Oliver Shaw Experience– the excellent songwriter Ollie Shaw takes Radiohead like progressive pop moves and meshes them with garage rock elements care of his excellent band, producing some righteous nuggets of raw sound that are indeed wonderfully crafted songs. After two great albums under the wing of producer Paul Tipler, Ollie is already creating his third, and his Dublin Castle residency begins tonight. Strange Days – Describe themselves as Gutter-rock champions hailing from the bosom of Brexitland and who are we to argue. Excellant hook laden, edgy, indie rock which doesn’t really sound  like anyone else, a neat trick. Guts – laconic artful fare showcasing languid guitar balladry and indie garage crunch with wistful, wry lyrics and a hint of The Wave Pictures via V.U- mysterious coves too!

SLADY – all female Slade tribute band! and one of the first acts we just had to have back in the Dublin once Covid restrictions were lifted, the unbeatable SLADY, Bugbear’s favourite tribute band bar none, because what’s on offer exceeds all expectations from what you might call a mere ‘tribute’…it’s a not to be missed crazee luv’d up skweeze me pleeze me fest to delight all fans of top drawer ’70s glam and classy Brit Rock. A celebration of one of the greatest bands of all time indeed. Gobby – Singer/Guitarist, Jem Lea – Bass, Donna Powell – Drummer, Davina Hill – Lead Guitar/Singer…  C’mon Feel The Noize… The first journalist to champion Slade in the 1970’s in the Derby Evening Telegraph was Richard Cox, here’s what he had to say about the last time Bugbear hosted SLADY in the DC, Valentine’s Night 2020 with Slady at The Dublin Castle- ‘Slady are unique. They are, on paper, a traditional tribute band with the big difference being they’re female, young and attractive, but listen and look. These girls are not simply mimicking stars of yesteryear: each is a musician in her own right. My memories go back 50 years this December when I first saw Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Don Powell and Dave Hill, whose individual personalities were based on four Black Country lads having a blast and playing great rock music. Slady leave me with the same impression. Before the gig, they were with the fans; when the support act, Tuppenny Bunters, were on, Slady were in the audience mingling, then in the bar and ‘When The Lights went Out’ at the end of the gig they were with us oldies feeling the justified adulation… Gobby has made the commanding stage presence of Noddy her own; she rules those boards with a mirror top hat, platform shoes, and a powerful voice, just like the man did. Jem, like Jim Lea, is an accomplished musician who uses the bass as if it’s a musical baton to conduct the band’s drive. Donna tucks herself away behind the drum kit, and produces a stand-out, strong beat, much in the style of the ‘big man’ Don Powell. Like Don, she seems happiest letting her sticks and skins steal the limelight. Finally, Davina. Last year I felt she was the shy, retiring type hiding behind her guitar; this time she was in total control: picking out and soaring lead riffs that brought great songs to life.  Slady are not a ‘close your eyes and you’ll think you’re in the presence of the originals’ tribute band. Open your eyes: these girls are simply loving the music they play. It just so happens that Holder, Lea and Powell (the original Slade) wrote the songs the girls like to sing. It’s music that gets right into the soul’… ​David Woodcock And The Fixtures – Upbeat and lyrically sharp pop with a nod to Ray Davies and Jarvis Cocker, and also tapping in to theatreland show tunes, The Velvet Underground, Richard Hawley and The Divine Comedy.  David’s songs are steeped in the classic British song writing tradition epitomised by the likes of Ray Davies, Steve Harley and Ian Dury. Lyrics filled with humour, pathos, wry observations and a riotous energy – in David’s music there’s certainly an air of Ian Hunter rockin’ it up with Mott The Hoople, Vivian Stanshall as a drunken Harry Nilsson, Pete Doherty with a clean bill of health or Damon Albarn in young, cocky scamp mode. Live, David works the room to the max. He gives us tales of lost love, lust, jealousy, memories, regrets and of living life to its messy limits and all the consequences that entails. On record the energy remains. David’s superb eponymous debut appeared a few years ago on Blow Up Records, and he recently released the excellent follow up ‘Normal Life’, a cavalcade of wonderful self effacing pop gems crying out for a stage, and lo!….we have one!

CMDN Presents- All Dayer Live Music Event At Camden’s Legendary Dublin Castle- Bugbear and the good people of camden-live.com are getting together on 04 July 2021 for an amazing line-up of rock music across blues, classic rock and punk. The day is split into 2 programs – Afternoon and Evening both priced at £12.50 each. Or you can go for the whole day for £17.50.  Check the band’s socials and websites for special discount codes.

Social Disinfectants –  In between writing great Beatles based memoirs and channelling the beat for The Trembling Wilberries, drummer supreme David Stark also has a very neat little blues band-  starring also Matt Backer, Dzal Martin, Vince Lewis & Steve Salvari, these guys will certainly have the chops to soothe your lockdown battered brow with the righteous joy of Yer Blues. Susan Black– sometimes known for her tribute to Edith Piaf, always known for great singing talent, Su Black makes for a wonderful support this evening, so arrive nice and early to catch her set. N.B EARLY START/FINISH Doors 5.30pm

Greedy Soul – Aspirational high emotion indie with reference points to all the big hitters of the last 25 – 30  years (Oasis, The Verve, The La’s etc) but with an attitude and style all their own. Excellent band. Very pleased to invite these guys back to rock The Dublin Castle. Tizane – 1980s pop dynamics and crafted uber pop with original, techy soundscapes. Vocally a little like Delores Cranberry, as if produced by meets Godley and Creme. Rather sophisticated ya see, could please fans of Kate Bush or Eurythmics. Her new album ‘Cherry’ has had across the board killer reviews. Oscar Mic– Former Shuffle frontman Seamus gets on something of a  minimal but mahoosively funky hiphop tip. Nagging experimentally birthed riddims with vocalese part croon part rap atop, all supercool and slinky. For fans of Digital Undergroud, De La Soul and Missy Elliot to name but three.

The Satellites- Unabashed big bollocked Punk-Rock band from Acton, West London. Formed in 1977 on October 4th, twenty years to the day that the Russians launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. Ya see?! Singer Derek Gibbs took on an early mantle of punk rock fame as the model on the front of the infamous 1977 ‘New Wave’ compilation album…every young punker had one, and admired Del’s beer flobbing antics before they ever heard his sonorous singing. They supported Gary Numan’s Tubeway Army on their first ever gig in that sainted year of ’77, and have played with all the great and the good of punk in the ensuing years….proper punk… and tonite they play with… DamageUK – Brian Damage outta Nuffin‘s new band, bringing his cousin Paul Flynn from those top geezers on bass, plus Reg Charles on drums. So think post Nuffin, post punk, think 1979 and the riffing has slowed down and it’s gotten a tad more dare I say new wave- like the difference between early Lurkers and the stuff they did later- or any of them bands come to mention it. Songs echo Clash circa London Calling, plus some nice Joy Division-ish guitar figures…dynamic stuff. The Assassination Bureau– frantic wanton punk rock and sensational spaghetti western vibes from this boy/girl/boy 3 piece- give it plenty too, some nice whammy bar twang and a keen eye on melodic content too. Isla Dogs – Bass Guitar and Vocals, Dave D. Void – Guitar and Vocals, Will D. Beest – Drums Audio assassination. Hits to order. Executed in 3 minutes or less…

The Glare- 2 voices, 2 keyboards, big soulful emoting songs with real life stories,  stark, emotive, politically fearless….Britain’s Got Talent or The X Factor would shit their pants at this although in a ptoper world she’d win.  Soulful, bare, heartfelt, very good.  “Lily Bud “Spits fire at austerity, poverty and injustice in an astoundingly beautiful and powerful voice” a protest singer raised in the streets of London is bringing and unforgettable message back to the City that raised her.” The Fabulous Micky c Four- A classy set of protest songs cum lovelorn examinations of the human condition. Hook laden country pop flecked song craft.

The Collective A.K.A- Magnificent mod/2 Tone/punk and new wave covers act who switch effortlessly between the likes of The Specials, The Jam, Madness, The Beat, The Who, The Clash, Small Faces and more modernist marvels , all done with musical chops to die for and a whole lotta soulful attention to detail. Top Ranking, No Full Stop! Bring yer dancing loafers/hush puppies/monkey boots/DMs!  Sharp Class – superb high energy young mod band.

Anthrax UK – Excited to have these stalwart activist punks back in the DC, the British Anthrax that is of course, not some hairy American blokes…fast and furious is about right, Crass meets GBH, a pretty dynamic punk rock place to be, with some moments of contemplation and a wee bit of musical stretching out amidst the onslaught, and a fair bit of infectious skanking. Frontman Gary and Grown Your Own Recs (co- run by Steph out of equally legendary pop punk riotgrrl inspirations Hagar The Womb) do great works as innovators and enablers and cultivators of the ongoing punk scene of the UK and beyond. Dogshite – Also fabulolous to have Dogshite back under our noses…influenced by yer Kleenex,  X-Ray Spex, the Slits and Crass and starring Guy Mcaffer (legendary London Techno Producer and ex-festi drop-out from dub-meets-crusty dance pioneers Back To the Planet), and Chris Liberator (notorious Acid Techno DJ also of Anarcho-punk agitators Hagar The Womb, Cold War, and other bands including never-quite-made-it indie types We Are Going To Eat You) decided to start a band that hailed back to real punk ideals and attitude circa 77-84, and whammo, they succeeded with bells on, with superb frontwoman Carmel (aka Tiddles) plus Sam DFL on bass (Automata, The Skuzzies, Headjam, NukeOnRoute and AOS3) . An excellent array of feisty pop punk songs that could all be classic 45s from back in the as they say day. Papal Plot – nouveau punk… I guess they’re young as they’re using Instagram as their promo portal haha, so let’s dig the new breed and support them…spirited and witty like all good punk used to be, a bit of an Eddie Argos (Art Brut) like feel to the lead vocal, gritty and groggy early Buzzcocks cum Swell Maps feel to the beefy, boisterous tunes. Ace. Emily Flea – known of late for her weekly live streams, Ms Flea once performed in the, yes, Fleas, and had a stint in the very marvellous Anarchistwood but has long since ploughed her own furrow of DIY Agitpunk, keeping the faith with community based causes and anarcho ideals. Arrive nice and early to ensure catching this force of nature’s set.

The Dekkertones – Playing authentic ska, although a lickle more emphasis on yer  rudeboy reggae really- skinhead reggae, boss reggae, whatever you prefer! Male singer, female singer, juxtaposing beautifully, full brass front line and a nicely skanking rocksteady vibe. ‘Sweet Soul Music’….’Hurts So Good’…’Everything I Own’ etc. Got the look. Do it super sweetly, nuff vibes… Jack The Lad –  playing classic Punk,Ska and Oi from the past-covering Sparrer, Blitz, Ruts, Specials to name just a few – for your total satisfaction and indulgence.

Blue Orchids, as a post punk psychedelic adjunct to Fall -world are well established in the music enthusiast’s consciousness, and yes, Martin Bramah was a founding father of The Fall, and as expressed recently might have reasonable grounds to even call himself  The Fall, well, why not…but then he’s not daft. Perhaps people could do with reconnecting with Martin’s  oeuvre a little more deeply than obsessing over the ex Fall schtick, specially what with the recent albums being a succession of magik pop psych masterpieces choc stock (oh yes) with fabulous gems full of rich, resonant sounds and stinging, esoteric lyrics. 2018’s “Righteous Harmony Fist” was a total triumph, one of them stick to the turntable type records you used to know and love in the seventies and eighties.  2019’s ‘The Magical Record Of Blue Orchids’ psych and garage covers record was another gem. And the accompanying live shows were remarkable. A definite air of the ‘wow man we’re not worthy’ was rife amidst the awestruck punters in the Dublin Castle three years ago as they shook the embers of harmonic feedback off their clothing and made off into the night. That was a superb Blue Orchids show. Well at long last here’s your chance to enjoy the Blue Orchids experience again… Buy the records, attend the gigs, appreciate the illusive magic of  Blue Orchids. A very special group. Oldfield Youth Club – Formed in Autumn 2018 OYC is made up of 3/4 of critically acclaimed 1980’s pop group The Last Party (2 Peel Sessions & Melody Maker Single of the Week with their debut single ‘Mr Hurst’). Featuring Simon Rivers (Bitter Springs)… Argonaut – girls and boys combine to channel post punk grit and tood, fronted by Abby Werth, Argonaut play it gnarly and noisy, but also pop friendly and melodic at times, elements of Velvets, Fall, Throwing Muses…

Irish singer-songwriter Rory & The Island has just released his brand new single ‘Miss This’ – writes The Journal Of Music… ‘Miss This’ explores the basic little joys we all miss during this crazy situation, and has become a firm favourite during Rory & The Island’s successful weekly Facebook Live broadcasts which have built up something of a cult following with an average of 30,000 weekly views over the past year. Rory & The Island has had 12 Top 20 iTunes singles in Ireland in the past decade. His most recent single ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ reached Number 1 in early November 2020 and raised a few eyebrows when it kept Miley Cyrus, Lizzo and Dermot Kennedy off the top spot for the weekend. The single also climbed to Number 8 in the UK iTunes Songwriters chart. Rory’s journey began as lead singer of indie-rock band The Revs, who alongside being hotly tipped by the likes of U2, found themselves topping the Irish charts with two top 5 albums and a string of successful tours that made waves throughout Ireland, Europe and even reached Australia with a top 30 single – as well as beating Damien Rice, Relish and Six to take both the Meteor IRMA award and the Hot Press Award for Best Newcomer. After the bands split in 2007, Rory moved to a remote island in the Canaries where he opened a live music venue ‘The Island Bar’. It was there the Donegal songwriter performed weekly residency shows building up a following of people from all over the world that would travel to the island to come and see him perform. It was also here that Rory & The Island was born – with Rory Gallagher beginning his solo project under the name to avoid any confusion with the Ballyshannon/Cork Blues Legend. Two albums later, Rory & The Island independently earned himself 8 top 30s, 2 top 10s and a Number 1 single in the Irish Charts alongside performing all over the UK and Ireland supporting the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Feeder and Alabama 3. 2019 saw Rory leave the island, return back to Ireland and extensively tour, filling out rooms around the UK and Ireland with his London show at The Dublin Castle selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. ‘Miss This’ the brand new single from Rory & The Island is out now across all digital platforms.

Irish singer-songwriter Rory & The Island has just released his brand new single ‘Miss This’ – writes The Journal Of Music… ‘Miss This’ explores the basic little joys we all miss during this crazy situation, and has become a firm favourite during Rory & The Island’s successful weekly Facebook Live broadcasts which have built up something of a cult following with an average of 30,000 weekly views over the past year. Rory & The Island has had 12 Top 20 iTunes singles in Ireland in the past decade. His most recent single ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ reached Number 1 in early November 2020 and raised a few eyebrows when it kept Miley Cyrus, Lizzo and Dermot Kennedy off the top spot for the weekend. The single also climbed to Number 8 in the UK iTunes Songwriters chart. Rory’s journey began as lead singer of indie-rock band The Revs, who alongside being hotly tipped by the likes of U2, found themselves topping the Irish charts with two top 5 albums and a string of successful tours that made waves throughout Ireland, Europe and even reached Australia with a top 30 single – as well as beating Damien Rice, Relish and Six to take both the Meteor IRMA award and the Hot Press Award for Best Newcomer. After the bands split in 2007, Rory moved to a remote island in the Canaries where he opened a live music venue ‘The Island Bar’. It was there the Donegal songwriter performed weekly residency shows building up a following of people from all over the world that would travel to the island to come and see him perform. It was also here that Rory & The Island was born – with Rory Gallagher beginning his solo project under the name to avoid any confusion with the Ballyshannon/Cork Blues Legend. Two albums later, Rory & The Island independently earned himself 8 top 30s, 2 top 10s and a Number 1 single in the Irish Charts alongside performing all over the UK and Ireland supporting the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Feeder and Alabama 3. 2019 saw Rory leave the island, return back to Ireland and extensively tour, filling out rooms around the UK and Ireland with his London show at The Dublin Castle selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. ‘Miss This’ the brand new single from Rory & The Island is out now across all digital platforms.

SENEX IV– Vintage bohemian pop from Ex Long Bone Trio with a little less punkabilly and a bit slinkier and torch song friendly feel that nudges on the gothic. Good songs is the key, really good songs. The band’s debut album called ‘Dolls House’ appeared just before the pandemic hit so they must be chomping at the bit to rock your asses off tonight. Man Shaped Wolf – Chilli Peppers meets Zep and a shed load of ace attitude, plus some moments of impressive sensitivity dint of some sophisticated songcraft.

The Bracknall- Long awaited London appearance by the soulful rocknroll combo  who specialize in skuzzed up bluesey indie rock, with reverberations of The Libertines, King Blues and trace elements of Jamie T.

Fu Fighters – This is indeed a call…the premier Foo Fighters tribute band hit Camden Town, which you might think is The Long Road To Ruin hoho but no in Times Like These these Stacked Actors are Making A Fire that will no doubt be The Best Of You… Copperhead Jax – classic rock covers act taking in Thin Lizzy, Hendrix, Cream, Small Faces and Led Zep and more….brilliant. The Front Rank – Some veterans from Her Majesties Armed Forces got together when they were still serving squaddies and traded their weapons for guitars to produce a blend of classic rocknroll and Britpop, a thoroughly British take on all things loud and melodic taking in Oasis, The Who, The Kinks and the Pistols. An excellent opening barrage.

The Kubricks- Played many a Dublin Castle Bugbear happening over the years and it’s fantastic to welcome them back as part of their extensive Autumn 2021 UK tour.  Formed in London, The Kubricks are a seven-piece band who mix ska, reggae, and infectious melodic pop.  After surfacing in 2013 with their debut EP, “Wasters & Wannabes”, The Kubricks soon became one of the must-see ska bands of this generation. Tracks from their debut release were supported by Huey Morgan on BBC Radio 2, and Tom Robinson (BBC Introducing – 6Music), and The Specials’ bassist, Horace Panter championed the band, claiming “I can hear Madness, The Ruts, Squeeze and The Clash in there…” The timing was perfect, and coincided with a new interest in ska music, as many of UK’s festivals began dedicating entire stages to the genre. Riding on the back of this wave, the band soon found themselves supporting legends such as UB40, Bad Manners and The Toasters. The Kubricks have honed their commanding live set, headlining their own shows and playing festivals across the country. After a highly acclaimed debut album and further well regarded releases The Kubricks are back to shake us out of our lockdown blues. They have played to tens of thousands over the years with appearances at Boomtown Fair, Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering, Wickerman (Scotland), Godiva, Dance Ska La (France), Brownstock, and The London International Ska Festival, amongst many others.

Laurie Wright & The Lockdown – Gloucester Town’s secret weapons, the fiery fizz of Laurie Wright’s songcraft and acidic pop delivery augmented brilliantly by crack band The Lockdown, all fab players, and a dedicated harmonica blaster in the mix too. A fantastic blend of edgy indie and roots staples from folk and rhythm n blues traditions, this band have mass appeal. For fans of Dylan, The La’s, Tom Petty, The Stones…  Sun Pinned Leaves – Already 3 albums in (and counting no doubt) Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner are veterans of an always healthy Kent and Sussex music scene, which is probably how they mange to hone such musically sophisticated material imbued with a beach bum’s sense of relaxed adventure. They also pull off the very clever trick of being incredibly eclectic (a drum and bass riddim here, an Ian Dury like refrain there, a Britpop motif hither, a heart wrenching ballad thither) whilst not really sounding like anyone else. Brilliant pop music basically, belying their other  (also ace) punk rock activities (Nuffin to see here).

Back in February of last year, just before everything went tits up, we had one of the finest ska and rudeboy reggae nights imaginable when Bugbear get on board with not only Ball Of Fire but also Coast To Coast ….And we’re very pleased to say we’re doing it again…Starring The Estimators and their joyful and peerless brand of brass imbued authentic ska and rudeboy reggae and ably supported by The Bighead, North Hants purveyors of prime pop reggae. And between the bands and right til the end of the night in the wee wee hours it’s fabulous to welcome DJ Cello on the decks playing reggae, ska, latin and soul. Unmissable.

Growing up listening to The Jam has lead Ben McKelvey to also be influenced by the likes of Bruce Springsteen , Noel Gallagher’ s High Flying Birds , Johnny Cash and Frank Turner . This collection of legendary inspirations is evident in his music, as Ben’s rich melodies and musical storytelling will easily find it’s home with any fan of more contemporary artists like George Ezra , Vance Joy or Mumford & Sons . Produced by Jake Robbins ( Natives ), Ben McKelvey ’s energetic ‘ Wild Child ’ is an uplifting fast-paced album about freedom, believing in your dreams and ultimately regret. The lyrical content starts out as being about the teenage dreams of aspiring musicians, but right at the end, it is tinged with a sense of sadness as regret comes creeping up; thinking about a life that could have been. Driving drums, swooping guitar solos and hypnotic bass lines all work together in perfect harmony as Ben ’s vocal delivery effortlessly portrays his storytelling talent.

Pat Fish– Former Jazz Butcher frontman and Sumosonic sorceror, Glass Records and Creation recording artiste Pat Fish is back in the swim of things and hits the Dublin Castle for some Southern Mark Smithery… and not a little Scandal In Bohemia will ensue no doubt. Get on board, you don’t wanna be caught waiting for the love bus innit though. Micko And The Mellotronics – Veering between bleepy found sound electronica, jaunty post punk and psychedelic eccentric pop, the career of Micko Westmoreland has been fascinating. Now hooked up with full band including former late era Banshees guitarist John Klein, Micko takes to the stage perhaps at his most rocknroll oriented yet.   You may remember Micko from his role in Ewan McGregor glam schlock flick ‘Velvet Goldmine’ too, and for his musical endeavours with soooo many of the great and good including Terry Edwards, Neil Innes, The Blockheads, Kevin Eldon, Horace Panter from The Specials, The Stranglers, Les Rhythmes Digitales and celebrated artist Harry Pye…who said polymath? Mulitimath perhaps…