5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

A New Band Rises at Staines

Five Foot Something at Staines

Five Foot Something
Feb 19 2009
Hobgoblin
Staines


Of all the chances?  The Goddess of music works in strange and mysterious ways- Tis True, Tis True…our favourite STAINES local guitar/vox hero Ravi K (Succotash etc. etc) bumped into his new neighbour – Robert Hart- they had never met before. Robert was carrying his guitar and amp to his car.

Their conversation went along similar lines to this; Ravi “Do you play guitar?” Robert “Does the pope wear a silly hat and a bear defecate in the woods?” Ravi “Me too re: the hat (and guitar)- though I don’t poo under the trees”. And thus, Five Foot Something were born.

Robert hauled in friend Warren who is a mean bassist and later Jamie heard what was going on and wanted ‘in’ too….This is their inauguration – so we want a big turn out at The Hob (but they have been rehearsing like crazy) the sound is kinda mixed up but there are funky vibes, punky roots and elements of just about every musical style that washes over these local boys. But, be sure of this, the music will make you stand up and go crazy – this is no ‘covers band’ it is an original STAINES sound…

Robert Hart (Lead guitar, backing vox and ambience), Jamie Heath (drums), Ravi Kasinathan (Lead vox and rhythm guitar) and Warren Pegley (Bass)

Link:

www.myspace.com/5footsomething

If you manage to miss ‘em in  STAINES this week (PLEASE DON’T) then you could catch ‘em at:

Mar 28 2009      8:00P The Red Lion, Egham
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Five Foot Somehing will be supported by LOS + CHERRY BRAKEWELLS (more of that below)

2.

Sensational Trio with a 60′s & 70′s sound – Staines

Cherry Brakewells at Staines

The Cherry Brakewells
Feb 19 2009
Hobgoblin
Staines


You could say The Cherry Brakewells were born in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The girl rock trio from London would probably have been more at home in Memphis or Louisiana circa 1966 as their influences are based firmly in the late sixties and early seventies with bands like the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream and Led Zeppelin.

The Cherry’s were formed in 2002 originally called ‘Red’. After three years of playing the small gig circuit they decided to go their separate ways.

Shay set out for the USA, looking for a new direction, collaborating as a songwriter on various projects. The high point was Tina Tuner recording one of her songs for the album ’24/7′.

Chi, meanwhile went back to her successful modelling career, strutting her stuff around the worlds most glamorous catwalks, in her time off playing drums with her Family’s band, like a noughties equivalent of the Partridge Family.

As for Monique, she took time out to follow her other passion running a vintage American clothes shop in Camden, while still jamming with a couple of local bands on the circuit.

A year passed since the band split and the girls began missing each others’ company, all sharing a sense of unfinished business to take care of. After many long distance calls they got together in London to re-form the band changing the name to Cherry Brakewells along the way. A chance meeting with a producer led to a recording contract with the girls going into the studios to cut their debut album “First Bite”.

www.myspace.com/cherrybrakewells

Also at:

Feb 20 2009      Belushi’s (Camden)     London
Mar 03 2009      South of the Border     London


3.

Classic Indie & Rock Covers – Windsor

Grouper at Windsor


Grouper
Feb 20 2009
Old Ticket Hall
Windsor

GROUPER are a professional and dynamic 4 piece contemporary and classic indie rock and pop band.Featuring an incredible line up of international touring musicians of the highest quality, the band playguitar based hits from Travis to U2, Blur to Snow Patrol, Coldplay to The Killers, The Beatlesto The Stones and many more legendary artists and groups.

GROUPER have fast become the first choice for those seeking fresh and entertaining music for their wedding reception, corporate event or party. The band have a wealth of experience, having entertained clients worldwide at a wide range of wedding venues and high profile corporate events for the last seven years.

GROUPER have worked for a number of high profile clients including Pearson Education, NSPCC, The British Army,Citigroup, OXO Tower Restaurant, Warwick University and have played at most of the major London hotels
as well as stately homes and castles across the UK. They have performed at Disneyland Paris, at a large privateparty in Portugal, a multi-national corporate event in Dubai and at the end of 2007 performed at Wembley Arena
for the historic NFL American football match.

THE OLD TICKET HALL, WINDSOR, SL4
Cost: £3
LIVE BAND + DJ PLAYING 80’s & 90’s HITS – BAR OPEN TILL 2AM


Link:

http://www.grouperband.co.uk/

4.

Stunning Jazz & Latin Singer – Live in Ascot

The Strange Deal

The Strange Deal
Feb 21 2009
Old Ticket Hall
Windsor

Playing mainly British rock, punk & indie covers from the 60s to date, The Strange Deal are a hard-working 4 piece who have been gigging regularly in the Reading/Wokingham area since April 08.

They aim to strike a balance between playing numbers that are familiar to most punters with some slightly lesser known tracks that we feel deserve an airing ! So if you enjoy the music of The Who, Paul Weller, Oasis, Kaiser Chiefs & many others, check out The ’Deal – go on, you know it makes sense. + DJ PLAYING 80’s & 90’s HITS – BAR OPEN TILL 2AM

Link:

www.myspace.com/thestrangedeal




5.

Exciting Local Alt Rock Band- in Staines

Demure at Staines

Demure
Feb 22 2009
Hobgoblin
Staines


“…Demure songs have a charm and a hummable charisma that speaks of anguish, truth, unity and vulnerability. These bitter-sweet melodies are given lush and sonically-ambitious backdrops by the crew and especially by Philip Price whose tones and strings are very memorable and are the sign and seal of a genuinely unique product…. Very reminiscent of Pearl Jam with grungy guitar, contrasting song dynamics, a pulsating and luminous lead meandering through the tune and anguished lyrical and vocal content leading to dramatic conclusions…. The band plays Alt Rock in the conventional sense but with overtures towards noise rock, especially in the way the percussion and the bass are given the freedom to spread out their wings and have dissonant aural adventures of their own, but framed within the main architecture each song. This reminded me of ‘Sonic Youth’ or ‘Butthole Surfers’…”

© Neil_Mach 2009

check the ADPONTES-STAINES live review here>>>

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/demureuk

-Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts-

5 Things- This Week in Staines

1.

Foulplay Unveils New Axeman – in Egham

Foulplay at Staines

Foulplay Dec 13 2008      9:00P The Red Lion     Egham,

The boys are back in town, but this time there’s something a little different about them; something in the form of new lead axeman, Sal Salgado.

As former guitarist Pete Downes takes a leave of absence to accompany a manned flight to Mars for the next ten years, Sal steps in to fill Pete’s shoes, and boy does he do it with aplomb!

Larger than life, with a mop of permed hair, a steely Teutonic accent and a staggering array of gut-busting guitar licks (not to mention a fine pair of leather trousers), Sal was born of Dravidian and Iberian heritage and raised by wolves in the forests of Eastern Europe. There, he learned to howl at the full moon and eat rabbits before moving to the city and studying music, taking only a few months to overcome his habit of raiding the neighbourhood bins at night.

Sal has a passing resemblance to Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzie fame, but there the similarity ends. Sal sings like Barbara Streisand, plays like Slash and dresses like Liberace. He’s a man with a colourful past, and a technicolour future; and combined with Foulplay, he’s simply unstoppable!

Sal joined The Foulplay just weeks ago and has been feverishly learning the set with the guys in the studio. Now, the four are ready to unleash themselves on their unsuspecting fans, and they intend to do it on Saturday 13th December at The Red Lion in Egham. The moon will be full, and Sal may let out the occasional blood-curdling howl. But the music will be powerful and the moment memorable.

Links

http://www.myspace.com/foulplayuk

Don’t miss it – it’ll be historic!

But if you do,  check them at:

Dec 19 2008     9:00P The Jolly Farmer     Staines

Dec 20 2008     9:00P  Ye Olde Swan     Burnham

2.

Sensational Theatrical Artistic Duo- in Staines

Bitter Ruin Staines


Bitter Ruin

Dec 12 2008      8:30P The Hobgoblin     Staines £3

Bitter Ruin are an explosive, theatrical acoustic duo with grasping lyrics filthy with energy and anger. Renowned for their intense and dramatic live performances, their audiences are mesmerized by Georgia’s vicious, complex vocals and are left desperate to hear more of Ben’s brutal vocal attack and cutting, jagged acoustic guitar.

A relatively new act on the scene, they have been performing together for only 18 months, have released their first EP featuring such inspiring tracks as ‘Trust’ and ‘Chewing Gum’, and as soon set to release their new album at the end of October.

Georgia and Ben are from opposite ends of the UK. Their influences are similarly from opposite musical counties. While Ben draws his serene and engrossing tone from Jeff Buckley, Georgia punches quirky outbursts tainted by Regina Spektor and Kate Bush. However the duo has obviously adjusted their ear drums to gorge on each others inspirations and have skillfully combined their crowning credentials to hatch an addictively juiced sound and frenzied drama.

Links

http://www.myspace.com/bitterruin


3.

A Galaxy of Dancefloor Funk & Soul

Dallas Meteors - Old Ticket Hall, Windsor

Dec 12 2008      9:00 THE DALLAS METEORS     old ticket hall WINDSOR

The Dallas Meteors owe their name to their beautifully soulful and powerful lead singer Dallas Ayres. Their music is a collection of deep funky grooves from the archives of rare US funk spiced with their own deep funk and soul compositions. The band use valve amps and classic instruments to produce a vintage dance floor set full of great vocals, ringing funky wah guitar, hook-laden hypnotic bass, and subtly smokin’ drums

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/thedallasmeteors

4.

Fab Five Flying Indie/Folk in Staines

Moscow Flyer at Staines

Moscow Flyer Dec 9 2008      8:00P Boileroom     Guildford

Tcatch them at Staines on 12th at The Hob

Indie / Alternative / Folk

Moscow Flyer was formed in October 2007 by five boys and a girl all fed up with the mundane routine of modern life, and all with a shared need to make music. Based in Farnham, an embarrassingly conservative town on the Surrey/Hampshire border – a place where rock stars go to die and pensioners go to shop, with countless pubs but little in the way of live entertainment – Moscow Flyer is on a mission. It doesn’t know what it is yet but when it finds out you’ll be the first to know. Moscow Flyer likes drinking and poetry and sweat and volume and shouting about things being crap and making lists and getting lost just trying to live and hoping to god that it may one day get to leave this town for good. In the meantime it meets once a week with a myriad of instruments (and a vast record collection) to write new songs and, slightly less often, play them to other people.

Moscow Flyer takes influences from everyone, everywhere and everything… folk music, indie music, rock music, pop music. Films. The classics. Tea. Biscuits. Beer. Nature. Wildlife. Theatre. Cars. Medicine. Cakes. The internet. So please, come along next time Moscow Flyer is in your town. Watch with intent and applaud with gratitude. Simple creatures Moscow Flyer may be, but ones intent on creating noises that will get inside your head and leave you wanting more.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/moscowflyermusic


5.

Top Local Folk Duo- at Walton-on-Thames

Kindred Spirit (duo) Walton

Kindred Spirit

Dec 12th  Walton-On-Thames, Ruby’s, 29 Bridge Street, 8.30pm

Folk Rock / Progressive / Psychedelic

Kindred Spirit are renowned for their stunning takes on some classic tracks and will take your breath away with an incredible version of Bob Dylans, All Along The Watchtower. The stunning nature of the treatment of these tracks is due to the hauntingly beautiful and deeply emotional voice of Elaine enhanced by the extraordinary flute playing of Annie Parker in combination with the phenomenal violin playing of Gavin Jones.

Singer / songwriter / guitarist, Elaine Samuels began singing in folk clubs at the age of just 14 and is known on the folk / acoustic circuit as a powerful solo performer, having performed at folk clubs and festivals the length of the country and having been featured on radio and television a number of times.

Elaine with Gavin, Annie, Mike and Alan play as the completely live, electrifying band, Kindred Spirit; featuring Elaine’s beautiful vocals, powerful songs and guitar playing, Annie’s brilliant flute and sax playing plus lovely harmony vocals, Gavin or Sim’s incredible violin playing, Mike’s driving bass guitar playing and Alan’s expert drumming.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/kindredspiritukband

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-Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts-

5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

Heavy Classic Rock Masters – in Staines

Netherworld at Staines

Netherworld Nov 28 2008      8:00P Staines Riverside Club     Staines £3

Fronted by the awesomely talented Jason Stretch on vocals and guitar, backed by the brilliant bass playing and vocals of Paul Smith and the dynamic drumming of Ian Roberts, NETHERWORLD ROCKS. Covering the best classic rock songs known to this planet, this three-piece bring their wealth of professional talents together for this new project.

Previous gigging and recording credits include ; Bad II The Bone, British Lion, Steve Harris (Iron Maiden),Hal Lindes(Dire Straits) Neil Murray(Whitesnake,Black Sabath) Reload, The Dhogie Band and Phil Mogg (UFO).

You will not fail to be impressed by the superbly tight musicianship of these three heavyweight players

Links

www.myspace.com/netherworldrock

Also check them at:

Nov 29 2008     8:00P The Cardinal Wolsey     East Molesey Surrey
Nov 30 2008     6:00P The Dog & Partridge     Middlesex, London and South East
Dec 5 2008       8:00P Ye Old Swan     Burnham, Berkshire,

2.

Big Rock/Punk Sounds – in Staines

Her Enemy


HER: ENEMY Nov 27 2008      8:00P The Hobgoblin *with nixa*     Staines £3


Links

http://www.myspace.com/herenemy


3.

Hot Dance – Latin and Jazz – Live at Ascot

palenke at Ascot

Palenke      Saturday, 29th November  8:45P   Jagz Ascot £8

Columbian band with a passionate Latin repertoire. Back by incredible popular demand, Adrianna and her fellow Salsa partners are back and ready to shake Jagz from its very foundations! Palenke, Londons leading Latin American Dance band, was born in 1990 to the collective talents of Fernando Suarez – Kinacho and Lisandro Zapata from Colombia. Both are highly professional performers and are widely experienced in the Latin and Jazz scene. The Bands eclectic repertoire is passionate, dynamic and eminently danceable: from the characteristically hot blooded tempos of Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Lambada, the traditional folk rhythms of Colombian cumbia and Dominican Merengue, to the latest Caribbean Reggae and universally popular Spanish style Gypsy Kings.

Saturday, 29th November
Show will start at 8.45
Ticket cost: £8.00
Doors open from 7pm. £26 for 2 courses and entrance (£30 for 3 courses). Entrance for the bands is £8 but is strictly limited and on a first come first served basis. Entrance for dining or just the band INCLUDES free entrance to the nightclub

Links:

http://www.palenke.co.uk/

4.

Smooth Jazz Piano at Ascot

John Donaldson Quartet

John Donaldson Quartet Sunday, 30th November    Lunchtime     Jagz Ascot

The winner of the piano category at the 2006 British Jazz Awards

Jazz gigs began when he was a student in 1978. He was part of the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club’s resident trio, backing visiting guest soloists in the city. In 1980 he won the prize for best soloist at the San Sebastian International Jazz Competition.

In 1982 he moved to California . He worked there and gigged with local notables including Eddie Henderson, Red Holloway, John Handy, Richie Cole, Paul Jackson and David Baker as well as working in groups alongside Larry Grenadier, Jeff Ballard, Donny McCaslin, and Louis Romero.

Since returning to England in 1993 he has worked with many of the leading musicians on the British scene including groups led by Iain Ballamy, Art Themen, Clark Tracy, Alan Barnes, Don Weller, Dick Pearce and Norma Winstone.

Sunday, 30th November
Show will start at 1pm to 3.30pm
Ticket cost: £6.00
Special – entrance and roast lunch £12.

‘With remarkably little publicity or fuss John Donaldson has emerged as one of Britain’s most exciting jazz pianists with his own distinctive style’
Dave Gelly. The Observer.



5.

Top Unsigned Act of  the Year- at Staines

Nixa at Staines

Nov 27 2008      8:00P The Hobgoblin *with HER:ENEMY*     Staines £3

“One of the top 10 unsigned acts in the UK”
Metro National Newspaper

Rock / Tropical

Nixa are rock. They’re here to remind you that despite reality TV, plastic indie tat, the cult of celebrity, and production-line pop, ultimately it’s still all about the music. They write great songs, and have a lot of fun while they’re doing it – and that’s their manifesto. Fundamentally, they just love music and want music to love them back, and as a result they have so many riffs that they’re currently being investigated by The Monopolies Commission. Multi-layered and yet accessible to anyone who’s ever felt adrenaline surge through their veins, Nixa songs combine addictive melodies, intertwining vocals, riotous screaming, ferocious guitars, pulsing drums, and dirty bass to create an energetic morass that climbs the walls and rips the roof off. Nixa was born in the summer of 2006 after a massive gangbang involving Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Soulwax and Death Cab for Cutie: the custody battle still rages…

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/nixaspace

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-Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts-

5 Things- This Week in Staines

1.

Travel to ‘Havana’ in Woking

Havana Rakatan - Woking

Havana Rakatan, Woking Theatre Tue May 13-Sat May 17 2008


A dazzling dance spectacular direct from Cuba
Havana Rakatan – Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 May 2008 New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Direct from a sell-out run last summer in the West End, Havana Rakatan is now bringing all the heat of a Cuban summer to Woking. From the sexy, spontaneous rumba to the slick footwork of the cha-cha-cha, this is a show that’s guaranteed to get head’s nodding and feet-tapping. Featuring one of Cuba’s most popular bands live on stage, this is a captivating and colourful journey through the dance and music of a truly unique country.

Box Office: 0870 060 6645

2.

Go into the Enchanted Woods at Sunbury

Into the Woods


Into the Woods- Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury, 14th – 17th May £8

A Musical by Stephen Sondheim

Riverside Youth Theatre
14th-17th May 2008
Riverside Arts Centre

Into the Woods is an award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Bernadette Peters’ performance as the Witch, and Joanna Gleason’s portrayal of the Baker’s Wife, brought acclaim to the production during its original Broadway run.

Inspired by Bruno Bettelheim’s 1976 book, The Uses of Enchantment, the musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales and follows them further to explore the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from the stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, tied together by an original story involving a Baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, and including references to several other well-known tales.

A revival at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Studio in Covent Garden (with Clive Rowe) had a limited run from June 14 – June 30 2007. This is the second Sondheim musical to be staged by the company, following 2003′s Sweeney Todd.

This performance is brought to you by the Riverside Youth Theatre at Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury-on-Thames
Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th May 2008 at 8pm Tickets £8
Box Office: 01932 779686

Riverside Arts Cente
Sunbury-on-Thames
59 Thames Street
Sunbury

links:

http://www.riversidearts.co.uk/

http://www.sondheimguide.com/woods.html


3.

Go to chuckle at Walton- Comedy Night

Rob Deering at Walton

Comedy at Walton, Rob Deering & Co, Riverhouse Barn, Fri 16th May 8PM

Comedy at Riverhouse Barn
Gallery Studio
Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames KT122PF

Box Office 01932 253354

Local lad Rob Deering has been described as one of the leading stand-ups of his generation [Time Out] working since 2000 and a favourite at the Edinburgh Festival since 2003. Rob is famous for his ‘classic rock’ based routine and observational humour seen from a 30′s something perspective.

At the mike:

Rob Deering, Dan Atkinson & Kevin Bridges
Friday 16th May 8pm

also, note your diary for 20th June…

John Gordillo, Noel Britten & Steve Williams
Friday 20th June 8pm

http://www.riverhousebarn.co.uk/

4.

Go to see the Fourmustgetbeers Playing at Slough

The Fourmustgetbeers at Slough

The Fourmustgetbeers- Sat 17 May Rising Sun, Slough 2008

The Fourmusgetbeers are establishing themselves as one of the best bands on the pub scene around the West London area. After a number of personnel changes the line up now consists of, Mitch, vocals/guitar, and Paul bass/vocals, Andy lead guitar, Dave drums, and featuring Oded keyboards. The boys play covers covering four decades, classic rock to punk ,funk and always the unexpected songs that make you go (I know this one! What the hell is it called?) They play for fun and have fun playing, which reflects in their superb live performances.

If you like The Rolling Stones, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Thin Lizzy, Van Halen, Whitesnake, The Clash, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, ACDC, ZZ Top, Ozzy, Black Label Society and lots of BEER you should love this!

http://www.myspace.com/thefourmusgetbeers


5.

Listen to the Sound of Youth

Camberley Youth Orchestra

16 & 17 May 2008 at 7:30 pm Camberley Theatre, Knoll Road, Camberley

Camberley Youth Wind Orchestra

Date: 16 May 2008 – 17 May 2008
Starts at: 19:30
This event will be held at: Camberley Theatre, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3SY

Friday 16th May – In Support of The Rotary Club of Camberley – 7.30pm
Saturday 17th May – Celebrating 25 Years of Making Music – 7.30pm

Come and enjoy these talented young musicians play a variety of music – Big Band Style!

Please note: Tickets cannot be booked through the normal Box Office, only by calling Mike Wells on 01276 506788

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Get Your Tickets for Beck Theatre, Hayes



The Beck Theatre
Grange Road
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 2UE