P45-Formed by Jack Kendal star of ITV’s Bad Lads’ Army, a London band doing a lot of ska/punk/new wave/mod covers in a thoroughly pro stylee  they call “cockney opera”. UB40 style originals too, a lotta Marley…Overall we’re getting a skanking Small Faces vibe great stuff.Natural Right-Snappy, upbeat pop reggae or “reggaiefied” pop as they put it, decent tunes with a lilting ska element. Peter Azzopardi– D.J

Total-REX T-REX Tribute is a sensational show capturing the rock sound of Marc Bolan and T Rex. A must see for all Bolan, Glam Rock and 70s Music fans alike, our show features all the T Rex big hits from 1970s – and much much more! Bolan still has a large and loyal fan base all around the world today, many o0f whom will no doubt make their ways to the Dublin Castle for this very special T Rexmas Party! Get your tickets while you can…The band are absolute T Rex fanatics and pay honour to the former Marc Feld and his amazing back catalogue beautifully. Not to be missed. GINXS – When ace Liverpool edgy pop naestros The High Rip ain’t doing their own fab thing, drummer Jo gets on the mic and gives the world it’s one and only female fronted INXS tribute. What a wonderful thing. Michael Hutchence just died again and re-entered Heaven.

Quatermass 3 – In a dark but enigmatic corner of the British psychogeographical mind map, just a stone’s throw from Quality Street, natch, and also the flesh pots and gaiety houses of Brighton….we shall find fevered and psychedelically cerebral post punk rom the people behind World of Twist, Earl Brutus and The Dials. A must see outerspacial happening. Artificially Yours – electronica and psych seamlessly stitched together by this rather fetching 3 piece. Getting plaudits from all quarters of the pop press right now and quite bleedin right too. Dead Anyway  – Talking of plaudits and pop press n all that here’s a band from Gloucester whose remarkable music has been turning heads from Tom Robinson to Fresh On The Net- Marc Symonds and Kate Arnold make meaty loops driven techy and guitar splattered art pop that has a kind of Big Black meets Poison Girls  feel, albeit on a moonlit night in a misty glade somewhere in the Forest Of Dean.  If Dry Cleaning were from the wrong (right) side of the tracks…Can only be a good thing. What a great bill…you lucky bleeders…and you also get DJs We Got Killers spinning and winning til the wee wee hours.

Tizane – Superb singer songwriter with excellent band and a sassy, strident style. With some excellent  compositions that pull no punches for one so young,  and a handful of brilliantly well interpreted choice covers, this very talented young woman is quite rightly causing quite a stir in the business right now. The Kites – Built on a classic rock foundation with soaring Britpoppy melodies, tight and billowing songwriting! Kites…really taking off right now, ya get me? Sasha Assad –  a knack for blending indie-rock riffs, thundering drums and ear-worm hooks. Expect Sasha Assad to break through the London scene alongside her loud, ferocious all female band.

The Kunts Khristmas Party – you’re a kunt, I’m a kunt, we’re all kunts. Especially at Khristmas, a time for utter Kuntishness. Boris Johnson however, lest we forget, as he waddles off to multi millionaire status with his filthy snout full of stolen pies (having presided over the worst government in living history), he friends is STILL a fucking cunt. As fingered gloriously on previous yuletides by tonight’s very special guests, The Kunts, formerly Kunt and the Gang, here no doubt to celebrate the advent of  the Thick Lizzy years and another glorious chapter in the jaundiced tale of UK PLC, where the embuggerment of the many by the few is seen as a badge of honour by thickos from all strata of society, although of course as we must know by now, society does not exist. A lot going down in Kuntland, if you get my meaning… ‘Have You Seen Shannon Mathews, The Musical’ (“Vile” – The Sun, “Sick” – The Star, “I can’t wait.” – Stewart Lee), last years multi banned ‘Prince Andrew Is A Sweaty Nonce’ meisterwork, and over 10 years of utter Kuntishness encapsulated tonight in a Kunt Rock Party to die for. Beautiful. I’ve never noticed that mole on your nob? It’s not a mole it’s dogfood. Also tonight Petrol Bastard who are 2-piece sweary electro-punk outfit from Leeds, UK. Plenty to enjoy there. 

Personality Crisis – A London based band playing high energy Rock and Roll & Punk Rock originals/classics from the sainted 1970s. Stooges, Damned, Dead Boys, Saints, Heartbreakers, Sex Pistols, Dictators, Buzzcocks, Devo, Dead Kennedys and more…do it with refreshingly hefty amounts of chutzpah too…with a great attitude. Loose, louche and loveable. A Xmas Punk Party must. Moody Pythons – Cramps meets Fuzztones Nuggetsfest!  Yes, 1960s inspired garage/rocknroll…only they have a fiddle player and break into passages of gypsy gyratings. And why not?!  Naz Nomad and the Nightmares heat your hearts out. The Anoraks–  by Fearful Sharkey’s nylon parka!… the true spirit of punk is alive and well and zipped up to the nose with a detachable hood. The sound of 1978. Volnero – two piece industrial-house band. Inspired by purveyors of industrial, goth, noise, hard house and electronic experimentalists to unite sexy gloom and uplifting dance together. Think pulsating tracks that dominate an electro-industrial driven dark ambient soundscape.

Ball Of Fire Vs Coast To Coast Xmas Party! – Ball Of Fire meets Coast To Coast is back with another explosive party featuring the very lively and entertaining Estimators, and DJ Cello spinning the best in ska, reggae, soul & latin. THE ESTIMATORS are a splendidly vibrant traditional Jamaican ska band hailing out of London, England. “These true Jamaican ska music roots warriors get nothing less than ‘total music respect’ with their full respect showing to the music first and foremost. With fabulous grooves, sensational horn section displays and whole overall band brilliances they captivated me completely with their entire Ska music spectrum and I was absolutely skankin’ in my ear music modules throughout, ‘pick it up’ ‘pick it up’, yeah man! They just really love the music and when you check them out live wait till they get you all into their definition fully and then watch their music lift the roof! They objective is the audience always in having a rocking good time and all should appreciate that class definiton. On that note, if you love ska well, look no further and checkout these ‘true music rudeboys’ out, giving you the “Real music goods”, love this bands whole music vibe!” (Forkster’s Daily Band Review)  DJ Cello – Back to it’s new regular home of The Dublin Castle (a perfect fit), Coast To Coast is a must for all serious lovers of good music and dancing, care of Cello’s immense 7 inch selection straddling ska, soul, Latin and reggae. Special festive vibes in the House tonight! 

Menace – original GLC bating 76/77 punks, now fronted by long standing drummer Noel Martin are back in what could be their second home from home for another Xmas punk rock party, the best fucking Xmas party in town, as they so modestly describe it! A guaranteed good time, especially with the brilliant metallic punk crunch of the very wonderful PollyPikPocketz in support featuring excellent vocalist Myura, and Kontrol Freaks to open with buzzsaw beauty aplenty. NB Doors 2.30pm

Dogshite – sussed and sassy Carmel Reynolds AKA Tiddles upfront and proper crash bang wallop punk rock behind her with some pithy pop choruses and an admirable agility to play joyful ska once some skanking is required. Great punk band kids. Hagar The Womb – need no introduction as it’s been 40 years since they first trod them boards but to this day a wonderful example of how to kick ass but be accessible, and how to deal with thorny social subjects and still be inclusive and charming. One of the most under rated bands from the 1980s, still doing it, still rad. Benefit Cheats – “Power pop punk rock and roll with a sarcastic edge and the odd laugh out loud moment”, as they say re their recent “Darwenism” album. Picture The Clash and very early Skids kicking out the po faced bits and ramping up the jollies.

Outsider Art Xmas Bash- a night of punk art fun and finery, with all proceeds going to MIND In Camden.

Red Heron – young Hackney based band reconvening to bring some more of their post punk tinged psychedelic rock to the DC. Mixing up progressive touches with psych rock trippy bits, short sharp attacks and explosive rocknroll, and switching roles and instruments effortlessly as they go. Interesting, intense and meaningful work from such young chaps, now previewing some great material online. At their last DC show they enigmatically alighted the stage in their bedwear, but no way would you doze through their remarkable sounds. LOLA are a young four piece Indie/Rock band from the glamorous town of Luton (!)… Compared to artists such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys and The Vaccines, they are creating a buzz around Bedfordshire and hereby hit The Smoke. Armed with catchy riffs, melodic lyrics and hard hitting beats, LOLA’s contagious energy also recalls Buzzcocksand early Supergrass. Loud Minds – Awash with keys and tight math like riffing amidst piano filled breakdowns and melodic lilting vox…all with a pop prog feel, and featuring some very good musicianship. They take in bits of neo soul, Hiphop and reggae in their progressively invested creations. Good expansive stuff.

A very special LIVE VINTAGE SKA SPECIAL with SKA, SOUL, MOTOWN, FUNK and REGGAE from the very best DJs. LIMITED EARLY BIRD TICKETS ONLY A FIVER! FIRST 50 ONLY, GET EM WHILE YOU CAN.

The Skylarks – they call their shizzle ‘lounge punk’, and who are we to argue. Louche and leisurely in tood, but raunchy and ramalamatastic too.  Carter Daze-Feisty, yet melodic punk n roll, like a more abrasive street-punk Buzzcocks, neat. Space Pistol – Grunge rock, early Faith No More via Nirvana, played with cool conviction and fired up with hot riffage and a thudding, pound-along rhythm section. Eyeful – East London band with an interesting array of angular guitars that criss cross in slow motion in a slightly avant garde manner…not exactly Beefheartian but certainly off kilter, strange time signatures and offbeat phrasing, but married up with a pop accessible croon of a vocal. The Wave Pictures on acid kinda.

The Beautiful Game- Exhuberent indie pop with driving punky guitars and insistent hooks and convincing singalong choruses, with classic punk, indie and Britpop inspirations (Buzzcocks, Oasis, The Stone Roses, The Libertines, The Jam, The Strokes) Good Camden boys and a great live act everytime.  Whelligan – from Liverpool, with Love and Attitude. Surging psychedelics and sweetly honed post scally indie pop with a hefty dose of Pink Floyd but also a welcome hint of classy indie…AKA  British Sea Power, The Chameleons or The Icicle Works– life affirming stuff. Sugar Darling – Artful, melodic post punk, think prime XTC with a quirky skank pop element, just like Partride and Moulding and co used to do.  DJs We Got Killers – deep rocknroll, sassy soul, afternoon anthems and deviant disko til 2am

Jay R – former front man of Beyond Madness fashions his own unique spin on the nuttier end of skank tinged pop. Ska classics and Northern Soul belters to boot. Jacoby – Adrenaline Animals kicked up a riotous, punky Britpop rumpus back in the day, but frontman Alex explores deeper rock and soul angles now with Jacoby. Intense anthems and strident neo soul cum modern rock with lots of passionate intent. The Moochers – John O’Shea and his ska pop vehicle giving this mixed ska/punk/alt showcase happening an uplifting and joyous start.

The Lee Harvey Oswalds – playing the best in 1970s/80s punk and noo wave (Pistols, Clash, Undertones  Ramones etc) and playing it brilliantly well too. Punktabulous fun. From A Twisted Mind – ‘post punk psychedelic wildmen’…my fave rave kind of wild men! Excellent.

The Bollock Brothers – legendary late ’70s London Punk icons based around the promoter, DJ, manager and all round force of nature Jock McDonald. Still doing it, and still known for some audacious and groovy covers (their English language cover of Serge Gainsbourg‘s song “Harley David [Son of a Bitch]” and  a version of Alex Harvey‘s “Faith Healer” being fab examples). Always witrh a wry eye on sassy publicity, their 1983 electro version of the Sex Pistols‘  Never Mind The Bollocks featured Michael Fagan, the man who infamously entered the late Queen’s bedchamber at Buckingham Palace. Jimmy Lydon, brother of Johnny Rotten, was also featured vocalist for a short while in the early 1980s, and Youth AKA Martin Glover, the uber producer and Killing Joke bass ace has also starred in their ranks. Expect some very special guests tonight and a lot of good dirty fun. Always Mind Your Bollocks. Anabollic Steroids – Rambling shambling old school punk with binliners full of charm in it’s stupendous amateurism dual vocal approach- got a shit singer? Part Jilted John, part Machine Gun Etiquette era Damned, part UK Subs and also healthy remnants of Dolls/Pistols rock and roll punkerama

Ma Bessie and the Pigfoot Band –  Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith, paid glorious tribute by Julia Titus and her ‘Pig Foot’ band; presenting an evening of classic blues, jazz tunes, and covers from the last 50 years of popular music. Embodying the soul, charisma, and stand out vocals of Bessie herself, Julia’s trio are a remarkable thing. They don’t just look the part but sound it too. ‘Gimme A Pig Foot (And A Bottle of Beer)’….not half.   Blue Kimono – showcasing the other side of the Blues, the music that emerged  once white guys on the Thames Delta had got hold of the urban blues of Bessie’s children…Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Elmore James et al. Clapton, Mayall, The Stones and others put Missisipi thru a blue eyed filter and rock music as we know it was born. Played with fizz and style tonight by this nouveau blues ensemble of seasoned and crafty players.

The Pogue Traders – the Pogue Traders’ must catch Pre Pats matinee hoolie in The Dublin Castle…always a great event. This afternoon Fiesta is becoming something of a tradition , the music of The Pogues, played with authenticity and passion, and London’s best Irish pub venue… truly the finest hoedown you could hope for. If you love the music of The Pogues have no fear it’s in extremely good hands with these boys and girls. They play a wide selection of classics from all eras of Shane MGowan and company’s illustrious back catalogue and do it so incredibly well you don’t know quite whether to dance, laugh or cry. Or drink…heavily… if responsibly. About as good a night (or day) out as you could hope for…

The Wilson Brothers – You may already know Ash & Phil Wilson well, who have considerable experience and respect with fans from playing alongside Sari Schorr, Scott Mckeon, Sean Webster, Jesse Davey and Well Hung Heart. They’ve been joined in this exciting new venture by their musical brother Roger Inis whose background includes artists such as Chaka Khan, Mike Taylor, Errol Brown and Joanne Shaw Taylor: adding a sonic chemistry that has to be heard to be believed. Brave new world, brave new band. The WILSON BROTHERS have beamed in from another dimension with explosive contemporary rock and roll flirting with psychedelic blues culminating in an emotional experience that tantalises the senses. This is the sound of the future arriving as heartfelt, expansive, inspirational, delicate, exciting, perplexing and sometimes divergent philosophical journey.     

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. Brick Top -adding Brit Pop and Indie classics to a base of MOD anthems makes for an exciting live package with this critically acclaimed band from Berkshire/Hampshire.

Aurovine Music Club – “This is how Rock Music should sound” is what the good people from Aurovine promise you…with Scandinavian Metal Lords Levee, progressive metal core agents Dead Air outta Leeds, and Superfecta, from London, where grunge and heavy rock blend beautifully.

“St. Jimi Sebastian Cricket Club is a Swedish project led by Jimi Sebastian and the press has described their music as an exciting mix of bands like The Jam, The Clash, Arcade Fire & Pink Floyd or if you prefer “working class/Mod/Casual/Indie”. They have toured England twice before and are by some considered as one of Sweden’s best and most entertaining acts.” From Stockholm Sweden,  great stuff that harks back to post brit pop indie a-la The  Coral. Petty Cassettes –mode-ish,  modish indie band from Scotland. Look good, play with conviction and passion. Tapping into their forebears- Orange Juice, Josef K for sure, early TeenageFanclub too… nicely raw and raucous but melodic indie with a 1960s tinge. Unlike a lit of vids of bands we watch here at Bugbear HQ this lot look like they NEED to do it- great to see… Taurus Trakker – Superb anthemic rockers and stylish post punk pop gems all the way with this boy/girl punk duo producd by Mick Jones and sweetly steeped in the lore and mythology of The Clash. 

Dublin Castle St Pat’s Craic Attack –   one of the greatest Irish boozers in the world,  the greatest pub venue in London, with St Pat’s falling on a Friday this year…of course we’re having a big feck off Party with dancing and responsible drinking in mind. In fact we had this wonderful bill on the Saturday after Pats last year, and it was such a hit we made a point of revisiting it. Skimmington Ride- Superb, Full-on Pogues meets the Dubliners mash up, heavy emphasis on the Rebel Song folk roots anthems, but all delivered in a rocking, Party hearty manner. A perfect way to salute St Patrick.  Riff Raff – back on the block with their charming punk/pop/ska/rude reggae concoction, Riff Raff  concentrate on fun and then some.  Like the man said, these sounds lead the way. Fuck art, fuck everything, let’s dance. And there will be dancing to the small hours, DJ Fuzz at the controls, playing his usual banging set, with no doubt plenty of Irish dancefloor fillers lined up for your delectation.

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…!

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…