In the club 028 may 16

TO ‘IN THE CLUB’, THE OFFICIAL TUESDAY CLUB INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE - BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PERFECT POP CO-OP AND OUR FRIENDS

WHO & YOUZ Cover star:

The Perfect Pop Co-Op

Vive Le Rock!

4

CD Cover stars - The Tuesday Club

LIVE AT THE FARMERS!!!

5-11

Big thanks to Dave Newbold, Will and Tracy Morgan for their pics!

Zerox and Will

12-13

Scant Regard

14-15

Live smartphone footage of our collaboration with Antz guitar God! Album 4 and counting

Who’s In the Club The Metatrons

16-19

Perfect Pop Co-Op 20-25 Introducing the label, the bands and the releases

Department S - New Album

26-27

Other releases by bands we like!

28

The Parson’s Knows

29-33

Automat - New Album Tagas - Just ‘cos they are great!

Denise Parsons, gives us all the news from Trestle Arts base, Verulam Radio and it’s environs.

Alice’s Wicked Tea Party

Empire Records Advert

34-35

Best fest 2016 (in our opinion) See Scant and Dept S! The best shop in the world... apart from ours!

Thanks to: Design @8ecreative Pete Jones John Viney Will Crewdson Anna Wakeling Vive Le Rock Dave Newbold Denise Parsons Tracy Morgan

36

GIGS - Summer ‘16 June 11th x2 - ROTW Hitchin (matinee) and The Flag Watford (pm) June 17th - Club 85 Hitchin - Metatrons Album Launch July 9th - Mungo farewell - Green Room, Welwyn GC July 23rd - ROTW anniversary - Hitchin - venue TBC July 30th - Aston Clinton Beerfest

“The Tuesday Club are synth punk pop at its catchiest if you’re thinking about Blondie and Roxy Music you’re on the right track... it’s infectious and uplifting”

Dear Tuesday Clubbers,

Vive Le Rock, 2016

A massive thanks to all of you who made our latest return from the brink, such a great gig at the fabulous Farmers Boy in St.Albans on April 1st.

A huge shout out goes to our mates Whatever’s Red and the legendary Will Crewdson (guitar hero for Adam and The Ants, The Selecter, Rachel Stamp, Flesh for Lulu and She Made Me Do It) for making our transition back into society so much fun!

It was so great to be back, we can’t wait to now build from this great platform. Our next stop is the studio with the mightly Steve Honest, before we return live with 3 dates in June.

In the meantime, we hope you like the updated mag, those of you who are our FB followers will have probably read the majority of this months content (so apologies) but we were in such a rush to get details out pre-gig... there are a few new links and touches, so gotta be worth a quick re-read eh.

See you at the next one. The Tuesday Club Forever xxx

SOCIAL LINKS facebook.com/thisisthetuesdayclub facebook.com/The-Perfect-Pop-CoOp-205518542879875/ @thetuesdayclub1 AVBD - @Vnderbraindrain R. Marauder - @YTDS Dave Worm - @Roddamiser

LABEL AND BAND LINKS youtube.com/thisisthetuesdayclub thisisthetuesdayclub.co.uk info@thisisthetuesdayclub.co.uk pinterest.com/thetuesdayclub thetcshop.com

!

w o n nts

d o o On g e l g l a a s n i w e e l n a ) s ad ibly b

Vive Le Tuesday’s ss

po d n a (

We are very excited at featuring in this months legendary music mag. Digi stuff is all very welll (er sorry In the Club ;-)... but us being old school types really appreciate the smell of the printed word AND to be included on any cd with Iggy Pop has to be pretty much making it!

The Tuesday Club - My Consciousness, from the Vive Le Rock 15 track Cover CD. Let It Roll!

‘‘The Tuesday Club are synth punk pop at its catchiest if you’re thinking about Blondie and Roxy Music you’re on the right track... it’s infectious and uplifting” Vive Le Rock, Issue No.34 2016 vivelerock.net

Thanks Vive Le (you guys) Rock!

LIVE at The Farmers

Big thanks to Dave Newbold for the great pics! https://www.facebook.com/dnewbold2

Big thanks to Dave Newbold for the great pics! https://www.facebook.com/dnewbold2

The Tuesday Club perform the Adam and The Antz classic - Zerox With the fabulous Will Crewdson (appearing as Scant Regard) on lead guitar!

Filmed at The Farmers Boy, St.Albans on Friday 1st April 2016.

Thanks Denise for the vid!

Big thanks to Dave Newbold for the great pics! https://www.facebook.com/dnewbold2

February 2016 saw the release of Scant Regard’s 4th album - Brush With Death. SR is the autonomous vehicle of the prolific Will Crewdson, a firm favourite in TC and PPCO circles. Will for those not in the know (or having never read In the Club!), is a London-based guitarist/writer/producer best known for his work with the UK band Rachel Stamp, US singer Johnette Napolitano, Flesh for Lulu, Adam Ant, The Selecter and Bow Wow Wow. Will spent 10 years touring and recording with the rock band Rachel Stamp who, at one point, became the only unsigned band to sell out the London Astoria. They also played gigs with, among others, Iggy Pop, Korn, No Doubt, The Tubes and Cheap Trick. Rachel Stamp were renowned for their rabid, glammed-up, colourful following and eventful shows. They had several record deals the biggest of which was with WEA. After this period, Will concentrated on writing and recording with Johnette Napolitano, the former singer with LA legends Concrete Blonde. The critically acclaimed Napolitano solo album Scarred was released on Hybrid Recordings in 2007. He is also collaborating with the US director/writer Tom DiCillo as one half of The Black and Blue Orkestre.

Bitchstorm You’re Welcome Iron Eyes Cody California Bad Apple Luncheon Vouchers 20,000 Leagues The Benediction Friction In The Lurch Something for the Weakened4:09

The Lone Rager Plus Ultra

scantregard.bandcamp.com/album/the-lone-rager-plus-ultra I Make No Bones The Model Float Sneaking Into Godforsaken Territory Demonade Warm Leatherette Acuminata Paradisiaca Kardinal Syn Misguided Missile10 Beastometer

In A Primitive State Of Neurotic Irresponsibility scantregard.bandcamp.com/album/in-a-primitive-state-ofneurotic-irresponsibility Zeronia 21 Crying on Rollercoasters Escupideras De Hielo Eden Machine Crunchy Church

As well as these projects, Will has also played guitar for the following: Malcolm McLaren, Tom Jones, Bryan Ferry, Peter Murphy, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Westworld, Celine Dion, Appleton, Pigface, Tyler James, Livan, T-Rexstasy, Billy Bragg and Dragons.

For more on Will’s fantastical Rock’n’Roll story just

www.scantregard.com/will-s-history

Harpernoid Centigrade Peachy Keen Americandroid Crumbled Fortress

Burnt Pop Cycles

scantregard.bandcamp.com/album/burnt-pop-cycles

Scant Regard – ‘Brush with Death’ OUT NOW! 12 track CD album in full colour card sleeve. Shipping is free worldwide!

Tracklist: 1 Brush with Death 2 Rip Crackaway 2016 AD 3 Treacherous Pet 4 Inhuminati 5 Rosetta Stain 6 Quasimondo 7 Surf's Down 8 The Emerald Shepherdess Part 1 9 Guts for Garters 10 Acrid Table 11 The Emerald Shepherdess Part 2 12 The Utmost This is the fourth self released Scant Regard album and adds to the melting pot of styles while pushing the surf style guitar twang to a new limit.

Will's highly individual guitar sound coupled with a heady brew of dubtastic almost techno-centric analogue synth sounds and patterns make for an always unexpected and interesting listen. So give it a go!

A Ditto Music release available through iTunes, Amazon and bandcamp.

www.scantregard.com/store

In the club

with

The

Metatrons

The Metatrons have been fuzz-popping their way around the country since 2011, winning hearts and minds with their “Blondie-meets-My Bloody Valentine” tunes and energetic live shows.

Their 2011 album “Between Planets” was a great example of how to combine a pop sensibility with the desire to be very noisy.

Their 2nd album “Patterns of Chaos”, which is due for release in June 2016 (via the esprit de corps label) is a step forward sonically and as guitarist Simon says “we’ve been playing some of these songs live for a while and they get a little tougher sounding, more “crashy and bangy” each time we play them….we wanted the album to sound like that, to be a great live band on record…….it’s the opposite of the first record, where we had only played the songs live once and then recorded them in a very controlled environment…we sound like a different band on the new record, a large portion of what you’ll hear was recorded live in the room together, then we took it to the studio and tarted it up a bit…”

They have indeed been playing live a lot and have scored some great support slots with the likes of Echobelly, The Primitives, Earl Slick and more and we know that they are booking a load of dates for 2016 so keep your peepers peeled.

We cornered (virtually, via email) three of them (Polly, Simon & Steve) in their Hitchin hideaway…

OK firstly, we are sitting in the cyber pub doing this interview, and it’s our round. What do you want to drink?

Simon – What time of day is it? If it’s the evening I’ll have a G+T please. If it’s morning I’ll have a black coffee please.

Polly - Please may I have a glass of fizz with a strawberry. 2 of my 5 a day sorted already.

Steve - I’ll have a coffee, or a whiskey, or both. Please.

What was the last thing you heard/watched that was so good you had to tell someone about it?

Simon – I would say “The Force Awakens”, but everyone already knew to go and watch that. Recently I managed to talk a friend into listening to some really underrated Lou Reed stuff and now he’s hooked.

Polly - That my friend’s cat went missing and it turned up down the road at the local pub having got the bus there 3 days previously and was quite enjoying sunning itself on the pool table and being fed roast dinner thank you very much. Whiskers? I don’t think so.

Steve - I seem to be recommending things all the time, but the one that sticks in my mind most recently was the live stage version of ‘Rocky Horror ‘ that was on tv on hallowe’en,- awesome.

There used to be badges and compilation albums proclaiming ‘Punk’s Not Dead’ but Is Punk rock dead, alive or just evolving?

Simon – Well, a form of music can’t die.....The Damned and Buzzcocks are still going and they outshine most if not all newer bands.

Polly - Hmmm. Well as long as I can still play my punk records it is alive!

Steve - I don’t think that punk is dead - but it’s getting on a bit and needs a cup of tea and a nice sit down before it goes out and gets rowdy later.

In terms of new bands starting out is the Internet a help or hindrance?

Simon – If you grew up with the internet being part of your life then it’s easy to see it as the be-all-and-end-all of “how to promote your band” But, it’s a tool, like any other. If you use it in conjunction with other methods like postering / flyering and a bit of good old fashioned word of mouth then you’ll fair better. Says the oldest most boring person in the room. “in my day” etc. God how depressing.

I’ve totally depressed myself now. Sighs.

Polly - Well. I was sad when records turned into cds and sadder when they turned into invisible things as I used to go straight to the middle of records when I got them to see if anything had been written there, plus obviously the artwork is smaller / non existent and you can’t have dedications written to your pet hamster etc. Plus it’s

practically impossible to wear an ipod on your head like you could with record sleeves. But, to actually answer the question I suppose its useful but I’m a bit “Jen in the IT Crowd” about it really. Although I did find a brilliant Shampoo inspired website the other day which its nice to be able to do. Me and my friend wanted to have a band called Conditioner at the time.

Steve - The Internet is the best tool for getting your stuff out there.

Ah!- but it’s a fickle lover.

If Premier League Football is the current ‘rock’n’roll’ (in terms of Superstar status), what do you think could or should be next big thing?

Simon – Noisy Indiepop bands from the south east of England.

Polly - Rude scrabble Steve - We seem to have all sorts of things you can be a superstar in- how’s about someone being famous for being honest and decent?- are you that too? Oh good, yum yum.

If you could be any character in a film, what film and who would it be?

Simon – I tend to like films with quite unsavoury characters.

Polly - Magenta in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Steve – I’m Batman!

You are now In The Club, but what club do you actually wish it was?

Simon – This seems like a nice club. Is the cyber bar subsidised?

Not Fight Club, that would be a bit scary. Maybe a book club?

Polly – The Breakfast Club Steve - The Hellfire Club (look them up if you’re not sure) Who’d be in your 4 piece fantasy rock’n’ roll band. Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals Simon – It would be the 4 original members of The Who. Or The Velvet Underground. They are both perfect.

Polly - William Reid, Simon Gallup, Dave Barbe and Tracy Tracy. But Bernard Butler is quite tempting too.

Steve - I fantasise about a lot of things so I’ll have to say - the Tuesday club. (I’m a creep) If you had a time machine and could go back to any year in music, what would it be and why?

Simon – around 1987, because I think that we could have been more popular then.

Polly - I spent a while wanting to be an early 80s new romantic but now I kind of think maybe CBGB era Blondie type time. Its weird when the whole grunge thing was happening I completely missed it though being obsessed with Curve at the time. I’m not giving you a year am I. Sorry. 1791?

Steve - probably the mid to late 60’s in California- love that proto-punk surf vibe.

What question haven’t we asked you that you wish we had?

Simon - “What’s that smell?”

Polly - What’s your favourite humming noise?

Steve - Where do you get your hair done? (It’s a professional interest).

Where’s the best place to find you on t’internet?

www.themetatrons.co.uk www.facebook.com/themetatrons www.twitter.com - @themetatronsvox www.soundcloud.com/themetatronsrock Thank you for having us! Is it closing time yet?

NEW ION T SEC

THE BLEEED - THE DEBUT EP Dear Children of the night. We bid you all welcome & hope you

Our songs have been created as homages to this wonderful era

will Like the music that we make. We are rampant enthusiasts

of British Film and the actors and writers involved - It is hoped

of the ‘Hammer Horror’ film genre from the mid 50s to the

that our ‘chopped up, and sewn back together style’ would

early 1980s and write our material after dark in a mysterious

find favour with those dearly departed from this scene and that

underground bunker in the Hertfordshire countryside.

Doctor Frankenstein himself would surely have been a fan of!??

Plus to commemorate 40 years since the Ramones debut LP. Here’s a FREE download of our version of their classic track Commando. theperfectpopco-op.bandcamp.com/album/the-silent-scream-ep

Introducing The Bleeed, who recorded at Hackney Road Studios, produced by Steve Honest in 2012 and 2013. This

material has never been released until now. Featuring 3 former members of The Scratch and one from We are White Worm - all known to you in The Tuesday Club. This EP is the first in a series of side projects, future ventures and re-issues from The Perfect Pop Co-Op, our friends and collaborators.

Released April 1st 2016 The Silent Scream Valerie Leon (Queen of Neon) Super Juice

theperfectpopco-op.bandcamp.com/album/the-silent-scream-ep

The current available releases from The Tuesday Club, There’s vinyl, mp3’s and Cd’s

My Consciousness EP My Consciousness, Harsh tales of ancient news and Something Major.

Available on Silver and MP3 download!

EP001

Lady Gargar EP Lady Gargar, Scars are Superstars and Resistance makes your heart groan fonder. Available on Silver and MP3 download! EP003

Forbidden Kiss EP Forbidden Kiss, Cities Alive and One Idea and a lonely voice. Available on Silver and MP3 download! EP002

Boo Hoo EP Boo Hoo, Beat Oven, Greyer Shades Of Grey Available on Silver and MP3 download! EP004

EP ‘Quadrilogy’

www.thetcshop.com

THE DODO - DEBUT SINGLE The D.O.D.O’s debut album sounds more like a the soundtrack

in equal measure. From the soaring yet forbidding, puritanical

to Saint-Saens carnival of the animals transported to a lost

bleak, wailing, death mask procession of ‘Into the Black’, to the

autumn somewhere in a darker, richer, swinging 60’s... the

60’s apple blossom infused cold war time bomb - ‘Waiting for

1860’s that is. Harpsichord, strings, bells, and tormented

the walls to come down. The DIY or DIE Organisation sound like

otherwordly backing vocals provide the backdrop to this feast

a ghostly ice-cream van stalking the neighbourhoods of the as

of psychedelic melancholia laid bare to inspire and unhinge

yet unwritten Tim Burton animation… ‘Gothic Pop Victoriana’.

Released April 16th 2016 Waiting for the walls to come down Into the black

theperfectpopco-op.bandcamp.com/album/waiting-for-the-walls-to-come-down

New Glamour Single A new version of the song from the debut album with a it’s B-side, live fave Old before your time. Available on Gold enhanced CD, with special video and MP3 download!

See you next Tuesday - The Album - White Vinyl, CD and MP3 download!

Dolly Dynamite Ain’t Got No Class Money Means Nothing Nanananana She Splayed My Teeth New Regime (Slow Swing) Replication and Montage All You Do Is Wow New Glamour Wish My Slate Was Cleaner Vinyl As a Manifesto

Including all the hits! and LIVE FAVES!!

Coming soon to The Perfect Pop Co-Op See You Next Tuesday ‘expanded’... exclusive download only album, includes all 22 tracks recorded at the original sessions!

And in future times...

reversefamily.co.uk

R E H T NEW ALBUMS WE LIKE NOT ON PERFECT POP (yet!)

ANO (actually like... not just in a throw away facebook way, though we do in that way too...)

NEW N O I T C SELEGENDARY BAND WE LIKE

DEPARTMENT S

Department S are a London based post-punk/new wave band originally formed in 1980. The band, featuring vocalist Vaughn Toulouse, keyboard player Eddie Roxy and guitarist Mike Herbage, released three singles and recorded one album, Sub-Stance.

Debut single Is Vic There? charted in the UK at number 22 and saw the band make 3 appearances on Top Of The Pops.

Subsequent Stiff Records single Going Left Right also charted, while 3rd single I Want was a hit in many European countries. The band split in 1982.

Department S reconvened in 2006, with Eddie taking vocal duties following the untimely death of Vaughn Toulouse in 1991. In February 2007 the band recorded their first new single for twentysix years, a cover version of Alvin Stardust’s 1973 hit My Coo-CaChoo. This was followed later that year by the critically acclaimed live in the studio LP Mr Nutley’s Strange Delusionarium.

Department S release their long awaited new album on 24th May on digital and CD formats. When All Is Said and All Is Done is a full length 10 track album produced by Harpenden based producer Pete Jones. He also plays bass for the band and co-wrote songs for the album. It’s an eclectic mix of tracks with one foot firmly In the guitar/riff based camp but there some other offerings in there that show the band isn’t just relying on its 1980’s heritage but is moving forward into new territory.

Department S have built up a reputation as being a must-see live band and have subsequently played festival dates across Europe, including Glastonbury, Benicassim, Rebellion, Rewind, Great British Alternative Music Festival and Sinner’s Day.

The album was recorded through 2015 and has contributions from Sean Freeman of Level 42 fame on saxophone and Andy Trussler from local remixers Rogue Sector pops up on piano. The band will be playing a string of dates through 2016 to promote the album.

Their 2010 single Wonderful Day featured on a TV commercial and featured guest appearances from Marco Pirroni and Glen Matlock. Following this, ex-Public Image Limited, Cowboys International and Brian Brain bassist Pete Jones joined the band on a permanent basis.

The album is released on the band’s own J.A.M.UK label with worldwide distribution through Westworld/Plastichead.

Cat no. JAM1601

Eddie Roxy: Lead vocals Alexander Lutes: Drums Phil Thompson: Guitars/backing vocals Pete Jones: Bass guitar/backing vocals/extra guitars/ Reason programming Sean Freeman: Saxophone on Age of Control Andy Trussler: Piano on Frozen Room (Recorded at Rothampsted Experimental Station) KINGS OF THE WORLD 4:14 Roxy/Jones/Thompson I SAID YOU 4:27 Roxy/Jones/Thompson/Lutes WHEN ALL IS SAID AND ALL IS DONE 4:21 Thompson LONG MARCH 4:05 Roxy/Herbage/Burnett FROZEN ROOM 6:01 Jones I BELIEVE 4:20 Roxy/Jones/Thompson/Lutes PERSIA DANCE 4:15 Roxy/Jones ON MY OWN AGAIN 4:39 Jones CAUSE 6:04 Roxy/Herbage/Burnett AGE OF CONTROL 7:26 Jones

dept-s.com

UP COMING GIGS 1 April Dog House - Nottingham (with Swamp Delta) 2 April The Flapper - Birmingham (with Lesley Woods Au Pairs, The Cravats) 5 May The Musician - Leicester (with The Members) 6 May The Fleece - Bristol (with UK Subs) 7 May Clwb Ifor Bach (with UK Subs) 14 May Fighting Cocks - Kingston (with Ed Tenpole Tudor) 20 May 100 Club - London (with Eddie and the Hot Rods) 21 May Den Trap Kortrijk - Belgium (with Ed Tenpole Tudor) 28 May Tchances - Tottenham - Punk Festival 3 June Alice’s Alternative Tea Party Festival - Wimborne Dorset 17 July Punks Against Cancer - Hairy Dog - Derby 9 Sept Undercover Festival - Brighton Race Course

NEW BAND(s)

TAGAS

Automat are: David Doll: Vocals / Guitars / Keyboards / Percussion Mat Taylor: Drums / Vocals / Keyboards / Percussion Marc Laming: Bass Bernie Devine: Guitars With Phil Clarke: Drums (track 10) Tony Ingram: Saxophone (tracks 1 & 10) Peter Holland: Cornet (track 6)

Turn The Music Up It’s The Beginning Of The End. What There Could have Been Say Hello Fly Cupboard Love I Need, I Know, I Do If I’m Talking Nothing To Say Turn The Music Up A Minor Miracle

automatmusic.bandcamp.com

“My heart is freezing up, my soul is seizing up and everything is coming to an end. It’s the end of the end” Very much influenced by the music that I had grown up loving (Soft Cell, Momus, The Associates, to name but a few), my wish to express myself creatively was always going to be through electronic music. It was as a result of the move that I felt that the time was right to start working on solo material - having previously been in a band with a friend for a few years earlier.

Tagas was never intended to be heard by others. The music I write for Tagas is my opportunity to explore my feelings, fears, pain and experiences. More like diary entries than songs - for a long time it was very difficult for me to let go of the music I was writing and I struggled to share the songs with people. It was only as time passed that I realised that the music of Tagas spoke about the universal concerns of us all and that the songs might connect with people out there that were going through similar periods in their life.

So, after much thought, I’ve decided to create a Facebook page and welcome others into the world of Tagas - hoping that Tagas will find an audience and be a voice for others like myself. You know who you are.

soundcloud.com/tagas-music/theend-of-the-end facebook.com/tagasmusic/?fref=ts

The

Parsons Knows

This Month’s TOP BANDS, ARTISTS and EVENTS!

Hello. Spring has sprung so we are all feeling a bit better hopefully and feeling like getting out and seeing some live local music I hope as well. There is so much going on its hard to know where to begin but here goes!

Its May and time for a bit of madness and mayhem and we get 2 Bank Holiday Mondays as well! Wahoo. As the weather gets warmer local music takes a step outside which is nice. I am looking especially looking forward to The Plough & Harrow festival over in Harpenden for the end of May Bank Holiday weekend with a whole host of local bands over a 3 day period! See the poster and here’s the event page for more information! facebook.com/events/512672362250843 A huge thanks goes out to Hubcap Moon, The Metatrons & The Antipoet for making The Live Music Project’s 3 year Birthday Bash a spectacular occasion.. Long live local music.

Other dates for the main showcase nights are a ‘Summer Party’ on 20th august & ‘Halloween Special’ on 29th October so make sure you keep up to date on our website. www.trestle.org.uk In addition to these big events we are also hosting ‘Gallery Acoustic’ in our (surprinsgly enough) Gallery area! A more chilled out vibe for a Friday night – once a month between the showcase events.

These nights have proved to be very popular as well! In other news I am now hosting a regular Sunday afternoon of live acoustic music ‘Acoustic Lounge’ at The Hare & Hounds in St Albans – around the third Sunday of the month. Keep an eye on my facebook page for updates and event details.

By Denise Parsons – Music Promoter – ‘The Live Music Project’ Trestle Arts Base, St.Albans

NEW RELEASES to watch out for:

Li Li – Releasing her 1st EP ‘Hues of Reds & Blues’ Li Li has produced a wonderful EP of her songs, re-worked and produced.

Songs you will be familiar with from her live sets but with a more full sound.. Great work and beautiful song writing as always. Just listen to the words and you will hear a story. Available online or at gigs.

Come see her live for ‘Acoustic Lounge’ at The Hare & Hounds in St Albans on Sunday 17th April 3-6pm. facebook.com/Li-Li-Liadain-328535777304793/?fref=ts April Blue – These boys & gal have been busy over the last couple of months! Not only releasing 2 singles ‘Red Eyes’ & ‘Valentine’ but working hard to finish their 1st album ‘Pop Girls’ being released on 4th June.. Do catch them live if you can.. they are an absolute delight. The album is being launched over at The Jungle Bar in Hertford on 4th June. But not content with 3 releases this year ( so far) April Blue have also launched an amazing completion for young performers up to the age of 18! With some very cool prizes.. see the enclosed press release for full details and please pass on to any young performers you know! facebook.com/aprilbluemusic/?fref=ts The Antipoet – New album release just in time for festival season!

‘The Bards of Bugger All’ an apt title for these beating poets with some new tracks and some that have been performed regularly over the last 12 months.. Always an interesting gig with these guys so if you’ve not seen them before then you really should! They will be performing at ‘Glastonbury’ again this year as well as Larmer Tree and any other festival or fete that will have them. facebook.com/AntipoetThe/?fref=ts Lastly, in tribute to ‘the artists quarter’ now known as ‘So Har’ (Southdown in Harpenden for those who don’t know!) Department S – have a new album out in May called ‘When all is said and all is Done’ Well worth checking out and seeing them live if you can. I caught up with legendary bassist Pete Jones recently. The ‘So Har’ lot are the likes of Hubcap Moon, Fragile souls, Rogue Sector, Pete Jones and more besides.. Apparently often seen frequenting The Carpenters Arms in Southdown. Be on the lookout for sightings but approach with caution.

As far as my radio show goes I have some very exciting news!!!

The powers that be think my local music show quote’ is the jewell in our crown’ unquote and I am moving to a MONDAY night from 2nd May for a full 2 hour slot!!! 7-9pm will be the new home for local music and at last I will have time to fit in all the excellent music and interviews I want. radioverulam.com tune in!!

PLUS: New Trailer Trash album Out 1st May - on vinyl!! facebook.com/TrashvilleUK

soundcloud.com/denise-parsons-1

New record shop in Stevenage Revolution Records (See ad on next page)

twitter.com/RVparsonsknows

That’s all folks!! See you at a gig soon, come say Hello. Thanks you & Goodnight!

facebook.com/theparsonsknows?ref=hl

Some upcoming dates for The Ben Drake collective definitely worth seeing! facebook.com/BenDrakeMusic/?fref=ts

EAT TO THE BEAT

A strong local food industry can turn a city into a destination and that is exactly what St Albans has and continues developing. And Radio Verulam 92.6FM is launching a food and drink show around our industry.

Tis’ me Mandy McNeil - the Queen of Takeout. Having depleted Nashville Tennessee of its chocolate, salted caramel gelato and bacon (now that was hard work), I’ve moved on to fresh hunting grounds - St Albans.

My background includes restaurants (working in and owning) and eating, and I like to do it well. I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more for that perfect piece of crispy bacon. In fact, I might have to - it’s a bit of a mission in Blighty.

I‘m partnering with the lovely Ms Denise Parsons on air and we are hunting down all that is delicious in St Albans, West Herts and beyond, talking to the people and independent businesses who are hard at work preparing wonderful things for us to all go and eat and drink.

We love food. And we love people. And we love people who love to make good food. And we love to listen to he stories of the people who make the good food, drink and artisan produce and to share their stories - the joys, trials and tribulations that connect with us all.

St Albans has a ton of local independents and flavours such as I AM Cocoa, making their beautiful artisan chocolates, to the veal jus glazed beef spare ribs Gels makes at the Smokehouse Deli on Cell Road, to the fir tree syrup made by the Foragers at the Verulam Arms.

There’s Lara of Darlish – who makes and sells her middle-

eastern twist on British puddings. The muscavado cream with molasses and sea salt is a pot of delicious - she is part of the fantastic monthly Sunday farmers market here in St Albans and also in Harpenden – watch out for her ice cream cart down town over summertime.

We have everything, fantastic food trucks such as Jon’s StrEat Kitchen, Taste of Brazil and The Weeping Chef on St Peters, British bubbly at Zeffinos, local smoked bacon and the addictive crack pie at the Bakehouse, the fresh bread at Baked Nation and the dedicated barristers at Hatch. Fine dining at Paprika, Thompsons and Lussmans, great ethnic foods including Bar Mezza & the Silver Palate (Harpenden).

We also have current 2016 Herts Food and Wine nominees including Dylans Kings Arms and Craft & Cleaver. St Albans local Hedges Farm roasts are on offer at the Hare & Hound and the Boot. There’s also the Hertford, Hitchens, Wheathampstead and other farmers markets too. Don’t forget Wobbly Bottom farm cheeses!

All this and we are only just getting started. We are going to be talking to all these wonderful people, exploring the city and surrounds and finding out what is good, so that we can share them and their stories with you. This is a platform for building and supporting our local food and drink community and raising awareness.

Please feel free to share with us your favourite places, recommendations and pictures of your hunt too - or come join us at the charitable fundraising Supper Clubs we will be hosting with partnering local establishments.

You can follow us on Facebook at StAlbansTastes or on twitter: @STtastes or stalbanstastesdotcom.wordpress.com We’re hungry - let’s go hunt out something delicious to eat in St Albans, West Herts and beyond.

CHARITY PARACHUTE JUMP! 18TH MAY 2016.

On the 18th of May The Right Worshipful the Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Salih Gaygusuz & Crescent Trustee Denise Parsons are to perform a parachute jump in order to raise funds for the Crescent Support Group.

The Crescent is an HIV support charity based in St Albans for almost 30 years which for the last six years has been without any statutory funding.

We are entirely reliant on donations to support over 300 members’ family and friends currently registered with us. We also provide support and education for the wider community.

Every penny raised will help those living with or affected by HIV and go towards providing education services for the wider community, combatting stigma and preventing further transmission of the virus.

Please do give generously in recognition of these two very brave individuals raising essential funds for this vital work with often very vulnerable and isolated individuals.

Most of those living with HIV are doing so unknown to the rest of society because of the stigma so unfairly associated with it. Often they feel unable even to tell their family and friends, and as a result, are very lonely and isolated, frequently living in fear that someone will discover their status.

Every £7.50 pays for an instant HIV test kit,£15 pays for a postal HIV test, £30 a therapy session for someone struggling with medication side effects or associated conditions. £40 a counselling session for a newly diagnosed person. Please help us with whatever you can, with the Crescent every penny really does make a difference! http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mayors-parachute-jump-18th-may-2016 The Crescent Support Group, supporting those living with or affected by HIV. 19 Russell Avenue, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 5ES. A registered Charity no. 1003547. www.thecrescent.org.uk