Playing their own brand of rock, blues and Americana the guys are known as the UK’s leading interpreters of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top, they are at the Thameside Theatre in Grays on Friday, 27 January, at 7.45pm.

After 4,500 gigs together this guitar bass-and-drums combo know their stuff.

Bob Harris said “They are fabulous. One of Britain’s very best live bands.”

Tickets are £15. Students, National Health Service workers, and unwaged can get in for £13. Under 16s are £10 available from the Thameside Theatre, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX or by calling 0845 300 5264

You can find out more about the Hamsters at www.thehamsters.co.uk

This week, we see Skitz from Chafford Hundred.

The first number has a swingbeat feel to it whilst the second number is defintely 103bpm.

Parental advisory etc.

YolanDa’s debut album will surely see her cult reputation brought to the fore. April Showers, May Flowers is a beautifully sculpted record that touches lightly on jazz and soul and R&B, each track bestowed with the kind of lyrical insight – on love, on life – that suggests its author is something of a poet, too.

It is an album of effortless unfurling grace and impeccable soulful poise, featuring eight saxophone tracks and for the first time two vocal tracks (Bitter Sweet and Without You) on which YolanDa showcases her beautiful voice.

Yolanda plays the Thameside Theatre on 25th: £18/£12(under 16) Tel: 01375 382 555

Paul has got to the final stage of the RTL.NL programme “The Voice” and he really seems to have captured the Dutch fans imagination.

Many of the dutch fans like his rasping soul voice, his Bon Jovi-ish image and his stage presence.

Paul has over 85,000 fans on Twitter and his name is on everyone’s (tu)lips in the country.

For the finals, each artist has a single on i-tunes and it is now a competition to see who gets the most downloads.

Paul’s single is the Queen hit: “Don’t Stop Me Now”.

Paul, 25, went to Stifford Clays Infants and Juniors, then up to William Edwards. After that he went to the Collins school for Performing Arts in Romford before treading the boards in shows such as Joseph and We Will Rock You.

Indeed, it was while on tour with We Will Rock You in Holland that he found out about “The Voice” and decided to audition. You have, as they say, to be in it, to win it.

He has been able to take Thurrock artists to the next level, such as Young Reyes and Mushley but of course he works further afield.

Here is a video for K-Cat.

Following the massive recent collab “Out Of Control” with Donae’o & Mike Delinquent Project, KCAT, pronounced as ‘Cat’, is back with her own solo campaign and it all kicks off with this break filled stomper ‘So Many’ !!

KCAT finally arrives with her eagerly anticipated solo material after delivering as a featured artist for Mike Delinquent, Bashy (‘Fantasy’), and also the Wideboys. Her project is her own creation – She pens her own lyrics, video concepts and has also developed an understanding of music production too. A rarity in the modern music world.

So we wish him well with his plans that include working for Sony and Warner.

Darren is a multi-media artist who has certainly grasped the importance of social media.

Here is “Not Over Yet”.

———————————- Free Downloads ————————————-

Download “I’m Not Breathing” The Album: – http://db.tt/0Xzg1M3M

Download “Two Worlds Collide” The Album: – http://db.tt/nLq3SFgn

————————————— Credits Include ———————————-

Darren Merrion – Singer | Songwriter
Toby Clements – Director

Follow
Twitter.com/DarrenMerrion
Facebook.com/DarrenMerrionFanPage

So, here is Ryan Pinner. He reminded us a little bit of John Martyn or for our younger audience, Newton Faulkner. His guitar work is excellent.

Have a look. The next open mic is on January 1st at 8pm.

This is a shift in a different direction for the Tilbury songsmith but he assures fans that he will be back on track for his next album

Today though, was shooting dance sequences and with the help of extras and the skill of local producer James Kavanagh, the new video for the wonderful “This is Pop”is well underway.

Yourthurrock spent the day behind the scenes

Kenny is now eighty years of age but has just released a book of memoirs. We asked him to pluck out just a few of those marvellous memories.

Thurrock Community Chorus was joined by professional opera singers Nicola Wydenbach and Andrew Rees, from the Royal Opera House, who performed pieces by Mozart and Verdi. The whole audience was invited to sing the carols and everyone was in great voice.

Thurrock Community Chorus goes from strength to strength with more than seventy members of all ages meeting regularly to work with Jeremy Haneman, professional Chorus Director. The Chorus sang at the Royal Opera House in October, entertaining the audience before the Welcome Performance, a one-off double bill showcasing both opera and ballet: Gianni Schicchi and Rubies, together with activities for all the family in particular aimed at those people who are new to the Royal Opera House.

New members aged eight years and over are very welcome to join the Thurrock Community Chorus from the New Year. No previous singing experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn. Rehearsals take place on Monday nights throughout the year at St Clere’s School in Stanford-le-Hope. Termly subscriptions apply.

If you would like to get involved, try an open rehearsal session in the New Year taking place at St Clere’s School, on Monday 9 January at 7.15pm.

For more information about the Thurrock Community Chorus, please email getinvolved@roh.org.uk.

The Thurrock Young Musician contest showed what a great variety of artists are in the borough. But where do they go from here.

YT went to the Orsett home of violinist Hannah Woolmer whose career is starting to bloom.

Hannah’s latest single Lark Ascending is simply beautiful. Listen to it and you can picture the mist coming off the fields in Orsett, which is apposite as that is where we interviewed Hannah.

Lark Ascending can be bought on i-tunes.

The Tribute to Abba Forever is one of the country’s leading international tribute shows and theatre audiences from across Great Britain and Sweden have long enjoyed this superb recreation of possibly the world‘s greatest pop band.

The unique Abba sound is replicated with an incredible attention to detail, using a six-piece band featuring electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards and piano, drums and bass guitar.

Two outstanding Abba girls complete the line-up, adding the essential glitz and glamour to a well-polished and gently humorous show.

The wonderful lyrics penned by Benny and Bjorn are sung in wonderful harmony by all six performers on stage.

Dynamic non-stop choreography, stunning visuals, top class musicianship and an all live performance ensures that the Forever Show captivates audiences from the opening refrain to the final sing-along chorus of this two-hour spectacular.

Tickets for the show which starts at 7.30pm (£17 and students £16) are available from the Thameside’s box office 0845 300 5264 or via the website http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/theatre/content.php?page=service_events&ID=734

Originally produced by Visconti for the Thin White Duke’s 2001 album Heathen, Films of Colour’s version of Slow Burn came to Visconti’s attention earlier this year following the online buzz around the band’s single Capital/Persinette reports Entertainment.Com

The band include former Gable Hall and Palmer’s College student, Jack Allinson and shot one of their earlier videos in the Thurrock area.

Visconti was sent the band’s version of Slow Burn (which he shared with Bowie) and loved it, instantly flying to London to see the band perform. He was blown away and is now lined up to work with the band in the studio. Visconti rarely works with unsigned acts and most recently produced albums for the Kaiser Chief’s, Morrisey and the Manic Street Preachers.

Talking about Films of Colour and their version of Bowie’s Slow Burn, Tony Visconti said:

“When I was given a batch of demos to consider working with Films Of Colour I was struck with how many catchy songs they had written. I was also impressed with the quality of their demos; that they were clever, creative lads was very apparent. But one song stuck out, sounding so familiar yet I didn’t really recognise it until the second chorus. I knew the song because I produced it with David Bowie on his 2001 album Heathen. But Films of Colour had altered it so much they had clearly made it their own. I think Bowie is one of the most difficult artists to cover, since his versions of his own compositions seem to be the definitive versions. After I heard Films of Colour’s version I was completely won over.”

Films of Colour were described by Fierce Panda/Label Fandango head honcho Simon Williams (who released the band’s debut single Actions) as the best band he’s signed since Radiohead and Coldplay. Media support has come from 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq who made them his Favourite New Band, The Guardian (New Band of the Day), The Independent’s Barometer of Cool along with continued national radio support from XFM, Absolute Radio and onAmazing Radio where they reached No 1 in the listener’s Chart .

Films of Colour are: Andy Clutterbuck (vocals), James Hatcher (guitar), Jack Allinson (bass/synths) and James Rees-Flynn (drums)

Films of Colour’s version of Slow Burn is available exclusively free for 1 week online and will be released from 5th December.

This year, the format is going to be different and offers Thurrock’s young musicians the opportunity of attending a Masterclass before competing for that coveted title of Thurrock Young Musician of the Year. The event is being organised by Thurrock Music Services in partnership with The Royal Opera House, the Thameside Theatre in Grays and The Rotary Club of Mardyke Valley.

Entrants must be between the ages of 11 and 18 years and be either a resident of Thurrock or attend a School in Thurrock or regularly attend one of more Instrumental Ensembles in Thurrock or receive their music tuition through Thurrock Music Services.

All entrants will be asked to attend a Masterclass at The Culver Centre in Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon on the following days:

Tuesday 1 November 9.30am Strings (Bowed and Plucked) Tuesday 1 November 1.30pm Strings (Bowed and Plucked) Wednesday 2 November 9.30am Woodwind Wednesday 2 November 1.30pm Brass Thursday 3 November 9.30am Piano Thursday 3 November 1.30pm Percussion Friday 4 November 9.30am Vocal Friday 4 November 1.30pm Vocal All entrants are asked to prepare one or two pieces that MUST be unaccompanied. The use of backing tracks is not permitted within the rules of any class. Each entrant will have an individual time slot where the Leader of the Masterclass will listen to and develop the performance.

At each Masterclass, the Masterclass Leaders will choose a Finalist from each Class and there will be a Finalist for each Lower Category (Years 6-9) and Upper Category (Years 10-13). The Masterclass Leaders will then advise each Finalist of the piece that they have to play in the Final! The Final will be held on Wednesday 9 November 2011 at the Thameside Theatre in Grays at 7pm.

Tickets are available from the Thameside Theatre Box Office on Tel: 0845 300 5264. Entrance to the competition is free of charge and all entrants will receive a certificate. The overall winner receives a trophy and the opportunity to guest perform at various key events in Thurrock in the next year. Entry Forms have been sent out via School but are also available from Thurrock Music Services on Tel: 01375 413680/413681. Closing date for all entries is Friday 14 October 2011.

Richard Brittain, Head of Thurrock Music Services said, “This year the new format of the Young Musician of the Year competition has a greater educational focus and provides a wonderful experience to Thurrock’s Young Musicians. It also further develops the partnership between Thurrock Music Services, Royal Opera House, Thameside Theatre and the Rotary Club of Mardyke Valley.

It promises to be a very exciting event!” For further information or an entry form, please contact Thurrock Music Services on Tel: 01375 413680/413681 or email music.services@thurrock.gov.uk.