Lola Young- There was never really any question about whether Lola would become a singer. She started writing poetry and songs aged 11, before doing her first pub gig at 13. She enrolled into the prestigious Brit school and released her debut full–length, Intro, aged just 19. She comes from a musical and creative family; born in Croydon to a Jamaican–Chinese father and English mother,and raised in Beckenham, South East London, she grew up listening to Avril Lavigne and Eminem, later finding herself drawn to the likes of D’Angelo, Prince and Joni Mitchell. Once she started releasing (the mature, personal Renaissance was her three-tracked debut), the accolades came in thick and fast: a Brit Rising Star nomination, Amazon Next Breakthrough artist, a spot on the BBC Sound Of… poll, an Elton John co-sign, an Island Records signing. No artist likes comparisons, but Adele – the one Lola gets constantly – is one she happily takes.

The False Dots – Nicely sardonic punk/post punk with flights of fancy and social comment in equal measure. Take on some nice ratty skanking that reminds a bit of Alternative TV, via Madness maybe, also a bit of head wobbling trippy jangling, all topped off with nicely pitched mockney vocalising. Will please fans of Squeeze, Half Man Half Biscuit and even Bad Manners I shouldn’t wonder! Excellent stuff. The Shoals – talking of Bad Manners, these guys feature an ex member of said beery ska pop giants, and what’s more, talking of Madness, a certain Lee ‘Kix’ Thompson‘s lad Daley features too. Job’s a good un. Slender Pins –  Punchy taut post punkery with elastic bass, split splat sparky drumming and arcing abrasive guitars and a melodically inclined new wave vocal fulla vim. Love it. Elements of The Stranglers, Devo, The Clash, Gang Of 4, Pil…ace…great songs. Now I would have to confess to that review bring a copy and paste from the last these lovely Pins played with us pre pandemic, but a cursory glance at tinternet and we’re heartened to note their Bandcamp page is stocked and stoaked with neat neat neat new numbers. Purple Implosion – Mixing spiky post punking punk funk with counter cultural garage birthed rocknroll and out and out psychedelics somewhere between Hawkwind and The Seeds  featuring  some beautifully out there front man antics…you can’t take yer eyes off em! All bands should be a little bit more like Purple Implosion.  DJ Fuzz continues The Buzz.

The Prods – High octane punk rock and roll with massive chords and massive attitude of a Godfathers, Pistols, Heartbreakers kind- yes,  a big ass guitar sound, and with that great harmonies..but also a beautifully balanced modicum of wry, rapscallion humour.   Sold – combining spaghetti western guitars with a bit of a skank and some exotic bass moves, this is all quite daring and deviant…love it – the guitars are A1 neato.  With the vocals it’s kind of Bid out of Monochrome Set or Jowe Head in Swell Maps… reminds a bit of the arsey, agitated proto Fat Whites band The Saudis, who also graced our stage with scratchy guitars and much attitood! Section6 x PastelParty – Intense punk metal hiphop drum n bass hybrid…lots of tood and attack and energy…a vocalist (full of beans, goes for it big time) and the strong silent type at the fierce buzzsaw guitar, plus beats baby. Sort of a Bob Villain like scenario…and they look great together!… think of the dynamic in Sleaford Mods or even Pet Shop Boys!  Landspeeder –  Gritty indie rock from a bunch of old faces from the 1990s Britpop scene, ex-members of Reuben, Mandelbrot Set and F.O.N.D, have worked with Suede, Echo & the Bunnymen, Kingmaker, Cast and loads more in the intervening years. And they make a big crunching wall of noise with janglesome pop interludes. A little Heaven outta Devon.  

Gypsy Witch – Soulful post-grunge rock with elements of classic blusey hard rock a-la Budgie, Soungarden are in the mix too, good stuff. Messroom –   dark grunge meets post punk…and it’s strangely quite uplifting.  A wounded keening vocal and nice neo goth guitars all a  shimmering…sweet. Mikey Ball and The Company – Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, John Cougar Mellencamp etc… that sweet spot where Americana meets rawk. Mikey’s certainly got the chops and the band kicks too, and the tunes are anthemic stonkers.  

Curated by anarcho techno disco satirical situationists  Legpuppy and presented by Lucida with Bugbear… Lucida Presents Electroniq a night of electronica, dark wave, neo gothic post punk and satirical sexbeat. Das Fluff– dividing their time between London and Berlin, the dark cabaret of DF is a sensual, slinky beast full of esoteric twists and turns and some fabulous Dietrich like hollering. Part electro pop, part tbrobbing rock, with some nice early ’80’s analogue synth sounds. FHUR – gal with synth creates throbbing electro artpop.  Cool and collected, darkness aplenty with a pop light shining in beautifully.  Legpuppy – our hosts tonite, cook up an ace electro stew with the satire of the best punk rock married to banging beats and sassy psycho sexual politics and…dancing! Nata in Furs – taking the deviant shadows cast by the likes of Throbbing Gristle and Cabaret Voltaire back in the day N.I.F make esoteric, eclectic synthcore taking in ambient, electropop and industrial tropes. Startling work.

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 one’s 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. Come and see them in intimate surroundings while you still can throughout Spring and Summer 2023! Kosta D and the Fortune Tellers – Psychedelic folk pop with a hazy U.S West Coast feel, Country Joe and the Fish maybe but lyrically more of a Ray Davies thing going on, quite nice, and again utterly bankable pop pickers!  The Gas–  Slinky funky old school Baggy beats and some nice geezerly character plots in the songs a la Squeeze or Madness but sonically more Blur meets The Farm. These mature guys may well have been doing this 30 years ago when Baggy Britpop Bonanza!… Sun Pinned Leaves  – now with four absolutely talent packed albums under their belts, the former Nuffin duo ply a very different trade with SPL. Country Rock, sophisticated pop, gentle social comment based balladeering, satirical hot rockers, heartfelt, anthemic stompers. All life is here. No wonder they keep winning awards for their songs!

1st April 2023, and you’d be a fool not to head down to The Dublin Castle for the eagerly anticipated first instalment for this year of ‘BALL OF FIRE MEETS COAST TO COAST’. BALL OF FIRE MEETS COAST TO COAST’ is packed out with all types, all ages, all cultures, all genders, all good people,  enjoying live SKA music from hosts THE ESTIMATORS, a splendidly vibrant traditional Jamaican ska band hailing out of London, England. Co-host DJ CELLO provides the coolest of music on original 45, spinning an eclectic fusion of 60s Northern Soul, Reggae, Ska, Latin & Boogaloo, beautifully combined at  one of the most unique club nights in London Town.  With an inclusive, loved up party atmosphere more like your best friend’s birthday bash than a normal pub gig, this is one party you don’t want to miss! So if you have anything to celebrate tonite get on board for a guaranteed great night out! https://www.facebook.com/events/1495933240817414   NB DAYTIME EVENT IS TICKETED SEPARATELY Doors 2pm The New Sticky-  Back again by EVEN MORE popular demand…and on April Fools Day, ‘Night Becomes Day’ with a special Grand Folie Funk Off… putting some Punk Funk into yo junk bruddas and sistas….the brilliant The New Sticky hit up some funky post punk grooviness that makes you move like an amped up mofo, it’s so very irresistible. All done with a whacked out, joyous and frenetic fever, no pretentiousness, just pure git down party vibes with a massive dose of irreverent humour. Excellent high wire, wired and wiry wonderment…as I think we’ve said before…DJs We Got Killers – In keeping with the April Fools Day vibe your resident DC Saturday DJs will be inbearly to support our Happy Shiny Sticky friends to lay on a special early afternoon Idiots Disco. All bangers, no clangers of a foolish derivation. Expect excellent eclectic songs all about being one goldfish short of a fishtank. A marvellous matinee show for eejits and you’re all invited! https://www.wegottickets.com/event/576295/

Gary Numan has been cited as a major influence on acts such as Nine Inch Nails to Prince, his music has been covered or remodelled by acts from Beck, Blur, Basement Jaxx, Africa Bambatta Marilyn Manson, Little Boots, Sugababes and many more.  Standing within the smoke and haze effects and with the light show transporting  you to the front row seat of a Gary Numan concert, PAT MARTIN without doubt, the  hardest working UK Gary Numan tribute, delivers  a vocal and visual spectacle from the moment he hits the stage  and the band begins to perform that unique and authentic NUMAN sound. THE LIQUID ENGINEERS  are a 5 piece live band  performing  material from the start of Numans career right up to his current sound… the band gives Numan fans old and new a show that will remain in your memory long after you left the venue.

City Snakes-  Rock with a bit of an old school metal sound in places, but yer poppier end of the metal ouvre a-la Def Leppard, shot through with a bit of R.H.C.P funkiness, great stuff. StripnRoll- Rock outfit from London, recalling various u.s college rock outfits from the 80-‘s via Gun Club, with a slight whiff of post punk, dynamic stuff, tunes go off at interesting tangents.

bumb come back with their first headline show of 2023 in support of their first single of the year ‘Girlfriend x’, so come along for a show that’ll take you into the clouds.’ a bumb with a back and are taking it easy, in a purple pink cloud flying over the sea. their music is calm, energetic and free, alternative indie under white dungarees x…FFO: The 1975, The Japanese House, Muna, Junior Varsity, Larkins

The Wild Child Society Presents… “Excited to announce our 2nd gig of the year at The Dublin Castle…. Join us on GOOD FRIDAY for some GOOD MUSIC & WILD TIMES!!!! STARRING Face Melters; KONTROL FREAKS, MANIA & T.O.A.D.S!!!”

Thee Mighty St Pancras – Twangy guitars and lots of reverb tales you into a spooky Joe Meek offcut world of wonder, although St Pancras are a punk rock band, part garage (Thee not The, natch), part suburban ’70s angst… some mid ’60s Brit beat vibes too- The Birds, Yardbirds, Downliners Sect etc…ex Dirthole and Hercules II …and a nice eery, wispy vocal. Garage blues punk, Ker Plunk! SKUM – ‘The world’s shittest punk band’!… Nigh on industrial thrash punk with a truly beautifully horrible ur punk vocal…and apposite lyrical content…’6a.m Pint’ anyone? Straddling comedy and menace brilliantly this is proper out there in yer face punk rock and I for one love it. Punk Dylan – jangled guitar and ethereal female vox sometimes, but then again moody baritone synth and cavernous industrial drums …so are we at the crossroads of The Field Mice and Throbbing Gristle?! What a place to be. Interesting stuff. Crowned Hyenas – combining big riffing rock with bonny, bellowing clarion vocals…a coalescing of math rock, alt, grunge and classic rock variations. Foo Fightersy anthemic meets Shellac angular attack.   NB DAYTIME EVENT ‘London Jazz Kitscha‘ with DJs Gorro and Tony Bugbear 1.30pm to 5pm FREE… JAZZ ON VINYL

Something a little different for the Camden Town Rock N Roll Book Club tonight, as we invite a Rock God, nay, Sex God (Sex Gods being Those Naughty Lumps recently released third album) Mr Peter Hart to partake of the hot seat for a light grilling from Tony Bugbear in the name of Literature and its greater appreciation. Yes, the consumate anti star, the professorial Mr H, singer with the aforementioned Lumps dating back to Liverpool in 1976 (!) actually IS a learned gentleman, with numerous books to his name, military history from the 20th Century’s two great wars being his area of expertise. This evening we’ll be focusing on Peter’s most recent tome, written with Gary Bain, “Laugh Or Cry” (The British Soldiers On The Western Front 1914 – 1918)”, published by Pen & Sword Books,  explores how humour helped the British soldier survive the terrible experiences they faced in the trenches of the Western Front during the Great War. “Human beings are complicated, and there is no set pattern as to how they react to the outrageous stresses of war. But humour, often dark and representative of the horrors around them could and often did help. They may have been up to their knees in mud and blood, soaking wet and shot at from all sides, but many were still determined to see the ‘funny side’, rather than surrender to utter misery. Peter Hart and Gary Bain have delved deep into the archives to find examples of the soldier’s wit. The results are at times hilarious but rooted in tragedy. You have to laugh or cry…” Juxtaposed with the author’s own tales of fighting the post punk wars of the febrile hotbed of creation that was late ’70s Merseyside, this promises to be a fascinating evening! Come along, buy the book, get it signed, grab a selfie! Also enjoy a full set from the remarkable Lumps themselves, plus support from punky perv poppers, the marvellous Dirty Viv and some WAR (What Is It Good For?) themed bangers put together for your pleasure by DJ Tommy Gun, ya get me. Promises to be a wonderful evening, completely Over The Top you might say. It’s a long, long way to Tipperary, but The Dublin is just up the Northern Line. Pip pip! (PS why not come dressed for the occasion?)

Bugbear are very pleased to welcome Student promoters, Loosechange to the Dublin Castle. Tonight’s excellent presentation stars Sam McLaughlin, Saint Clair, Apollo Blue and Carsick Hill. A night of great music brought to you by and with the very best upcoming indie bands. Discover the next big thing tonight!!  Brit Pop, Indie, Rock, alt.

The Skavengers and The Manor – 2 big bands playing triumphant, joyous ska, rocksteady and reggae with the emphasis on funtime, partying and dancing. Perfect Saturday Night fare for The Dublin Csstle, the Ancestral Home of Madness (copyright Suggs). DJs We Got Killers keep the party hearty tip 2am with more ska, reggae, soul and rock and roll til 2am. NB – Today’s MATINEE SHOW 2pm Gary Numan 1000th gig tribute show is a separate ticket. Here https://www.wegottickets.com/event/571460

Bugbear and Atilla The Stockbroker Present… A Sunday afternoon of diverse and hard hitting entertainments. Attila the Stockbroker with spoken word, dub poetry and his band Barnstormer 1649, who combine early music and punk. The searingly hilarious social commentary of the inimitable Mark Thomas. And the soaring, train-powered melodies and historic epics of Blyth Power.

Amelie Jat Transforms her most honest emotions and experiences to create her original sound of genre- blurring, diary-like pop-punk tracks. Amelie released 3 singles in 2022, all co-written & co-produced with Grammy-nominated producer James McMillan. Since the release of “I’M OUT”, “Therapy” & “Electric Butterflies” (which has surpassed 129k YouTube views), she has gained 85k TikTok followers, with her most viewed post being close to two thirds of a million views, and the newest 2 singles are currently on over 350 Spotify playlists worldwide. Her new mixtape “CINEMATIC!” is an extension of her most chaotic, shaping, and memorable moments as she moves through life and comes into her own.

Natural – good n frantic indie with a high velocity, intense feel, and quite accessible with it, in an early Supergrass manner, but not exactly Britpop. Young, vital band combining their dad’s indie classic CD collections with something quite contemporarilly visceral and Pop Eyed . Sick Richard- High-energy, dance beat inspired rock and roll track. The gritty vocals sit above a core of driving guitars, loops, synths and a funky melodic bass line and solid groove-based drums that holds things together. The track takes the listener on a dark and moody journey through a series of solid transitions, dynamic builds and layered sounds that keep the listener guessing from the first intro swell to the final dissipating arpeggiated synths. Jahmale and Hannay – Telling it how it is urban rnb with a Drake like dreamo hiphop feel…very blissed out, but the lyrics are full of venting spleen and righteousness about sexual politics, race, culture… “a unique style that blends elements of soul, R&B, and spirituality.”…amen. Slow Like A Feeling – Electronic beats with postpunk guitars and keys, an interesting blend of 1980s sounds with hard-hitting guitar accompaniment as well as some unique/nostalgic vocals. Sweet.

Dirty Mitts – Stones –y groove based rock with thumping energy, crashing drums, and raucous vocals, Dirty Mitts leave no stone unturned in their decisively powerful and high-octane output. The band have decades of experience between them and their love of loud, old school rock n’ roll brought the quartet together with members hailing from Poland, Egypt and the UK!… Harmonic Swamp – when your brother is Ants/Bow Wow Wow/Republica percussive tour de force Dave Barbarossa then I guess taking up the drums is a no brainer, and here’s Barb Jr looking like Dave’s drum twin!  And powering a great band too. Tightly knit intertwining riffs and quirky twangy bass led post punkish grooves is the thang. Mid paced Stranglers type numbers, sans keys with a bit of cool menace. The Harlem Racket – a three piece who play gritty, groovy garage rock. shot through with acid lyrics, creating spiky little vignettes of grinding joy.  Nothing Dreams – taking tips from local peers like Radiohead and Supergrass this Oxford alt/psych/rock combo also recall a little shoegaze sway a la Ride.  Ned Ashcroft – urban singer songwriter, London accent in tact amidst the crooning and drops in colloquial LDN type references…modal songs, very melodic and old school despite the street demeanour… artfully done with lots of nice jazz chords.

Wardour Street –  perfect Saturday night Dublin Csstle fare, featuring high energy mod classics with a few well-chosen new wave and ska numbers. From the igniting spark of The Jam, backwards into the ’60s, and forwards into 2-tone and Mod Revival… The Who, The Clash, The Specials, Small Faces… The Best Saturday Night Out In Camden Town just got better…get down for some brilliant party music in home of North London partying, The Dublin Castle…Big fun assured-  mohair adorned modernist joy!   Bridade Junk – Taking their cue from those late 70’s musical powerhouses, The Attractions, The Stranglers, The Clash, The Blockheads, The Rumour et al, to re-create a certain passion, vibe, work ethic and artistic truth that was omnipotent back then and connecting it in some surreal but linear way, to the here and now. Also using their literary heroes, in particular The Beat Generation.  We Got Killers – nice up the dancefloor with modernist, futurist and retroist sounds across the genres. All Bangers, no clangers.

THE SALFORD LADS (MORRISSEY/SMITHS TRIBUTE) The Roberts Family Band+DJ Jose Maldonado We are very pleased to welcome again, one of the premier Smiths/Morrissey tribute bands in the United States, NYC’s The Salford Lads – back to the UK for a tour, and the annual Mozarmy fest happening in Manchester. Together since the winter of 1998, The Salford Lads have attained notoriety for their stunning, controversial, and original live shows, playing sets that have spanned the entire length of the Smiths catalogue, as well as Morrissey’s solo career. Joining them this evening, we are excited to share three very special guests will appear on stage with the band—on vocals, Jose Maldonado of LA’s Sweet & Tender Hooligans, bass ace Johnny Bridgwood, playing Morrissey songs he performed on 20 plus years ago for the first time since his days with Moz (Vauxhall & I, Southpaw Grammar, Maladjusted), and drummer supreme, the backbeat of Morrissey’s earliest days dating back to 1988, Andrew Paresi (Viva Hate, Kill Uncle). This performance promises to be an absolute must for all Morrissey admirers. Also tonight… The Roberts Family Band – like it says on the wrapper… parents, mum and dad, and their very talented kids (who you may well know from the ‘sister’ band Tiptoe Apollo) playing Morrissey + Smiths songs in a charming, intimate manner. And it may be a school night but the party will keep going ’til late care of Jose Maldonado, the Mexican Morrissey, playing indie heavyweights and classics.

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! Isabel Inkcap – Southend On Sea’s indie psych folk chanteuse supreme, with a set imbued by tasteful accompaniment and head turning song craft. 2Wal – ‘Heavy Western’ them calls it…some dark eyed, gothic (small G) alt folk troubadour business is the key here, featuring a striking, high register, keening vocal. Beautiful stuff. Skylarks – Fine exponents of ‘Lounge Punk’ with some finely tuned tastes in the bedrock of proper lofi, poptabulous indie rock. A Felt cover? Yes please!

STRAIGHTEN OUT are the premier Stranglers tribute band out there…if you were lucky enough to be in the audience last time around in The Dublin Castle you’ll know what a superb experience this is. Not just a tribute- as sincere and assured an expression of The Meninblack’s best works as you could possibly hope for. And it’s a great fit in The Dublin Castle. With an extensive set-list that spans two solid hours, Straighten Out re-create the ‘early years’ sound of The Stranglers, complete with a keyboard rig that is the same model as the original used by Mr. Greenfield himself in the 1970’s…! The growling bass sound and the quirky guitar riffs are all there to be heard as is the dual vocal ‘attack’ from the two frontmen a la Burnel-Cornwell as they rip through all the classics: ‘Peaches’, ‘Hanging Around’, ‘No More Heroes’, ‘5 Minutes’, ‘The Raven’, ‘Walk On By’, ‘Straighten Out’, ‘Down In The Sewer’ and many more as they cover virtually the whole of the first three Stranglers’ albums and beyond… Straighten Out – live and unleashed – will take you on a nostalgia trip that transports you back to those raw, powerful, exhilarating times when The Stranglers emerged through the quagmire of mediocrity to produce some of the finest tunes ever written…Straighten Out will put you back in that place…! We Got Killers’ Special Guest DJ tonight is the goodliest of good doctors, THE Doctor himself, Clive Jackson of Dr and The Medics, bringing a bit of a Return to Alice In Wonderland vibe to The Dublin Castle after Straighten Out tonite. What a marvellous night out!

Chaos UK – Back in the Thatcherite Eighties you waited for a  bit of Chaos in the UK to arrive and then 2 came along at the same time. Actually these guys were first…so not to be confused with the Brizzle anarcho punkers of the same name, this Chaos UK are old school punk a la Londinium…they even have a song about Wandsworth Flats for gawd’s sake! Proper good time ramalama for drinking responsibly. Black Rooster– fronted by real deal vocalist Lucy with loads of amphetamine tood and vim, Black Rooster play cranked up classic punk n roll taking in Brit Punk like X Ray Spex and The Damned, plus a righteous dose of American punk roots (Stooges, Dolls, Dead Boys). Ace. The Dinz – Geezerly street punk rocking a singer who looks like an errant Kray Brother, sharp dressed gangster about town- all grist to the punk rock Mill when you’re fronting a kickass punk band! A touch of Ray Winstone. Who remembers The Fabulous Stains?! Before / After – Playing tub thumping hard and fast punky stuff but with intricate twisty guitar patterns that sound more Strokes like…works a treat though. (For fans of Title Fight, Fiddlehead)

Joe Keeley Band– Scintilatin’ and not a little sizzlin’ Southern Fried Rock with a smattering of alt country vibes and some winningly sludgy, in the grunged up pocket bluesiness. Superb, lyric driven music inspired by the Outlaw country stars Joe has grown up loving. The recent ‘Burial Ground’ EP is the latest in a succession of superb releases by Joe and his Suffolk bred band of kickass troubadours.   Nicely done. Tuber Murphy– Double potato nomenclature, nice. Anyway a blend of crisp alt rock, some perky indieness a la Strokes and some down home Southern Boogie, but more KOL than Allmans…but sounds dead neat. Great singer with an effortless folk/Americana tinged voice that reminds a little of wossername out of 10,000 Maniacs. Blunden – Moody Floydy cum Mogwai stuff is the opening impression created by this Midlands 3 piece, but it develops into (still magnificently moody) alt blues rock. Tightly knit playing, groovy stuff.

The Landline – indie / Britpop covers delivered in a pant swingingly poptabulous manner…Fat Boy Slim, Oasis, Charlatans, Pulp, Blur, Stone Roses etc all covered efficaciously until it all blends into one big beautiful pop mush of entertaining fun. Their last show in the DC was a triumph, so if you missed it here’s your chance to prepare for forthcoming Blur and Pulp shows in the best manner possible.  Support tonite from.. Kabelle – synth-pop/indie pop trio that originates from the Isle of Wight and London. with techy millenial pop chops aplenty,  as seen on searing single ‘Wonder’. All highly polished and punchy with a plethora of catchy songs. DJ Fuzz – gives you a buzz.

Tear Up – Oi! Mush!! Get down the Dublin Castle tonight where Watford, nayThe World’s, premier Street Punk band are launching their album. Ace! Excellent old school Oi and thrash punk goodies all about scrapping down the pub, ‘Aving it large and generally being punker than punk. 100% RocknRoll they say of themselves, yeah, if RnR means not giving a fuck punk rock played at a reet old clip. Which it does. The Rankers – Peterborough’s premier proponents of Punk and Oi. Righteous and ramalama ready. Exiles – veteran of Oi, punk, post punk and you name it Michael De Victor, last seen in Kent’s nutjob idiot savant punks Annabollic Steroids, and fronting a Joy Division tribute band,  unveils his new uber punk ultra street Street Punk outfit Exiles. Full on attack of the first degree, could remove paint from street furniture with its rampant fury. Pest – a punk duo, keeping it streamlined and keeping it real. ‘Industrial Nu Punk’ someone said…sounds about right. Absolutely on point with the chunky ass riffing. DJs We Got Killers – Smashing up the dancefloor with All Killer no filler til 2am, between the bands and the first part of tonight’s set will feature a big smattering of Punk And Disorderly early ’80s Street Punk classics.

An Evening With Dave Robinson – From being a teenage music photographer in Dublin, and owner of the first ever Beat club in Ireland, Dave Robinson was intertwined with music from the beginning. He took pictures for Rave magazine at the Cavern with the Beatles, documented the Rolling Stones’ first tour of Ireland, and befriended and briefly managed Van Morrison. He was then dropped in the deep end on his first trip to America becoming Jimi Hendrix’s Road and Tour manager with Pink Floyd, The Nice and The Move. Moving in with Jimi and Noel Reading to their London pad he continued to tour with The Experience across America and the world until just before Jimi’s untimely death. With a taste for the often perilous circuit that was music touring, Dave would go on to be involved in a number of major tours including for The Animals, The Young Rascals and the Vanilla Fudge. Partying and meeting characters along the way such as The Grateful Dead, Janice Joplin, The Who, Jim Morrison and the Doors. Dave would take all of this roadside education with him on his journey into proper artist management, something he had witnessed being done very poorly for a lot of musicians. Creating a 35 strong list of pubs across London where his artists (Brinsley Schwartz, Graham Parker, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmonds, Ian Dury, Elvis Costello) could play. Dave went on to build a recording studio with Jake Riviera above his favourite pub, staple of the nascent pub rock scene, The Hope and Anchor in Islington, where he would record artists such as Elvis Costello and Mike and the Mechanics. All of this experience would lead to Stiff Records and signings of legendary acts such as: The Damned, Motorhead, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe,Tracey Ullman, The Plasmatics, Jona Lewie, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Kirsty McColl, The Box Tops, The Adverts, Lene Lovich, Shane McGowan & The Pogues, Madness…. and many many more! What a roster! After Stiff, Dave was installed by Chris Blackwell as president of Island Records, where he oversaw the careers of U2, Robert Palmer, Stevie Winwood, & Frankie Goes to Hollywood. He personally compiled and marketed Bob Marley’s 44 million selling LEGEND album. The biggest reggae album in the World. He represented Rick Rubin running Def Jam Records and American Recordings outside North America working with Johnny Cash, the Black Crows, Slayer, Danzig and the Jayhawks. He settled the vicious two year litigation between Rick Rubin and Roger Ames, Chairman of PolyGram and signed American Recordings to BMG. Dave then ran The Famous Blue Note Club and Acid Jazz Label, in London helping to launch the Drum and Bass dance movement in the process. Dave has been at the helm or in the mix of the most exciting and important musical developments for over 50 years and he is still active in the music industry as a consultant for various labels and projects – from Van Morrison for EMI to the Gregory Isaacs for Universal. We are very pleased to welcome Dave to the Dublin Castle tonight for the London leg of his very own Stiff Tour, a venue he is very familiar with what with it being ‘The Ancestral Seat of Maness’ (copyright Suggs). Should be a fab night with music from the remarkable playlist of Dave Robinson’s life. A life well led, long may it continue. Although as we know…If It Ain’t Stiff It Ain’t Worth A Fuck!

Three years ago Bugbear and Rock N Roll Book Club were all set to welcome Madness back to their ‘Ancestral Seat’, The Dublin Castle, for a very special event… So, it’s North London. The 1970s. Amid a grim landscape of bomb sites, squats, public baths and rough pubs, a loose gang of misfits and outsiders started hanging out together – riding freight trains, spraying graffiti, stealing records, clothes and musical instruments. Escaping the fringes of petty criminality, they formed a band… That band became Madness, one of the most successful groups ever, in the UK and beyond. In Before We Was We, their first official book, including never-before-seen photos, they tell the story of how they became THEM!… Well, Covid put paid to that, but tonight we will give it another go, and celebrate Madness. Bassist and songwriter Mark Bedders Bedford joins us to explore a journey full of luck, skill and charm, as they duck and dive by day and make their name in London’s exploding music scene by night, zipping around the capital in their Morris Minor vans. Their formative years, 1970-79, provided inspiration for many Madness classics, including ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘The Prince’, ‘Our House’ and ‘My Girl’: songs that four decades later still soundtrack weddings and funerals and inspire mass singalongs. This is the riotous coming-of-age tale of seven originals, whose collective graft, energy and talent took them from the Dublin Castle to the Top of the Pops studio and beyond. Bedders is joined by his partner in all things Near Jazz Experience, and oft times Madness sideman, the hardest working man in show business, the marvellous Mr Terry Edwards, because today we’re covering not one Madness book, but two…  that being the 33 1/3rd story of ‘One Step Beyond’. Author Terry Edwards is the multi instrumentalist renaissance man of head spinning multiple musical machinations…starting in pithy punk funk indie peasants The Higsons back in the early 1980s thru Gallon Drunk, Tony Visconti’s Holy Holy,  Madness, PJ Harvey, Lydia Lunch, The Near Jazz Experience, The Scapegoats and really, really tooooo many more to mention!  In September 1979 the debut album by Madness arrived fully formed despite half the band still being in their teens, and it remains as exhilarating, inspiring and as much fun as when people first heard it nearly 40 years ago. Through extensive interviews with the band, as well as producers Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley, Terry Edwards tells the inside story of how Madness rose to be the most successful singles band of the 1980s in the UK charts. Edders and Bedders will be in conversation with Tony Bugbear, who will also find time to lay on a bespoke collection of musical illustrations, a DJ  set representing Madness roots, shoots, fruits and boots, including most likely a complete play through of ‘One Step Beyond’ plus all manner of tunes by artists referenced in both books. Doors 7.30pm, Interview, Q&A, Book Signings Nutty DJ set all night.

The Fallen Leaves– with a heritage going back to the 1976 dawn of UK Punk Rock (the original Subway Sect, natch, who played the 1976 100 Club Punk Rock Festival alongside Sex Pistols, The Damned, Siouxsie, Buzzcocks etc) and a sincerity of sound dedicated to the essentials of punk, garage and freakbeat (Minimum RnB natch), it’s always a great treat to welcome this band to the stage.  They really tore up the place last time around. “This valve amp, treble-to-the-max rave-up would have had the mid-’60s Who or Pretty Things bricking it backstage at the Embassy Club” Mark Paytress (Mojo)  “This sharp, angular, melodic garage-pop will doubtless appeal to the same authenticity-starved youngsters who have made Billy Childish their king” Stewart Lee… Neovenator-  rocking a new E.P produced with their svengali the one and only JC Carroll of The Members, these chaps may not be quite so very ‘nouveau’ but they certainly know how to place a power chord and a raffish melodic hook or ten. Bits of The Who, The Stranglers, Pil, you know…groovy gear. Aforementioned EP features ‘Launch Day’, a song about Elon Musk and ‘We’ve Got Killers’ a corking number about…your caring sharing Saturday Night Dublin Castle DJs! See below…anyways… Back Room Bangin’ DJs and billionaire rocketeers- all life is here.  Queenie and the Peanuts – old school ramalama punk rock fronted by the sassy titular Queenie and rendering echoes of Penetration, Helen Love and Honey Bane. Great effortless punkology from these seasoned Peanuts too. DJs We Got Killers – punk rock, ska and soul, 6Ts 7Ts 8Ts, whatever Ts, rest assured an eclectic mix of dancefloor pimping goodness assured. til 2am.

Cenzontle – Ethnodelic Latino folk jazz and sampledelics all done at an introspective low key pace with episodic fat bottom end bass…  interesting stuff for sure. Composer of the band’s extensive material, Jorge Hernandez from Mexico, is also the front man of this three-piece band, whose repertoire flows between deep electronic/acoustic melodies to multi-layered Latin American folk patterns that are as energising as they are soul-filling. With vocals in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Cenzontle proffer forth a rich, multicultural palate for sure. WeDance –  From Seol. Electro crunch with a hard ass industrial edge and breathy female vox in their native Korean…Great fat bass and synapse tweaking percussion plus ethereal FX via Italo House piano. …also ringing, resonant dream pop lead guitar fills. Excellent stuff. Really very cool. Tunes change from punky to poppy at the drop of a break, but always esoteric. “Their music plays like a pied piper anthem of indie strangeness, beckoning all to join in on the alt-bacchanal.”… well, quite!  Naga – music composer, multi-instrumentalist, and host of the radio show Memorias on Cashmere Radio. He is based in Berlin, Germany, and has been active as a live music performer, DJ, sound artist, and researcher in the fields of audio communication and technology for over a decade. He is the co-founder of “The Volunteer Sessions”, an event series and collective of DJs, music producers, and graphic artists. He is currently working on new music compositions, as well as on his live hardware electronic music performance. As a music composer and live performer, he strives to use music and aural frequencies as a tool to express the emotions, tensions, and obsessions that populate our collective subconscious.    

Sheep on Drugs are a British techno/Industrial music group, formed by Duncan X (a.k.a. King Duncan) (vocals) and Lee Fraser (a.k.a. Dead Lee) (computers/guitars/keyboards/vocals) and currently composed of Fraser and Johnny Borden (vocals/keyboards). Originally classified as part of the rave movement, the duo emerged in the early 1990s with a string of singles, including “Motorbike,” “15 Minutes of Fame” and “Track X” (later covered by Grace Jones as “Sex Drive”). “15 Minutes of Fame” reached the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart as did “From A To H And Back Again”. Toxic Barbecue- Raw n ragged punk, but they’ve decent tunes played with tons of conviction, sorta reminds of Flying Medallions via Johnny Moped and Dead Kennedys. lovely stuff. Ping Pong Disco- Need A Drink’s pounding teutonic beats channel Front 242 or Nitzer Ebb, while the 10 tracks also recall early Kasabian and Bowie’s funkier period. Meanwhile, ‘Scratcher’s nifty sounds and samples have a Sleafords Mods-do-hip-hop vibe and ’Super Vegetable’ recalls PiL’s collaboration with Leftfield.Alternative dance music is currently big business, ranging from Warmduscher to Special Interest, and while Ping Pong Disco aren’t quite either, they will surely get you up on your feet.

One Step Behind is the UK’s Premier and longest surviving MADNESS tribute band. Formed in spring 1993, the band achieved widespread recognition in an unusually short time, playing venues the length and breadth of Britain including the Marquee Club in London & the Venue in New Cross. Jaunts into Europe and beyond are also common place. Members of Madness have joined the One Step boys on stage on a number of occasions. Sax player Lee Thompson has played a few times commenting the band were “Tight as a ducks arse” and “Brilliant”. Lee is also quoted as saying that OSB were “single handily keeping the good ship Madness afloat”. Drummer Dan “Woody” Woodgate joined the band on stage for “One Step Beyond” and told the boys he thought they were amazing. “That’s exactly what we used to be like – you’ve got it to a tee!” he said. Fine praise indeed! And he could not believe the keyboard playing used no overdubs and was all being played live! Perhaps the greatest tribute came from Suggs himself. At a gig at G-MEX in Manchester walked up to the microphone and said “By the way, we’re MADNESS not One Step Behind!!” The subsequent review in the Melody Maker bared the headline “One Step Behind”. Fine praise indeed!

Two Faced- the Premier Homage to Rod Stewart and the Faces, a band are made up of professional musicians from highly successful bands in their own right. Tonight they will perform two sets of Rod/Faces classics before and after Tony Bugbear interviews author Richard Houghton about his superb new book “Tell Everyone – A People’s History of The Faces: is a lavishly illustrated collection of memories of one of the most celebrated bands in British rock history. The Faces formed in 1969 when singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ronnie Wood quit the Jeff Beck Group to team up with the remaining members of 60s chart toppers the Small Faces – Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones.  Inheriting fans from their previous bands, the Faces went on to play over 500 concerts. At one point they were acclaimed the greatest live rock act in the world, ahead of the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Faces shows could be brilliant or shambolic, depending on just how much alcohol they had imbibed. Legendary BBC DJ John Peel, an early champion of the band, named a 1973 Faces gig at Sunderland Locarno his all time favourite live concert. The Faces had three Top 10 UK singles and a number one album with Ooh-La-La.  In 1971, Rod’s single ‘Maggie May’ and album Every Picture Tells a Story topped the UK and US charts simultaneously, making him the first solo act to achieve this feat. It catapulted his career into an orbit that, along with Ronnie Wood joining the Rolling Stones, ultimately led to the Faces break up in 1975. Written and compiled by Richard Houghton, this book brings together over 500 previously unpublished accounts of live Faces concerts. Fully illustrated with over 150 fan images, this is a book that tells the Faces story as it’s never been told before. Tell Everyone – A People’s History is published on 2 June 2023 as a limited edition hardback. The book will retail for £25 but is available tonight for £20 (£30 with ticket) to be signed by Richard. £9 early bird tickets are also available.

The Ramoaners –  The Bruddas 1970s classic work channelled brilliantly by a bunch guys from Scotland- not so much a tribute in fact as a calling, a ramalama revivalist labour of love..they look and sound like the 1978 Ramones (at their best ). What’s not t L-U-V?  Scottish Sex Pistols – now, were we crass idiots I’d start banging on about Johnny McRotten and what have ya, but luckily we’re above all that. Does what it says on the tin. Brilliantly. Deep Fried Anarchy… (Sorry)  The Corsairs – Gritty but tuneful punk n roll sounds… like a tougher Eddie and the Hotrods with a touch of Slaughter and the Dogs as well as referencing cool U.S stuff like Dead Boys. Bargain Bank Holiday Punk Rock Spesh! Only a fiver! Yay!!

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.

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 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!

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. 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.

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.   

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 – Sheff comes to London for an all dayer of nifty North meets South alternopop, grunge, indie and rocknroll. With Cian Downing, MARPLES, Natural Reverb, Cellophane, Jumpers and Collars, Shabbah, Turning June and Patchwork Dots

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

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.