Mongrel Dogs- Frippery free classic hard rock with a Brit accent and a high melody quotient and nods to Lizzy, Motorhead and The Almighty. All righty.  Poquet- Heavy funk soul with a mid 70’s feel, Parliament and Funkadelic could be touchstones, but there’s also elements of Prince and something more outre and experimental, what with the hazy psychedelic feel to some tunes, neat. Lex – Alex Ayora has contributed to projects for such as Harley Davidson, Madrid Fashion Week, CHCuatroGas… Now he has just recorded his next single UnluckyHe travelling  to Abbey Road to record part of his project in English, which all his followers will soon be able to listen to on digital platforms. Jay Dunn – Americana tinged singer songwriter dude with full band playing very accomplished and emotive fare…turning heads all over the place just now, a rosy future is assured for this exciting new talent.

Vanity Kills – Very well put together tight and testy doom/thrash tech rock..think Rammstein, Marilyn Manson etc… and the punk factor is set good and high so that’s good…. lotsa Ministry-esque sample-ology though the guitar solos are more GNR than LARD… very good bandy’all. Graces Collide – hard rock of a muscular construct outta Brighton…picture Foo Fighters flashing back to their hardcore roots- Minor Threat, Black Flag etc… Grace Solero – with elements of Led Zep, Pearl Jam and Heart, the eponymous band Grace Solero are fronted by Italian singer …Grace Solero is a brilliant vocalist with superb stage presence. And fabulous playing all round from the band, taking in hard rock, grunge, alt and psychedelic nuances. Caine – Hard rock with an intensity and passion that gets pretty damn crazed, but the melodic post grunge dynamic anchors everything down to accessible grooves and pop choruses. But they do get wild! Rock out! Psychopathic Romantics – Taking in bits of Bon Iver, Radiohead and older of school psych rock acts like Spirit,  the folky, acoustic, slowmo punk showcased on the Bread and Circuses album has been tampered with some Beatledelik rock.  Guitars  get swapped on occasion for  bouzouki, mandolin and indian harmonium. The songcraft is also A1.

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 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. Head Of Light Entertainment – Crafty indie pop with some artful touches outta Newcastle. The Legendary Too Drunk- yes, 2 legends one night, and The Too Drunk are legends indeed, their garage thru bedsit punk pop being a joyful party hearty affair perfect for weekend drinking of a sensible type oh yeah. The Long Mynd– psych and Americana and the bedrock of indie rock brilliantly played .

Oliver Shaw Experience – echoes of Kurt Cobain, yer Gallaghers, The Libertines and other recent artistry but with a trad Brit folk slant, and not a little psychedelic sauce and a hint of avant garde punkery. The garage twang puts you in mind of The Allah Las too, and that’s no bad thing. . All manner of great stuff coalesces in Oliver’s fertile musical back yard, from psych to blues to twisted soul and experimentally (un-)hinged alt rock. Sister Mercedes- began as the alter ego of Darren Van Asten from nifty noughties mover shakers Junkbox, but fashioned into a fully fledged freakout fellowship with ex members of The Intolerable Kidd & Friends and The Lonesome Cowboys from Hell. Pithy, punky, tales des nos jours. Ah, oui.  Close To The Sun – psych and prog and wigout rocknroll combine in some serious soundscapes.

The Now-Indie trio outta Wales, hook-laden songs executed with panache and a highly polished production, in the vein of Catfish and the Bottlemen, with a dash of Killers, great stuff reckon they could go the distance. The Gaa Gaas –  ‘a goth version of The Rapture‘…well, kinda…see also post punk icons The Scars, Magazine (John McGeough like guitar…see also The Banshees), Pil and Bauhaus. Artrocker like em so here’s a quality seal of approval…and so do Bugbear, so there’s another, yes, they’re good. Seprona – 5 piece band from Liverpool. Their last two singles have propelled them on to a national scale, How Much Time was played on BBC Radio 2 several weeks running, and their latest single Slow Down was used by ITV This Morning and played to millions of people. Think highly melodic indie pop with a wash of psychedelia. Paisley Park- Classic indie rock with plenty in the way of hooks and melody, shades of Oasis in the overall sound also a possible nod to Stereophonics, so strong anthemic tunes payed with conviction.

Alternative TV and fourth Dimension Records – First evening of a two day event bringing together a few of the artists Fourth Dimension Records has worked with in more recent years alongside a couple of others whose work is actively endorsed. There will be an exclusive release tied in with this available from the first day of the event onwards. A limited edition 10″ featuring exclusive tracks from a few of the artists involved and a couple of others. Please note- 100 early bird weekend tickets available Tonight- Alternative TV (newer material/more experimental set) with Gad Whip, Kleistwahr and Contrastate + DJ William Bennett 19.30 – 23.30

Alternative TV and Fourth Dimension Records – Second evening of a two day event bringing together a few of the artists Fourth Dimension Records has worked with in more recent years alongside a couple of others whose work is actively endorsed. There will be an exclusive release tied in with this available from the first day of the event onwards. A limited edition 10″ featuring exclusive tracks from a few of the artists involved and a couple of others. Please note- 100 early bird weekend tickets available Tonight- Alternative TV (The Image Has Cracked set) with with Map 71, JFK, Theme + DJ William Bennett

REDROCK JAM Open mic night  07:45-11:00 Sign up 07:45 limited slots, all styles welcome.  Featured band: TBA

Andy Kyte and Friends – Rawr Like A Lion are kicking off advent and the festive season with a gig night of carols, Christmas songs and originals! Andy and the band will be weaving re-arranged carols and Christmas songs into their high energy set of originals. Get the date in your diary and come prepared to sing along to your favourite songs in a pub! Listen to Andy’s Christmas EP, Christmas is Here – https://spoti.fi/2oPFPes

Della B – Slick funky perhaps blue of eye soul like Boz Scaggs mets Steely Dan thru Hall and Oates and a bit of Doobie Bros. Well done well played catchy tunes with a fair modicum of sophistication ya know. Naked– Slowburning blues rock with prowling bass, solid, frippery free drums and some pretty tasty guitar work in the Jimmy Page/Jimi Hendrix vein. Nicely measured and soulful vocals too. Top stuff. Isabelle Tizane – 1980s dynamics and crafted uber pop with original soundscapes. Delores Cranberry meets Godley and Creme? Very sophisticated. A bit Eurythmics? – King N Queen – melodic indie 3 piece with some old school rock dynamics.

Another fab Punk 4 Mental Health bill, all topped off with tinsel and glitter and snowy delights aplenty…pull that cracker! What a great lineup- Crisis, Damidge, The Phobics, Strum, Das Fluff all joining the P4MH crew: The Punk Professor, Tara Rez, Jon Lamb…. Other turns & Poets & more..Happy Xmas!

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. Nuffin –  the legendary Roxy Club  ‘Audition Night’/Janet Street-Porter aTV spot captured the youthful ‘Boys who like to do Nuffin’ for posterity.  A mere forty two years later their debut album ‘Crowd Control’ appears, showcasing their charming, irreverent old school punk pop played clean and fast just like back in the day. Arrive nice and early for Nuffin!

Special Kinda Madness Christmas Party– We’re very pleased to welcome back to The Dublin Castle (as you must know by now, ‘The Ancestral Seat of Madness’, by decree of Viscount Suggs) the premier Specials AND Madness tribute act on the circuit. SKM will gift you a rip roarin’ two sets from each band, making up round about 2 hours plus of the top two triffic 2 Tone turns taken totally to the tippertop. And trying saying that with out yer teef in Mrs Dammers. You can’t ask for a better Christmas party of a Sunday afternoon into early evening. So don’t worry about it being a school night, just dust off yer loafers and fix your pork pie hat just so… we’ll be done and dusted nice and early. Fuck School, Let’s Dance… NB Doors 4pm

REDROCK JAM Open mic night  07:45-11:00 Sign up 07:45 limited slots, all styles welcome.  Featured band: TBA

One Tonne Ming – London based band that specialise in making soundtracks to your late night cooking extravaganzas. Weaving angular melodies bursting with Umami and hot heavy jazz drums infused with only the freshest, line caught wild bass. To the ruler, the people are heaven; to the people, food is heaven… Brandon Rivers – uber pop RnB with a breathy emotive vocal like a young George Michael … The Strange Days – Describe themselves as ‘Gutter-rock champions hailing from the bosom of Brexitland’ and who are we to argue. Excellent hook laden, edgy, indie rock which doesn’t really sound  like anyone else, a neat trick. Bitter Lime – Sprightly indie pop with a nod to Arctic Monkeys,  neat arrangements, decent hooks and quite an eclectic sound dipping a toe as it does in post rock and folky psychedelics…Jessie Faulkner – opening proceedings tonight, BIMM trained Jessie and her guitar and some very assured songs. Folkish but with a strident voice  and undercurrent of tood…would suit a band too.

Festive Grrrlesque Burlesque Party – with Starsha Lee, The Weird Things, Polly Pikpocketz, Roxanne Fontana…When Weird Thing, Moped Johnny and Sensible Grey Cells batteur extraordinaire the lovely Mr Martin Parrot waited for Bugbear at the end of a dark alley one night rocking a perky proposition we knew we were in for a reet treat. And at Christmas! So tonight’s gift that keeps giving is all about combining four exciting and invigorating exponents of ferocious female fronted punk n roll  (Riot Grrrl des nos jours with that London twist) and the exotic dancing of empowered women – and maybe men- from the Burlesque/Boy-esque scene. So we’re very pleased to welcome Rachel Darq (Crumpet, Rock  N Roll Cabaret) back to The Dublin Castle with her supercool cohorts to really up the bump and grind ante… decadence, punk rock and crackers all round…Santa’s sack is that wee bit plumper this year.  Female fronted punk nite bands , a burlesque element, DJs til 2am, an iconic venue…’Grrrlesque Burlesque’ is born…

Attila The Stockbroker’s Restoration Christmas Caper – A festive gig where Attila and his early music punk band Barnstormer 1649 will be playing most of their ‘Restoration Tragedy’ album and a few older pieces. Crumhorn, cornamuse, rauschpfeife, recorders, fiddle and a punk backline: we aim to combine early music and punk in the same kind of way that The Pogues combined Irish music and punk, and you can hear loads of tracks at soundcloud.com/barnstormer1649 . Attila may even play a few carols on recorders and crumhorn! Special guests are his old friends – lead vocalist Swill Odgers and legendary fiddler Bobby Valentino from The Men They Couldn’t Hang, one of Attila’s favourite bands of all time, playing Men classics and some of Swill’s solo compositions. Proceedings kick off at 8.15 sharp with some spoken word. And Beery Clashmas and a Hoppy New Year to one and all.

A Punk Rock Xmas Cracker of an all dayer with The Evil B’Stards – who are these mystery Menaces and what have they got against the G.L.C….OK Noel Martin may well be involved here so if you know your street punk you also know you are in perfect punk rock company. Jizzsocks– if you’re gonna pay tribute to the absolute legends that are Buzzcocks make sure you have it nailed. Sorted. And then some some. Brilliant reading of the Shelley and Diggle canon…also ‘come’ up with a good buzzy name, cock…I think they managed that too. Orgasms just got more addictive. Who Killed Nancy Johnson? – are a​ ​high-energy and heavy ​pop-​punk band whose influences include The Stooges, The Ruts, Buzzcocks, The Rezillos, Alkaline Trio, Tsar, Ash, Lit, Rival Schools, The Drills, 3 Colours Red, Weezer, Sabbath… I hear some Heartbreakers too… The Vulz – Heartbreakers shaped rocknroll, also taking in all strands of sassy punk from ’60s garage to ’70s garageland. Scowl – Attitood to the fore d.i.y punk with a snarling lead vocal, also dips a toe in Grunge and Psych, and takes on the same kinda countercultural chaos as perfected by anarchristwood… Now added 2 exciting punk bands Kickback Generation and Zero Tolerance, and from the North East and the stonking Party Baggies outta Sheff…

REDROCK JAM Open mic night  07:45-11:00 Sign up 07:45 limited slots, all styles welcome.  Featured band: TBA

White City Vultures – London-based gritty no-nonsense rock band playing original material and covers. Front man Steve Bird calling the shots on vocals, Alex’s searing “madman” leadguitar and Ade’s solid rhythm guitar are all driven along by the engine room – a throbbingly intense bass guitar from Chris and Gary hammering his skin on the drums! Respect to the Vultures! The Prods – High octane punk rock and roll with massive chords and massive attitude of a Godfathers, Pistols, Heartbreakers kind- yes,  a massive guitar sound, and with that great harmonies..but also a beautifully balanced modicum of wry, rapscallion humour.   ‘Losing at darts, beer and motorbikes since 2010. ‘ Gawd bless em.The Reformers-Spritely twisty turny alterno guitar pop with a skanking punkinesss…in fact they’re a ska band (originals mind) but a very punky one- as if 1st album Clash were playing ska basically, neat.

Jimmy B And The Death Rattles – Showbiz psychedelia and goth rock cabaret…kinda! (also starring The Dead Nymphettes…), all rather deliciously deviant with some wonderful funereal cum fairground keyboards, nice Fall cum Birthday Party rhythms and a bit of Doors strut and groove too. Burnlands-Hooky alt rock with some tasty riffage plenty in the way of light n shade and decent tunes, it’s classic rock with an edgy contemporary slant. Killing Joe – epic rock with some heroic guitar playing- tastefully done with layers of stratospheric sound…could take yer head off and probably will, but it’s an adult orientated blissed out kind of soulful rock…will appeal to Floyd fans as well as perhaps people who dig a bit of Blue Oyster Cult or even Fleetwood Mac.  Bit of Stones, bit of Verve, bit of all sorts. Good band, and utterly danceable too. Super Marine-Chimingly melodic, infectiously hooky, indie rock shades of Stereophonics and maybe Catfish And The Bottlemen, but have their own sound. Jon Crabb- Covers, but bashed out in an inimitable Rock n roll meets Rockabilly fashion, does a rather tasty and jaunty versh of Janie Jones and stylistically he’s clearly influenced by The Clash.

The Pogue Traders conclude their ‘In The Bleak Mid Winter’ tour with a must catch Christmas hoolie in The Dublin Castle. A marriage made in heaven, The Dublin and The Pogue Traders is truly the finest festive 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 girl. 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 whether to dance, laugh or cry. Or drink…heavily… if responsibly. About as good a night out as you could hope for..plus a special appearance from Paul “Maddog” McGuiness- Ex-The Popes, (Shane McGowans post Pogues band). Polarized Eyes –  Tom Robinson has bigged em up. (“Lofi high energy punk rock”) ..Brilliant!…they’re mere teens.!..1 or more of them kids of the Pogue Traders bassist. Spritely guitar pop with it’s own vibe…  Adam Masterson opens proceedings from 7.30pm. DJs We Got Killers play between sets and take you all the way to 2am with a killer diller Christmas dancefloor selection (free entry after 11pm)

REDROCK JAM Open mic night  07:45-11:00 Sign up 07:45 limited slots, all styles welcome.  Featured band: TBA

Dubvocaliza – Wake up and live, Dubvocaliza playing live at The Dublin Castle Camden Town…Pulsating, debating and entertaining Reggae music for inspiration. It will be good to be there when the gate is opened .  Also performing Live CREATION FIRE Reggae band.

Megan Dixon Hood – songstress with piano playing ballads in a Clanaad meets Ellie Goulding style but not uber pop kit, rather low key and moody as ya like. Sometimes performs (beautifully) with an orchestra…maybe no Royal Philharmonic in The Dublin tonite but however Megan performs it will be quality. Alice Callari – soulful jazz tweaked pop. Alice has a belting voice, it’s ferocious in places, slinky in others, but she always goes for the big performance.  Ben And The Bad Weather – bluesy rock band formed around singer-songwriter Ben Herbertson who has been a noteable figure on the London circuit for the last few years. With his brother George Herbertson on the drums and Nathan Scoffield on the Bass Bertile des Fontaines – French singer songwriter with an experimental touch and more than a hint of noir, but a commercialy astute performance too.

K. Lina-Female singer-songwriter from Bulgaria with, powerful emotive vox and a rocking band, sonically Patti Smith via Fleetwood Mac. The Beautiful Game-Exhuberent indie pop with driving punky guitars and insistent hooks and convincing singalong choruses, have been compared to the buzzcocks, which you can sorta hear, there’s deffo a new wave element to this but it’s more of an indie rock beast than a punk-pop one. Dirty Donations-Speedy hard rock with abrasive punkish edges… motorhead, Orange Goblin, Monster Magnet, a bit of Thin Lizzy but then again Al Jorgonsons Ministry off-shoot Revolting Cocks could also be an influence. Stonking stuff. Jamie Whelligan- is a pop troubadour in the classic late 60s mode, with a penchant for crafted songs; combining sweet melodies with unusual arrangements. With songs spinning effortlessly from one thing to another, Whelligan keeps you guessing a peculiarly English vein of quirky, psychedelic guitar pop.

Gary Clail Soundsystem – Tonight is the first of our last Friday in the month residencies with the legend that is Gary Clail. The Brizzle roofer turned magical, mercurial MC cum radical and righteous sound system manipulator is back and then some…his new album ‘Violence’ is the ‘End Of The Century Party’ for 2020, an absolute cracker of a record that will have dropped by the time you hit this unmissable event, a return to form right up there with his best On U Sound material. With fellow Bristolian legend brass and woodwind man Tony Wrafter (Tricky, Glaxo Babies, Maximum Joy etc) as his musical right hand man there’s a deep resonance at play with this fabulous new material, still hot on social comment but head warpingly good to dance to too. Gary will be MCing, live mixing, DJing and collaborating with other artists tonight and last Fridays in the DC for the next few months. Legpuppy – A perfect foil for Gary Clail. Electro with attitutde, OR “Beautifully formed one chord driven satirical punk” Yes, both these things can be true…with some wicked releases behind them already (the proclamatory punk thrum of ‘She’s Lost He Soul’, the sassy narco clubland tood of ‘Tears’….An ace band, proper entertainment with visuals and A BIG PERFORMANCE! As some wise cove said “Leg Puppy are the rising noise on the UK scene, and you better be ready to listen, because they have something to say.” Hercules II – Ypu’d maybe think it might be a Herculean task to get two drummers on stage in the DC but fear not, that most wonderful of artistic deviations as perfected by  The Fall, The Ants, The Glitterband or indeed Headbutt ,is in very safe hands with these infamous slab o’ noizecore merchants.  Here it’s all about the heaviosity, yes, but subtle interplay is there to enjoy too. A dual percussive, multi guitar triumph is assured  from these one chord, multiple inflection hypnorock sensations (including our very own Fuzz Duprey on razor sharp guitar).

For the last 2 decades, award winning and international touring act DURAN have maintained their reputation as one of the most respected and authentic sounding Duran Duran tribute acts on Planet Earth! The repertoire encompasses the band’s earliest hits of the 80’s – Planet Earth, Girls On Film, Hungry Like The Wolf, Rio and The Wild Boys – together with their Ivor Novello award-winning 90’s comeback single, Ordinary World, and tracks from their critically acclaimed 2015 album, Paper Gods, where Duran Duran were reunited with former producer and friend, Nile Rodgers, and with Mark Ronson. Not only do DURAN authentically reproduce the sounds and music of this influential global act, but as importantly they deliver the showmanship, raw energy and charisma of Birmingham’s original ‘Fab 5’, and it’s this attention to detail that sets DURAN apart from the rest!

COZ I LUV YOU….SLADY on Valentines Night, 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. A glam rock party for singles and long players alike… Gobby – Singer/Guitarist, Jem Lea – Bass, Donna Powell – Drummer, Davina Hill – Lead Guitar/Singer- An absolutely excellent all female Slade tribute band! What’s not to adore. With moral support from the actual Slade camp too, and quite right. Champers and pot noodles all round. So C’mon Feel The Noize…Get in quick for the special lovers half price earlybird ticket, 50 only available while they last. And the first 10 people will receive a SLADY Valentines Gift Set that will really make your night Bangin’ Man….Tuppeny Bunters – A boy/girl duo who hooofeckin ray sound NOTHING LIKE THE WHITE STRIPES! haha…piano and drums, some showbiz/cabaret leanings via a bit of frantic pop psych and experimentation…is that a theremin or are you just pleased to see me?…lotta fun..

Viva La Coldplay – Chiming perfectly with the 20th anniversary of Coldplay first performing in The Dublin Castle and also a birthday for the date Coldplay’s 1st LP came out, this impassioned and faithful reading of the Coldplay songbook promises to be packed to the rafters so get your tickets now. Ah, the blessed Mr Martin and co…..made off with one of our best sound engineers ya know..and he still works for them! Hi Dan x

The Communicators – From Zummerzet/Brizzle, it’s marvelous to welcome back these fellows, reformed, refreshed, revitalized, and really bloody great. What a wicked ska band, a kick ass Brit rudeboy extravaganza a la The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners, The Selecter via some frothy old school J.A nuances and peerless musicianship. Communication is the key and these chaps will deffo get the message across that it’s time to get the party started and keep it going all night long. Might as well book yer brogues into the cobblers for Monday mornin coz they’re gonna get some serious dancefloor friction.