New bands, old bands.. oh, my... Gig Guide, Wed, November 25th to Tue Dec 1st

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
25 November 2009

LACEY'S Ale and Cider House in Bideford celebrates its first year of business this weekend with a live music threesome.

On Friday the venue has something for everyone with Graham Collier from 9pm and then on Saturday get three for the price of one with Some Old Bloke, His Son and Another Fella, also from 9. Then on Sunday there's jazz in the afternoon with the Alan Lewis All Stars from 1-3pm.

Tonight (Wednesday) there's more karaoke fun at Qube from 9pm until late with Sod 'em & Sing, who is in action tomorrow too at Quigley's. On Sunday he's at it in the Heavitree Arms for the last lyrics of the weekend.

The Average Blues Band, with passports freshly stamped, will be at the Joiners Arms on Saturday night. Don't forget to catch Bideford Folk Club every Thursday at the Joiners.

eX Factor Karaoke is tickling the tonsils at The Anchor in Bideford on Saturday this week.

The Peter Bruntnell Band will be providing their usual very polished set at the Palladium Club on Friday night and on Saturday there's a dance music explosion with ON78, as DJs Paul and Ash supply the tracks.

And there's more do-it-yourself entertainment at the Portobello Inn on Saturday with Starlight Karaoke.

The James Gang will be riding in to the Waterfront Inn, Westward Ho! on Saturday with their saddlebags stuffed with classic covers from the likes of The Clash and The Cure as well as some more recent numbers and the odd surprise. The band is playing from 9pm.

On Tuesday next there's a definite Western feel in the air as The Hanks play live at Oceanview Country Music Club, hosted by the Elizabethan at Westward Ho!

From country folk to folk with attitude - the music that is - as Wilderland turn out with the tambourines, a Raggle Taggle Gypsy and original material besides at the Newmarket Inn, Torrington, on Saturday. On Friday the Newmarket has regular karaoke and disco courtesy of Bobbies' Roadshow.

Joey the Lips brings red hot soul to the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington on Saturday from 8.30pm. The 10-piece band creates an electric atmosphere with three high quality vocalists, a driving rhythm section and a kicking horn section that won't stay still for a second! Expect a great deal of dancing with this soul, blues and funk outfit that chuck in a bit of disco, Motown and rock for good measure.

Then on Sunday at the Plough there's lunchtime folk sounds with Dick Gaughan from 2pm. A legend on the folk circuit and a 40-year veteran, Dick was brought up immersed in the musical traditions and culture of the Gaels, both Scots and Irish, which provide the foundation for everything he does. His original songs have been recorded by, among many others, Billy Bragg, Christy Moore, Mary Black, Roy Bailey and Capercaillie. Tickets and information for both shows from (01805) 624624.

There's blues at the George Hotel in South Molton on Friday as the softly spoken but powerhouse performer Jim Crawford returns to the venue. A "shy and retiring type" he nonetheless has toured extensively in the US and Europe, delighting audiences with his intimate style, finger picking and slide guitar. From 8.30pm. For tickets and info call (01769) 572514.

On Sunday the jazz train rolls back toward Eggesford as the Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band play their regular monthly afternoon session from 1-4pm at the Fox & Hounds. This week also sees the band joined by renowned pianist Craig Milverton. Why not catch the train from Barnstaple and enjoy a jazz lunch?

This Friday at the White Hart in Bratton Fleming sees the popular local band the Elderly Brothers will be proving if you still roll you can rock (or is it the other way around?)

The karaoke volume will be back up at the Tavern in Barnstaple tonight (Wednesday) as the competition continues.

On Friday Starlight Karaoke will be inviting singers to step into the spotlight at the Rising Sun, Boutport Street from 9pm until midnight.

On Saturday and every Saturday from now on, the newly named Buddy's Bar, formerly the Riverfront Café at the Strand, will be hosting Starlight Karaoke too.

Also tonight in Barnstaple the "refurbished" Maybe Naked is back in action at Bar Toko with new singer Andy Casey plus new materials and some old favourites too.

On Friday the Underground at the Inn on the Square hosts Pink Floyd tribute band Relics, all the way from Maidstone and with a set that includes special lighting and effects. A treat for PF fans.

This Saturday a new rock band with a very experienced cast will be debuting at the Underground in the Inn on the Square, Barnstaple. The Midnight Toys, formed by drummer and vocalist Daniel Edmonds, guitarist Dean Boni and bassist Stuart Clayton are launching their first album Lonely Satellite. The album is original and having had a very quick listen, it's a great tribute to indie rock, but it's not in your face smash-the-amp stuff. It's not horizontal mellow either! But it is well put together. The Toys' set also includes selected covers from Hendrix and The Cult, to name two. Visit www.themidnighttoys.com or www.myspace.com/TheMidnightToys.

Wasteland will be playing live this week at the White Horse in Barnstaple this Friday from 9.30pm. This is another local band that always give a good gig and are asked back for more of the same. Don't forget Sod 'em & Sing is back at Chambers in town on Monday.

In Braunton on Friday the never-resting group that is the Average Blues Band will be playing Les Bleus at the Mariners Arms.

On Saturday AJ & the Underdogs bring their mix of popular covers to the London Inn, Braunton.

On Sunday Amy Newton hosts her weekly Open Mic Night at the White Lion Inn.

The excellent Tequila Rockinbird are at the Red Barn in Woolacombe this Friday.

A jiggy but chilled North Devon debut awaits Torquay based band The Humanitarians, who are venturing "oop North" to play at the Thatched Barn in Croyde on Friday.

The four piece alternative rock band have just released their first album Born, after a catalogue of rock 'n' roll related incidents and sheer bad luck which could have sprung from the script writers of Still Crazy!

But the music and the album are both fully original and veer from full-on blasts of rock to sparkling acoustics, anthems and the odd deep-mover. Why not check out www.thehumanitarians.net or better yet, get along to Croyde?

And don't forget the Thatch continues its regular Open Mic every Sunday from 9pm.

Tomorrow Cook Island at Mullacott throws open its doors for Open Mike Night with, yep you've guessed it, the Average Blues Band!

Join well-travelled Scottish folk artist Ian Bruce in concert at the Pack O' Cards in Combe Martin on Saturday with your hosts Shammick Acoustic. Ian is acknowledged as one of the great singer-songwriters of the Scottish folk movement, and many of his songs are covered numerous singers .

He is also valued for his classic renderings of the songs of Robert Burns and has a huge presence on stage, and invariably has his audiences singing, laughing and crying. Visit www.shammickacoustic.org.uk for info and tickets.