Going for a Spin

The Palace Ballroom in Pier Hill, Southend will host London band Spin tonight.

The venue is hoping to attract out-of-towner bands as well as local bands and promoter Tony Pontius is keen to hear from anyone fitting the bill.

He said: "The aim is to mix the live acts with DJs so it'll attract a wide spread of people - those who like clubbing and wouldn't mind seeing a band and vice versa."

If you've got a demo CD or tape and want to get some stage time then contact Tony at the club or call him on 07818 064274.

Mayes of yore...

Local musicians might remember Dave Mayes from his professional days with 'Louis St Louis', 'Red River Band', and others.

Both bands were well known for their high standards of musicianship, vocals, performance and production, but having done little serious music since then, Dave is now forming a three-piece male vocal act to cover the sounds of Motown and Philadelphia soul.

Aiming at a fully pro standing, even the professionalism and talent of Louis St Louis will be surpassed.

Dave said: That band was my dream made reality and will be a tough act to follow, but I've no doubt that we'll do it with the new act in this half of 2001. We're actually in the planning stages of the launch which should be in the early summer."

It has been proving difficult to find a suitable third vocalist because of the demanding criteria - mature, experienced, capable of singing close harmonies and lead, willing to work hard and have a love of the music. Although in Dave's opinion the latter is the easy bit.

Already in rehearsal with Tidi Diyan, a local singer of considerable talent, the two are treading water waiting for the right person with the necessary degree of commitment and ability. Auditions will be held within the next couple of weeks.

If you think you're up to it, contact Dave on 01268 745171.

Return of Vocalzone...

Vocalzone is finally back after wrangles and venue problems and can be found at the jazz-friendly Club Alex in 53 Alexandra Street, Southend.

Re-opening on March 12 after a couple of false starts, you can catch Claire Furley who will play a mixture of soulfull jazz and folk.

Claire began studying singing at the age of 15 and until only a few years ago she was set on pursuing a career in classical music, combining her love of the stage with her passion for opera.

Since then Claire's music has taken another turn, this time expanding on her interest in jazz, folk, latin and country. She lists the likes of Joni Mitchel, Janis Ian, Sarah McClaughlan and Carole King amongst the singers/songwriters she is most influenced by.

Claire has been composing her own songs from an early age. In 1995, whilst singing and playing one of her own compositions, she beat hundreds of entrants and gained one of the top places in 'Essex Young Performer of the Year'.

Her original material has a unique sound, combining strong melodic lines and soulful lyrics.

Tickets will be just £3 and if you want more information get on the website www.vocalzone.org.uk or call 01702 468492.

And for those of you who are regular Vocalzoners you'll be pleased to hear the great Sheena Davis will return later this month on March 26 to celebrate the launch of her eagerly-awaited debut album.

Claire Furley

Wetton your appetite...

John Wetton, the multi-talented musician who has been in a whole plethora of bands and played on many hit records including: Family's "Burlesque", King Crimson, Roxy Music's "Love Is The Drug", Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Asia's "Heat of the Moment" and Qango.

He is visiting Southend's Riga Music Bar in London Road, on Saturday March 24 as part of a nationwide tour to promote his new album, "Welcome To Hell".

Support act is also a former member of Wishbone Ash, Claire Hamill and rumour has it the former Wishbone Ash axe-man Laurie Wisefield will be making a guest appearance at the gig.

Advance tickets at £8 are now on sale at Riga, in the neighbouring Cricketers pub, at Fives Record store in Leigh and at Honky Tonk Music in Southend.

Keeping up with the Joneses...

Elco Jones, the whopping-great 11-piece soul, funk and disco band from Rayleigh are once again in town and will be hitting the Freight House, Rochford on March 23.

When they've played venues like the Mill Hall in Rayleigh they regularly sell out thanks to a big following and a sound and deserved reputation. The band contains a four piece brass section, three singers and a four piece back line and we're not talking rugby figures here.

Over the past couple of years they've been doing really well and were invited - while other bands have to beg - to appear at the Thurrock Music Festival last year.

With one of the biggest crowds of the entire day, their up-beat sound had the punters happy as Larry.

Support for the Freight House gig comes in the shape of Scene 36D which features Andy Fusher - and all you Elcoholics will remember him as the first Elco Jones frontman.

As per usual tickets will be £5 and you can call Kerry on 07702 038400 to get an advanced one.

And if you're a committed Elcoholic you can take home their debut CD which was put together late last year called 'Keeping up with the Jones's which includes classic covers like Car Wash, Play That Funky Music, Lady Marmalade, Somebody Else's Guy, Daydream Believer, Son Of A Preacher Man, Gimme Some lovin, Respect, I Wish and I Feel Good.

Armadilloes shuffle back...

After a month ensconced in the studio working on their new LP, the funky rockin' Texas blues band, The Rockin Armadillos are back on the road again this week, playing the first of a number of March dates around the south-East.

Work at Wickford's Stable Sound 24-track studio has been going well, with most of the recording now completed - just in time for the band to play a few gigs before the as-yet-untitled LP is finished for release in April or May.

The six-piece -featuring the dazzling guitar skills of young fret-wizard Owen Barry, a former Young Guitarist of the Year - return to Southend's Riga Music Bar this Saturday (March 10) for what promises to be another sellout show.

Owen and the rest of the band - Tim Aves, vocals and harmonica; Jane English, vocals; Alex Murkin, keyboards; Rob Barry, bass and Paul Lester, drums - will share the billing at Riga (at the Cricketers, in London Road, Westcliff) with popular solo bluesman Freddie Collins, perhaps also the odd "surprise guest."

Doors open at 9pm and admission is £5. Phone 07768 016116 for more details, or to reserve tickets.

For more information about the band and its gigs, or the new LP, visit the website: www.rockinarmadillos.com

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