Battle of the bands final is here at last

One of the biggest and best band competitions is to take place this week, with the winner walking off with £2,000 in prize money.

Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff has been running its battle of the bands since June 1, but because of the huge number of applicants, the final gig has only just come around.

The three local bands who will be singing their hearts out will be Cuban, Hopper and the Phase and Simon Davies, of organisers Big Noise, said the talent has been fantastic over the past six months.

Simon, who is also an accomplished musician with the band the Longo Allstars, said: "We never thought it would go on as long as this, but there's been so much interest.

"The prize was stumped up by Professional Music Technology of Queens Road, Southend - not only money but around £1,000 worth of music equipment. It shows that some businesses in the area are really behind the music scene. We'll also have a generous second and third prize, so no-one goes home empty handed.

"The quality of the bands has been excellent. We've had all styles, from lounge jazz to heavy rock, punk to acid jazz. The majority of the band members has been 18 to 28, but we've had a few older bands as well.

"The whole ethos is to give bands who would not normally get the opportunity to play on stage in front of an audience. It gets them seen by a bigger crowd and gives them confidence to continue gigging."

Lee Morris, the drummer with acid jazz and funk band Cuban said he can't wait for the gig and will be happy regardless of the final result.

He said: "We've been together for about 18 months and we've already made it to the semi finals of the national Yates Wine Lodge band competition, which is not bad for a First go. It should be a good laugh."

Graham Chalkley, guitarist and singer with the four-piece retro-blues and rock band Hopper is equally chuffed about getting into the finals.

The band, which has only been around for a year and a half, spent Tuesday night perfecting their show at the popular Nightfly recording studios in Wallis Avenue, Southend.

Graham said: "It'll be a good gig. Our drummer knows the percussionist of Cuban so there'll be some friendly rivalry. And the top prize of two grand would be nice. Our equipment is getting a bit tatty and so an upgrade would be good."

Mark Pearson, manager of indy-pop band the Phase said it was great news for the band, who have been plugging away at the music scene for four years - and they're only 17 now.

He said: "The first two or three years was a learning curve, but they've grown very rapidly in the last year. They've played the Army and Navy in Chelmsford, the Riga, the Square in Harlow and some gigs in London.

"They've a lot of ambition and a strong work ethic - they rehearse in a shed one of their dads built at the bottom of the garden.

"Their absolutely looking forward to the night. Though their pretty self-sufficient as a band, the top prize would be a nice bonus. They've got some more London gigs in the new year. All in all it's an exciting time for the band."

Hoping to prevail in the Riga bar's Battle of the bands final - the Phase

Canvey band recording across the pond

The manager of Canvey band X-posure recently called me from a New Jersey hotel where the group are recording their first album.

X-posure recently signed a five year contract - having already worked hard for five years to build up from scratch - with a major player - Ron Winter.

Ron, from Masquerade Records, caught the band at the Hope and Anchor in Islington and decided that X-posure was what he'd been looking for for ages.

A thirty-year career in the music business, which includes publishing, recording, marketing, manufacturing, distribution, artist management, copyright and concert promotion, Ron has worked with major names on major labels including Sir Elton John, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Willie Nelson and Alice Cooper.

Manager Anne Earl said the band were being produced at a New York recording studio by Bob Aletta and Michael White - who have recently worked with Christine Aguillera.

She said: "They are really great guys. They have so much energy. The lads are really enjoying it all. It's really inspiring them and they're writing stuff out here.

"The hope is to have the album out in Spring of 2001. They've recorded the majority of it over here and then they finish it off in London. They wanted to get an edge to the music and there's a lot of interest in the USA for British rock bands.

"I'm over the moon for them. They're working so hard toward this."

Canvey band recording across the pond

The pink Toothbrush will be up for some Christmas fun with two corking nights in the pipeline. First up is the busy evening with Dave Devant and His Spirit Wife.

To quote the press release DD&HSW "continue to make pop for the parallel universe where Oasis still play in a pub in Wallington and S Club 7 struggle to get jobs on cruise ships.

If you like pop with brains, compassion and a soaraway tune DD&HSW could be your saviours. If not it's always fun thrusting your hips down the front."

The band will play the Toothbrush, in the High Street, Rayleigh on December 21 and will be supported by KidKhula and Blandest. Tickets are expected to be around £5. For more information contact check the website on www.pinktoothbrush.co.uk

In addition, you have the Edwin Starr - remember "War... whugh... what is it good for... absolutely nuthin', say it again" playing on December 28 at the Scooterist Reunion night.

The 'brush used to be a big venue with the northern soul crowd and the Joker's scootering club and those heady days of Motown, northern soul, ska and 60s soul will make a welcome return on the night.

Tickets are £10 and Edwin takes to the stage around 9pm. For more information contact the club on 01268 770003.

Fakie build up to big finale

Fakie's last show of 2000 promises to be "something big" - even though size doesn't really matter in rock and roll.

The Essex band is made up of Steve Moore on vocals, Owen Barry on guitar, Rob "Tank" Barry on bass and Basildon drummer Dean Hilborne on drums.

They've already played a wodge of gigs around the UK and will be hitting the Bubbles Bar in Wickford's Ladygate centre on December 14.

Their music has been compared to Reef and Pearl Jam with guitarist Owen being named as Guitarist Magazine's "young guitarist of the year". The band's self-financed CD - Flip - was recorded live at the Burnham festival and features five of their most popular songs.

Admission is free and the band are due on stage at 8.45pm.

By Carl Eve

Reporter's e-mail: carl.eve@notes.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.