Thunder at the Belvedere...

Texas Thunder, the following week, hail from Bishops Stortford and have a formidable reputation for energetic stage performances and great music.

In constant demand they have played the Guinness Dublin Blues festival in 1998 and 1999.

They are fronted by Terry Wisbey on vocals and lead guitar, who is inspired by the volcanic guitar playing of Texas blues legend, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. And they cover a few of his blistering tunes in between blues, rock and rhythm and blues.

Texas Thunder's album Lonesome Highway will most likely be on sale so you can take a little bit of them home with you.

For just £4 you can delight to the sound in the sumptuous surroundings of the New Crawdaddy Club in Pipps Hill Road North, Basildon.

The following week you can once again catch the Roy Mette Band who plays his own style of Southend-based blues and rock for just £3 a ticket.

The club at the Belvedere is difficult to get to, but as I've said before it'swell worth it so give it a try. If you get a bit lost call them on 01268 522828 and I'm sure you'll be given pin-point directions.

Leigh's 70's revival

Glitterball - ah, even the name conjures up traffic lights at a mobile disco, the easy-cheesy sound of disco 70s records and big, garish, flared clothes.

The tribute band Glitterball will be playing at the Grand Hotel in the Broadway, Leigh on Friday (16/6) from 8.30pm and all you divas will be wise to get along to their gig.

This happy band, named after the round shiny ball that spins around at the top of any quality discotheque, will play the kind of tunes that came out when afro hair and fancying that blond girl from Abba was de rigeur.

Expect tunes like Carwash, I Will Survive and Oops Up Side Your Head with all the girls and boys sitting on the ground slapping the floor each side of them. Oh yes, you remember that dance don't you?

The band is musically directed by ex Mamma Mia musical director Mike Kenton and features lead singer Gavin Dearle, plus the Patti Labelle-styled vocals of Sonia T and the talents of the three Chant brothers - Leon, Cy and Jess.

In addition, Leon will play support in the opening band Closing Time which he said plays laid back piano blues and soul.

Leon said: "The audiences seemed to have some firm favourite, particularly Car Wash and Lady Marmalade - but the girls just love Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive - it's a girlie anthem."

Cost is a mere £3 for the two bands so go along in your boob tubes, satin shorts and Shaft-like moustaches for a top night out.

Receeders that didn't fade...

No Dice are an offshoot of the legendary rock and blues band Receeders but carry on a tradition all their own.

The band is but a duo of Nick Bell on vocals and guitar and Paul Thomas on vocals and harmonicas.

It should be noted that Nick's had a long and varied career, including being a road manager for Deep Purple and Badfinger while Paul once won best young British harmonica player and was a member of the now defunct National Harmonica League.

Following sporadic gigs, a pleasant and semi-regular set of dates have sprung up, centred around Southend and Leigh.

This Sunday sees them at the cosy confines of the Reds music bar in 141 Broadway, Leigh where they have become firm favourites with the punters.

They will usually kick off around 8.30pm and best of all you can hear them for free - but you have to pay for your drinks.

Going against the grain

Yeeha!

Yup, some tunes for all you good old boys by the southern rock and Texas blues band Against the Grain is on order.

Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff will be the venue for this corking gig and for a small fee of £4 you can be a part of the shin-dig.

The band have been up and running, or driving their pick-ups, for nearly eight years and can tell you a thing or two about gigging.

Keith Farr, vocalist, guitarist, harmonica and mandolin man said: "We are all pretty accomplished musicians. Some of the guys have been professional musicians since the 70s, so there's top quality ability there.

"We're all from the local area - Southend, Canvey, Leigh - but we don't play this area too often. We usually do Riga every three or four months, but when we do, we put all our effort in with the home crowd."

Citing Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and Little Feat as musical styles and covers, they guys guarantee a cracking night out.

For more information call Keith on 01702 525623.

Eight going cheap

Crikey - can you believe it - eight bands will be playing on Thursday (15/6) at Chinnery's, Marine Parade, Southend for the measly sum of just £4.

You can expect the loud and proud Bates Motel, the Rejects, Impertigo, Zhivago, Resin and Dead End plus Bo Weevil and Blandest.

Jim, the drummer from Bates Motel, said it's a special birthday gig for one of the many musicians and "it should be a real quality night."

The first band is on at around 7.30pm so don't be late.

Loud and proud - Bates Motel

Young all over

If you've heard of George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Paul Rogers, and Bonnie Tyler, - of course you have - then you've already heard the keyboards of John Young.

John has played with all these folk and has been in demand session musician for his keyboard talents.

Currently he is in three different bands at the moment, mainly with the latest supergroup, Qango which features former Asia buddies, Carl Palmer, John Wetton with guitarist Dave Kilminster.

When the group were performing in London earlier this year, John was joined on stage for a duet by none other than the number one rock keyboard player, Keith Emerson of ELP fame.

You can catch this keyboard player extraordinaire, when he brings his spectacular solo show to Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff, on Friday, June 16.

Doors open at 8.30pm and tickets are £5, available from Fives records in Leigh and Honky Tonk music is Southend.

Support will come in the shape of up and coming Essex band, Job Done, who play soft rock numbers in the style of Fleetwood Mac and Dire Straits.

Tickets are also on sale at the aforementioned locations for one of the greats - American guitarist Carvin Jones.

Carvin, with more than a passing resemblance to Jimi Hendrix in looks and in playing style, makes a welcome return to the Grand on July 9, starting at 7.30pm and is supported by Red, White & Bluesy.

Advance tickets are £6, but be sure to buy them in advance as this gig is sure to be a sell out judging by his popularity in the south east Essex area.

Burdett at Vocalzone

Vocalzone are putting on another top night with singer Phil Burdett on June 19 at the Westcliff Hotel, Westcliff Parade, Westcliff.

Phil has been alikened to Van Morrison by Time Out and as usual, Vocalzone always promote the very best of the lesser-known jazz circuit. Tickets are just £4 and the doors open at 8pm.

Thurrock festival site proving popular

Another plug for the great Thurrock music festival which is showcasing a host of local bands at the annual event which is like a mini-Glastonbury, Reading and V rolled into one - but without the toilet problems.

Joint organiser Moira Stanbury said the website www.thurrockmusicfestival.com has had a phenomenal amount of interest with thousands of hits in just the last few months and many people are already calling it the underground festival of the year.

Now in its fourth year the festival features more than 60 bands and DJs on six stages and has been described as the biggest showcase of unsigned talent in the south east of England.

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster 0990 34 44 44 and the website www.thurrockmusicfestival.com and will cost £5 with £1.25 booking fee.

Tickets on the door will be £10 but it is expected to sell out long before the day so get dialling.

The whole show, on Saturday August 12 is held at Belhus Park, Aveley off the A13 and the gates open at 11.30am.

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