead, Dylan Howe. www.myspace.com/wilkojohnson www.wilkojohnson.com £10Adv from Bristol Ticket Shop £12 on the Door

Thursday 19 November
MILES HUNT & ERIC NOCKALLS(The Wonder Stuff)
Miles Hunt has been the singer & guitarist in UK band The Wonder Stuff, since 1986. Still performing & writing with The Wonder Stuff (www.thewonderstuff.com) as well as occasional solo gigs with Erica Nockalls (Fiddle player with The Wonder Stuff). Currently contributing songs to BBC children's t.v show 'Underground Ernie' (undergroundernie.com) and their new album `Catching More Than We Miss` will be out in March 2009. www.myspace.com/theactualmileshunt www.myspace.com/ericanockalls Tickets £7Adv £10 on door

Tuesday 24 November
Alan Clayson

Thursday 26 November
JOHN COOPER CLARKE
After his sell-out show at Thunderbolt we welcome back Manchester’s sharp-dressed, sharp-delivering punk poet John Cooper Clarke. Expect a mix of hilarious anecdotes of life in a Northern town interspersed with machine-gun fast delivery of some of his best poems and some hilarious stand up. www.myspace.com/iamjohncooperclarke www.johncooperclarke.com Tickets £15 from Bristol Ticket Shop

Saturday 12 December
BABEL + Sweet Laredo
Born in Bristol in the UK, Babel started out all kind of small, folky & a bit shy but then fell in dirty love with pounding tamborines and volume knobs. Songs led to concerts, concerts led to the recording two self-financed EPs, 'The Golden Acre EP' & 'The Arc EP'. Both were sold from tables in tiny venues. Some of which reached places far beyond our own postcode. In 2007, People Tree Records of London, UK released the majority of our two EPs to the world on one reasonably priced compact disc & weighty slab of vinyl. The CDs have long gone but there's still some vinyl around if you look hard enough. www.babelmusic.co.uk..... Tickets £3 Adv from Bristol Ticket Shop £5 on the Door

Thursday 17 December
THE SHE CREATURES
The She Creatures are here, their mission: to take over your planet! Comin' at you with their highly infectious rockin' tunes, these Venusian vixens will meld your minds and blast you with their deadly love ray. Inspired by radio waves from 1960’s Earth which only reached Venus last year, they took garage, pop, soul and rock'n'roll and transformed it with their interplanetary energy into sounds that no human can resist. Bringing you intriguing stories of life on other planets, of space madness, man radars and rocket rides. The ultra-sexy Nancy Raygun delivers lead vocals and guitar and eats humans for breakfast - cross her and you’ll be begging for mercy! Princess Slayer is the master of the keys - she may look sweet but she will slay any disobedient earthlings. Haley Comet provides pounding bass rhythms and seductive theremin that will entrance all mortals. The bewitching Elektra Statik batters the drums with the power of Godzilla! All this, and adorned in the sexiest of space-girl uniforms, these are space invaders you will welcome! http://www.myspace.com/theshecreatures £5 ADV from Bristol Ticket Shop £7 on Door