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. Seeds Of 77 – A musical celebration of the roots of punk rock and beyond. All star punkers from many ace bands, including Finn from Menace and Michi Sin from Suck Henry.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. .. 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

Mogfy- Mixing up a little bit of that post Libertines/Babyshambles twinkly narco pop indieness with some brutal lofi punkery. Fury and frenzy aplenty, interesting sounds and a narrative that’s London Town des nos jours guv. Like it. Hounds Haul– Driving synth heavy rock, dynamic tunes with a big slightly goth tinged sound, shades of Tame Impala but a bit edgier, great…     Been Stellar – And they are indeed still stellar…excellent band who’ve just jetted in for yur edification, so do em the justice of arriving just before 7.30pm to check em out… New Yorkers with a hint of many things from NYC past…The Strokes, Blondie, Sammy – oh hang on were they from New York?…ANYWAY…actually a fair bit of New Order in here too. Poptastic for sure. Earworms agogo and tood aplenty…great stuff.

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.   Cryptids – Ed Graham of The Darkness and KFB fame in a new band…it’s sassy but straightforward melodic rocknroll with a bit of punk, bit of Stooges, tad of metal and psych…done with balls and very rock and roll.  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

Chaos U.K – Chaos UK is an old school punk band from Islington, London dating back to 1978 and NOT to be confused with the much better known band from Portishead! This is punk rock like it used to be in the late 1970’s – before it became a cliche populated by Mohicanned/studded leather jacket uniform wearing bands who wanted to be heavy metal but couldn’t play well enough. Born on the streets of Islington and roaming the Camden and Holloway Road areas – they haven’t grown up much since those days… The band played many gigs around London, and released a single ‘Summer Of Hate/I Wanna Be Left Alone’ in 1979. They gradually metamorphosed into ‘The Mandies’ and eventually the infamous trash/glam/punk band Marionette …In 2014 Bin Liner Records released the two songs Chaos UK recorded for their only single on their ‘Bored Teenagers Volume 7’ compilation. Guitarist Dave Veal subsequently put together a new lineup of Chaos U.K and we’re very happy to have them along tonight.. UkePunk – Punk played on a Uke ahoy so not unlike The Pukes but Ukepunk play all their own stuff which has a nicely naive pop punk feel, think Buzzcocks via Johnny Moped via punky reggae. Last of The Misfit Heroes – a punky alt grunge power trio…a powerful sound that chugs and cranks it up authentically and with a nice grrrrrr factor. Petrol Boys – sassy, scrappy,  scratchy punk taking a bit of Crass caustic to a bit of Pistols power and adding something more yelpsome and post punkish (early Wire or Alternative TV perhaps)…an agreeable level of proper punk punch though. Yeah.

Rock N Roll Book Club- Julie Hamill talks to Mo Foster. Tony Bugbear plays a bespoke ‘Brit Guitar Greats’ DJ Set. With Q And A, Book Signing and all round axe mania… The guitar has become the most emotive musical instrument of the last 50 years of rock and roll. Charting the rise of the musical genre and the electric guitar in Britain, this highly illustrated history includes candid interviews and stories from the most influential musicians in British rock. Written by long standing session ace bassist Mo Foster and drawing on the recollections of six string greats such as Eric Clapton, Hank Marvin, and Brian May, this account demonstrates the phenomenal impact that the guitar has had in the development of British music. Insightful, passionate, and humorous, this book is sure to entice rock-and-roll fans of all ages.

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.

Smash The January Blues and kickstart 2020 with a night of down and dirty rock’n’roll brought to you by BugBear Promotions in association with Bombshell Records & Management… Those lovable rogues Paradise Alley are back! Currently working on album number three having just released their first single in a million years, ‘Class of 92’, the boys will be taking a break from recording to lighten up a cold January night with their high octane Glam punk… The Suicide Notes –  UK Gutter-trash rock n’ roll. Buzzsaw guitars and raw nicotine-soaked vocals, rock ‘n’ roll swagger, and whiskey on the rocks. The illegitimate sons of punk and sleaze, conceived on a bed of red wine, cigarettes, and back alley attitude. Dead Hombres – Dirty, gritty, dark Rock’n’Roll with howling feedback driven Gretsch Guitar, growling Rickenbacker bass and throbbing drums from Hell. ‘We will sing you tales of Desperados and Bandits, Pirates and Princes, Sinners and Saviours, Lovers and Heroes…’  Above/Below – metal band based in the heart of London, writing music that toes the line between technical, prog inspired riffs, and drawn out ambient and drone sections.. lots of artistry and progressive but tuneful work it is too.

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).

Beating Hearts Special For Independent Venues Week – Tokyo Taboo – “Big, brash and boisterous, singer Dolly Daggerz summons up vocal inspiration from the likes of Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wendy James of Transvision Vamp and even the great Lene Lovich. The guitars are cranked firmly up to 11 but TT never stray from a killer hook-filled melody. A duo with an impressive stadium filling sound, starring vocals with an impressive range and bags of conviction, and strong tunes with rousing choruses that rock with aplomb.   Healthy Junkies – Female fronted punky rock outfit, recalls Luscious Jackson, Transvision Vamp, X Ray Spex and at times taks on some full on rocking Led Zeppery…GENN – a musical riot, ready to rock your ears and mess with your brain. They’re serving alternative post-punk madness with a fun twist, fresh out of their DIY framework. Based in Brighton, the band is a result of a trans-national pairing which came about through the internet between three musicians from Malta, and one from the UK. Debut album the tantalising ‘Titty Monster’ is a burst of punk attitude with a dash of psychedelic, inner conflict and hell-raising fun. Beware the Titty Monster, because it’s it’s coming for you! Purchase now.. Run Into The Night – 2 gals from Glasgow performing a pithy pop with psych and grunge touches with harmonies and sweet siren singing…could this be the post Nirvana Strawberry Switchblade? Nice… Yur Mum – Trio becomes duo but the heaviosity and rocking allure ain’t let up none. Another hugely impressive woman in rock showing the man spreaders how to do it.

Pete Jones – We welcome the former Cowboys International, Department S and Public Image Ltd bass mofo to The Dublin Castle Rock N Roll Book Club tonight where in Julie Hamill will grill him to within a plectrum of his life (maybe!) and you the audience can query him too, or get a selfie, buy a book, get it signed…you must know the RNRBC drill by now! Tony Bugbear will provide the roots, shoots, fruits and cahoots of PJ on the metal boxes and there will be a special performance with even more special guests…yes, for one night only we give you The Book Club Pete Jones All Star Rock Combo Band UK!! The Book?…‘They Call Me Joyless’…It is of course the biography of Pete Jones and his story of rising from a Watford council estate to be become a bass player for the biggest punk icons on the planet. Its a tale of missed opportunities, success, failures, laughter and tears as Pete finds his way to NYC to play and tour with Public Image Limited, and the people he met on the way to becoming a footnote to rock history! Ace.

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.. Alex and the Wonderland – blue eyed  of soul a la Scritti Politti (the vocal very much so) with some jaunty psych pop indie..most agreable . Brass section added, sounds boss with 4 to the floor Motown beats and soulful pop BVs. Triffic.

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

For One Night Only! Bugbear get on board with not only Ball Of Fire but also Coast To Coast ….Unless it’s as good as it promises to be then we’ll do it again sooncome! 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.

Stephanie McCourt-An ex-factor ex-cotestant, but not the bland pop-de-jour you’d expect, this is  soulful blues, deftly played and her voice is fab, nods to Winehouse circa Frank Lester Franco-Classy blues infused rock with added strings and a louche Tom Waits feel to the vocals, though musically it’s more Nick Cave via PJ Harvey, great stuff. Sam Ostler- Musically, Ostler cites Elton John, U2, Take That and Celine Dion as major influences, although his sound is much more contemporary and his grasp of writing and ear for a massive pop melody are undeniable. With songs ranging from solo piano & vocal ballads to huge, full-band rockers

Desenser – Hardcore punk band based in South Yorkshire. Fierce and furious Ruts/Upstarts shaped punk rocknroll- loadsa pop eyed intensity and occasional collapse and mayhem amidst the tight riffing ‘We’re a fucking band. With real dogs’- all right then! Mildred Pierce – Hit some crisp disco rhythms but don’t be fooled…that 4 to the floor is in place to carry some heaviosity in the AC/DC, ZZ TOP, Saxon mould. There’s a growly vocal, searing guitars and you have to say they er rawk.  Any Old Iron– ‘God is dead and we have killed him’…steady now lads!… Any Old Iron offer up some plaintive garage rock with dusty boots and lovelorn appeal. Something of the desert. I mean sandy wastelands not sticky toffee pudding. Allah Las type fare. The Serpent Motors – Punk rock / post punk troubadours from the Peak District. Currently promoting latest album Rock n Roll Radio. The Crooked Smiles – punk and grunge informed hard rocking 3 piece with floaty Brit Rock melodies outt Sheff.

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.