KT Bush Band – not so much a Kate Bush tribute act aasa dedicated and impassioned channelling of that remarkable artist’s work. Featuring original members of Kate Bush’s “KT Bush Band”, back together again to recreate the music that launched a global career. Let’s go back in time (wibble wibble harp crescendo)… In 1977, a group of friends were performing together with a talented young lady whose artistry was soon to be captured in the studio by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, an artist whose unique style was soon to launch her on a record breaking solo career. In 2013 Vick King and Brian Bath reunited to perform some of those early songs again, adding the much loved solo repertoire that developed later. Thus 40 plus years later, The KT Band lives again. Featuring members of Kate Bush’s original band, The K.T. Bush Band  bring Kate’s music to life promising an unforgettable evening of live music. The K.T. Bush Band was formed in 1977 with Kate Bush on vocals and piano, guitarist Brian Bath, drummer Vic King and bassist Del Palmer. They performed many of Kate’s songs such as ‘James and the Cold Gun’, ‘Them Heavy People’ and ‘Oh To Be in Love’ long before they were released on Kate’s seminal first album ‘The Kick Inside’ in 1978. Brian and the team are back on the road with The K.T. Bush Band performing the music of Kate Bush. They are joined by Sallie Anne Hurst on Vocals, Steve Bevan on Bass, Emily Francis on Keys and Pete Turtle on Drums.  Leogang – sounding like a harder edged Lahndan Arctic Monkeys – as though they got a bit of Thin Lizzy pumped thru them perhaps, and a bit of suitably ’78 punkiness. Big bristling indie rock songs with some wild vocalizing and impressive guitar work.

P45 – P45 were formed by Jack Kendal star of ITV’s massive noughties hit TV show Bad Lads’ Army,  no longer Naughty, Jack and co. are a proper working class London band embracing a lot of the nuances and grooviness of their forebears (Madness, Ian Dury, The Kinks, Small Faces) and play a marvellous reggae/ska/punk/new wave/mod combination they have sometimes called Cockney Opera….all done I’m a sweet spot targetting, thoroughly pro stylee. The Bad Cadillacs – punk and new wave covers with loads of fire in the belly. Daddy Those Men Scare Me –     More prosaically down to earth and utterly English in their punk rock approach, the deliriously good Daddies have nearly been doing it as long as Spizz…well not quite, but their Stranglers/Members/Squeeze informed crafted indeed crafty punk pop is a joy we’ve beheld at Buggerbear since oooooh 1994, wowsers.  DJs We Got Killers – big hitting party tunes for Saturday night dancing til late. It’s the best Saturday night out in Camden Town…  

Felicia Lumpz – ‘punk, metal and grime thrown in the grinder’…Hailing from the melting pots of Bradford and Manchester, rocking big riffs, catchy hooks and a live show that will ‘blow your face off’! Debut album “Feel Good Songs For Oblivion” has been receiving rave reviews. Chugging metal and cosmic psych noise plus a thought provoking, powerful presence upfront. on vox…Dead Or Alive go narco metal?! Eoisfar – 3 piece alt rock combo with some sparky syncopation and progressive post punk touches topped off with a nice Johnny Lydon snarl. Somewhere between Muse and contemporary Pil, an interesting band. Vernons Future – nice punchy riddim section and a jangled guitar part with washes of keys and a deep dark vocal that suggests ’80s Paisley Underground bands…all quite psych based and garagey but melodic too. Velour Fog – super heavy grunge psych rock with wonderful slab like riffology.

Open Mic. EVERY Monday sign up at 7pm

I Was The King of Spain: ‘Somewhere between Spike Milligan and Al Murray..’ Author Griff Griffiths writes with a candour and honesty that makes his escapades totally compelling, taking his audience on a literary rollercoaster that prompts in them a raft of emotions. A lifelong mental health sufferer – at one time being institutionalised believing he was indeed the king of Spain – Griff’s stories include… a bizarre drug deal involving Beatles photographer Bob Freeman and Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant in a Marrakech street market! Sexual encounters with one of Kid Creoles Coconuts! Business dealings with the Krays, breaking up a fight with 80s heart-throb, Rick Astley, to saving the life of one of the rap duo Salt-n-Pepa at a London Smash Hits party! Griffiths also co-produced and directed the documentary Are They Hostile?, a gritty feature length documentary on the Croydon Punk, and New Wave scene between 1977 to 1980 featuring crucial bands such as The Bad Actors, The Straps, The Daleks and The Marines. Tony Bugbear is in conversation with Griff about this acclaimed book) published by Olympia) tonite, with an audience Q and A to follow. Books will be on sale, to be signed by Griff, meet the author, have a chat, take some selfies and enjoy a DJ set reflecting the book’s remarkable contents. And that’s not all, because the evening get’s topped off with a performance by Circa79, drummer Griff’s very own punk covers band, latest in a succession of ace outfits to feature our man’s talents- with the tantalising tagline, Punk and New Wave for the masses. But why take one author into the RNR Book Club when you can have two? Yes…2 for the price of 1 (but sorry, not the books, both on sale tonight). Our first author Q and A this evening is with Dutch music biz mover shaker magnifique Mr Gideon Karting… For more than twenty years Gideon has been a fixture in the music industry. He started at the bottom as a concert billposter and worked his way up to the highest level of concert promotion. He was one of the top promoters in the Netherlands, having promoted all the Dutch shows of a wide range of leading artists, including Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Adele, One Direction, Arctic Monkeys, Bruno Mars, and BTS. For many years he was also responsible for the programming of major festivals like Lowlands, North Sea Jazz, and Pinkpop. ‘Never Work With Your Idols’ is Karting’s insider view of the music industry, full of dry humour and sardonic insight. In this amusing but practical guide Karting shares the fruits of his experience with his reader, guiding them through the music industry and its wealth of stories. Karting’s 35 Commandments give aspiring music professionals all they need to help them make a successful career in this sector. Never Work With Your Idols is essential reading for people starting out in the industry and a real nostalgia trip for seasoned insiders Two great characters from the world of popular music. Two great books AND  great band. Promises to be a wonderful night.

Camdenlive.com curates an evening of edgy, melodic alt and indie… Tizane:“ In the words of BBC’s Leo Ulph, we are seeing the rise of what will inevitably be one of Britain’s biggest ever superstars.” The Flitz:“The Flitz, are a 4 piece indie band hailing from West London. Anthemic riffs and attitude the band take inspiration from classic 90s indie to modern day guitar pop – The Flitz wanna soundtrack your nights out.” Clamber: “Clamber are a five-piece band hailing from the south-east of England and fronted by Kieran Daly. Their unique blend of ‘armchair pop’ provides nods towards their early folk influences and love of indie pop, marrying lyrical vulnerability with a pared back, atmospheric tone to create a captivating and forward-thinking take on indie pop.” SHEDD: “3 piece alt rock band with lots of riffs and a few melodies”  

Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons – still the finest fiercest fabulousest (that is a word right?) freakiest fun you can have (with yer togs on) squeezed into a darkened room with 150 other lovely people. With a fantastic array of essential punk n rollabilly albums to their name, and the most alluring and exciting front person on the circuit the head scratching wonder of it all is why they ain’t huge. Still, if you know, you know…you know. Just in case you don’t…for fans of The Stooges, The Cramps, Sex Pistols, Black Sabbath, Big Black, Black Flag and all full on supercharged sassy rock and bastard roll. And they always ‘curate’ (shudder) their scintillating nights for us…brilliantly.  First band on tonight on their watch are Shoun Shoun from Bristol way (originally Berlin… “Unflinching, atmospheric noise pop and art garage rock with the urban ennui of Nico and the noise of Sonic Youth.”, they say…their “Monsters & Heroes is an arresting debut album” LOUDER THAN WAR say.  Also tonight Strip Search Tramp from Coventry, an excellent exercise in ‘Space Punk’, suitably stratospheric and evocative of esoteric alien landscapes for sure… and just prior to Pussycat, you’ll get London based Colossus. NOT the American Christian Metal band. Or..is it?… No, it’s not.

Punky Reggae Party- The Clash  Vs Buzzcocks truly led the way in combining punk and reggae and making Bob Marley‘s clarion call a stylistic reality.  Thus the band of the same name, playing the music of 1977 to 1980-ish that lived up to what it says on the tin. Especially The Clash.  Tonight it’s Strummer and Jones and co. all the way (I Fought The Law, London Calling, Complete Control, Tommy Gun, Safe European Home and more!) as we pitch their back catalogue,  channelled brilliantly by PRP, against that of Shelley, Diggle as perfected by BuzzKocks, the UK’s Number one Buzzcocks tribute band, hailing from yer actual Manchester.  BuzzKocks recreate songs from the band’s ‘golden era’, 1976 -1979. Featuring all the classic singles ‘Orgasm Addict’ ‘What Do I Get’ ‘Love You More’ ‘Ever Fallen In Lovre’ ‘Promises’ and Steve Diggle‘s masterpiece ‘Harmony In My Head‘ as well as a vast array of songs from the albums  ‘Another Music In A Different Kitchen’ ‘Love Bites’ and ‘A Different Kind Of Tension’, not forgetting the EP Spiral Scratch. All done with the same sound, energy and passion as the originals. BuzzKocks will bring you a fantastic ‘rip roaring’ set of fast, melodic Punk Rock that was the trademark of this seminal Punk outfit. Everybody’s Happy Nowadays…

This Punk, Reggae and Ska Matinee Party kicks off at 3pm, so you’ll have finished your Sunday Roast, and it comes to a conclusion around 7, so you can still get home in time for a soak in the tub and Call The Midwife (yeah, right). The deep and righteous, and thoroughly British reggae of Ardliners and something a bit more up and at em from The Intonators plus DJs spinning suitably top ranking,  skanking and  slamming sounds to astound. Just how Sunday afternoons should be.

Open Mic. EVERY Monday sign up at 7pm

Last July-  Gary Numan meets Duran Duran meets Rammstein. All fronted by the fabulous ice maiden of electropop Gothique,  Alixandria Corvyn. Gothic rock and dancefloor friendly EDM shapes are very much in the mix. Some fat synth sounds and powerful rhythms pounding forth. Preslava Krasteva –  also known as “LVA” is a Bulgarian singer/songwriter and an Electronic music producer based in Bristol, UK. Her music comprises of Dark Pop/Electronic/Cinematic/Neo Soul/Avant-pop elements. Immersive sound design, powerful belting vocals & traditional Bulgarian chants establish LVA’s unique style notable for both warm and deep tones, and also for the use of multitracked vocals creating an intricate and mysterious effect. Oogan – from the wonderful world of Lucida Records, this might well be a Legpuppy off shoot- although legend states that this audio visual EDM artist hails from the village of Akākaz, destroyed by Baltic Tribes in an ancient Pagan war or some such. So he’s pretty old is Oogan. What we get is dark, deviant techno with a hardhouse element, 4 to the floor but frightening as fuck. And visuals! Trip. Out. 

Rubbish Oasis Tribute- as anyone who’s seen these Italian Oasisites at one of our fine Dublin Castle shows in the last few years will know, there’s nothing Rubbish about Rubbish. They play all manner of Gallagher Bros material with skill, love and effortless attitude.  A wonderful night out, tonight concentrating on the more acoustic end of the Oasis songbook. They’re a Wonderwall. Get ready to singalong… Old Fashion – is an Italian project created in 2019 by 3 young boys from a small town in the northern part of Tuscany near the seaside.  They combine brash traditionalist guitar rock with a strong emotional sensitivity that generates a raw and cutting sound with intimate and romantic lyrics about being young, being free and be who you want to be!

The Len Price 3 from Medway. Yes Sir, celebrating their 18 years playing cranked up garage modernisto rock, and its almost that long ago they last played The Dublin Csstle. Strange, as its a marriage made in RocknRoll Heaven. Tonight playing the new ‘Chinese Burn’ long player in full.and more more more. A fabulous night of frenzied freakout fun assured.  Plus THE KHYBERS – Spinout Nuggets new signings. Featuring former members of Aunt Nelly, The Bresslaws, Skadekat, The Clique, and others. Vinyl-only album release due August.

The Legendary Noel G– In 1996 Noel Gallagher left his jack and coke behind in the Dublin when he left in a hurry due to being severely papped and also being a little disgruntled at Damon Albarn having it large at the secret Blur gig the week before. ‘I’ll be back for that’ he said…and here he isn’t… Actually a) the jack and coke is still awaiting his return with a cling film lid in a safe place behind the bar, and b) This may not actually be Noel Gallagher but fook me it’s fooking brilliant our kid, an amazing band fronted by a remarkable Gallagherization. All yer Noelly/Oasis faves ahoy. And tonight get in nice and early to experience something generally only available in a parallel Manc universe…Noel Gallagher supported by Joy Division! Unknown Pleasures play the music of JD and have been known to throw a bit of Magazine in too! Manchester so much to answer for? So much great music! What a City. What a night! It’s Oasis Vs Joy Division…

Andres “Ska Beat” Cotter. Bassist and music producer, born in Buenos Aires in 1971, Andres Cotter has been playing Ska and Reggae since he was 17, founding bands such as “Riddim”, “Satellite Kingston” and “Ska Beat City”,  and performing in Argentina with the likes of Ken Boothe, Pauline Black and Roddy Byers,  and in London in 2019 at Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues.  Over the years he has also developed as a producer, recording with Dr Ring Ding (Germany), Nick Welsh, Jennie Matthias, Willo and Martin Stewart (U.K.), Luigi Di Gaspari (ITA), Greg Lee, Freddie Reiter and David Hillyard (U.S.A.) Ken Stewart (Skatalites), Dan Vitale (Bim Skala Bim) and Argentinian musicians, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Pericos, Los Auténticos Decadentes, Dancing Mood, and others. In 2021 he released his first album “Cotter Passport Vol. 1” and in 2022, “Cotter Passport Vol. 2”. Tonight’s show promises to be a must attend carnival of fabulous international Ska and Reggae flavours. Party Time!

Open Mic. EVERY Monday sign up at 7pm

Lone Tree-  a nice blend of psych, folk, trippy mainstream rock, funk, blues – it’s all there…  and Afrobeat too, and indeed they are from Nairobi,,,sounds pretty cool, and very well done at every level. Great playing, excellent  juxtaposed singing from both the girl and guy involved  Alluring new music with an evocative old school feel… Flote Solu – ‘combine Sludge/Alternative/Post-Rock and Stoner influences to create original music that excites and inspires us’… inspirations fom a mixed palate including Sigor Ros, elements of The Mars Volta, The Music, Neurosis, maybe Tool …grand. Agent Flipper-Swiss surf rock instrumentals in a pleasingly twangy Dick Dale/ Link Wray stylee, and it really swings. Great stuff. Monday’s Monsoon –

Jackals – high energy supercharged pop-neo soul concoction with a funky, frantic feel that makes for dancing feet and a smiling fizzog for sure . Loads of great songs, really tight and accomplished playing for ones so young, and a general feeling of bonhomie and cool times. This band could be humdingingly humongous…which is why we have them on a Dublin Castle residency.  This is the second outing of their residency this evening… Come and see them in intimate surroundings while you still can throughout Spring and Summer 2023! Avenue – we put these charming boys on with Jackals a couple of tines last year coz it felt like a marriage made in Heaven. Well it was  and it still is, with bells on. Indie pop supreme, with a bit of grit and zest and fire. Dubvocalisa – Barrington Develante’s reggae/soul/rock concoction keeps the Roots of the J.A element bubbling at all times, with the righteous fire of the big names in soul and the groove and reverie of progressive 70s, 80s artists.

The Spizz Annual Midsummer Party…a Midsummer Night’s Spizz…this Is around about the 10th year of these remarkable happenings, allowing for lockdowns.  This party has been a yearly punk rock Summer staple up there with Rebellion, Undercover, and getting sunburn on the shaved bits of yer mohawk. Any way, it’s wonderful to welcome Spizz back to his Summer Dacha, The Dublin Castle, always a legendary night out, with the living legend (and that legend keeps building) that is Spizz  Do I have to now mention ‘Where’s Captain Kirk’? Boldly go to the ticket link listed and avoid disappointment…fazers set to stun. The Molotovs – quite rightly turning a lot of heads about the place of late, this exciting boy/girl glam punk 3 piece draw tantalising lines between garage grinds and Britpoppin’ louche cool. Ace stuff. DamageUK– Brian Damage (Nuffin) and co return with their angular Clash meets Adverts fiery punk rock ramalama. And featuring a bunch of anthemic tunes that belt you round the back of the swede, as heard on the punk n roll cracker of album ‘Cyber Wars’ released last year. Delta Unit – London based six-pice fronted by songwriter Lydia Santamaria…”Indie powerpop inspired by post-punk and 60’s garage bands” Rachel Darq’s RNR Cabaret Burlesque dancers will be keeping you titilated between live sets tonight too, so jobsa goodly good un. DJs We Got Killers will be piloting the Starship Dublin into the deepest space of The Dancefloor til the wee hours,  and thus uniting hoomans, Vulcans  Klingons, The Borg, the lot, in the love of all killer utter Thriller disco party joy.   NB DAYTIME EVENT IS SPARATE TICKET HERE  https://www.wegottickets.com/event/576780/ Personality Crisis + Flesh Tetris Personality Crisis – high energy Rock and Roll & Punk Rock originals/classics from the sainted 1970s. Stooges, Damned, Dead Boys, Saints, Heartbreakers, Sex Pistols, Dictators, Buzzcocks, Devo, Dead Kennedys and more…do it with refreshingly hefty amounts of chutzpah too…with a great attitude. Loose, louche and loveable. Flesh Tetris – the singular and superb space punk and scifi psychedelicists… Turn on, Login, Drop out…sounds good to me. An exciting fascination with murder cults and bunny rabbits, their freaky social commentary informed techy artpop is highly infectious.  An arousing blend of crazed vocalese, brain burrowing bleeps, pulverizing drum onslaughts and bass led murderization. A must see band. £8 door/£6 adv

Open Mic. EVERY Monday sign up at 7pm

The Wag –  Brian Ostering’s fun upbeat rock band have a brand new album out called “Blue Bottles and Copper Coins”. Think Barenaked Ladies but with a retro Beatles sound. Hailing from the Bayshore area of New Jersey, this 4-piece unit has been entertaining and moving audiences for 25 years but still sounds as fresh as it did on day one! With 4 alternating lead vocalists, catchy melodies, and sophisticated harmonies, they will take you on a journey of pop rock delight! The Beelines – Britpop and mod thru post punk jangle-some niceness. Crisp catchy tunes that stir up hints of The Jam, The Kinks, Wire and Blur. Buzzin’ baby.  Tootawl – solo chappie doing a Celtic tinged Talking Heads informed take on  Americana- some impressively crafty acoustic guitar picking and plucking too, very nice. Peter Doolan & The Saint Valentines Day Massacres –   featuring folky instrumentation (mandolin and maybe banjo atop the normal rocknroll lineup) souped up into, at times, an early Velvets groovy chug with some nifty melodic and vital lyrical /vocal work from the titular Peter D. Nice. Other songs are more obviously Celtic /Irish / trad and tap into a rich vein of Americana… good songwriterly fare…

Cuecliche – Gritty pop punk trio, have hooky tunes played with punch and aplomb and a spikey headed – and baggy shorted- nod to Blink 182, Sum 41 and Green Day. Fabulous ramalama, and a bit of old school rock anthem chops too. My Latest Failure are a noisy Punk trio from Middlesex that play hard hitting hooks with catchy singalong choruses. Have most recently opened for The Glitchers as well as headlining Blondies and Camden Rocks all dayers. Sore Teeth – ferocious hardcore like they used to make it….sore teeth, sore gums, sore everything I’ll warrant…bits of Discharge, Black Flag, Minor Threat and so forth. Superbly souped up and dirty. The Half Wits-  look out here comes troubled! Half witted they may be, but also fully armed with rancour inducing righteous punk noise. Bring it.  Dry Run – ‘concussive pudding riffs’ ya say? And ‘jarring melodic dissonance’?! I’m in. You had me at concussion. A1 punk rock from Brighton and Hove.

Crisis are back, we are pleased to say….Formed in 1977,  their debut single, “No Town Hall”, was released in 1978 on Action Group Records and their1978 Peel Session was also released in 1979 on the Ardkor label. 45 years on, Crisis have reformed with a tweaked line-up and still master the sound of industrial punk rock with dubbed out experimental passages. An excellent band, wholly their own, but operating in a Venn diagram bubble taking in Joy Division, The Clash, Killing Joke and Alternative TV.  Bullshitboy – three piece punker thrash combo from Hamburg, 2 gals and a guy on bass who handles most of the vocals. Forthright, full on and fierce…and fun! TantrumZentrum –  searing alterno artpunk psychedelics with a space rock sensibility to fly for.   

Freak Boutique – Disco, soul, funk and funky House covers performed by a sassy band gifted with the incredible chops required to do this sophisticated party music the justice it deserves. Freak Boutique style it out beautifully, and really hit paydirt on the funk, creating what is a perfect soundtrack to a Pride weekend party… so should you dive into the Dublin for late revelry, you are in the very best of hands. We do embrace Diversity, in all senses, in the Dublin Castle, so tonight, musically you’re gonna get two sides of the coin featuring the very best in Black Music. Dating back to the Seventies, probably THE 2 music genres that have shaped and informed British popular music the most are Disco and Reggae, both contributing to the EDM Culture that exploded in the UK in the late ’80s and remains as strong as ever.  Original Mystics play 70s/80s Dance Hall, Rockers and Lovers Rock, taking in artists like Bob Marley, Sugar Minott and Gregory Isaacs.  And brilliantly at that. What’s not to love? The Iriest of Irie vibes followed by a disco party to die for. DJs We Got Killers keep the vibe alive til 2am. Party Central guaranteed.

The Dirt – alt sonic psych punk duo from Manchester  via Yorkshire and Japan!.. transglobal noise it is then…Now approved by Louder Than War amongst others…Crisp industrial tech rock sounds with a talky/narrative vocal that sits adroitly next to the poptabulisms of Yard Act. Similar influences maybe… but more sampledelik less indie, care of loops based guitarist and effects geezer Sachiko…vocals by Jack Horner,  and pull out many a fine plum he doth…make a big fab noise for just a 2 piece. A bit more Pop Will Eat Itself or Age Of Chance than The Fall, but MES stalks the shadows too. Under The Sun – Trippy floaty and not a little disorientating, a great blend of psychedelic electronica and Boards Of Canada type mood pieces. Devious, highly enjoyable rock/electronic/post shoegaze solo project with influences like My Bloody Valentine, Seefeel, Jesu, and Boards Of Canada. Bones Xperience – Gothy vox and renowned riotous, ramashackle out there live performances… a fusion of post punk, psychedelia and heavy British rock n roll. You can feel it in yer bones.

White City Vultures – A no-nonsense rock band playing what you love to hear. A band with influences from 70’s all the way through to last week – The Who, T-Rex, Bowie, Oasis, Killers, Foo Fighters and more – originals and rock covers, great singing, I clouding fab harmonies,  solid performances all round from some great players. The Voodoo Kitchen – Superior alt grunge heaviosity with a rich vocal element and groovy interplay. Groove rock with City Of Seattle vibes. Mick Daley – a singer-songwriter of some renown, a freelance journalist and writer of fiction. Rocking some surf guitar tinged rock and roll with edgy amphetamine edged urgency at the mic. Rocks like a Mutha. Kool.

A Punkvert curated punk rock happening… with… The Crippens – Righteous hard-core combo from Lancaster, powerfully pursuing the punk rock dream with psychedelized hammer swinging heaviosity, super crunching riffology,  and not a little lysergic humour. Ace!    Vaiwatt –   ” Japanese rebels melting punk-pop and grunge into a Blade Runner technicolour fantasy – Kandy Pop for Jet Boys and Jet Girls, Love Missiles that Smell Like Teen Spirit! ” (The Sunflower Lounge) anarchistwood – taking inspiration from Detroit ’60s, ’70s proto punk (indeed have been known to play a Destroy All Monsters number) as much as the Pistols packin’ ’76 SEX scene and post Crass ’80s Anarcho satire… Frank Cutter and crew know how to enrich the audience with fabulous, head turning, transgressive punk rock, and play it with a supercool ease.  Effortlessly brilliant, massively entertaining. Dead Happy –  Midlands based ‘freaky disco metal band’…yes! Think Electric Six meet Gaye Bikers On Acid with some nice zippy dancefloor moves. I think we need more freaky disco metal as it goes

Sheffield Smokes The Smoke – OR London Blunts The Blades!… Sheff comes to London for an all dayer of nifty North meets South punk rock,  alternopop, grunge, indie and rocknroll. With The Anoraks Snide Remarks, 4 Past Midnight, Cian Downing, MARPLES, Natural Reverb, Cellophane, Jumpers and Collars, Shabbah, Turning June and Patchwork Dots

As part of the United By Music from MVT and The National Lottery programme…Noah & the Loners  – purveyors of ‘Teen punk energy’ as somebody most adroitly recently said. They most certainly are teens, their fresh of fizzog feisty punk fire is truly something to admire. Gives you hope for the future for sure. Cool as…as indeed is the fact that actually not one but two of them are called Noah.  Hee hee. Meet the new punk, smarter than the old punk. Kape Kanaveral -well they may not quite be teens, but there’s a youthful zest to the infectiously catchy indie on offer with Special KK…equally informed by the proto-punk, early Talking Heads and Uk Post punk early XTC maybe.. see also Wire, Swell Maps. Neat. Harri Pick – female singer with brash and beezer indie rock backing, lots of soaring vocals and rocking guitars, suggesting a bit of early PJ Harvey perhaps and quite Siouxsie Sue like at times with the vocal but nowt goff about it. Gets more balladic, but always ballsy and rocking, her voice is actually fairly akin to Delores Cranberry via Joanna Newsom. 

Radical Dance Faction – as festival season takes hold, we’re very happy to host RDF in the Dublin.  Chris Bowsher’s anarcho punk inspired skanking machine combines punk with ska, plus a very welcome dose of dub reggae. Huge on tge circuit in the ’90s, since reforming earlier this century the band has gone from strength to strength, and have performed at Glastonbury, Boomtown, Rebellion, Willow Man and Green Gathering festivals to great acclaim. This sure to be a supercharged dance frenzy on a hot Summer’s night for you all to revel in. The Screaming Dead – Cheltenham might seem to be a sedate, gentile Cotswold Town ful of red faced old chaps who wear mustard cords…and it is…but think again. Not only did it produce Killing Joke but also these fine mavericks of punk. Avoiding the clichees and going for a rocknroll place somewhere between street punk, schlockabilly, goth and psych, the Screaming Dead know how to kick up a storm. Their classic take on ‘Paint It Black’ has to be one of the al time best Stones covers too.  Wipes – describing themselves as a ‘noisy melodic 3 piece’, these boys really do crank it up, employing a combo of MC5 shaped righteous rock and roll and Husker Du like over saturated ramalama. Ferocious but not afraid of a little Sugar, which may or may not be another Bob Mold reference.

365 Radio in association with Bugbear Bookings presents DawnParry’s Jukebox Judgement Live! Jukebox judgement is a much loved Friday morning feature on the 365 Radio Breakfast Show with Dawn Parry, featuring critical appraisal of hot new talent from uber producers Steve Lillywhite and Stuart Epps. These monthly shows, hosted by the fabulous Dawn, will showcase the talent up for assessment contemporary to the show, joining the sonic dots between the two essential platforms of radio and live gig… each month featuring three excellent bands  From 2.30 to 7pm one Sunday per month Tickets:  £8 in advance/£10 on the door.

Punky Reggae Party – specialising in covers of punk/New Wave era songs from all your favourites, there’s always a lot of Clash content in these DC favourites’ live sets. And A fair few Stranglers numbers too. But tonight it’s Clash N Sleazy and so we’re gonna get a Stranglers complete set and a Clash one. Were they not the two punk times bands with the most clout, longest reach, most sales? I think so, The Jam aside maybe.  Gonna be a great evening, all your favourites from both acts played with vigour, love and respect. 5 Minutes or 48 Hours? White Riot or Meninblack? London Calling or London Lady? PS- did you know Joe Strummer was considered as a replacement for Huge Cornball when he walked out of The Stranglers? A missed opportunity perhaps!  DJs We Got Killers – will play some of the bangers from both bands that didn’t make the live set tonight, alongside a smorgasbord of dancefloor filling finery. All eras, all genres, all true and we’ve been using theat strapline a lot longer than 6music too!

Midnite Crawlers – Rockin’ Scene Supremos tapping into Jive, Western Swing, Rhythm n Blues, Rock and Roll and a touch of Swamp Rock… but the superb twist with these peerless entertainers of the rockin’ kind is to be found in their harmonies and juxtaposed male and female vocals. It’s a sweet sound for sure, whether cruising or letting rip. And they do let rip too. Let’s party like it’s 1949! Superb night out guaranteed. Jake Vegas and the Black Diamonds – as seen in Sleaze Nation and out about at the business end of Soho/Camden nightlife this century and last, Mr Vegas is a bona fide legend of Clubland, a Burlesque Revival originator,  and focal point for a deviantly grizzled rockin’ good time here with all-star jazzbo beat band the Black Diamonds.

The Camden Town RnR Book Club is very pleased to welcome author Laurence Hedges along to chat about his book  Siouxsie and the Banshees – The Early Years. An intriguing time for the immensely influential punk and proto Goth band who have just recently started gracing stages again after a hiatus of ten long years. Those early days of the Banshees span Pistols punk outrage, the experimental early 100 Club happening with Sid Vicious on drums, and, after a few false starts, the conception of the coolest punk band on the planet, confounding and confusing critics and A and R departments alike with startling, ice cold anti Rock music that helped to invent Post Punk and Goth along the way. Through the chaos of the ‘Bye Bye Blackheads’ period into an imperial phase of psychedelic new wave pop majesty, with Budgie on drums and John McGeough on guitar, it most certainly is a fascinating tale. “Siouxsie and the Banshees – The Early Years explores the adventures, trials and tribulations of a band defying categorization. Their uncompromising brilliance is exemplified by three unique albums which are chronicled in the pages of this authoritative survey” Intervuew with Tony Bugbear, Q and A, book shop, Siouxsie roots, shoots, fruits and cahoots  DJ set and special guest live element.

Tonight’s RNR Book Club features special guest interviewer Travis Elborough in conversation with both Richard Cabut and Cathi Unsworth to celebrate the launches of their respective new books, Looking For A Kiss (PC-Press, 2023) and Season of the Witch: The book Of Goth (Nine Eight Books, 2023). Copies of both books will be available for purchase on the night. Cathi Unsworth’s Season of the Witch: The book Of Goth charts the rise and influence of Gothic music during the Eighties as a reaction to the profound social change wrought by Margaret Thatcher’s government. Spawned by punk, bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division and The Cure were the architects of a new music that distilled the darkness of the times. Shaped by the politics of an era – from the Cold War, the Miners’ Strike, privatisation, The Troubles and AIDS – its gender fluid, outlaw imagery and innovative, atmospheric music spoke to a generation of alienated youth. By the time Thatcher left office in 1990, Goth had imprinted its will on the cultural landscape as deeply as the Iron Lady herself. Written by Cathi Unsworth, a lifelong Goth, teenage music journalist, acclaimed crime writer and biographer of punk icon Jordan, SEASON OF THE WITCH is a personal and social history of an enduring counter-culture, one that steadfastly refuses to give up the ghost. Looking for a Kiss is the post-punk classic novel….. A drug-fuelled beat/punk, love/hate story…… Like a bitter sweet John Coltrane solo crashing into Einstürzende Neubauten….. whilst immersing themselves in drugs, sex, magic, chaos and the post-punk music of the time our protagonists Robert and Marlene struggle to find themselves and their lives in Camden, London, England….. Books like Looking for a Kiss are a flare in the dark. This special extended and amended edition of Looking For A Kiss features new text, photos and artwork. There are introductions by Jeff Young (Ghost Town, Eastenders, Holby City), Cathi Unsworth (Seasons of the Witch), non-fiction pieces about the novel’s punk, positive punk and post-punk background, as well as further original diary entries, etc. All this and a suitably post punk, Gothique and Camden Town centric DJ set from We Got Killers to set the mood before, after and between the no doubt fascinating, erudite chat and Q & A. 

We Are Not Devo – Here we are, surveying the cerebrally challenged apefest that is the 21st Century, and we have to conclude that the De-Evolution Band were bang on the money…We Are ALL Devo…yes, we have devolved just like Devo said was happening nigh on 50 years ago. And, as the actual Devo, genius mavericks of post punk futurist pop and satirical psych grind, prepare to take to the stage of an unforgiving enormodome across town, we celebrate in Camden Town’s premier music venue with our very own Devo Retirement Party, the very afternoon of that final UK Devo show, with a set from Sheffield’s wonderful We Are Not Devo. But of course, like we said, we all are, natch. NB EVENING SHOW IS SEPARATE Menace + Anabollic Steroids + Special Guests DJs We Got Killers

365 Radio in association with Bugbear Bookings presents DawnParry’s Jukebox Judgement Live! Jukebox judgement is a much loved Friday morning feature on the 365 Radio Breakfast Show with Dawn Parry, featuring critical appraisal of hot new talent from uber producers Steve Lillywhite and Stuart Epps. These monthly shows, hosted by the fabulous Dawn, will showcase the talent up for assessment contemporary to the show, joining the sonic dots between the two essential platforms of radio and live gig… each month featuring three excellent bands  From 2.30 to 7pm one Sunday per month Tickets:  £8 in advance/£10 on the door.

Deaf School – “In the whole history of Liverpool music, two bands matter most, one is the Beatles and the other is Deaf School”

Lloyd McGrath Collective – 90 minutes of LIVE music from a superb 9 piece Ska and Reggae band from Coventry,  the home of 2 Tone. Expect excellent originals and a few classics to keep you on your feet. And what a joy, what a joyful sound… Ska pop reggae from Cov then, with a touch of Ali UB40 Campbell about his voice. Originals full of vigour and vim, very happy hearted and upbeat work. A self-titled five track EP (‘Destruction’) recently emerged, recorded mixed and produced by Grammy award winning producer Roger Lomas (The Selector, Laurel Aitken) at Ro-Lo studios in Coventry. Nice-ing upcoming Town 2nite.

The Estimators – the finest Real Jamaican Ska vibes known to mankind emanate forth from this peerless,  hardworking London band. They really do give it their ultimate all up there on stage, pumping out the wickedest of dancefloor burnin’ fun…dual vocals,  brass, keys, guitar and percussion all at full throttle, and underpinned by the meatiest heavy duty walking basslines of band leader Marcello. A wonderful night out guaranteed. And with DJ Cello of Coast To Coast fame spinning the sweetest in reggae, ska, soul and Latin on vintage 45 you’re in for a treat tso step right up to move your dancing feet. Righteous!

Dawn Parry’s 365 Radio Jukebox Judgement 365 Radio in association with Bugbear Bookings presents DawnParry’s Jukebox Judgement Live! Jukebox judgement is a much loved Friday morning feature on the 365 Radio Breakfast Show with Dawn Parry, featuring critical appraisal of hot new talent from uber producers Steve Lillywhite and Stuart Epps. These monthly shows, hosted by the fabulous Dawn, will showcase the talent up for assessment contemporary to the show, joining the sonic dots between the two essential platforms of radio and live gig… each month featuring three excellent bands  From 2.30 to 7pm one Sunday per month Tickets:  £8 in advance/£10 on the door.

King Joe & The Atlantics are an exciting British based six-piece group influenced by the electrifying sounds of Rhythm & Blues of the 1940’s, 50’s and early 60’s. From the ashes of Big Town Playboys, who rocked many a packed Dublin Castle show back in the 1990s. The Atlantics line-up includes a truly outstanding selection of experienced & renowned players including Nick Lunt (Jools Holland R&B Orchestra), Al Nicholls (Big Town Playboys) and Wayne Lee (Son of Guitar legend Albert Lee), along with up & coming youthful musicians thrown in the mix. Tonight promises to be a wonderful evening of old school hot to trot joy, party down dance music like they used to make, played fabulously well, with attention to detail and superb chops all round.  

The Collective A.K.A in The Dublin Castle, a great fit as we know.  Rocking a Supersonic and very, very strong sizzling set jam (Jam) packed with mod, new wave, punk and ska classics, The Collective A.K.A are a brass powered rhythm machine precision made for Maximum RnB dancefloor expression. The Best Saturday Night Out In Camden Town. The Jam, The Who, Specials, Madness and more, all done with passion and love. The TR5s -summed up by some wise soul as”skiffle n roll”, this crew promise to add a fabulous rockin’ element to tonight’s proceedings, demonstrating brilliantly the link from early rocknroll to mod via the Beatles beyond Hamburg, coz greasers could be modernists too. Top flight.

The Witching Tale – sweetly psychedelicized folktronica, uniting Early Classical English/Celtic vibrations with Asian motifs and eery drama, courtesy the fabulously pitched other worldly vocal. This is soul music from an ancient place…probably wooded, with mist or a heavy dew, and something beautifully dark at play just off stage. It’s all there to be enjoyed in this magikal, madrigal music. But then why wouldn’t it be? You’re in very safe hands. The Witching Tale are Katharine Blake (Mediaeval Baebes, Miranda Sex Garden) and Michael J York (Coil, Current 93, The Utopia Strong, Teleplasmiste). Tonight sees the launch party for their hotly anticipated second album. David Ryder Prangley – Rachel Stamp and Witches wunderkind was widely acclaimed in the nicely naughty nineties as the most beautiful man in pop since David Sylvian and Nick Rhodes a decade earlier. And of course he’s still got it…having slung on a bass for everyone from Adam Ant to ex Roller Eric Faulkner, to Angie Bowie and Pete Murphy, showing there’s a lot of substantial talent and diversity with DRP too. He has also directed music videos for former Flesh For Lulu singer the late Nick Marsh’s A Universe Between Us album, and music videos for Lilygun, Liza Bec and Laurie Black, and has more recently been seen fronting Sisterwitch, in addition to a recent highly successful Rachel Stamp revival.

Weird Brainz – Paris based grunge punkers with cool edgy in touch with it’s feminine side vocal. Very L7. Bit of Nirvana for sure, Lunachicks maybe. Very good, strong numbers. Strong attitude. Strong on their feet and punching hard. Neuroplacid – freeform Grime informed punk collective rocking dual vocals, dual guitars sax and all sorts.  A goodly blend of street spitting and indie punk. Plenty of chewing of lips and 200 yard stares. The kids are all right. The Quiet Screamers – quasi glam/gothic garage trio out of Paris, France. Heavy Rawk riffs and slinky female vocals, plenty of strident sleaze, super.  The missing link between X and Hole  with a bit of T Rex?

The Dekkertones – Playing authentic ska, a touch of Rocksteady and lots of lovely Rudeboy Reggae…Skinhead Reggae, Boss Reggae, whatever term you prefer! Male singer juxtaposed sweetly with female singer, full brass front line and a nicely skanking rocksteady vibe. ‘Sweet Soul Music’….’Hurts So Good’…’Everything I Own’ and loads more bangers performed brilliantly. Got the look. Got the sound. Sweet as.

Paul Santini Experience – Playing the music of Joe Bonamassa…the blues rock Hendrix des nos jouers I think its fair to say, a massive popular artist across the globe, and a remarkable talent… so good do you have to be to tie your colours to that mast? A1 excellent is the answer…and these guys do sound really damn good. Excellent guitar playing, as you’d wish, with the tone and subtleties of JB expressed exquisitely by Mr Santini. A great night of wig out bluesogical rocknroll assured.