First it was Take That, then it was the Spice Girls, and now it’s Belfast’s premier exponents of Buckfast-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll Dirty Stevie who are jumping on the reunion band wagon. The Dirt, as they are affectionately known round these parts, are currently busy planning their debut album since getting back together, but they’ve found time to announce what’s set to be one of the best gigs of the year – Dirty Stevie Vs the Tin Pot Operation at the Bunker in Belfast on March 22. Both bands have been embroiled in a bitter rivalry since 2005 and this show will be the first of a two-legged affair with the TPO choosing where to play later in the year. Admission is £4 and if you want to see two bands battle it out purely for bragging rights, then this is the gig for you. It won’t be big, it certainly won’t be clever, but it definitely will be a lot of fun.
Rising from the ashes of the hugely underrated Throat and local hardcore heroes From Where I Stand, the Black Bear Saloon is the brainchild of singer Aaron Abernethy, guitarist Willy Mundell, bassist Rus Crookes and drummer Mike Barr. The guys have just released their first demo and are planning to gig in earnest over the months ahead. Although their sound is firmly rooted in riff-based rock, the Black Bear Saloon are also a refreshingly groovy band with some killer hooks to boot. Fans of Clutch, Quicksand and Helmet should make sure they catch the fearsome foursome in action asap as they’re going to become a beast of a band in ’08. More at www.myspace.com/theblackbearsaloon
Hairy heavy metallers Residual Effect are currently looking for a new drummer. If you think you have what it takes to thump the tubs then give them a shout via their MySpace: www.myspace.com/residualeffect
Finally congratulations to Rocky Oppenheimer, Ben Three Tales and B Lahey who have just opened the doors to their brand spanking new recording studio Start Together down at the Oh Yeah centre. They’ve already twiddled knobs for In Case Of Fire, LaFaro and General Fiasco and are now taking bookings for mid-March. Click on www.myspace.com/starttogetherstudio for more details.