Easy World on its way...

This remarkable three-piece from Eastbourne will be visiting the Southend seafront venue and you can guarantee they'll play their new single - You and Me - no, not the children's TV show.

They have already impressed fans at the Reading Festival and the NME have hailed the band's "stupendous second album" This Is Where I Stand.

Along with the catchy indie tracks you can find shades of U2, Ash and the Charlatans.

But, call me an old romantic, I hope they play their B-side on Sept 4. For the cost of just £5 in advance you can all of this, plus a truly inspirational cover of Hopelessly Devoted To You, the Olivia Newton John classic from the film Grease.

Failing that gig, on September 15 you can see New Zealand lovers-of-the-loud D4 of whom I wrote a bit about a couple of weeks ago. Tickets are just £5 in advance.

The Libertines are back in Southend on September 17 after the support-not-support hoo-haa with local band Silversea in May. Tickets are £6 in advance.

And last in this little conurbation of musical marvellousness is Martin Grech on September 19.

Famed for his ethereal song Open Heart Zoo which was used for the Lexus car advert, Martin's mix of Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Pink Floyd and Cocteau Twins is fast winning the teenager a legion of fans in both the music press and wider public.

Q magazine gave his album four out of five calling it "a gargantuan rock opus, a sonic wonderland where even subtlety is executed with grand flamboyance... difficult not to applaud." while the Independent said the album had "a scope and polish rare in a debut".

Expect to be amazed for just £5 in advance from Chinnerys, Honky Tonk Music in Southend or Fives Records in Leigh.

This party's recommended!

Party-and-a-half band the Grove will be playing the Belvedere in Hardings Elms Road, Crays Hill, Basildon on September 14 and I recommend them.

I recently reviewed their latest five-track promo CD and it was a perky, punchy, slice of perfection.

Citing influences from the Who, the Jam, Modfather Paul Weller and the Charlatans to Travis, the Doors and the Animals, the band, made up of Nathan Lusher on lead guitar and vocals, Russ Coughlan on bass and backing vocals, Barry Curtis on piano/organ and Jason Coughlan on percussion, can play tight and bright original tunes.

Following that you can catch them at the Pink Toothbrush in Rayleigh on September 26.

Barry Curtis proudly said that one of their tunes - She's Alright - was played on the Liz Mullen show on BBC Essex last month and they're getting well deserved coverage on www.phoenixfm.com

For more information go to www.the-grove-music.com

Anything but the last resort

The Last Resort is an Essex based band, comprising of the cream of Essex musicians, playing together, all with the common aim of raising money for charity.

September 13 sees this local supergroup reunited for the sixth time and back on stage at the Mill Hall in Rayleigh.

Anthony Woodman, the man behind The Last Resort, said: "Originally, this was supposed to be a one-off show, re-uniting old musician friends before the millennium.

"Also by making Cancer Research the beneficiary, it was a tribute to my father, who died of cancer eight years earlier. This also struck a chord with other members of the band. But it was so enjoyable and successful, we decided to do another show and it's snowballed from there."

With around £5,700 raise for the Cancer Research Campaign so far, the current beneficiary is the Southend Building Blocks Appeal which needs funds to provide an advanced centre for the comprehensive care and treatment of local children with physical impairment.

The centre also hopes to build a special paediatric suite, linked to the Neptune Unit which will provide an immediate facility for children and their families who have been referred to the hospital for urgent medical assessment.

With a constantly evolving line up, each musician brings their own influence to the band, and Anthony feels this is reflected in different styles of music now played.

Songs range from classic Motown to modern chart toppers so there's something for everyone.

The latest incarnation of The Last Resort features musicians and vocalists from a wide range of local bands including Junior Jump, Stud 100, Glitterball, Jackie Wilson Says, Freefall, Noxcuse, Elco Jones, Cuban and Topaz.

Anthony said: " Organisation on paper is fine, in practice it can be logistical nightmare. However it always comes together and works fine, as anyone who has been involved or seen a show will tell you."

Even though the musical work for this year's show is almost complete, there is no rest for Anthony who is still searching for sponsors.

"Obviously, any sponsor money received goes towards the cost of the show, therefore leaving all proceeds from the tickets sales for the cause. We will of course avidly promote the business and name of any sponsorship received in our posters and press coverage.

"We are extremely grateful to organizations such as the lighting company "1159", previously employed by the likes of Bryan Adams and to Maple PA Systems who are supplying the sound."

Tickets are £6 on the door or from Honky Tonk Music in Southend, Fives Records in Leigh and Rayleigh. Doors open at 7.30 p.m.

Contact Anthony visit www.thelastresort.org or email info@thelastressort.org or telephone 01702 434264

Published Tuesday August 27, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo