What's On
ALL NIGHTS ARE FREE UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
Monday 06 February
Ash Keys Music Presents
GRANDPA BANANAGrandpa Banana (the artist formerly known as 'Bannana') was a co founder of the legendary East Coast 60's band The Youngbloods.
Now known largely for his bluegrass material as well as original songs and great interpretations of well known songs. Recent album with an all star cast contributing.
Tuesday 07 February
Ash Keys Music Presents
OXOx began in the smokey confines of East-side Vancouver’s Profile Studios- as songwriter Mark Browning’s project to remake Woody Guthrie’s ‘Dust Bowl Ballads’. What started as a musical history excercise and sonic experiment quickly transformed into an intimate expression of rambling folk soundscape mixed with indie rock.
Wednesday 08 February
JOOLZ DENBY + Steve Pottinger
Joolz Denby is a one-woman whirlwind, an icon of the counter-culture whose powerful and uncompromising work consistently documents her truth and life as only she can see it.
For over thirty years she has earned a living as a poet and writer. Along the way she#700;s packed out the theatre tent at Glastonbury festival, been the guest poet on Mark Radcliffe#700;s Radio 1 show, and been short-listed for the prestigious Orange Prize for Literature. She#700;s performed around the world, and in pubs and clubs the length and breadth of the UK. It has always been on her terms, under her own steam, with no management.
It is, by any standard, a remarkable achievement. February 14th sees the publication of her latest novel, #699;Wild Thing#700;, a haunting tale of love and obsession which is already garnering rave reviews. To celebrate its release, Joolz is doing what she does so well: taking her poetry and spoken-word out on the road. Expect poignant tales, riotous anecdotes, and burning honesty. With a high probability of acoustic musicians and glitter. Support on these dates will be poet Steve Pottinger.en-gb.facebook.com/JoolzDenby
Friday 10 February
SOUL DRESSING + DJ Vicarius (Can I Get A Witness)
They never let you down. Soul Dressing's brilliant live set, gets the dancefloor jumping and seriously getting it on to their breaky, funky, soulful classics, re-imagined to sound entirely fresh and original. Their re-fix of tunes from Stanley Turrentine to Booker T and the MGs keep the place bumping.
Last time they played The Thunderbolt, having kicked all kinds of arse for 90 minutes, they left the stage to huge applause and a dancefloor full of beaming faces.
Saturday 11 February
JIM JOHNSTON (Album Launch)
Former Monk and Canatella songwriter and guitarist Jim Johnston returns to The Thunderbolt to Launch his debut solo release - an Indie rock epic entwined with tales of love, darkness & resurrection (think Syd Barrett meets Jimi Hendrix and The Smiths). “Voyage of Oblivion” was recorded live in a day and encapsulates vintage, classic rock & Indie sounds of the 60's, 70's and 80's.
The Bristol-based Jim Johnston band will play several exclusive UK dates Winter 2011/2012 in support of the album. If the live shows are anything like the electrifying, acclaimed shows from Johnston's previous band, they will be unforgettable events that are not to be missed.
Wednesday 15 February
SURFACE FESTIVAL
The Surface Festival is a European live music event that brings unsigned bands and artists to the attention of all aspects of the music industry. We are a festival of new music held throughout Europe in aid of discovering and promoting new talent.
Tonights line up is as follows;
19:30 TBC
20:00 TBC
20:30 isolation Metal 4009
21:00 White Collar Boxing Rock 4010
21:30 Brothers GrimmerGrunge/Psych 4011
22:00 The Chase Britpop 4012
22:30 Wreckoning Metal 4013
Thursday 16 February
SURFACE FESTIVAL
The Surface Festival is a European live music event that brings unsigned bands and artists to the attention of all aspects of the music industry. We are a festival of new music held throughout Europe in aid of discovering and promoting new talent.
Tonights line up is as follows;
20:00 Funky Horse Milk Acoustic/Power-Pop/Emo 4015
8.30 Average At Best Pop Punk/Rock 4016
21:00 JCJESUS Post-Punk Desktop Pop 4017
21.30 Tides Of Change Alt/Pop Punk 4018
22:00 Year Of The Thief Indie/Rock 4019
22:30 Unnamed Heroes Rock 4020
Friday 17 February
SURFACE FESTIVAL- SOUTH WEST REGION
The Surface Festival is a European live music event that brings unsigned bands and artists to the attention of all aspects of the music industry. We are a festival of new music held throughout Europe in aid of discovering and promoting new talent. Tonights lineup includes;
19:30 Elithia Metal 4021
20:00 Courson Grunge Hard Rock 4022
20:30 Apherium Hard Rock/Metal 4023
21:00 Breathe Hard Rock 4024
21:30 Silverlith Heavy Rock 4025
22:00 Septic Trauma Death Metal 4026
22:30 Temerus Melodic Metal 4027
Saturday 18 February
SURFACE FESTIVAL
The Surface Festival is a European live music event that brings unsigned bands and artists to the attention of all aspects of the music industry. We are a festival of new music held throughout Europe in aid of discovering and promoting new talent. Tonights lineup includes:
19:30 Pink Crudge Caravan Rock 4028
20:00 Curse You Damn Kids Rock/Pop/Punk 4029
20:30 Syren City Alt/Rock 4030
21:00 Audio Razor Reggae/D&B/Alt 4031
21:30 Spitfire Disco Indie/Pop 4032
22:00 New Rockets Alt/Rock/Indie 4033
22:30 Mortdelamer Alternative/Rock 4034
Sunday 19 February
SURFACE FESTIVAL
The Surface Festival is a European live music event that brings unsigned bands and artists to the attention of all aspects of the music industry. We are a festival of new music held throughout Europe in aid of discovering and promoting new talent. Tonights lineup includes;
18:00 Johnny Edgar Acoustic/SS 4035
18:30 Terhi Indie/Rock/Folk 4036
19:00 The Dowling Thing Funk/Bluegrass 4037
19:30 First Thought Acoustic/Alternative 4038
20:00 Southern Folk Folk/Country 4039
20:30 Subtle Voodoo Elephant Folk/Rock 4040
21:00 Blue Horyzon Folk/Country 4041
I
Friday 24 February
FIRST DEGREE BURNS
FIRST DEGREE BURNS:Eight piece band whose influences stem from the concrete roots of Bristol, via France, Jamaica and much in between.
Channelling a plethora of musical styles and influences, be it Dub, Skank driven Ska, Roots Reggae, Two Tone, Rock, Metal through the all inclusive umbrella of Hip Hop, they’ve created a fusion which they proclaim as “Skip Hop” – up tempo, conscious, d...anceable, invitingly innovative, musically accomplished, eclectic… and most importantly, not taking itself too seriously!
Friday 02 March
BOCA SINGLES CLUB- Hosted by BOCA 45
Launch
*SPECIAL GUEST JOHN PARISH (PJ HARVEY)Boca 45 also known as Scott Hendy, Domino signed Malachai producer and Bristol Hip Hop don Boca 45 rocks up to the bar with a bag of authentic golden era Hip-Hop, from 80's to 90's, Tommy Boy to Cold Chillin' Boca's got it all covered!
Scott new concept is a monthly DJ Club Night celebrating vinyl by playing 45`s only all night...
Scott will invite a special guest every month who has made a big contribution to music nationally and beyond!
Tonites special guest is JOHN PARISH (PJ HARVEY)
JOHN PARISH is a composer/producer/artist/collaborator who over the past fifteen years has contributed to nearly fifty albums, PJ Harvey, Eels & his own bands, & written & recorded music for film, television & stage.
Friday 09 March
Ash Keys Music Presents
SLIM CHANCESlim Chance, the band Ronnie Lane formed when he left the Faces, is treading the boards again. Original members Steve Simpson, Charlie Hart, Steve Bingham, Alun Davies and Colin Davey, joined by Geraint Watkins, are playing Ronnie’s songs in the spirit of the band’s previous incarnations.
This incarnation came together after Charlie Hart and Steve Simpson realized that they were not alone in their lasting affection for Ronnie and their sky-high regard for his songs. Films have been made, celebration concerts staged, articles written, covers recorded.... now for the rebirth of the band!
Saturday 10 March
SURFACE FESTIVAL
The Surface Festival is a European live music event that brings unsigned bands and artists to the attention of all aspects of the music industry. We are a festival of new music held throughout Europe in aid of discovering and promoting new talent. Tonights lineup includes;
19:30 The Fall Of Arcadia Metal/Screamo 4042
20:00 The Night Lights Acoustic 4043
20:30 Speed Pistol Rock 4044
21:00 Fallen Skye Rock 4045
21:30 Mind Museum Rock 4046
22:00 NephiliM Metal/Screamo 4047
22:30 Everest Never Falls TranceCore/Post-Hardcore 4048
Sunday 18 March
RACHEL LYN HARRINGTON & The Knock -Outs
After three critically acclaimed albums in a row, Seattle's country soul sensation Rachel Lyn Harrington heads for the hills with her 4th CD, a collection of all-new all-original old school country ballads, western honkytonk swing and early rock n' roll. She's wrangled up three other gals for this tour of UK, the band comprised of bass, drums, fiddle and guitar. The live show will include a set of the girls' favorite country and rockabilly covers to boot.
Rachel Harrington has toured tirelessly since the release of her 2007 debut, The Bootlegger’s Daughter (Four Stars, Mojo), her follow-up in 2008, City of Refuge (inspiringly original! Q), and 2011's Celilo Falls (Four Stars, Mojo, Q, The Irish Times). She’s played major festivals throughout Europe and the US, made three live appearances on BBC’s legendary Bob Harris Show, and reached millions of listeners through airplay at Starbucks. A 2011 winner in Merlefest's esteemed songwriting contest (previous winners include Gillian Welch and Tift Merritt), this is Harrington's 6th annual tour of the UK but her very first with a full band. Not to be missed!
Sunday 18 March
Ash Keys Music Presents
JAMIE SMITH'S MABONJSM’s music is self-styled, singular and toe-tappingly good – an irresistible blend of world music, Celtic roots and rabble-rousing funk folk, filled with energy, joy and passion. Jamie Smith’s prolific and imaginative compositions take you on a magical whistle-stop Euro tour, with jigs and reels jostling for space alongside other dance-related forms including Breton fest-noz, French mazurka, Galician muinera and even shades of klezmer in an exuberant, feel-good show.
Wednesday 21 March
SEAN TAYLOR
Acoustic Blues of the highest calibre - Sean Taylor is one of the most promising emerging names to come out of London in a long while. His seductive blend of John Martyn-esque Folk/Blues is really turning heads and the interest in him is rapidly beginning to soar.
Sean is having his best year to date in 2011 – with appearances at Celtic Connections, Glastonbury, Cambridge, Secret Garden Party, Summertyne, Chagstock, Wefest, Rhythm & Beautiful Days festivals to name but a few, and with a new CD, PR and a big September tour, his profile and fanbase are constantly increasing.
‘Atmospheric ... fabulous music…’ BOB HARRIS BBC RADIO 2
‘A bluesy devotional intensity that rightly draws comparisons to John Martyn’ Q‘prodigiously talented singer songwriter ... touchstones would be Tom Waits and John Martyn’ R2
Friday 30 March
THE BAND OF HOLY JOY
Forever changing, consistently unique yet, always somehow the same, the Band Of Holy Joy began life as gutter chansoniers using junk shop instruments to propagate a brute romantic madly literate form of dispossessed urban folk music.
Since then the band have scaled a few heights fallen down in one or two gutters, broken up, glued themselves together, toured the world, released a fair few albums for the likes of Rough Trade and fully explored other media by presenting two audio visual song plays: Troubled Sleep at the Shunt Theatre in London 2008 and an Invocation for William Burroughs at the Sorbonne Paris in 2009. They have set up their own label and Internet radio station Radio Joy.
These days the junk shop instruments of old are long gone, and guitars, violins and visuals very much to the fore. But the band continues to write about the same outsider concerns with the same measure of spirit and care and man, they still put on a show. The Band of Holy Joy - forever changing, consistently unique, always the same.twitter.com/!/BandOfHolyJoy
soundcloud.com/band-of-holy-joy
Saturday 14 April
THE MONOCHROME SET + The Stabilisers + Steve Bush & Fran Fey + DJ Gary Smith
Lost in the mists of musical history, the Monochrome Set appeared in the hazy period just after punk and hung around for a good two decades, releasing clever albums full of hook-crammed melodies and coloured with a dark sense of humour. Frontman 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.
Another Monochrome Set devotee was Alex Kapranos who, in his pre-Franz Ferdinand incarnation of Karelia, coaxed Bid out of semi-retirement to produce him. When Franz Ferdinand emerged in 2002 they were bizarrely compared to Gang of Four – a band they sounded nothing like – when their most obvious role model was the Monochrome Set.
The band had formed in 1977 from the ashes of the B-Sides, whose bass player Stuart Goddard decided he would rather be Adam Ant. Initially, both bands shared an audience of freaks who were too bizarre for punk. Then Adam became a superstar.It's clearly time we resurrected the Monochrome Set, arguably the first truly postmodern pop band.
THE STABILISERS:Fueled by the garage band sound of the '60s and the punk attitude of the late '70s, London foursome the Stabilisers began life as a trio. Jon Bott, Francis Braithwaite, and Simon Corbey had been gigging around London to a cult following when Allan Crockford of Billy Childish's band Thee Headcoats and former Prisoners' bass player offered his services as an extra guitarist. The gigs got bigger and Crockford ended up going from hired gun to full-time member. In 2004 they released the album Last Chance Saloon on the Italian label Skipping Musez and the EP Evil Picnic on the Nicotine label, also based in Italy.
The U.K. label Acid Jazz released their 2006 album, Wanna Do the Wild Plastic Brane Love Thing?, a more widely distributed effort that introduced them to many new fans, one of whom was E Street Band member and Sopranos actor Little Steven. Steven signed the band to his Wicked Cool label, compiled tracks from their previous releases, and released them as an entirely different album titled Wanna Do the Wild Plastic Brane Love Thing? in 2007. Crockford's departure in 2009 meant a new recruit was drafted in to take his place. Enter Istvanski, a Croydon based Sudafed addict and former guitarist of punk combo The Satanic Nurses and The Camodes. They have recently recorded a five track EP which is due to be released anytime nowDJ GARY SMITH-The thunderbolt welcomes the ex BBC Bristol Introducing presenter to spin the tunes and compere tonights cracking bill!
Thursday 19 April
Ash Keys Music Presents
State of the Union (Boo Hewerdine & Brooks Williams)In the grand tradition of ‘The Special Relationship’, the State of The Union combines the talents of America and England, producing an end result that is sure to delight fans of hook-laden songs, fiery and emotional guitar playing and soulful vocals.
Their plan was to record an album using vintage mics and equipment live in just 5 days. After a day and a half they realised they had finished. Recorded in the order you hear on the record, the aim was to capture the sound of two guitarists and singers from completely different backgrounds working together in harmony. The result was even better than they had hoped for.
Friday 20 April
IAN PROWSE (Pele/Amsterdam) The Best of tour – `Does this train stop on Merseyside?`
Merseyside hero Ian Prowse has formed two succesful bands 'Amsterdam' and 'Pele'. These days Ian and Amsterdam are a 7-piece riotous ensemble who will spend 2012 promoting 'The Best of Ian Prowse'. The album contains 8 Pele classics, 9 Amsterdam as well as duets with Elvis Costello and Christy Moore and 3 brand new tunes. The shows will reflect Ian's entire career.
The band are aiming to better 2008 which saw them duet with Costello on EMI Records, storm Glastonbury and release the Arm in Arm album which ended up being voted 14th best ever album out of Liverpool by the local press, which when you consider the Beatles released 10 is some feat!
Ian's most famous hit song 'Does this train stop on Merseyside?' (previous single 'The Journey' hit number 32 in the UK charts) was John Peels second favourite tune, John would regularly be too emotional to speak on the radio after playing it.The song itself got a further lease of life as one of the centre pieces of Irish legend Christy Moores latest album which spent 5 weeks at the top spot in his home country.
Ian's first successful band Pele were a huge live draw in the early 1990's and despite only scoring 6 minor hits in the UK managed to chart in Portugal, Holland, Germany and even hit the number 1 spot in South Africa. The famous primary coloured Pele T shirts were everywhere at the time. Ian and Amsterdam's Springsteen-esque live show has wowed the Echo Arena, as well as Glastonbury, and earned them a high profile fan club from Mick Jones, Bob Harris, Chris Addison and Miles Hunt.
Saturday 28 April
GENO WASHINGTON + YO YO BLUES
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.
Amazingly both of these were live albums. Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky Butt Live was in the album charts for 48 weeks of the year 1966 and was only out-sold by The Sound of Music and Bridge over Troubled Water.
Saturday 26 May
60`s Legends
THE PRETTY THINGSIn the early 1960s, three bands led the British Beat Boom: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Pretty Things. But the wildest, most dangerous of them all were the Pretty Things. Their hard-edged blues-rock, influenced by Bo Diddley and Jimmy Reed transformed into psychedelic rock. ‘SF Sorrow’ was the first rock opera, preseding The Who’s ‘Tommy’ by six months, In the intervening years.
The Pretty Things have lost none of their power or edge and are still led by lead singer Phil May and original Rolling Stones guitarist Dick Taylor. Exclusive performance. Support from the young, highly-regarded Malchicks.
Wednesday 30 May
JIM BOB (CARTER USM)
London musician and author Jim Bob is best known as singer with electro punk pop group Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine. Carter released 14 top 40 singles & 7 albums, 4 of which appeared in the top ten of the UK album charts and one that reached number one.
The band split in 1997 but reformed for two massive sell out shows in 2007. This led to more sell out Carter shows in 2008 and again in 2009 and 2010, when they also headlined an unforgettable Beautiful Days Festival.
Jim Bob has released eight solo albums and written songs for Ian Dury and for the 2006 Barbican production of Mark Ravenhill’s Dick Whittington & His Cat.Jim Bob' Carter autobiography ‘Goodnight Jim Bob – On The Road With Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine’ was published by Cherry Red Books in 2004.
Jim Bob’s 7th solo album ‘A Humpty Dumpty Thing’ came with the mini novel ‘Word Count’ – optioned by a Hollywood production company, with a screenplay written by Jim Bob.At the end of 2009 Jim performed with a full orchestra at Hammersmith Apollo as part of Robin Ince’s ‘9 Lessons & Carols for Godless People – it was filmed for BBC 4 and broadcast in January 2010.
Jim Bob’s first full novel ‘Storage Stories’ was published by Ten Forty Books in May 2010 to critical acclaim. In August 2010 he made his Edinburgh Fringe debut in the Ward and White musical ‘Gutted, A Revenger’s Musical’.Jim Bob’s second novel ‘Driving Jarvis Ham’ is published by The Friday Project (Harper Collins) on May 10th 2012.
Thursday 14 June
DR FEELGOOD
Formed on Canvey Island in Essex in the 1970s Dr. Feelgood remains one of the most popular and exciting live rhythm and blues acts in the world. The raw and uncompromising sound and style of their music resulted in the album Stupidity which immediately went to the number one position in the U.K. charts. Dr. Feelgood have also enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Roxette, Back In The Night, Milk And Alcohol, Down At The Doctors, She Does It Right, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator - which gave the group their first gold record. The band continue to tour extensively throughout the world visiting exciting new places and thrilling crowds with the vitality of their live show.
Friday 15 June
Ash Keys Music Presents
TIR NA NOGTir na nOg, the duo formed by Leo O'Kelly & Sonny Condell in Dublin in early 1970, caused somewhat of a sensation both on the folk and rock scenes almost as soon as they landed off the boat train to Britain. Even before signing with Chrysalis Records that summer they already had established themselves in the London folk clubs, with their impromptu appearances and beautiful original songs.
Saturday 22 September
JOHN OTWAY + Alan Clayson
Rock veteran Otway dubbed himself “rock’n'roll’s greatest failure” after many unsuccessful attempts to produce a second hit single to follow his 1977 classic (Cor Baby, That’s) Really Free with Wild Willy Barrett. However, a mere quarter century later, he was back on Top of The Pops with the wonderful disco pastiche, ‘Bunsen Burner’ and back in the charts as a birthday present from his adoring and patient fans. And, more recently, his “Beware Of The Flowers Cause I’m Sure They’re Going To Get You Yeah” voted the seventh greatest lyric of all time in a BBC poll.
John Otway attacks his favourite set list with gusto,leaving plenty of room for anarchy, fun and acrobatics that are his trademark. ‘He’s a cabaret act masquerading as a rock act. He is gleeful, anecdotal, funny and life-enhancing.’