August Live

August is a rubbish month for local live music. Everyone's either off playing festivals or preparing for their Autumn tours. So what can I find to recommend this month? Well, one gig by a mate's band, one gig in London, plus my annual horror film festival. And that's about it really.

08/08 - My good friend Mr Jim Turner, former vocalist with The Dirty Tricks, returns with his new band Spring Heeled Jim for a self-promoted headline show at the Komedia. Expect guitar led harmonies and heartfelt acoustic melodies from this talented singer/songwriter! Check out their site at www.myspace.com/springheeledjim2006

23/08 - Have A Kick Ass Summer as The Dandy Warhols return to the UK for a date at the Islington Academy in London. This will be the 8th time I've seen them play live...

24/08 - Severance gets its charity premiere in aid of Teenage Cancer Relief at the Odeon West End in London. After the screening there will be a Q&A with director Chris Smith, members of the cast (Danny Dyer, Tim McInnerny & Andy Nyman) and of course writer James Moran in attendance.

25/08 - Twenty-four films in four days over the August Bank Holiday weekend... it can only mean one thing - FrightFest, the UK's biggest horror and genre film festival. This year's event takes place at the Odeon West End, opening with Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth on the Friday night and closing with Bong Joon-ho's The Host on the Monday. Full details on www.frightfest.co.uk