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Anything that we understand as libelous or 'totally out of order' will be edited or not posted.

Philip Thanks for the good news, your Ad has been removed now Ed.............

Firstly, a big thank you to West Weston and the Bluesonics for entertaining the club with a masterful set. As you are aware, I had booked this band following West's guest appearance with Big Pete, with a following flurry of requests from members asking for a full gig. I had not seen the full band myself, however, as I made my 8th trip down four flights of stairs, laden like a donkey with PA equipment after the gig, I did not regret a minute of it as I had witnessed a delivery of magnificent music made with such enormous ability from all participants. "Relentless mechanics of their chosen art" as I was moved to describe them on the night, coupled with West's leadership qualities that only great talent and experience can bring, all made for a real night to remember!

Moving on to this month I have secured, by way of something different again, a very special artist in the form of Lisa Mills accompanied on double bass by Ian Jennings. Lisa is described by the band themselves as "one of the outstanding singers" to perform with Big Brother and the Holding Company, the band with which Janis Joplin first made her name. Ian is one of the founding members of The Big Town Playboys and has also worked with Van Morrison, Jeff Beck and Paul Rogers - to name just a few! As if these pedigrees did not speak enough for themselves, here's what they say about Lisa:- "A Missippissi blues songwriter picked by Robert Plant himself as support on his American and European tours. 'She looks at you with a wide-eyed stare and piercing blue eyes set in a child-like face. Her innocence belies the depth of the woman behind the child. As she takes up her guitar and places herself in front of the microphone, her eyes harden, her face becomes that of a woman who has had a lot to deal with and the voice that comes out of her mouth will knock you out"- The Mississippi Press.

"These dynamic and inspiring performances help prove that Lisa Mills is the real deal; no studio tricks needed, no airbrushing required. By Invitation Only, is a wonderful listen-soothing, bluesy, rocking, and sexy." Wade Wellborn, Currents Magazine.

Here is a link where you can see (and be assured) that we have one of the truly great modern blues singers appearing at our club this month http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIdUFUKOA7c.

Please note that this gig, definitely not to be missed, is on the last THURSDAY of the month and not the Tuesday as per usual.

So, that's Lisa Mills (with Ian Jennings) on Thursday 26th June at the Roffen Suite, New Road, Rochester.

"The smoking ban is killing social life and killing the businesses of those who try to provide it.” – Sunday Times

At this time the above announcement is pretty dumb and months behind the real world we live in, where hundreds of pubs and music venues have had to cease trading due to the government legislation determined to destroy the social haunt called "the pub".

Licensed vituallers from the Weald have are allegedly holding a public treasure hunt next November.
The clues are going to be simple.
Entry is free.
The winners will have to travel to London from any town on the South Coast and have the highest aggregate count of the
most pubs boarded up +
largest number of smokers at one time under an eco-friendly garden heater with negative carbon footprint +
category still to be announced.

The good news for smokers who like live music is that you only have to go without a cigarette for 45 minutes and drink as much as you can get away with, while the band is on.
The rest of the time you can smoke and fall over - outside where the landlord can't see you.

Thank you Freda

I want Gigs we cant get enough of them, ooh and drummers to shut uo once in a while too

Hey i'm part of a fourpiece called The Only (www.myspace.com/theonlyuk), currently gigging around the South East London area
we recently won a Bromley based Battle of the Bands, and successfully played at the Camden Barfly and now we're looking to expand our musical horizons to different levels
if you like the music on the myspace, please reply to this, as we'd love to play at any gig venues available that you know of. We can bring at least 200 people if necessary.

we have been together taking things seriously as a band for approximatly 6-7 months, however we've been playing together for over a year, and have more than enough songs to play a 30 minute set

we'd love to hear from you, so please reply!
thanks

Tom - The Only
Hi Tom There are many venues that would welcome you to bring 200 customers. I am sure they will invite you when you have a P.A and 2 x 45 minute sets.

Thanks guys for the useful site - thanks to your "musicians available" section we found a new bass player for Glam Slam.
We did our first gig with the new lineup in December '07 and have been able to take on a lot more bookings for 2008.

Thanks again
Mark - aka Nobby Harder - www.glamslam.biz

Thanks for the feedback Mark, I will delete the Ad now.

Element Blacklisted
3 counts and they are out.
After 3 validated complaints from music venues and clients Element are now on our blacklist.
1. Abuse of staff and gig goers more than once.
2. Extremely bad language in decent venue and company.
3. Not turning up at booked gigs, venue not advised - having false or unobtainable contact numbers.

I'd like to warn other bands out there that might play a rotten venue we just played at.

As agreed we would get £200 for playing 2 x 40 minute sets at a pub in Borough Green called The Henry Simmonds.

We are an originals band and were asked to start at 8:30pm, which we did. We then played a 45 minute set with a short break followed by 1 hour so we earnt our money. And we thought it strange they wanted us to start so early but, as the 3 local drunks pointed out Super Sports was about to start and we only had time for one more song. So we stopped at 10:30pm having played for well more than 40 minutes that set.

On the basis we didn't finish at 11pm they refused to pay us.
They didn't say about a finish time at any point previously nor did they ask us to play longer and had a go that we hadn't played till 11 after we had packed everything away. Well they argued and barred the lead singers mother just after screaming with a laugh "well you haven't had your f***ing money yet 'av ya?!" we were still refused pay.

In the end we managed to get half the money. The people in charge had a very rude and offensive attitude.They contacted us through a local radio website to book the gig so please be warned that if bands want to get paid to play there you need to play for an unagreed 3 hours and take a lawyer probably it seems.

We've e-mailed them to request payment before taking it further so we'll let you know how we get on. And the situation is even more odd when they knew we video recorded the whole gig. We have evidence of correspondence of rates of pay for the length of times playing as well so we have a good case.

Sounds like a rotten deal from a rotten venue that can stay on our blacklist until they prove their side of the argument which we will publish here if they dare reply. Ed......................................

Describing it as a "national priority for our economy", he said the change would help music companies, artists and consumers. He said a Tory government would take the issue to Europe and push for change. In return, he asked the industry to help tackle the issue of "the broken society". Rap music and other genres create a negative culture, he argued, asking, "does music help create rather than just reflect our culture? Yes it does." Music helps encourage truancy, gun crime and misogyny (hatred or strong prejudice against women), he suggested - arguing that the music business had a responsibility to help tackle the issue.

It was not enough to simply support community projects - music companies need to reflect their responsibility in the music they release.

Oh well! there goes Sex, Drugs and Rock'n'Roll, punk, Oi, Urban - ( Formerly known as Blues Soul Jazz R&B ) - and anything a black man tried to explain or complain about repression, depression and slavery in recorded song during the last century - incidently slavery was encoraged ignored or condoned for 100's of years by greed and policies or moguls and politicians who stood to gain by the drug trade in tobacco - (a good target for taxation)

Doesn't his statement sounds more like blackmail. Why doesn't he get a proper job and stop hanging around in boardrooms and street corners begging for approval of his daft ideas. If he relly thinks it important to extend copyright (which we doubt), why doesnt he start working on it in Europe now rather than tying to trade favours for election with music moguls.
We are not going to hold our breath.

By the time he has overall responsibility for policy making for this country will we all be dead or in official EU shackles.
........Ed.

Please, stop asking us to put comments up about the A**** Theatre at Deal, or announce event/bands playing there - however big or wonderful the band is.
We welcome feedback and have noted your concerns sent by email and letter but will not publish them here and be assured it is on our blacklist, the so called venues name will not be mentioned on this site, in our news, listings or advertising whatsoever until the fat man stops breathing.
......Ed.

Thanks for the info re the Red Lion, this kind of behaviour is typical of a venue manager who does not deserve to get bands playing there so you have my full support regarding the blacklisting of this venue. If the band were too loud then this should have been pointed out during the gig so it could be rectified. Allowing the gig to continue then complaining is a blatant attempt to screw the band after the event.

To put your comments regarding MU protection into context, I agree some publicans refuse to sign contracts; however it is in both parties interest to have a written agreement (don’t forget it is binding on the band as well as the venue). I recently recovered a fee of £1400 for a band who the engager refused to pay after their performance; he cited that they were not of the quality of their demo tape and that they had not played longer than their contract, so the protection is ‘enforceable’.

The main problem if issues such as this arise is that without a written contract it is a case of one persons word against another and as the civil court system works on a ‘balance of probability’ there is a greater risk of failure if action is taken, with a contract it makes the ‘balance of probability’ easier to put to the court.

I would of course recommend that all gigging musicians become members of the MU even is if is only for the £10,000,000 public liability cover that comes with membership. If we all (and I include myself as a bass player) stood together against this sort of practice we would go some way to stop it happening. As it is there will always be a band willing to play for these people.

Paul Burrows
East/South East Regional Organiser
Musicians Union
0207 840 5536
07967 449091

We had a similar thing happen to us (Snakebite, Europe’s top Whitesnake Tribute) at the famous Ruskin Arms, Ilford. This venue was once a rock Mecca having been the place Iron Maiden started out. To be honest from the time we got there we found:

1. The landlord had not displayed any of our posters
2. The landlord had marketed us as Whitesnake themselves…………
3. No engineer turned up until 9pm and then he only had a single DI box which lead to us fudging around for solutions to the fact we need 4
Finally after finishing the gig at 12:00 we approached the bar manager to collect our winnings to be told they did not know what the score was with money, and were not authorised to pay us anything.We have handed matters to our solicitors as venues like this deserve to pay for their indiscretions.
I can see it coming to a position where gigs that are not based on door takings are pay up front or no performance.
If landlords can get away without paying, there is no incentive to promote gigs properly.
Well done Chris for giving us all a soundboard so we can protect ourselves or at the least know what the score is

You can easily slap them into the small claims court.
If you need help I know enough on how to draw up a reasonable document for the purpose.
You take it down to the court house, pay the small fee and in this case
you would get judgement in your favour in 5 minutes.
If he doesn't pay what you've been awarded, just contact a bailiff
company who will take your judgement and use it to distrain his goods.
The MU aren't very good at representing us for things like this
and I am now taking steps to start doing it myself.
You can even start a claim online.
Don't let the bastards get away with it!

Dear All
After performing to a small but delighted audience at the RED LION, TEDDINGTON on Saturday we were understandably peeved and surprised to be told by the landlord that we had been too loud and consequently our meagre wages were to be further reduced. This was the first time we had been approached regarding this by him or any member of staff. (We are a very busy band and are repeatedly booked in UK and abroad by scores of satisfied venues. This was our first gig here )
Clever ploy this - and we didn't see it coming. This pub has been by all accounts going down hill in terms of attendance and consequently takings. So.......rip the band off !
What could we do without risking imprisonment for GBH? Nothing.
So - apart from warning all bands to avoid this venue, this is a good time to suggest to pub rock and similar musicians who are for their own reasons not in the M.U and have not their protection (such as it is - and pubs won't sign contracts which have no realistic enforcable value anyway) to broadcast by e mail to other musicians warnings a la neighbourhood watch regarding similar rip offs. And ask them in turn to forward these warnings on.
Musicians such as ourselves travel far and work hard for a pittance usually, yet have no rights or protection from exploitation it seems.
Do you know of another profession that is vulnerable to this abuse and has no means of redress? I can't think of one.
We must stick together on this. The vast majority of proprietors of pubs and similar venues are good eggs and pay what they can afford, but there are still rats out there who will have artistes over at the drop of a hat and they need naming and shaming.
I would urge all musicians to pass this on to others in the business and from now on to circulate warnings of these low lives. Word of mouth is the only teeth we have against these bastards without knocking theirs out. You would be advised not to..........(?)
Thanks for listening. Keep rockin' ( but get paid for it - your talent shouldn't be given away for nothing.)
Pass this on.
Best wishes
Geoff Everett ( The Sharpees )
http://www.sharpees.com/
Geoff (FM Studio)
http://www.fmstudio.co.uk/

comments:
Great site and valuable resource to Kent bands and gig goers
Keep up the great work!

Comments:
A big thank yo for such an invaluable resource.
Thanks to you, within 2 days we had found a new guitarist for our band. theblox.co.uk
Cheers.

You are welcome, Kent Musicians Web was set up for just this task
Thanks for the communication we are always pleased to receive feedback about our success - Ed....

submitted by (*******_@hotmail.com)
Hi Chris
Ive been in a band for three years now. We play a variety of alternative, hardcore, emo and punk songs, both covers and original material. However we have struggled to get out of Thanet. Youre website was recommened to me to help us get gigs around kent. Can you help us?
Pete

Hi Pete,
Hope we can help a little.
Firstly you are missing the point of having a band.
What is the point if you do not promote yourselves properly in your communications.*********_@hotmail.com is not enough, is it the name of someone or the the name of the band.
i.e.Name of Band
Contact Name
Telephone numbers
Address
Official Email Address
Website - www.Myspace.com is free click on music and start creating a site.
Even a real dum dum can make a page. Proof - just go there and look around. Even we did it goto www.myspace.com/kentgigs.

When you have some of these you can start making a noise and get out of your comfort zone, It is nice playing to friends and fans already tamed, but you will not develop until things get a bit uncomfortable playing to new audiences. I know this was you question but I had to say it didn't I??

Be prepared to play the first gig for nothing or at a reduced or offerred fee. Why should the venue risk a duff night if their audience doesn't like you and move on to another venue after your first set.?
Go to other notes below this is not an unique question. Hope it helps

We have a hall in central Sittingbourne with a licensed bar which can hold approximately 500/700 people standing (if not more) we are interested in holding events. Anyone interested please contact me!
Dave Woollett
Function & Events Manager
Swallows Leisure Centre
01795 421421/420420

Hello Chris
As you are aware I am in a new tribute band www.litesnake.co.uk
This is a general enquiry for any readers out there who are intending to hold a festival or concert in the not to distant future.
Please drop us a line or e-mail. The Railway Bell, Gravesend. The Beacon Court, Gillingham are a couple of places that would give you a reference.
Thanks a lot for the DVD Chris, good luck to all muso's keep music live

Big Malk

Hi Big.
A good place to promote your band is on the Acts Available Page on our Kent Musicians Web - Submit in your own words.

submitted by (mikelisa@blueyonder.co.uk) on Saturday, February 4, 2006

I currently represent SilverSky an up-coming Indie Rock Band from Beckenham. We have some gigs coming up that we would like to announce on your website. Could you please provide info on how I could achieve this. Regards Mike A. (SilverSky)

You can promote your act through our free acts available link on www.kentgigs.com
Free band name listing on our bands page.
Gig listings £3 per gig in non approved venues you can submit and pay with our pay for gigs on line button.
Please supply sufficient venue and band information. - Our clients (approved venues) are on our venues page.

More info below.

To place a listing on site. Costs £3 per gig.
http://www.kentgigs.com/rates.html

To place a listing/advert /media submission. One off or regularly.
Costs £3 per gig , notification min 13 days ahead of newspaper publication.see
http://www.kentgigs.com/rates.html
http://www.kentgigs.com/forms/registration.htm
Website front page centre display? - make us an offer.
for one off gigs why not use our secure on-line payment system - a quick and safe way to pay.
To let us know you would like to be on our weekly mail list? reply with request with this mail.

Unfortunately we cannot post unsolicited gigs.

Our listings are paid-for listings from our registered venues, promoters and bands, all others need to be checked before we submit to millions of newspapers etc. that we normally supply. As you can understand we need to cover our costs.

Of course if any of your regular venues should register with us you would automatically see your gigs appear more regularly in the media. If you have a regular venue you feel would benefit from our media services we will happily contact them, just send us the contact details.

The options you have are limitless based on budget, and of course you can do a lot yourself if you have the time and resources. But we can offer standard listings as you see on our site which we also supply to as core data to around 4.5 million newspapers/guides around the region + plus many local and national websites.

Please note that graphics on the web and ail are set at 96 dots per inch but we would advise that the grphic is sent to us up to 300 dots per inch to enable us to optomise it for the web - massive files are ok for broadband users but can tend to work against the main objective for dialup users who feel victimised when their screen just sits and glares at them for 4 minutes per meg of download, only to find yours or my ugly mug appear at the end of it, advertising a gig of a genre or band they don't like. Some people are so picky.!!!

There is always a risk that document attachments to a press release may not be accepted by some recipients or filtered out at some servers due to security systems. Sometimes a simple text email with a picture will be received more kindly with an invitation to pick up a document or photo from your on another website.

Our deadlines are always on a Monday (excepting Bank or staff holidays) when the guide will transmit 7 or even 14 days earlier. We cover publications showing dates up to 28 days ahead so you need to plan early in order not to miss publication of your event.

I am looking for help in tracking down the guys from a maidstone based rock band i was in back in the early 90s called BIG IDEAL. Huw(vox)Jon(g)Scott(g)Neil(dr). I would love to get in touch snd hopefully they still have copies of the recordings we made and the video from the Margate Winter gardens gig we did. We were regulars in the Albion in Maidstone and Huw had longe blonde hair and was extremly popular around the towns.
If you have any info please contact me on sauldw@hotmail.com

I have a few urgent questions that I wanted to ask you as your very knowledgable about the whole unsigned bands topic and I wanted to seek your advice.
(Love the Kent Gigs site by the way, it's brilliant for talented and upcoming bands). Thanks

I'm not by any means trying to chase a recording deal, it's just for gigging around venues and recording some material as most unsigned bands set out to do. You are welcome

1. After recording original work, what's the best way to ensure copyright is in place? I've heard displaying the standard copyright logo helps, but also something about posting your work to you via recorded delivery and keeping it packaged, is this enough copyright?
You own the copyright as soon as you have created the music. All you have to do is prove it. Make 2 copies of the song and words write contents and date. Pop 1 of them and the words in a stout envelope write on the outside of it what it contains and send by registered post to your self, solicitor, bank manager for your deposit box eg. When received never open it., use the second copy for reference. If you later have a court case pending you have your proof and date to be opened only in court. There are companies and guilds that will archive same, for a fee usually and supply you with a certificate.

Should you assign songs with a publisher like us we would register the copyrights with MCPS and PRS etc to show that the song exists, and when, in their database. You should still do the envelope jobby as well, pronto.

2. If playing covers at a live gig, does the royalties etc for using that song get covered under the venues license?
Yet generally, PRS and PPL charge venues to use music in their premises under a blanket fee. If your music is played publicly you should collect your part of the evening fee from the said society. Full records of all the music played that evening including your own should be kept as should also your set list for a tour.
If you hire a hall there is usually a fee to pay for PRS licence.

3. Do many unsigned bands register their band name as a trademark? I know this can be really pricy and I can only assume most don't.
You are right some do as there is no copyright in a name. You could go to bandreg.com now known as bandname.com and register for a much lower fee. It is not bomproof but usefull in a fight. You should always check with them before you name your band if it is important to you. You can be sure that if you go further in the business it will be an important part of your armour. Be silly to to try and get a deal calling yourselves the Rolling Stones wouldnt it?

4 and final... If the manager of the band is a friend or family member, is it ESSENTIAL that a management contract is devised?
Ouch! Management contracts are for Pro's. Dangerous stuff. They can make or break a band.
See a solicitor before you get involved with one or contact the Musicians Union.
It is most useful to have an interband agreement and a simple agreement with your relative about how you intend to go on in the future but don't sign your life away. Thing change very quickly in the music business.
It is of course simple to agree as to how gig money is to be split.
Don't forget if you work as a band. Inland Revenue treats you all as a partnership and can come after any of you for all the taxes of the band for up to 6 years after the band has split, so keep books.
You are all responsible individually and severally for the debts of the band. If your flute player happen to go mad and and smash up a venue or hotel, watch out. The courts will go after the people with most to lose, not the loser.

5. More mini question, you mentioned about the Inland Revenue in the last question. If the band is to play the odd gig and only get small amounts of money, do we have to register with the Inland Revenue or do we only have to do this when we reach a certain income? (The band would be a spare time thing and not a full time source of income obviously)
As a partnership, declared to IR or not. You are obliged to declare "all" additional earnings or pay received out side of your full time employment or in some musician cases dole etc. in your self assesment.

Tax is payable on the profits of a partnership. The profit is split between the partners ie. it becomes a personal tax problem. Each member should collect their own receipts for equipment and expenses to balance earnings.
It is not normally a problem if you keep good books but Inland Revenue can come back on the remaining members of a partnership to pay the tax of a member who has left or untraceable.

If you only earn £50 per week each that is still £2500.00 each you have got to account for each year and show expeses and costs against - or pay out 22 % or so depending on your circumstances.
My personal advice is to tuck away 25% for the rainy day anyway with your books, and don't forget National Insurance - Thats another story.

Any more than this is beyond the scope of free help and advice I can offer.
Inland Revenue will always give advice to help you but you need time to absorb and manage it.

Thanks alot !! I really appreciate it. I just needed an answer to them and couldn't find it out on the web.
Hope these notes help
Chris

comments: a word of warning about the george inn, stone street-this pub is very quiet all the time! if you are booked to gig there be aware that the landlord will hold you responsible for no-one going to his pub and get shitty with you. be safe and dont play there!

Mmmmm. please note this venue is no longer on our recommended venue list - due to non payment of our bills. - now gone bust, lets hope the new landlords are honest.

Hi Chris,

Just wanted to let you know about my band that is just about to play it's first gig and it's all thanks to you.

If it wasn't for your web site , then we wouldn't be together, as we got the drummer and vocalist through adverts on your web site. Thank you

Anyway, my bands called Griff Rising, and we are a Grunge/Rock band based in Folkestone. We've got our very first gig next month in The Harp Club, (I don't know if you advertise gig's on here, but I figure it won't hurt to tell you even if you don't) on October 22nd.

Here is a link to our webpage, which we update from time to time: http://www.myspace.com/griffrising.

Thanks for your time.
Ash
Griff Rising

Hi Ash, Thanks for your feedback, glad to see we can still hack it. Pleased to see you join the 2000 musos that have used the service so far. Sorry we won't be listing the gig as the club is not registered with us. Your news has not gone unheard and I am sure our notices posted will do the trick. Have a good gig ....Chris........

Beware if you are thinking of trying for the "Waverley" at Margate. Our band was booked there for sat. 12th Aug (having switched from the Friday to suit them).
I received a call to say the gig was cancelled as they were stopping music. Anyway we heard thru the grape vine they weren't! So i phoned them up. Needless to say they haven't stopped music, they just wanted a different band, "Crossfire"(who play the same bloody stuff as us anyway!!). Andy the landlord wasn't willing to speak to me, he left it to an embarrassed bar person.&^&(%*&$^$*^£"£)"
So beware the "Waverley" (it's a shit pub anyway%$""")......no it's not sour grapes, I've played there many times). We, and other bands had the same problems before at this place. We just did it for the money!!!!
Charisma - hard road blues band
Dear John, whilst we sympathise and have published your message as a warning to other, please note that we will not publish derogatory remarks about people and found that we needed to edit your message.
Chris------

I'm a solo acoustic singer/songwriter, I play mostly original material and (aside from one venue who hold regular acoustic afternoons) most of the venues locally seem to mostly advertise bands, most solo acts and duets I see play covers almost exclusively. I was curious as to the best way to go about getting gigs because I'm just itching to get my material out there.

James,
Not a new request, please read some previous answers at Dear Kentgigs Q & A. The basic dilemma is that you will probably need to play covers to get work and introduce your own material gradually. Not the whole answer, burt one that works if you want to work more.

Did you play in a band in your teens?
Did you have some awful experiences with musicians?
Did you have any awful experiences with musicians?
Did you have trouble explaining your ambitions to your peers and your parents?
Did you get into any hairy scary scrapes with your bandmembers?
How did you cope / get by / get through / not get through?

I used to be in a band, and we were destined for stardom, except we were only
endlessly rehearsing. Then I moved to a band that thrived on never rehearsing
and a drummer who could bleed on cue.

I am working on a charity theatre project and looking to collect research on
experiences, stories and anecdotes about teenage band life. I'm looking for
anyone who has a story to tell: what did you go through when you were starting
out?

There's no particular theme except the stories have to be true (at least from
your point of view!) and the sillier the better. Oh, but nothing incriminating
of course, unless you change names. I am looking to see what common themes and
factors come out of life as a teenager wanting to do music.

My reportoire is a mixture of jazz, funk, soul, reggae, folk, blues, brazilian bossas..and that's just the originals! I play in a variety of different set-ups- duos through to full band, and our sets are a lively mix of covers and my own material, of which John Fordham of The Guardian has said "Nina has found her own voice...cool, lyrical originals".

My five piece band Kid Charlemagne also comes in a duo format featuring two guitars/bass and guitar and as the duo we play everything from Joni Mitchell to Zepellin via King Crimson and Marvin Gaye. It's a folk/funk thing, plus lots of originals. Our next full band gig is at Oranges as part of the Ashford Jazz Festival on Sun July 10th.

Hi! Chris.
********** Jazz (Hastings etc.) have enjoyed a 9 month or so regular playing time, interrupted by a gap when we founs a new drummer.(a few weeks) and now we have, we seem to have run out of luck as far as gigs. Pissarro's still have us, and their new place will be good to play in, but I wondered if you could advise. I am fairly new to the area(from Yorkshire) and when I look down your gig list, I am not just spoilt for choice, but I haven't the vaguest clue which venues would be interested in jazz, and stuff we do!As I'm the PR person, I get to co-ordinate gigs, and feel bereft! Thw Waterfront(Bexhill) and lots of y say thay'll have us beck. Is it a difficult time for jazz/ time of year? We're about to put new website up, so that'll probably help! Sorry to lumder you with this long letter, but I am quite worried!
*********

Hi ********,
It may not seem like it, but there is a bit of an uplift in Jazz at the moment. Hopefully not just a phase we are going through.

With the new Licecing Bill in place we think more places will chance their arm and put on some live music.

As you go through our lists you will see the jazz gigs, if we have been able to identify the genre of the band playing when compiling them.

I feel the message for you is the same as other bands on the circuit and to save repetition, have a read of our Dear Kentgigs Q & A (This Page) and see if my thoughts also apply to your predicament.
I hope it will help. .........Chris

Hi Chris,

Ok I have been drumming for 18 years and has been in many bands trying to make it out in the world of music, some have been good and some , well lets not go there.

What I am looking for is some management to look after me. I not sure what to do at the moment, I have been teaching for 3 years to play the drums in my own studio, and its been a success. I have progress so well in teaching, that I have got so much better in playing the drums myself, its now time to get back out on stage and do my thing, as us drummers do.

So I am looking for a knish band Tribute band or a very good Covers band, or and Dance band where you play to people who like to chive? Gigs where the people are coming to dance and listen to the music? , where could I start Chris to find the right band to do regular gigs, must be paying gigs, as I would like this to be a full time musician work, combined with my teaching...................If I work on Thursdays Fridays Sat and Sundays nights or daytime work do you think I "one" could make a living this way.

The very best to you Chris, *********.................

ps I live in Kent area.....................thanx again for your support

Hi ********,
There is always a lot of need for good drummers and your ideas are right, to make a living as a musician you have to do everything, somehow just playing isn't enough.
Playing in covers and tribute and function bands is a safe was to attempt going pro, assuming they have progressive and agressive bookers. Can't always expect people to listen to the music though, at a private event. That's life, never mind take the money.

Don't think it is a safe bet, working with a band that plays its own material, It isn't, unless they have a real good deal with major or minor major record company/management/agent behind them.

Don't give up the day job unless you can't cope with both. Even then, think carefully because it is a long term future you need to keep your present family life/circumstances safe.

Your first start is to look through the Musicians Wanted section of our Kent Musicians Web and make enquires to make sure the act is what you want. Place an Ad on our Musicians Available Section. Be specific about what you want your target reader to be attracted by.
There are also many other sites on the web try searching on www.google.com with "Drummer Wanted" or "Musicians Wanted".
Make enquiries at your local Music Instruments Shop, they are always a good resource with their ears on the ground.

The are magazines and newspapers that carry musicians wanted Ads. There is good work to be had in the more MOR arena. Have you thought of checking out "The Stage" or "Variety". or their printed versions.

Putting the word around in Kent about ourselves and the work we do in our (3) venues in S.E. London. looking to bring young bands that play original music (no covers) in from the Kent area.
We are a great 1st step into the london scene and a lot less unforgiving and downright mean as some of the more famous north london pubs.
You guys seem to know what you're doing perhaps you could help us put the word around.

Some of our bands are venturing into Kent with our help and we have just started to hook up with the good lads at the Tap and Tin Chatham.
Can you help further?
Take care
Carl
www.2bob.co.uk

comments: I've just returned from our (DUPE) gig at The Flower Pot in Maidstone - a contact through Kent Gigs.
We had a great evening and a promise of more bookings.
Long may your website thrive and a big thankyou from a bunch of old-ish gits who just like playing the songs we like!

comments: Hey there, I'm a trainee journalist studying at West Kent College. I was wondering if any of you guys could put me in contact with somebody who'd be glad to talk to me about the Manics 10th anniversary Holy Bible CD and the disappearance of Richey Edwards?

hello there,
Im in a band that has been going for about half a year and we are more than ready to start gigging. Do you you know any gigs my band would be able to play at near the thanet and surrounding areas. My band play PUNK and have a very good stage presence. Please could you help inform us where we would be able to play.
Thank you,
******* (vocals)

Dear ********,
In your message you do not state if you are a punk, covers band or have written your own music to sound like punk music of the past or that you may have re-invented the genre. Time to start really defining who you are. you have'nt really defined the band's name.

This may seem a little harsh but you are only ready to gig when you have developed more than just getting a band together. Including a promotional package, photos, demo and a host of venues that are presenting your sort of music. Research these potential targets. Select one of the band who has good communication skills and get them on the phone.

You will be expected to perform a minimum of 2 x 45min sets and know your worth when negotiating a fee.
Alternatively you need to contact some of the alternative or independent promoters who risk putting on 3 or 4 bands that might draw a crowd, you would not be expected to play for such a long period under these circumstances.
Try and obtain a support slot for your first outings to get to know how the system works.

I have tried to help many bands through the same dilemma before. You may find clues to what you need in previous notes to musicians before on "Dear Kentgigs Q & A" at http://www.kentgigs.com/feedback.htm (this page)

If you believe Thanet is your oyster then contact the promoter who books the Lido.

Loads of luck in your venture
Chris....................................................

comments: Just a thank you. Went on the search for gigs last night in the Maidstone area, using your venue guide and had two bookings within half an hour. The venue list is excellent (with the exception of the Royal Albion in Maidstone, which we suspect is in the process of being developed as neither it or the road it stands in exist anymore!) and allowed us to target specific venues suitable for our line-up.
A very valuable resource - well done!

Dave - DUPE
www.duperock.com
Glad you found us useful. Thanks for the reminder, our recommended venues list has now been updated. Chris............

We are four piece alternative rock band from Sussex. We are influenced by the likes of Green Day, Taking Back Sunday and Brand New, although we keep our sound original by adding the keys. We absolutely love playing live, and sharing our music with new people. This means that we put a lot of effort and energy into our live music [and recordings]. Evidence of this was when we won a local charity battle of the bands, and our front-man ******, won “best front-man” in the same show.
We aim to keep pursuing our dream of becoming a professional band until our bodies will not allow us to do so anymore. However, if nothing comes of our efforts, we will still have the music, and that is what matters at the end of the day.
We would gratefully appreciate any help and incite that you could provide.
Many Thanks

Hi
I have added you band and Link to our "Bands Page" hope it brings you more contacts.

I see from your site that you do not have a lot of gigs, this is a normal problem for Emo Alt rock bands. The dream of being a professional band means that you have to earn a living from your music alone, something that less than 5% of musicians of all genres manage to do.
Unless you are something really special that the public just has to see or hear the possibility is very small. Which means you will have to try harder.

I have heard some of your music, frankly that is not going to make you big alone, you need to be gigging to collect audience who may buy your records. You need to do some research, research and more research on where your style of music is played live and get on the phone. They are not going to come to you. Start locally and gradually move further afield adding audience that knows your name. Get support gigs so you can benefit from the main band's audience that would not have come to see you initially alone. Do posters for every gig and promote it via whatever resourses are available.

Next step?
Repeat above until someone take notice of your success. Chris...................

We are a Covers Band called Lenny and are look for gigs in Kent. We have lots of gigs approaching Christmas in and around Folkestone but want our music to be appreciated by others!

We do covers from Supergrass, The Foo Fighters, The Strokes, The Jam, The Who, Oasis, Franz Ferdinard, Greenday, T-REX and loads more....

If you are interested my E-mail address is thekeyboardplayer@hotmail.com and our web address is www.lennyrocks.co.uk ... We have a CD recorded and we can send this to you if you wish?

Hi, I'm from The Volts Show. We are an internet based radio show dedicated to playing unsigned bands only!
We are a voluntary organisation so can't really afford to advertise/promote on a large scale.
Would you mind giving us a mention in the next newsletter or just put a post in the forum letting bands know who we are.

go to 'about' to find out who we are etc.
Thanks
Dave Morgan
ps. Bloody nice site
Thanks Dave, I am sure some of our Kent bands will take up your kind offer.

Chris
I thought I'd let you know how successful our ad for a new bassist was - within a week we'd had a number of enquiries and found the ideal guy.
Cheers
Keith
The Modways
The Modways advertised for a new Bass player on our Kent Musicians Web - 1150 Ads so far.

comments: I am a resident in norther france and am looking for likely venues so a french pop/rock band can play in the UK.
They already have a national distribution deal over here with their first album in a national record store (FNAC) (it's like virgin ).
It is a guitare based band with a very british sound. Please can anyone help me with contacts for any relevant venues.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Nick,
In general, the internet is a good place to start. Oh you have already started - you found us.
If you are looking for work in Kent - Check out our "venues" page at www.kentgigs.com The venues phone numbers are there.
There may be some bands that would do a gig swap - we have some playing in Belgium and Holland.
You don't say how much money you are looking for, or how large the band is. It can make a difference.
I have added you to our mail list as requested.
Chris...............

A........
Sounds like a good idea, but we are not an agency.
There is always the crunch - no gigs - no dosh - no recording - no fans - no gigs.
Looks like one of the band or a close friend should play manager instead
Solutions - Start anywhere and follow the loop.
1. Find venues who appreciate your music and get on the phone. No success?
2. Change your music.
3. Still not winning - Play covers, find venues who appreciate your music and get on the phone. No success?
4. Change your covers - find venues who appreciate your music and get on the phone. No success?
5. Go back to playing your own music, find venues who appreciate your music and get on the phone.

I think you might see a pattern emerging here.

Find venues who appreciate your music and get on the phone.

comments: Used to go to gigs a lot some years ago, when I was young & free !...Just wondering whatever happened to the superb vocalist/frontman Steve Howard AKA Skog...ex of Slam, Shiner, Crete Road East and ( I hear ) Orange Street + others. Any info would be appreciated......
Oooh got me there - ask at Music Bay in Cheriton or the Forum at MrGig.com.....Chris

comments: Hi i am in a punk band mainly based round sex pistols/the clash have been going for some time now and have worked up a good routine, fan base and an original line-up self-written songs after performing at many venues we are now stuck in a rut and wantt o know how to take that next step towards a signing so can u please give me some advice? if so please reply with any useful infomation.
Hi,
Why not start by giving the name of the band and where you are based, have you a website telling the world about you?
Do you have a demo and photos of your band.
Do you have a writtten profile of the band displaying your strengths and ambitions?
When you have these you could do worse than sending them to our A&R Dept - More info at http://www.kentgigs.com/A&R.htm

Hi Chris I very sorry to miss you last night ( 26th June Leas Cliff Hall ).I hope you enjoyed it.
Just like to say a big thank you for all your support over the last couple of months. We would also like to thank all the people who came along and brough our CDS and T-shirts.
All the best mate....... Richie of Paradox
Hi Richie,
A great time was had by all. It is a pity the local promoter is being forced out of the venue by spiraling costs and lack of support and dates by the venue.
The Leas was once the hub of SE Kent musical life. It now appears to be just another venue leased by a multinational money machine run by management with no cultural intelligence. May they soon shape up or ship out......Chris

Hello chris,

we'd like to report the appallingh way the rejects bike club treated a local band called sibling rivalry, the two main guitarists are only 17 and 19 aandwere told that bike clubs were the best, they now have a different opinion, they were booked to play at their party as support and then the main band cancelled, they were then made main band, they played really well but the asshole rejects said they were no good and threw them off stage, they are old men and shsttering the dreams of young boys and just because they didn't sell enough tickets for their do, which shows just how populsr they are (not) they resort to bully boy tactics and intimidate two young boys with the threat of violence, these bike clubs should be exposed for their sxploitation with empty promises, especially barry who threw them off stage when they were doing a good job entertaining the crowd, it was just a cheap ruse not to pay them and I warn all bands to beware,

regards medway music
Ta, Let it be a warning to all that working without a contract and support, can be dodgy. Thankfully we do not hear of this sort of problem often.
If the Bike club would like to tell their side of the story we would happily publish it here.
Chris

Dear Chris
We are a young band, I am sixteen and we are called Silverside. We would probably like to start gigging around late summer maybe August.
Would it be possible to suggest any events we could play at or take part in.
Much appreciated
Clem

Hi Clem,
We are not an agency.
I would suggest that before you feel you are ready to start gigging that you put together an information pack including pictures, a demo and define the genre of the music you play.Always give a landline telephone number to be contacted on, plus a mobile. Get on the web and the phone to contact the music venues that host your sort of music, so a little research beforehand is in order.Always give a landline telephone number to be contacted on, plus a mobile.
Create a website, it is as important as a business card. When you are ready let us know about you and we will give you a listing on www.Kentgigs.com "Bands" page.

Hi.
We are a soft-rock/pop, male/female duo, shortly to relocate to the south coast.
Can anyone give us an idea of the current rates we can expect for a nights work in the area?
We have worked two clubs in Eastbourne for the last six years (one Saturday/one Sunday - three times a year) and the money is fine, but we have no experience of pub rates.
Could someone just give us a min/maximum figure to go for when contacting venues???

As for what we do... we're essentially 'band' people, moving into the duo world some time ago so as to make a living. We've toured Europe, done the recording bit - been there, got the T-shirt etc!!!
We are definitely not one of the Karaoke type duos, we're both musicians to the fore - guitars/keyboards/electric violin, all played live. It's just the bits we can't possibly play live at the same time that are put to minidisc. Everything we do is either played or pre-recorded by ourselves at home - everything you see and hear is totally 'us'.

Thanks for your time.
Pete and Lorraine

Hi,
Hope you will be happy in your new location.
Difficult question.
We have heard of rates of £60 to £120 per gig based on minimum of 2x45min sets.
The pubs are variable in the amounts they pay and the size of audience can dictate this.
You would be advised to have a minimum fee to negotiate with. If you are unknown locally the venue is taking a risk and will offer their minimum.
It is worthwhile doing the first gig at your minimum providing you discuss what you would expect to receive for future bookings assuming a warm reception to your initial performance.
Remember, pubs are reliant on paying for their entertainment from their profits on food and drink. A small audience on your first night may not reflect on your future popularity but it will it might impact on your re-booking.
Ensure you use the venues in our listings who promote their music nights properly or be prepared to spend money to get an audience there on the night.
Chris

hi,
im in Folkestone based rock band called APV, we had a gig last week and after the thrill of it want to get on the local gigging scene. this is just a quick note to ask if you have any support slots that need filling? we can travel in the kent area easily and are ready for anything you can throw at us!
many thanks,
Hank + APV
submitted by (hankownzureshooz@hotmail.com) on Saturday, April 24, 2004

Hi Hank,
We don't act as an agency, but maybe the notes below will help you
You don't state what kind of a band you are.
I might seem daft but the genre of your music make a lot of difference when it comes to getting work.
There are some bands who will never work due to the pointless bad language in their songs. Even though they are proficient musicians.
A Country & Western band might not go down too well in some venues.
Brass bands have their own place in the world.
Rubber bands don't get any work.

So I am taking the mick but - Think about answering these questions.
Decide who you are
What direction you are going in
The kind of music you are going to play.
The kind of venues that are suitable for your work
Is the material your own or covers
Do you have a PA and transport that can cope with all situations.
What dates are not possible.
Landline phone number
Photos for promotional purposes
Website becoming vital as a business card.
Age of band members
over or under 18
Music suitable for what age group.

When you have discussed this amongst yourselves why not give us something we can put on our "bands" page.
Place an Ad on our Acts Available at Kent Musicians Web.
Go to more local gigs and talk to the promoters about a support slot. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Best wishes
Chris

Pedal Steel / Pedal bro / Lap Steel / Banjo / Guitar Vocals 25 yrs experience including major artist-Pro gear + PA-All offers-No bad attitude or habits-

URL: http://www.jonwestbrook.com
submitted by (webinfo@jonwestbrook.com) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Hi Jon, Thanks for writing, I have browsed your site and listened to the the music, should you tour Kent UK The Centre of the World, please let us know maybe we can give you a plug.......Ed

I'm a music producer from Kent, and I work with a team of two male hip hop artists and one female solo artist. They are looking for venues to perform at. We have made an album which is selling well locally and have been very successful in internet R'n'B/Hip hop charts. Please visit www.madnessmusic.2ya.com
If anyone has any information about venues etc. please email me. madnessmusic04@yahoo.com
Thanks
submitted by (madnessmusic04@yahoo.com) on Thursday, March 11, 2004

Hi,
Bill from Pod studios in Maidstone would love and respect any musicians who would like to do any projects, rehearsals or recordings.

Our prices start at £10/hr and do check our website out for more. www.podmusic.co.uk

It was submitted by (billtolputt@yahoo.com) on Monday, March 1, 2004
Blatant Avertising will only be accepted occasionally. Just think yopu could be on our front page for a tenner.
Chris

We're a brand spanking new band called 'The Watchers' and have recently been 'brought out' into society.
We are all students in Canterbury and have a lot of good original material.
Influences are jazz, muse, portishead, hendrix. Very large mix making us i would say a jazz rock kinda set up.
Looking for gigs in and around Canterbury and a reasonably priced studio to record in?
Anyone want to help???
If so contact Tanya at trb2@kent.ac.uk
submitted by (trb2@kent.ac.uk) on Monday, February 16, 2004
Pleased to see the Watchers have been "Brought Out" and not just "Come Out" into society. Now you are here - Welcome.
We all think there should be more Venues around Canterbury....Ed.

Nice to see people giving a shit about real music. Cool website.
Ii am in a successful band from se london looking to play paying gigs in this area we have lots of top quality original stuff and are looking to spread the good word of SilverSky. Check us out on www.silverskylive.co.uk and contact mike.
submitted by (mikelisa@blueyonder.co.uk) on Sunday, February 15, 2004
Thanks for your comments. We try.
PS Blimey, I thought Beckenham was in Kent....Ed.

The tickets are finally available at the office
43 monkton road
minster CT12 4ED

I want more: Sense - The Word "Band" dropped from "GirlBand" and replaced by "Karaoke"

Hi Kent gigs
Just wanted you to Know That Paradox will be returning to the Leas Cliff Hall this year on the 26th June. This gig will be to promote the new album influenzic.Already ACCIDENT one of our tracks of the album is getting airplay on some internet radio stations.
Other radio stations also are interested as well as some record companys, all in all a very interesting time in Paradox is being had by all.
Here is a link to our web site if you want to know any more.
http://home.earthlink.net/~bill_go/index.html
If you want to contact me please either email a return or phone 07904 892705.
All the best, and thanks for your help(we got our drummer from placing an add with you)
Richie from Paradox

Hi guys. My name is stacey and i am looking for a band who needs a vocalist/backing singer etc. am in early twenties, based in canterbury, originally from Ireland. I can sing most anything and love all kinds of music old and new: beatles, stones, primal scream, oasis, chillies, jeff buckley, kings of leon; i could go on! probably best if i come to a rehearsal and see if the vibe is right. e-mail me - staceywilkinson@hotmail.com
submitted by staceywilkinson@hotmail.com on Thursday, December 18, 2003

The place to put a message like this, is on our Kent Musicians Web "Musicians Available" go to www.kentgigs.com/kentmusiciansweb/ fill in the form Then click on "Send Entry"
You may find an Ad already on the site with someone looking for you?

I play in a band called Killing Moon and I was hoping that you'd put us up on the list.

We're a four-piece based in Canterbury (although we originate from various parts of London). We're all in our early 20's. We've been together for justunder a year and under a previous name (Morphic Fields) played some gigs in London, headlining the Kentish Town Verge, the Dublin Castle in Camden, and the Hope and Anchor in Highbury. We recently recorded a new demo, and are awaiting confirmation of more gigs in London.

Over the last couple of weeks we've played KIAD bar in Canterbury, the Venue at the University of Kent and ULU in central London. We're looking to play as many gigs as possible over
the next few months.

We'd probably describe ourselves as follows: Indie-rock/ post-punk. Influences include The Smiths, Joy Division and The Cure.

Sorry if this is extremely convoluted, but I just wanted you to know alittle bit about us.
We've just set up an e-mail account: killingmoon121@hotmail.com.

comments: I am in a newly formed, Kent based rock covers band called LAST EXIT FOR THE LOST It would be great to get some support band work for experience.
Recently completed debut gig with The Gents for a charity event. The band is formed of five thirty-somethings all in it for the love, not the money.
Great website, needs more publicity. Cheers, Brian 07950 252772
submitted by bmcallar@blueyonder.co.uk on Saturday, November 15, 2003

Well your message is clear. We are pleased to see a new band joining the scene gently. Gaining experience as a support group is a very good way to pick up a following and learning the business, as it is these days. It isn't easy - Anyone need a support group - contact above

I noticed a reference to Masterstroke's 'prisoner of love' single on your website.
Do you have any contact details for the band as I am trying to find a copy of this record and would pay good money for it.

Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
(anony@aal.com) on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 21:39:19
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

comments: I am in a band and was wondering how to go about getting gigs, thankyou.

Do you have a name?
Tell me more about the band. Are you Country and Western, Punk, Folk. Boy Band Karaoke.Girl Band?
Do you need a manager or agent.
What is the band name.
Are you in Iceland or Moscow?
Do you have a website or telephone number.
Small pub or Wembley Arena?
How much do you charge to perform?
Some of the above information could help me answer your question.

Howdy people
Just a quick one, with details of the next round of our tour:
Thurs Nov 20 2003 The beacon court tavern Canterbury street, gillingham, kent 8pm
If you think this is too far to travel, then aside from being a wussy, you are quite wrong.

From my house (and I realise you don't all live there), it Is 17.1 miles. The AA think it will take around 26 minutes.
So you could therefore go to the gig, watch it, then go home, all in around 82 minutes.
The things we do for you people is staggering. You might as well wear your Slippers, eh?

I am in a band
I want more: Gigs
hi
i am in a band called experimental chaos. we have done some performing and would like to start playing more gigs. Our music is a cross between punk and grunge. Do you have any information or help that you can give us to get us a gig
Thanks
Thomas Thurgood
submitted by Innocenttungz@hotmail.com on Friday, October 31, 2003 at 16:23:57

Hi Thomas, our business is promoting our customers gigs. But of cousrse if you have been to our site you will see that we do a lot more.
Unfortunately getting bands gigs is not one of them. You need a manager / agent or get on the phone to the venues that support or promote your genre of music.

I want more: newspapers to publish this gig guide
I Run a label
comments: BLUE CHEER

Blue Cheer, named after their friend Stanley Owsley's special brand of Acid tabs, formed in late 1967. They came from San Francisco. They made raucous, frantic slabs of greasy noise, took trips by the truckload and hung around with Hell's Angels. They used the basic heavy psychedelic blues format of Hendrix and co, added giant, heavily discordant guitar workouts and a pounding, overdriven bass, then played it all at full blast. Vincebus Eruptum is a 60s Rock Classic. It spawned a Top Ten hit in America (Summertime Blues) and the album itself reached no# 10, selling over a million copies in the US alone. Legend has it that whilst recording their second album, "Outsideinside", they were so loud they blew up the studio monitors and the album could only be completed with the band playing outside. They were friends with and played on the same bill as Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin and The Grateul Dead amongst many,

These dates (Blue Cheer's first ever UK tour) should appeal to all fans into bands from Motorhead to Pearl Jam, Nirvana to Chilli Peppers, all who cite Blue Cheer as an influence.

NOVEMBER 2003
Wed 19 BRIGHTON Concorde 2
Thu 20 SOUTHAMPTON The Brook
Fri 21
Sat 22 BRISTOL Thekla
Sun 23 CREWE Limelight
Mon 24
Tue 25 WOLVERHAMPTON Robin 2
Wed 26 SHEFFIELD Boardwalk
Thu 27 LONDON Borderline

"They preceded Black Sabbath, Deep Purple.in fact all of the pioneers of metal and hard rock. That's how significant Blue Cheer is" - Classic Rock
"The Californian power trio are justly revered for their part in inventing the genre currently known as stoner rock" - Uncut Magazine

Subject:Vocalist urgently required.
I don't know if you can help me but I am in an Ashford based band and we are desperate to get a decent singer. I have advertised in Kerrang, FreeAdds, Local Music Shops and on Kent Musicians Web, but we've had no luck yet. Our music is sounding awesome and I'm worried that if we don't get the right singer soon then it might fall apart and all out time and effort will be wasted.

I was wondering if it would be possible to place a 'higher profile' advert on your Kent Gigs homepage?

Ok Gary Let us see if we can beat the odds - Just this time though - I hate to see a grown man cry - Chris

Can you write lyrics?
Ashford based heavy rock band looking for vocalist to complete line-up and to assist with writing lyrics. We are all experienced musicians aged between 24 - 30.
We have written all new material for this project and we are eager to gig asap.

Influences - system of a down, korn, drowning pool, pod and similar bands. Might be best to come a long for a listen and see if it's your thing.
Give us a call if you are interested.
Gary
SOULFIRE - ASHFORD
Telephone: 01304 212354
gfriend@ukonline.co.uk

Hi Chris,
nice site!
I am looking for anyone who may have seen Uriah Heep way back in the early 70s and pre Heep bands of the late 60s.
Could you put a mention on your site? I am interested in hearing from anyone who saw such bands as The Gods, Toe Fat, Spice, The Stalkers, New Nadir, The Cats Pajamas and The Jimmy Brown Sound.

thanks.
lunytune@vaxxine.com

Hi,
.
submitted by (band@tallononline.co.uk) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 band
I am in a band
I want more: 2 in a bar rule abolished! Bands of any size should be able to play in pubs and clubs, trouble free!!!
Other requests: Venues for my band to play at

Please help. I've taken over managing a 4 piece Sittingbourne Band named Tallon. Need some ideas of venues to try. The Band are willing to travel. PLEASE HELP!!

Your problem is not new. There is a shortage of band venues is Kent. I am afraid you will have to do as all other bands do.
Get on the phone to all of the venues that show up as having bands on www.kentgigs.com and www.mrgigs.com etc
Don't be afraid to look outside of Kent and Sussex.
It might help others if you describe the music genre of the band, age, experience, contact details and willingness to work for a pittance.
If the band is new try to get some support work by contacting those who are organising independent multiple band gigs.
Submit Act Available notice to our Kent Musicians Web
Chris

comments: Hello my names Natasha Steer and I am president of the student union at North West Kent college Dartford-I'm also a 2nd year BND media student and video producer.

Im currently trying to arrange events at the college for the students union and have had a few ideas.Would you know of any bands in Kent that require promotion with an upcoming single release?Just I had the idea of planning a launch party for a band-we have facilities for them to play at the college etc at our new miskin theatre-although everything would have to be cleared with the college owners etc..

Brilliant you have been very helpful!
Many thanks,
Natasha Steer
President of Student Union
North West Kent College

p.s May I highly commend your website it has been brilliant help to me for my music video promotion and being able to contact bands!
THANK YOU!

I want more: newspapers to publish this gig guide

comments: hello !!!! My name is Jaroslaw,
I guitarplayer, composer, poet, leader of group " TURN of FATE " .
For knowing me better click on www.turnoffate.com
you can find there my translating of my texts of my songs because i am writing in russian and ukranian languages and now in english too ,fragments of our free mp3 ,
submitted by jzdolnic@gomail.com.ua on Thursday, July 3, 2003

I really hope you don’t mind me contacting you like this, but my band have now reached desperation. We are an established, female fronted, alternative rock band, and we are DESPERATELY seeking a keyboardist. We are currently in the middle of re-working all our songs and adding new keyboards and samples and we have tried putting ads everywhere so now we have come down to emailing recording studios and music shops and anything to do with music to see if anyone knows of some who can play the keyboard.....

Please help us, or at least let us know of any other places we can email or place on online ads.

If you have broadband I have a few mp3’s that we have recorded and I can send you, so if you do know someone they can get an idea of our sound!!!

Greg Fayers (and SPeNT)
Greg, you have come to the right place. I have added your request to our "Musicians Wanted" page on our Kent Musicians Web also keep an eye on the Musicians available page,

Dear Chris Ashman,
We are a six piece instrumental psychedelic JAZZ/FUSION/FUNK/ZING band called ELECTRIK BLANKET, instruments include Drums, Percussion, Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Saxophone, and on special occasions Digerydoo and a live DJ's.

We have enclosed our web page below, which so far includes CV, some of our tunes(mp3) and pictures of the band, we would be very grateful if you could help us in any way as we are currently looking for gigs. If you can please could you contact us on this email address.

Dear Robot - Did you notice that this site is for Kent & Sussex Bands not Wolverhampton - Still here you are. Look forward to you visiting the centre of the world - Kent.
Regards Chris

I want more: 2 in a bar rule abolished! Bands of any size should be able to play in pubs and clubs, trouble free!!!

I'd just like to say to anyone who came along to The Green Fair in Maidstone I could kiss ya! Thanks for making the effort to come and see 'The Days'. We had a great time and it was good to see a wicked turn out of people.

Well I just thought I'd let you know, we have another gig coming up, this time at The Halfmoon in Putney, London on Wednesday 11 June at 8.45pm. So if you fancy it, and you want a free CD (now we've gotcha) it would be great to see you.

There's more gigs on the way so I'll keep you lot informed, oh and we're in the studio next month to do another demo so if you fancy one or would like more info about 'The Days' email us at thedaysband@hotmail.com

I want more: newspapers to publish this gig guide
Other requests: 2 in a bar rule abolished! Bands of any size should be able to play in pubs and clubs, trouble free!!!

Hi.
I play in The Groove Connection, who are still going strong by the way. I thought you might like the link to our website.
http://www.neujaz.co.uk/
The next gig in Kent is Friday 13th June @ The Bat and Ball in Gravesend.

Cheers.
Nice site by the way, never seen it before.
Paul.
Thanks Paul - Your band link is now live - I'll add you to our mail list to help you keep in touch

Held at different venues throughout Kent, KCC's John Rice has put together another excellent programme featuring guitarists from all styles of music; Jazz, Blues, Folk, Celtic, Classical, World etc. Including Adrian Byron Burns & Jim Mullen, The Haydn Lute Trio, Tony McManus, Koen de Cauter, Dave Sutherland & Emma Peters, Aziz Ibrahim & Dalbir Singh, John Etheridge ~ I can't list them all but there's just some of the Internationally respected artists on offer.
Email John on john.rice@kent.gov.uk or pick up a brochure from your local library or at the next Bottleneck Blues gig.

Hi! I am part of Motion Picture Soundtrack, a 4 piece band local to Canterbury that is getting more and more well known in East Kent. You already have some of our gigs listed on your gig page, but we would also love it if you could put our details on your band page.

We have an EP out at shops in Canterbury, Ashford, Deal and Broadstairs and our website is http://www.motionpicturesoundtrack.com Nice site
Thank you! :)

Could you add FORGE to the band list please- we played in margate deal dover folkestone+ wiv Six Stage Suicide and kingskin+ battleska galactica and pple.
web sites http://samrockstar80.tripod.com
cheers- Sam Wilkie

submitted by samrockstar80@hotmail.com on Thursday, May 8, 2003
Sam, You Are on the Wall of Fame Now

The Eight Bells Folk Club Sing-a-rounds
The second Tuesday of every month
Check the dates below for 2003

The regular sing-a-rounds in the bar of the Eight Bells in Tenterden High Street have been running since 1992 and are set to continue. They are run in conjunction with Tenterden Folk Day Trust, the annual Tenterden Folk Festival, local singers and musicians and the Eight Bells public house. The pub came under new management from the end of 2002 but we do not expect this to affect the folk club.

Many of you will remember the evenings at The Bells when numbers regularly reached 30 or even 40 people and the exceptional evenings when there were so many singers and musicians there that we were forced to move up stairs. Were you there on the evening when we had about 25 Italians all wanting to sing all the evening, or the evenings when groups of Dutch, German, Slovakian, Canadian or other tourists played and sang with us? Not forgetting those very memorable, and more typical, evenings when the likes of Tan Tethera, SkynFlynt, Bob Kenward, Bo Foaks, Ray Styles, Sean and Trooper, George Frampton, Bob Piggott and Mick Lynn, Galliard, No Worries and many, many others, held the crowded bar spell bound. I also remember the gent who kept telling me he had his mouth organ with him but that he did not play folk music, then after a couple of years Les finally played that mouth organ and has not stopped since!

Folk singers and musicians from Kent and Sussex gather in the Bells from around 8.00 p.m. and the music starts at about 8.30 and continues to 11.00. All folk singers and musicians are welcome to come along and join in or just come and listen. The music is mainly traditional English but we also include contemporary, blues, Irish, Scottish, European music, music hall, acapella and in fact most good acoustic music.

Each evening at the Bells will be lead by one of the resident musicians or groups that will include Tan Tethera, Bob Kenward, Bo Foaks, Sean and Trooper, No Worries and others. We will also occasionally invite other local or visiting musicians to lead the evening.

During 2003, the sing-a-rounds will continue take place on the second Tuesday of every month. The dates are as follows;

June 10
July 8
August 12
September 9
October 14
November 11
December 9
How to contact Folk Spots;
You can contact Alan Castle at Folk Spots in any of the following ways;
Email alan@Folkspots.btinternet.co.uk
The web www.folkspots.btinternet.co.uk
Telephone (UK 044) 01233 626805

Mr DuncanSmith has asked me to thank you for your e-mail and to reply on
his behalf.

He is grateful to you for your comments. We are concerned over the
Government's proposed changes to licensing laws. These would make the
performance of live music licensable in pubs and clubs, places of worship,
schools, community centres and village halls. But it goes further, it would
make private parties in private homes and gardens require a license. We
believe, that if enacted, this Bill will have an enormously detrimental
effect on musicians and live performances. Whilst the penalties for
breaking the law, of a six month jail sentence or a £20,000 fine, are far
too draconian. It also seems grossly unfair and inconsistent that live
music will not be licensable in Scotland but will be in England and Wales.

This Bill represents a totally unacceptable regulatory intrusion into
mainstream activities; and we are calling on the Government to amend the
relevant parts of the Bill in order to remove these iniquities.

Thank you again for taking the trouble to write.

A new ITV programme is looking for couples, families, students and other house sharers to spend two days filming with television relationship expert Tracey Cox.

WE ARE CURRENTLY ESPECIALLY KEEN TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE WHO FIND THAT THEIR HOBBY IS INTERFERING WITH THEIR HOME LIFE.

Is living with your partner, family or flatmates causing you stress?! It could be ANYTHING that you disagree over: pets, the décor, money, untidiness, bad habits, hobbies, the kids or even the in-laws.

Whatever the problem our top TV relationship expert might be able to provide the solution.

David Hodgkinson
Development Researcher

Prospect Pictures
Wandsworth Plain
London
SW18 1ET

020 8877 5623 (Direct)
020 8874 0139 (Fax)
020 8877 1234 (Switchboard)
http://www.prospect-uk.com

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
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Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
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Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
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Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
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War Dims Hope for Peace
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It! May Last Awhile
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Thanks John, not our normal sort of feedback but I like it

We are - FILTHY LUCRE, a four piece blues/rock band of rare pedigree (and a combined age approaching 200 so no lack of experience there then !!!) comprising Dave "Golden fingers" Irvine (lead guitar), Paul "Magnum" Milton (bass), Paul "Beatmeister" Godley (percussion) and Andy "Iron throat" Heathcote (vocals).

Along with a catalogue of original material we play a wide range of covers from Bryan Adams, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, Alex Harvey !, Donna Summer !!, ZZ Top, Delbert McClinton, Billy Idle, Tom Jones, Stereophonics, Blur, Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, INXS, Dooby Brothers, Santana, Bill Withers, Wild Cherry, Lenny Kravitz, Bruce Springsteen etc ...........

FILTHY LUCRE formed towards the end of 2000 and have gigged consistently throughout North Kent since January 2001 - we will play anywhere that there is oxygen provided the fee is right!!

Can you include our venues on your gig list please, we notice a lot of people come through your site to ours www.hushtheband.co.uk

Saturday 31st May, The South Eastern Tavern, Ashford
Saturday 23rd August, The South Eastern Tavern, Ashford

There will be some more gigs once we've completed our demo in a couple of weeks time. Thanks for your great site, its much appreciated,

Hello to all that might remember 'The Studio'. Well Greigy's never short of a plan B, Watch the News Shopper in the Bromley area and remember that rock'n'roll,soul, folk, and.......Blues and music for all ages will win the day.
Happy new year to all,
Andy Greig (MU)
May 'live music' live, for ever.
submitted by Andtoyou@aol.com on Wednesday, January 8, 2003
See also Under Threat - The Studio, Beckenham

The boozy blues band. Our website adress is www.fatjack.co.uk/drink
We are all members of the Rock n Roll Loony Party and play many of the clubs and pubs on the Isle of Sheppey,
fairly busy in the summertime but are looking for winter gigs in Kent area.

Here's a cheery hello from Jagged Music who would like to introduce you to
indeed more original talented musicians for you to enjoy. I have to say
that you would be hard to pressed to find as good a selection on commercial
channels, I'm dead impressed.

Funky Noel from Harambé:
Lighthouse Family meets Jamiroquai - "Harambé", Jagged's most funkiest band.
Truly hot and if funk is your thing, don't miss these dudes.

Rocky Noel from Abinger Drive:
Uplifting with great guitar solos and vocal harmonies. If you fancy
something more rocky than Paul Weller, listen to "Abinger Drive".

Alternative Dance Noel from The Long Pause:
Melodic, strange and atmospheric. That's "The Long Pause". Think of
Portishead, Arom, Massive attack and you are getting near.

Song lovers Noel from Rawdon Evernden:
"Rawdon Evernden", bit of a mouthful and so are his songs. Much like Peter
Gabriel, Simon & Garfunkel with a touch of Twin Peaks.

"The hottest underground music site around" - The Daily Mirror
"Great Unsigned bands" - The Guardian
"Jagged Music is much more than a virtual record shop." - Guitar Magazine.

Hi there, Paul Petit here from Vancouver Canada.While to my wife's family in Beckenham, Kent, I was privledged to sit-in on a Jam session held at a place called locally as "The Studio".It was real tasty home-grown sound, very entertaining.apparently, my wifes young brother Martin got his first gig on stage there. Wish i was there with her to have heard his Bass. Anyhoo, I have scoured more webpages than i cared to,to find a listing of venues at this local place.Unfortunately with no results. hope to get a tip from someone over there. Thanx for the webspace,
Paul Petit
submitted by mtpacific@yahoo.ca on Monday, November 25, 2002

was just wondering if you could include my band on your website. The name of the band is Karma, and we are a keyboard/vocal duo. We're based in Ashford and have been working abroad for the last 6 months. We're available for any functions over the Christmas and New Year period. We do a wide range of music from 50's to present day and also incorporate saxophone and clarinet into our repertoire. Would be grateful if you could put our details on the site. If you need to contact me please do at samcollins81@hotmail.com
Thanks for your help.
Sam Collins

I will add your info for our next update....Ed

RUBBER BISCUIT will be throwing a combined 10th Birthday/Christmas Party at the King's Hall, Herne Bay on Friday 13th December 2002. We promise a night to remember.
Tickets are £5 in advance, £7.50 on the night. King's Hall Box Office = 01227 374188.

Keep up the good work!

David for 'Rubber Biscuit'

Hi Chris,
How about mentioning the Soul Cafe in Maidstone in What's On.
Tuesdays & Thursdays' are ROOTS nights. I saw Gene Parsons there last week. Brilliant venue for serious music. Alan Cackett runs it. alan@acackett.freeserve.com It is tied in with the brilliant new Roots magazine produced in Maidstone..."Maverick"

Trails Mark Dean

Dunnit...Ed

Hi my name is Andy Greig and for many years now I have run a music club called Acoustic tuesdays at The Studio, Beckenham,Kent.The clubs popularity encompasses good standard amateurs, and some seasoned old pros! It is also licenced. Well here comes the rub; it's owned and run by Bromley Council, and they have slashed 40K off the budget for entertaining arts, the first thing to go will be the studio.
Young, old, male and female MUSICIANS.I plan to fight this to the bitter end, and you never know we might get lucky!!

Listen, sorry I haven't been in touch, hey this is hard work trying to save a venue from a cut throat council budget cut. Just do it to to the arts.............who cares.............TV?, Radio?, Theatre?, Stage,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,music!
All fingers crossed, Gary Hyde, might be able to to make a very serious case against this particular place closing. But very soon. Tues. 10:12:02 weds 11:12:02, that's it. Council closed.
Ask about, at least quite a few people in the kent area have ventured into 'the Studio Beckenham' and gone and tried elsewhere; and always come back to say hey! rock'n'roll.
This is the club of all clubs, the muther of all safe places, young, old, yobs (closely watched by ex yobs), dads, musicians, you know, everybody.
I can always cause a stir in the paper especially regarding the music clubs at 'the Studio.' I am the only one to stand his ground.
Fellow musicians and artists, and dare I say,, Promoters.... CHECK THIS OUT. It took years to build and weeks to kill..... I don't usually grovel, but as a father of a 14,16,(19, saved a boy!). 21, and 22 yr. old people, I must be either totally insane or VERY right about something potentially explosive with the 'new youth,' it is only one big circle, after all people.
'Listen to computer music,' 'Ok, so come and do it live with me?'
That place must stay because the potential is fantastic. This is too good to go.
Andy Greig 07974309047. or leave a message at Beckenham studio on 02086630103 I think but hey you've got mine and I'm happy to give it sake of keeping it live.
'RockanddefinatelyrollAndyGreig.com/forward slash/HELP!!
ps' Have yourself a merry little Christmas'.....

submitted by Andtoyou@aol.com on Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Having surfed around the links to various Kent based musician resources sites I am amazed that there are so many live bands around especially as none of the sites I have visited, including this one, have any listings for rehearsal spaces.
Surely not everyone is either 14 and rehearsing in their bedroom with tennis rackets and cardboard boxes or 54 with