Fluke - Boars Head, Dover June 10

I am not a karaoke fan and I do have a bit of an issue with acts that are sing-a-long-a-backing tape. However... no doubt that this was a good 'turn' that did the job on what could have been a difficult evening given the football result with USA and the fact they were a last minute stand-in for the booked band!

This is a male/female duo, both with good voices, excellent voices in fact, who play guitar in front of very well made backing tracks. The choice of material was run of the mill (ABBA to Paul Weller) but the old cliche of something for everyone meant that they went down very well.

I did get the impression they were rather backing noice rather than anyone paying active attention, but there we are.

They have a return booking and are a completely inoffensive, if uninspiring, act that will not ruin your evening in any way shape or form.

Stone Street - Kent

A new incarnation! This is a band who had only been on the scene at rehearsal stage for 2 weeks. Seen at The Boar's Head in Dover, this lot have potential. While they are indeed a cover band, don't let that put you off. The covers are at the more unusual end of the spectrum and lean towards the Fleetwood Mac type of blues. The vocalist stands out with just the right amount of pitch and richness to the voice to get away with it. The pub have booked them for a second shout, so we will see what happens!

Who To See Live

Is it just me or are there lots of you out there who can't get enough of live music? Is there anything as buzzing as finding a new band in your local? Do you love watching a band grow through their first good gigs and transforming from nervous first steps to a seriously great act?

I get a certrain kick out of seeing local bands play. They work harder, they play honest and open music without sets, costumes, or more often than not a stage to hide behind. They genuinely love to hear what the audience have made of them. I also love looking at the car-crash qualities of a lot of on-line presence these bands try and create for themselves. My Space anyone? My Space is no bad thing - hell it's free publicity! But as for some of the My Space sites...look away now.

Part of the fun, of course, is not just the band but their loyal supporters. Yes, I too have been a self confessed groupie and I would proudly wear the T-Shirt (if only I could have conned the drummer into getting me one the right size.

So let's review the bands! If you have seen a great gig, let me know, if you were at one I was at let me know if we agree!

Keep listening!