Latest News:

MAD Promotions are no longer promoting gigs at Whitez (the Garage). Instead, a triumvirate comprising Chris Woodman (Seven Roads Promotions), Johnny Sandberg (The Childs a Pilot vocalist) and Maddy K (Buffalo Kings bassist) are in charge, under the name of Magnetic Footstep Events. Chris and Maddy will be managing the popular open mic nights on Thursdays, kicking off at 9pm until at 1pm. Spots are half an hour long at the moment - ideal both for bands who want to try out a mini set of new material and for soloists who just want to play a few songs. A new four-weekly cycle of Saturday events will be launched on 30th August with FIVE IN THE HIVE: starting at 7pm with two acoustic acts, then a band, then some hip-hop and beats, then a name band and then finally some drum'n'bass from DJ Octo Pi (Jon Morgan). Full details were awaited as The GigList closed for press, but look out for posters around the Uplands. The second week of the cycle will be “a sort of 70's/80's disco“, the third a Battle of the Bands, while the fourth week will feature three live bands and a rock DJ, after which the cycle will begin again. “It's gonna upset the Tavern if I say too much,” said Chris. “And you'll probably misquote me anyway, but we're after those b******** who sit in the rain and moan about no decent bands playing anymore. Mum's the word!”

Down in town, Escape is planning to re-establish itself as a live music venue on Friday nights with a weekly alternative night called Superfuzz, which appears to be modelled on the old Face/Off nights that ran at Escape for many years before transferring to Sin City. It kicks of on 5th September with a launch night featuring Belgian Guns’n’Roses tribute Dust’n’Roses, supported by Valleys rockers Dead Against The Rest. There is also a weekly Superfuzz live competition in which local bands are invited to submit a recorded track to be featured in the Superfuzz metal or indie rooms. For more details email superfuzzuk@googlemail.com or visit the Superfuzz Myspace page.

More news on the venue front - it’s been reported that The Joiners in Bishopston has lost its music licence. I had hoped to have listings for both the Coyote Bar (in Green Dragon Lane) and the Old Barn restaurant in Pantlasau this month, but they haven’t come through. Maybe next month. (I seem to say that a lot, don’t I?)

Finally, prog/folk-rockers Panic Room, featuring a number of ex-members of Swansea band Karnataka, are off on a mini tour in September, but the nearest they’re coming to this neck of the woods is The Point in Cardiff on 21st September.