Subtitle- mad for it clattersome alt rock with wonderfully wayward intensity pitching up in some strange but beautiful place where Pere Ubu, Queens Of The Stone Age and punk rock classique coalesce.     Gambling Hearts– in contrast, some Neil Young like t1endencies to the fore here, maybe a bit of Alex Chilton and Teenage Fanclub too. The return of Salisbury’s acclaimed Gambling Hearts has been an unexpected pleasure to behold in 2018. Paranoid Waves – Indie pop, psychedelic in parts from France. Sung in English, a bit of Gallagher tood to be sure.

Feather Trade –From Athens Georgia USA  – very well executed noirish and frantic alt rock with gothic, post punk and psych leanings, a great bit of Bobby G in The Mary Chain style drum minimalism and some proper frenzy in the vox and guitars. Sisters Of Mercy meets Killing Joke et al. Cool..  Queen Thin-Psych pop recalling late 60’s brit gear like The Creation but also post C86 indie, the early Creation Recs catalogue for example via Sarah  Records and Antipodean indie, Chills, Straightjacket Fits etc. Neat. Paprika Kinski- Frothy cutesy electropop with kitsch funk and disco undercurrents and breathy female vocal plus some great rock out passages augmented by theremin on the very fetching ‘Steady Lover’ – the ghost of French luminaries like Gainsbourg and France Gall certainly present. Sassy and sophisticated, lots to enjoy here. Tiger Mimic-Indie rock shot through with funk, pretty unique, there’s a vague reference to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, has that edginess but much more danceable and hooky, great stuff

Janis Whitehouse Talks To Julie Hamill about her book Loving Amy and the life and times of Amy Winehouse.  In Aid Of The Amy Foundation. Packed with exclusive material that has never been seen before, such as extracts from Amy’s teenage diaries, “Loving Amy” offers a new and intimate perspective on the life and death of the phenomenon that is Amy Winehouse. Arguably the most gifted artist of her generation, Amy Winehouse died tragically young, aged just 27. With a worldwide fanbase and millions of record sales to her name, she could have been an enduring artist and truly one of The Greats. In fact she IS one of The Greats, but was always an enigmatically down to earth if vulnerable individual, who came and pulled pints in The Dublin just for fun, and performed with her band on our stage in 2009, one of the greatest moments in the whole of Dublin Castle history. Sadly missed. Also this evening we talk to Dale Davis, Amy Winehouse musical director who will join us to discuss the significance and power of Amy’s unique voice and work ethic.

Punk’s Payday Karaoke–  Payday Punk Rock And New Wave Karaoke is our monthly fourth Friday of the month regular Dublin Castle sing and be Damned happening. Featuring our bespoke punk and indie covers crack team The DPRK– AKA Democratic Punk Rock Karaoke– and their mahoosive book of fabulous songs that you can perform live on stage in London’s most iconic venue. And it’s now…Free!!!  Featuring special guest turns and DJ Fuzz at the musical controls to keep the party going til the wee wee hours, this will be your monthly must attend event in Camden Town and certainly the only one where you can unleash your inner Johnny, Debbie, Joey or Joe. You are a fucking star, see you at the fucking bar.  Those songs- Beastie Boys – Fight for your right Billy Idol – White Wedding/Blink 182 – All the small things/Blondie – Hanging on the Telephone /Blondie – One way or another/Blur – Song 2 /The Buzzcocks – Every Fallen in Love?/The Clash – I Fought the Law /The Clash – London Calling /The Clash – White Riot/The Damned – New Rose /Dead Kennedys – Holiday in Cambodia/Elastica – Connection/Electric Six – Gay Bar /The Fall – Totally Wired/Green Day – American Idiot /The Hives – Hate to say I told you so/Hole – Celebrity Skin /Iggy Pop – I wanna be your dog/Joan Jett – I Love Rock n Roll/Joy Division – Transmission/Kings of Leon – Molly’s Chambers/Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit/Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop/Ramones – Wanna be Sedated /Rancid – Ruby Soho /The Ruts – Babylon’s Burning /Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the U.K. /Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen /Sex Pistols – Pretty Vacant /Stone Roses – I wanna be adored/Talking Heads – Once in a lifetime/Talking Heads – Psycho Killer /UK Subs – CID /The Undertones – Teenage Kicks The Vapors – Turning Japanese/Weezer – Hash Pipe.  The Bronsons (on stage 8 to 8.45, also FREE ENTRY)- The Bronsons have been Bugbear staples since ooooh..some time ….and this is their last ever live engagement so get down nice and early to this party started. In case you didn’t know, The Bronsons excel in a fantastic reading of all things cranked up really high and rhythm n booze- think Eddie and the Hot Rods, Dr Feelgood, 9 Below Zero..ace.

The Estimators– taking a more authentic, pre punk, pre roots reggae approach to all things ska, this highly accomplished band truly specialize in nice vibes, proper old school Skatalites/Prince Buster stylee approaching the swing early rocksteady and rudeboy reggae tooons, some JA covers and just a wee bit of 2 Tone, and some fine originals too making this a wonderful reading of the genre! The Petty Thieves – super sassy six piece sleazy Reggae/Ska/Funk band from the dirty suburbs of Medway. It ain’t all dirty garage punk out there, fabulous skanking fun. DJ Charlie King (Klub Skank) nicing up this Ball Of Fire too…

Bruce Thomas – Long standing bassist with Elvis Costello’s Attractions was prompted to write Rough Notes when a friend told him: ‘There’s only one history of rock …and pop and you were there!’ It follows his career from the paper-round he did to buy his first guitar and see the Beatles — all the way through to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 …and beyond. Taking time out to discuss the so-called feud between him and Elvis, the memoir also includes accounts of working with Paul McCartney, touring on Elton John’s private jet, a day at Johnny Cash’s ranch and dinner with Yoko Ono — as well as encounters with Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Abba, Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, the Who, Freddie Mercury, Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, John Belushi, Michael Hutchence …and a certain Jimmy Savile. Yet Rough Notes is far more than a personal memoir or catalogue of trivia. It traces the entire story of rock and pop from its beginnings in the 1950s, right through to the present day — despite the fact it’s been said that …’writing about music is like dancing about architecture’. In conversation with Julie Hamill tonite… plus Dave Philpott talks to Tony Gleed about his book Dear Mr Popstar– Humorous letters to pop stars about their songs with genuine witty replies. For nearly 10 years, ‘Team Philpott’, as their followers fondly refer to them, have been on a quite bonkers crusade, writing good old-fashioned letters to pop and rock stars , either picking up on genuine ambiguities within their lyrics or often deliberately misunderstanding them for comedic effect. The artists quite unexpectedly started to reply, writing back in just as witty and articulate a fashion, politely pointing out exactly where the original letter went wrong…or right. ‘Dear Mr. Popstar’’ proudly features 100 of the best letters and responses from famous and legendary names spanning the whole pop and rock spectrum, all relishing their involvement and revealing their own, in many cases, hitherto unknown humorous sides within what could well be the most interactive dialogue compiled between music stars and their audience ever undertaken. Plus DJ Sets by Gleed And Hamill sonically describing the arc of these fabulous books.

No Blinkers– Italians who have located the romance in the post punk and new wave music of the British Isles and perform an array of songs from that era with incredible power and passion, and a twist of their very own band style. So think Cure, Killing Joke, Banshees and so on. A fabulous night out if you dig your late ’70s and early ’80s noir pop gems. The Small Wonders– so what better than to pair them up with our very own twisted punky covers coves The Small Wonders? Joy Division , Buzzcocks , Clash , and a bit more up to date with the likes of Kaiser Chiefs . Played the Castle quite a lot in the 1990s these guys when we were young, dumb and full of it. Better compare set lists guys…Lover – Excellent female fronted pop rock of a Blondie cum Garbage kinda hue, plenty of spiky edges and tuneful endeavours all done with tood and gusto. Skilda-Electronica with spaced out mantras care of a female vocalist keying into a kind of Celtic Bjork thang (from Brittany) – very impressively it must be said, as dark troublesome tribal techno builds care of her percussionist male pard…so live drums and electronics on devoces presumably… Chemical Bros, Prodigy type bangin crossover electronica, Fab.

Totally Blondie are the best Blondie tribute around! Blondie were one of the most iconic bands of the 1970s and ’80s with Debbie Harry’s posters adorning most teenagers’ walls. With Totally Blondie’s lookalike and soundalike singer, you can expect all the classic hits like Hanging On The Telephone, Sunday Girl, One Way Or Another, Atomic, along with some of the finest album tracks. Relive that classic moment in time. It’s …Totally Authentic … Totally Superb …. Totally Blondie!

News Of The Ruthless – Some finely tuned Radiohead shaped progressive indie rock with melodic intent and a psychedelic grunge undertow. “The greatest band in the world ever” – Zaid Joseph, Zarathustras– Listen up, he knows a thing or two does Zaid!

Lunatics Lost- Fronted by Welsh vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Iain Richards with Joanna Khoo on bass/vocals and Mono on drums. With influences from grunge, stoner rock, new wave and punk, the band blend big riffs with melodic hooks giving a powerful platform for lyrics full of bite and edge with clear reference to the social commentary of The Clash and the Manics . “Lunatics Lost reinvents and renews your faith in rock in a way that satisfies all the promise of post – punk to a level other bands can only aspire to. Full of edgy, exciting riffs that will leave you in awe of a band that is set to blow your mind in 2018”  – Pure music live… A Joe Strummer Foundation Fundraiser…… Tom Sail – wonderful stuff from the ex Jolanga guy…melodic uber pop country folk n roll with lots of respect paid to the foundation of the music. So rootsy AND original, a neat trick to pull off..and so well too.

Nick Aslam- gifted Burton On Trent based singer songwriter with full rocking band who takes cue equally from heritage folk, rock and indie acts from Johnny Cash to Neil Young to Arctic Monkeys and knocks out a damn nifty set of tunes full of smart lyrics and neat musical twists and turns. Hitting the DC after a gig for Musicians Against Homelessness at Rough Trade, Nottingham and also a new single launch partay. The Flavells- classic  scally 4 piece with the tood and the sunnies to keep it cool at all times via some edgy indie pop. Posted South-Psych tinged mod pop, The Who, Spencer Davis via the indie-neo-mod of Ocean Colour Scene and The Bluetones…  there’s some fine swirling organ on their recordings which gives it an occasional late 60’s garage Punk feel, neat. Wah Wah Club –  indie pop with a high melody quotient meaning hooks a plenty, trace elements of  The Vaccines maybe but pretty much their own sound, good work Wah Wah peeps.

The Disco Zombies- back together again after some time away, some of it in which pivotal Zombie At The Discoteque Mr Andy Ross became a music journalist and co-founded a label where in a certain Seymour got all Blurry, ya know, ya know, Food For Thought innit. Well before all that The Disco Zombies were a proper John Peel supported post punk type band with adroitly quirky songs like ‘Drums Over London’, recently re-issued and still a wow amongst discerning hipsters and dipsters. What a treat to get a Zombie invasion in the DC tonight. Apparently Damon will be down the front to have a boogie and also return Andy’s Congos album he borrowed in 1998. Proper. Cult Figures – Way back when we were proudly placing the lovable likes of ‘Live At The Witch Trials’ and ‘A Trip To Marineville’ at the front of our record racks there was a nifty little comedic lofi punk pop 7 Inch in praise of ‘Zip Nolan’ in a beautiful pinky bluey foldout sleeve …Swell Maps were involved at first but then Cult Figures became their own men and went on to create their own pleasingly ramshackle pop punk rumble… and they’re back! We’re not worthy. This man went to the doctors…and he said ‘Doctor Doctor, Can Cult Figures Make An Album Please?’…and lo , the punchline is they did. And it’s EXCELLENT. Cult Figures launch ‘The 166 Ploughs A Lonely Furrow’ tonite and we’re really chuffed to be hosting this prestigious happening. Jowe Head’s Infernal Contraption – One of the performers on that aforementioned Zip Nolan 45 was Jowe Head, taking time off from chief bass slinging, glissando shimmying, balloon squarking and full moon pocketing for the fabulous Swell Maps. Jowe has continued to plough HIS own rather lovely furrow, tilling forth a rich loamy turf rich in Anglo Lysergic pop fecundity. With The Contraption Mr Head and friends take shamanic, rustic folk tropes to the mushroom groves and groovy is as groovy does. May contain Magick.

Georgia & The Vintage Youth-Female jazz singer in the vein of Amy Winehouse and Ella Fitzgerald, with 9 piece band, excellent voice lots of radio play… not just jazz though,  dips a toe in ska (like Amy) and the great Neville Staple features on latest tune. Oli Ng- Stirring, catchy, blue collar rock. Springsteen etc, via Americana of a rock persuasion, Ryan Adams et al. Righteous. The Unfunkables – Featuring some rich readings of choice soul classics (a rip roaring reading of Tell Mama for example). Grab em and dance.

  Wartoad-Superb psychedelic/punk band. Band  includes members of Norah Jones’ band, as well as Elle King’s band. The band’s current single, “Move It” is an inventive and dynamic re-working of the seminal early brit Rock ‘n roll Cliff Richard  hit. Digital Criminals have composed a compellingly canorous coalescence of post-hardcore, punk and electro here that manages to remain remarkably energising all the way through. Its hypnotically heartfelt singing mixed with its mesmerizingly innovative music makes for a magnificently vivifying listen” – Pure M Magazine

The Filthy Tongues-Dirty post punk and grinding poetic folk rock what with fiddles and tings..a Scottish band who have been around since the ’80s  featuring ex members of Goodbye Mr Makenzie, you’d compare this to Nick Cave on first listen but actually has far more in common with Crime And The City Solution and The Triffids. Great stuff, Scots accent intact as tales of woe and wonder are woven. Nice. God is in the TV said about the album “These songs wrap themselves around you like a warm blanket and effortlessly soothe your soul.” Seil Lien-“You could argue that she is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets… It’s down and dirty swamp rock that’s a little bit Bad Seeds, a little bit White Stripes, and should be on a David Lynch movie soundtrack” (Scots Whay Hae!) “Sublime debut” (Planet Rock) Jakobi– Gritty post-pink informed indie rock, sounds a bit like The Gun Club in places and there’s some interesting dissonant guitar sounds, compelling stuff and pretty unique, fine work Stage Door Guy- Agit pop/prop punkishly hewn indie rock with politico anti establishment lyrics…see also Thee Faction though this takes more cues from Billy Bragg than The Redskins, with a possible nod to the grittier end of indie rock a-la early Artic Monkeys

The Deltas –  Excellent Rockabilly band formed way back in them there rockabilly rebel days of 1980 , famed for their wild stage show , once featuring Polecat and Morrissey mainman Boz Boorer in their ranks, come on down for Stevie Bongo , Captain Pat Marvel  and Little John kicking up a proper rocknroll storm, definitely party time.  .  Steve Hooker Stripped Down Stompin Band – superb blend of Bo Diddley, Feelgoods grind and Pirates twang with elements of surf and blues.

“Heavy Drapes were one of the rising stars of the UK music scene taking the roof off many a venue in the UK and Ireland, including performances at Rebellion, The Great British Alternative Festival at Butlins, The 100 Club and many more. Garry Borland, their charismatic singer and front man sadly passed away a couple of days after a show stopping performance at Rebellion Festival in Holland in early June. Their as yet unreleased debut album will be a lasting legacy to Garry and the band and his passing has left a gaping hole in the British music scene.” An incredibly successful memorial show was held in September at New Cross Inn featuring many of his friends and bands that he liked, Rock N Roll Rescue tonite curate their own tribute to the sorely missed singer with funds raised going to his family.

Pianist Mike Garson was David Bowie’s most frequent musician, on record and onstage throughout Bowie’s life. They played over a thousand shows together between 1972 and 2004, and Garson is featured on over 20 of Bowie’s albums. Bowie’s Piano Man is the first-ever biography of Mike Garson, written by Clifford Slapper, a fellow pianist who also played for Bowie, working closely with him on his last-ever television appearance. The book explores the special relationship between Garson and Bowie, beginning with the extraordinary story of how Garson went overnight from playing in tiny jazz clubs to touring the world on arena rock tours with Bowie after one short phone call and audition. Clifford Slapper’s excellent book, first published in 2015, has now been revised and extended, taking in the shockwaves we all felt when Bowie suddenly dies in January 2016. Author Julie Hamill (15 Minutes With You, Frank) and Dublin Castle DJ and programmer Tony Gleed will interview Clifford who will also be poised at the piano to give us wonderful musical illustrations to accompany the exploration of the text.    

The Charity Case – formed from the ashes of the The Sting-Rays with the addition of vocalist She Rocola who, according to the Melody Maker in 1988, was the “heart wrenching combination of a singer that sounds like Deborah Harry while looking like Juliette Greco”. So… this is Joe Whitney and She Rocola’s first band back together 30 years later! Post punky post psychobilly/garage with ace awkward squad indie edges. Trash Wax Records has reissued their “How To Fall” LP. Come and enjoy it tonite. City of Smugglers-Dynamic and damn hooky alt-rock, like a hard edged and grittier Arctic Monkeys via Royal Blood,  Fab. The Reverse- Melancholic yet uplifting indie pop, there’s a thread of wistful psychedelia, via post punk which recalls The Soft Boys, also Pavement, quite quirky in places but also compelling, holds the attention, decent tunes. The Imaginary Hat- A fab and frothy blend of 1920’s Jazz, punk and grunge, works a treat, great brass section and playful tunes played at a fair old clip, when their punking things up and something more akin to Swordfishbones Tom Waits when they slow things down. Great

Punk’s Payday Karaoke–  Payday Punk Rock And New Wave Karaoke is our monthly fourth Friday of the month regular Dublin Castle sing and be Damned happening. Featuring our bespoke punk and indie covers crack team The DPRK– AKA Democratic Punk Rock Karaoke– and their mahoosive book of fabulous songs that you can perform live on stage in London’s most iconic venue.  And It’s Now Free Entry All Night Long!!  Featuring special guest turns and DJ Fuzz at the musical controls to keep the party going til the wee wee hours, this will be your monthly must attend event in Camden Town and certainly the only one where you can unleash your inner Johnny, Debbie, Joey or Joe.   Those songs- Beastie Boys – Fight for your right Billy Idol – White Wedding/Blink 182 – All the small things/Blondie – Hanging on the Telephone /Blondie – One way or another/Blur – Song 2 /The Buzzcocks – Every Fallen in Love?/The Clash – I Fought the Law /The Clash – London Calling /The Clash – White Riot/The Damned – New Rose /Dead Kennedys – Holiday in Cambodia/Elastica – Connection/Electric Six – Gay Bar /The Fall – Totally Wired/Green Day – American Idiot /The Hives – Hate to say I told you so/Hole – Celebrity Skin /Iggy Pop – I wanna be your dog/Joan Jett – I Love Rock n Roll/Joy Division – Transmission/Kings of Leon – Molly’s Chambers/Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit/Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop/Ramones – Wanna be Sedated /Rancid – Ruby Soho /The Ruts – Babylon’s Burning /Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the U.K. /Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen /Sex Pistols – Pretty Vacant /Stone Roses – I wanna be adored/Talking Heads – Once in a lifetime/Talking Heads – Psycho Killer /UK Subs – CID /The Undertones – Teenage Kicks The Vapors – Turning Japanese/Weezer – Hash Pipe.  Tonite with HSS Choir – HSS sing PUNK songs, HSS are beautiful and harmonious, HSS stand in circles and vee’s HSS argue like cats and dogs. And we welcome them as special punks payday guest artists tonite, beezer.

Edgar Duke – Psychedelic rock, heavy and hypnotic in places but in no way shoegazy, catchy and uplifting, despite the heaviosity. Velvit – Gently undulating soulful grunge underpinned by Pink Floyd textures, slow burning and sonic wise nicely nicely.

Lunatics Lost-Fronted by Welsh vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Iain Richards with Joanna Khoo on bass/vocals and Mono on drums. With influences from grunge, stoner rock, new wave and punk, the band blend big riffs with melodic hooks giving a powerful platform for lyrics full of bite and edge with clear reference to the social commentary of The Clash and the Manics . “Lunatics Lost reinvents and renews your faith in rock in a way that satisfies all the promise of post – punk to a level other bands can only aspire to. Full of edgy, exciting riffs that will leave you in awe of a band that is set to blow your mind in 2018”  – Pure music live Quiet Choir- Dreampop meets the textural nuances of Broadcast or Young Marble Giants, that kind of plaintive female vocal, though the chiming but buried guitar is more early MBV or even proto goth in nature. Interesting stuff. Bouquet of Dead Crows- Hooky, female fronted alt-rock/emo, , nicely melodic but with an undertow of heaviosity, bit like The Distillers, neat.

ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER & BARNSTORMER Preceded by a set of poetry from Attila and special delights… Listen to some music at https://soundcloud.com/barnstormer1649 Attila the Stockbroker brings his new ‘1649’ Barnstormer to London for the first time, finally fulfilling a lifelong ambition.   It’s unique. A description not used lightly: they literally don’t sound like anyone else. Barnstormer aim to do with early music & punk what the Pogues did with Irish music & punk. Attila describes their sound as ‘Roundhead Renaissancecore and Baroque ‘n’ Roll’. Attila has always loved early music and plays a lot of the instruments – crumhorn, cornemuse, shawm, bombarde and five different recorders as well as violin, viola , mandola and mandocello. A lifelong socialist and activist, he has always been fascinated by  the radical movements which exploded at the end of the English Civil War and the execution of Charles 1 – radicals who can be described as the first English socialists. And his songs are inspired both musically and lyrically by the events of that tumultuous time. So instruments and ideas fit together: they are from the same period. The songs are mostly based around the time at the end of the war, after the King was executed and, in the words of a ballad of the time, the world turned upside down. Previously marginal ideas of social justice and equality spread across the land.  Barnstormer’s songs are about the Diggers, the Levellers, the Ranters and their leader Abiezer Coppe, the radical factions of the New Model Army and their confrontation with Cromwell’s grandees. There is an epic piece about the narrow escape of Charles 11 after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 in a coal boat which sailed from  the spot where Attila has fished all his life  in Shoreham Port, 400 yards from his front door.  (If Charles had been caught, we’d probably be spending more money on the NHS now instead of the Royal Family!) There are some earlier references to Wat Tyler and the Peasants’ Revolt as well. And all with an eye on what‘s happening now, which is essential. Attila has written a couple of very modern early music songs too. One’s about a visionary with a beard and the initials JC! History is mainly presented as the story of kings, queens and nobles but real history is about us and our battles for justice. As our country becomes more and more divided along class and generational lines, and the extremes of wealth and poverty become even more sharply defined, we can learn a lot from the events of the past. Although their politics are similar, there’s one very important difference between Barnstormer and the Roundheads though. Some Roundheads, apparently, thought drinking beer, dancing and having fun was evil. Attila and Barnstormer think it should be obligatory. Show the Bullingden bastards the way to go… and you can get the new Barnstormer album here www.attilathestockbroker.com/merch.php…‘Restoration Tragedy’ is out now and on sale on vinyl and CD at the gig too. Scowl- Attitood to the fore d.i.y punk with a snarling female vocal, also dips a toe in Grunge and Psyche, sounds a bit like Anarchristwood in places, Great stuff.

In Memory Of Poly Styrene. Day 1. In Aid Of ROCK AND ROLL RESCUE. With- Dr And The Medics / Fuzzbox  / The Lurkers / Toto Coelo / Modern Romance / Ed Blaney  (The Fall) / Knox (The Vibrators) / Neville & Christine Staple (The Specials, Fun Boy Three) / Harry Kakouli (Squeeze, The Only Ones) / Tony Wrafter (Maximum Joy, Glaxo Babies) / The Shakespearos  / Risa Duff  / Dave Barbarossa (Adam and the Ants, Bow Wow Wow) Drum Off  / Moskito Kiss / JC Carroll (The Members)  / She Robot  / Flesh Tetris / Julie E Gordon (Happy Mondays) /The Gersoons / The Featherz  /John Rossall (The Glitterband) / Anita Harris / Dave Courtney /David Van Day (Dollar) and Sue Moorish / Jay Stapley (Roger Waters)  / David Sinclair  / The Homosexuals  / Off Topic  DJs Ian Donaldson (Bronski Beat) Other Special Guest DJs TBA Tony and Jim Bugbear , Julie Hamill  Comperes John Robb, Asher Gould   In Memory Of Poly Styrene. To purchase 2 day earlybird ticket go here- http://www.bugbearbookings.com/bugbear-elsewhere/

In Memory Of Poly Styrene. 2 Day Event. In Aid Of ROCK AND ROLL RESCUE. With- The Rubettes / John Otway / Melanie Williams /Angie Brown / Suzanna Dee /Modern Romance / The Leyton Buzzards / Lisa Von H / Brunk  / Spizzology / John Perry (The Only Ones) / The Priscillas / Off Topic / Henge / Viv Goldman / Trip Blizzard / The Vapors / Tara Rez  / The Gonads (Gary Bushell) / Anita Chellamah / The Crack  / Bella Barton / Cherrie And Peach 2.15 DJs Ian Donaldson (Bronski Beat) , Bugbear DJs. Comperes,  CliveJackson, Asher Gould In Memory Of Poly Styrene. Two Day Ticket available here- http://www.bugbearbookings.com/bugbear-elsewhere/

OneLouderFest Day 1… Also featuring Naataakana Minatore, Dramalove,  The High Rip and The Many Few … Eleven of the very best guitar based attitude atuned bands in London and the South East performing All Day And All Night for you for pennies…. As Derek Smalls might say, We’re very lucky to have these visionaries,  two distinct types of visionaries, it’s like fire and ice, basically. Bugbear’s role is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water………We’ve Got Guitars, Yeah!

One Louder Fest- It’s Nigel Tufnell’s second big night out…Eleven more of the very best bands in London and the South East performing All Day And All Night for you for pennies…. Catch em while ya can ‘Dozens of bands spontaneously combust each year. It’s just not really widely reported’ As long as there’s, you know, sex and drugs, we can do without the rock and roll…… also featuring Core, Nadia Sheikh, Slave Superior, Lilac Underworld… Weekend Ticket See all 22 bands for £10

Punk For Mental Health All Dayer- with a fine collection of punk rock stars old and new plus poets, artists, well natured mayhem. And all monies raised going to MIND in Camden.

MODRAPHENIA are a band formed by real Mods of a certain age, each of whom has a genuine passion for performing many of the Mod anthems from yesteryear up to and including the revival period of the early 80’s. Songs by The Small Faces, The Four Tops, The Who, The Kinks, The Beatles, Paul Weller and other Motown classics are brilliantly reproduced with a vibrant dynamic passion. The band is formed of musicians who could never quite let the excitement of the Mod scene go. This shows through when you hear them play the music that shaped the Mod lifestyle. Mod is an attitude and a way of life that defies time. Hearing music played like this will fill you with joy, make you sing along, dance and hopefully forget about life for a while. MODRAPHENIA are the real deal and they look forward to seeing you at a gig very soon. Believe all the hype ‘cos it’s true, they ARE brilliant…and a special treat tonite with two sets, the second of which is Modraphenia covering Who’s Best– all their Ooo numbers squeezed into one sensational slab. Except no Substitute…but theirs! Bugbear think they actually do it better than the more recent versions of yer actual Townsend/Daltrey experience, no offence! Excellent fun. The Collective AKA – Making a fab nite just that bit fabber- is that a word?!- The Collective A.K.A open tonite. Magnificent mod/2 Tone covers act- so you get Specials, Jam, Madness, The Beat, Clash– and some of the Sixties fine fare, all done with musical chops to die for and a whole lotta soulful attention to detail. Top Ranking, No Full Stop!   They’ll be comparing notes ahead of tonite’s show will these two behemoths of proper live entertainment so you’ll get no repeats, pure unadulterated mod and rude boy joy from top to tail, enjoy. 

Couples-Hooky indie pop the inventiveness of Mystery Jets, with the indie pop nouse of Artic Monkeys, also reminds of  the more interesting end of late 80’s indie Cud for example, great stuff The Trusted-are a young 4 piece band originally from Leigh On Sea in Essex. Coming together with a host of influences ranging fromU2, The Clash,  Catfish and The Bottlemen, to The Strokes, Elvis Costello and Muse  they quickly discovered a shared passion for crafting intelligent, rocking indie tunes evolving into a fierce but melodic indie rock beast with a reputation for high-energy live shows. Bedroom Tax- The taut basslines, danceable  riddims and  spectral guitar recall the Rapture in places, via the grittier end of The Clash’s ouvre,  there’s a whiff of  an edgier Mike Skinner too in the vocal delivery, compelling and pretty unique. Neat. Methods– Wolverhampton/Manchester based five piece dealing dark electro indie, hook-laden anthemic tunes with. shades of Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Primal Scream and  Editors. Heart Sauce- Dreamy prog pop, or as they say “vague-pop” in the same ballpark as Tame Impala, wistfully psychedelic, compelling stuff, holds the attention.    

The Blue Orchids Vs The Flaming Stars- John Peel Tribute Night…..never quite understood why we’re encouraged to observe the anniversary of John Peel’s passing to pay tribute to the great man.. so we won’t. On this day in 1996 (for example) Peel played Man Or Astroman, Blak Twang, The Orb and Broadcast on his show. And entertained with his usual wry, other worldly, yet homespun wit ( ‘There is, I suspect, in this studio (I’m on my own at the moment, nobody else in the building as far as I know, except the security bloke), I think that you can control the temperatures in here by thought, because I was just thinking to myself, “It’s a bit hot in here,” and the temperature starts to go down. I may be wrong, but I think I’m on to something.’) Meanwhile on this day in 1986, Sugar Minott, The Undertones, Talulah Gosh and 14 Iced Bears all got a look in (Hi Rob). Needless to bleedin say, two of Peel’s most long standing of personal favourite bands were the acts in this remarkable double header tonite. The Blue Orchids recorded 2 Peel sessions back in the as they say day and former Fall lynchpin and eerily canny guitarist Martin Bramah played on 3 sessions with those particular luminaries, and original organ maestress Una Baines one. JP loved The Blue Orchids and spun their records and repeated the sessions on a regular basis. Still making startling music, Bramah and his current Orchids return to the Dublin Castle with their spectral Northern English Doors post punk psychedelic throb tonite so don’t miss it- As a certain Paul Morley said “They rave but they are not mad.”. Wonderful band.  The Flaming Stars were natch another another Ravencroft Senior fave rave, although he’d never stoop so low as to refer to them as such….their Seeds meets Johnny Cash garage croon and swoon was featured in no less than six Peel sessions. Max Decharne and his effortlessly groovy band always kick up a storm in the Dublin Castle, it’s a marriage made in Camden Town if not actual Heaven. Raise a glass to Peel tonight and let those songs from the bar room floor do their glorious magic. What can ya say? His wondrous waves were manifold and marvelous. John Peel was not a c*nt. of Arrowe Hill – very pleased to annonce o.A.E are opening this fabulous show. The Cat in the Hat Adam Easterbrook has led many versions of this wobderful kitchen psych scally hauntolgical happening, always supported by Peel in the early days, but the current lineup with riddim section Ian O ‘ Sullivan and Jason Hobart has their lofi but luminescent sound thoroughly nailed. Their new Ouija Board release ‘Domestic Espionage” could well be the best yet. An enigmatic amalgam of boho melodics, rascalish social comments, found sounds and field recordings, with ace tunes that come and go so fast you’re left quite giddy. Excellent. 

The Vibrators– From Pure Mania in 1977 onwards The Vibrators set out their stall as the accomplished but still utterly kick ass end of Romantic punk n roll, showing the upstarts how it’s done. Searing, scintillating speedin’ rock and roll that they pulse along at such a pace commanded brilliantly by long standing lynchpin Eddie at the drums, you can’t possibly relax yer having such a good time. They don’t ease off the gas for a second.  With The Members‘ Nigel Bennett on guitar and bass ace Pete chopping out the riddim. Hopefully original songsmith Knox will be popping by from RNR Rescue next door for a bit of Baby Baby action too… Steve Hooker Band– super charged dirty Essex Delta rocknroll trio, get a reet good and grinding riffology going and take it to the dancefloor with a sleazy Link Wray twang…damn good. Those Naughty Lumps – From the halcyon days of the Erics club Liverpool scene, and an original Zoo Recs band who once featured one Julian Cope on bass, yer Lumps are a gift to behold, reformed after all these years, and still packed with an unbridled joy care of their raunchy, slightly naughty,  old wave new wave punky pub pop. A punk Bonzos? Kinda. Fronted by a professional cricketer and a first world war historian, not your every day rocknroll band.

BUGBEAR AND BLACK DOG YULETIDE PUNK ALL DAYER Starring Menace, Hung Like Hanratty, Deviant Heart, A-Heads, Skurvi, Yur Mum, The Plague UK, The Phobics, The Glorias – kicking off at 3pm, Santa hoovers up some sulphate, downs his snakebite and merrily empties his studded leather sac all over The Dublin Castle to gift you the best punk rock present you could hope for: a selection f the very best bands doing the rounds today, topped off fittingly by the marvelous Menace, still kicking ass in their 40th year of fierce fury.    

The Skalectrics- Christmas Party Time well and truly gets swinging with The SKAlectrics- one of the best ska/2 tone covers acts on the circuit.  This 7 piece ska tour de force hail from from Banbury, Oxfordshire and cover all the top tunes from what was for them (and a lot of you regular Dublin Castle attendees) the best era of music , 1979 onwards, the 2-tone & ska years. Enjoy…this is the Ancestral Seat Of Madness after all…

Rubbish OasisTributeBand- Wryly named after them Gallagher boyos penchant for rubbishing other bands in interviews please dn’t be put off by this suitably sardonic humour… luckily these fellas ain’t rubbish at all…hence their the Fauxasis of choice with the official Oasis fanclub. You’ll be stunned by the proximity of their expression of the classics (and yes, they do all the classics) to the waxings you know and love….and they even leave a little room for a bit of individual expression, but it’s all cool…and to paraphrase Liam you should be arsed to come to this gig

Classic Punk’n’Roll party with Pop Punk legends BIG BOY TOMATO plus NUFFIN’, THE BAND OF THE UNDERHAND. Originally formed in the late ’80s, Big Boy Tomato picked up an ever-growing band of followers in UK and Europe through the early ’90s with their raucous, ramshackle live shows and catchy brand of pop punk. A couple of EPs and tracks on the iconic Snakebite City compilations were released, and in 1994 a full album was recorded, but sadly (and mysteriously) never actually released. Fortunately, in 2016 the band managed to regain the rights to the long lost album and make it available. And now they’re back on the live circuit once again … and just as much fun as ever! Talking of coming back from the mists of time.. NUFFIN’ was formed by five teenage school friends from Caterham during the first wave of British Punk Rock in 1976. When original drummer Roger Bullen left to join ‘EATER’ (and became ‘Dee Generate’), their 2nd guitarist switched to drums and the current 4-piece line-up was formed. NUFFIN’ turned up to play the legendary Roxy Club in London on 3rd August 1977, only to find a TV crew had taken over! Luckily, they were looking for undiscovered bands as a counterpoint to the hype of the time, and so NUFFIN’ got to feature in Janet Street-Porter’s LWT documentary: “1977 The Year of Punk”. Forty years on the original members of NUFFIN’ were reunited and their debut album of original ‘70s tracks – “CROWD CONTROL” – was was finally released in 2018 after 41 years! BAND OF THE UNDERHAND – Soulful rock n roll from the Old Kent Rd.