The Xcerts/ Middle Finger Salute

Scottish trio The Xcerts have been doing pretty well this year and this winning streak looks set to continue. Rocksound and Drowned In Sound both hailed the band as ones to watch in 2008. Having been compared to bands such as Idlewild and Biffy Clyro and with Sam Duckworth aka get cape. Wear cape. Fly. being a fan of the band and releasing a single through his own label, not only is this band one to watch but you’d be a mad-head to miss The Xcerts infectious live shows.

Middle Finger Salute started in September 2005 and have since toured with bands such as: Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, Towers Of London, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) to name but a few, not bad for eh!!! Sounding far more mature than their years this punk band look set to storm the music scene. The band will also be using the gig as a release for the new single ‘Guts For Glory’.

Both bands will be playing Jabez Clegg on 29th May doors are at & 7:30 and you only have to hand over five pounds to be let in. Sweet!!!

Paul Newsome (ex Proud Mary), Manchester

Gold selling artist Paul Newsome has released two albums as a member of Proud Mary and also composed and recorded scores for both film and television. He’s previously worked with artists such as, David Bowie, The Who, Paul Weller, Oasis and many more.

Most recently he has been in Los Angeles recording his solo album. Paul will be playing Manchester's Jabez Clegg on the 6 June with support from Diversion Ends and The ECB. Doors are at 7pm and it's a mere five squids to get in…bargin!!!

Elle Milano Tour

ELLE MILANO release single
‘Meanwhile in Hollywood’
Released March 31st on Brighton Electric Label
www.myspace.com/ellemilano

The name is misleading: ELLE MILANO is no willowy raven haired songstress, nor someone gracing the pages of Vogue, Tatler and Hello. ELLE MILANO is a band, a three piece now based in Brighton but formed at Leicester De Montfort University in the winter of 2004.

ELLE MILANO are, frankly, startling, and ‘Acres Of Dead Space Cadets’ ought one day to be considered one of those classic British debut albums that smashed into the rain spattered windows of our complacent homes and changed the face of music. Of course it’s far too complex and smart for that, given our contemporary dumbed down culture and the band’s evident intellect. But let’s imagine for one magical moment that angular, articulate, angry, witty and archly knowing guitar rock was still something to aspire to. ELLE MILANO, in that parallel universe, would be the poster band for a new generation.

Produced by the band themselves with the intention of capturing what they call the “’band in a room’ sound” perfected by the Pixies on Surfer Rosa or Nirvana’s In Utero, there’s still an undeniable Englishness to the album, perhaps the result of their self-built studio’s location in a Kent country cottage. It’s impossible not to hear musical and lyrical echoes of acts like The Cure, The Smiths, Blur, PiL (most ostensibly in Crisp’s occasionally Lydon-esque delivery) and even, at times, Madness. But they’d deny the latter forcefully in favour of other influences as diverse as Girls Aloud, Michael Jackson, Wu Tang Clan and Danny Elfman.

So get ready for guitars to slam ribcages, bass to pound groins and drums to rattle cranial walls like prime US post-hardcore. Get ready for shiny keyboards and melodic ingenuity to seduce you with revitalized, rewired synth pop. Get ready to be soothed by heartfelt tales of late night loneliness, adolescent confusion and twenty-something disgust. ELLE MILANO is not what you expect at all.

ELLE MILANO will be releasing ‘Meanwhile in Hollywood’ the first single from their debut album ‘Acres of Dead Space Cadets’ on the 31st March 2008. The album is released on the 14th April 2008 also sent for review.

April
2 London – Islington Academy
4 Cardiff – Barfly
5 Southampton – Unit 22
10 Leicester – Sumo
11 Bristol – Louisiana
14 York – Junction
16 Milton Keynes – Opus
19 Hitchin – Club 85
20 Nottingham – The Social
21 Oxford – Jericho Tavern
24 Luton – Club NME @ UBSU
25 Swansea – Club NME @ Sin City
26 Exeter – Club NME @ The Hub
27 Guildford – Boiler Room
28 Cambridge – Barfly
30 London – Garage

May
24 Hull – The Welly

The band are available for phone and e-mail interviews. Tickets for live reviews are available on request.

For more information and ticket requests for ELLE MILANO please contact Kelly Renda via email mail or phone 0208 962 8282

Jay Scott Project, Manchester

**Jay Scott Project have unfortunately split up but the gig will remain on with the supports**

Jay Scott Project @ Roadhouse, Manchester

Supporting: Contact Mo, Vanir & Danko

13th June 2008.

Fast-rising blues and acoustic outfit, the Jay Scott Project are scheduled to play at the legendary Roadhouse venue in Manchester. Support acts include Contact Mo, Vanir and Danko.

Jay Scott Project’s edgy, original sound first captivated audiences nationwide during their support performances on the Take That “Beautiful World” tour in late 2007. Their cutting edge style is founded on a highly diverse, sophisticated range of influences, including flamenco and poetic lyricism.

Frequented by a vast number of talented and reputable acts, the Roadhouse is situated in Manchester, just off Piccadilly Gardens. Doors are at 7pm, and tickets are priced at £5. See below for venue contact details.

Roadhouse

8 Newton Street

Piccadilly

Manchester

M1 2AN

Tel: 0161 237 9789