Those of you who cannot make Glastonbury can take heart in mini-fest of top bands who will be playing locally and you won't need to get a ticket on an internet auction site at inflated prices.

You can catch the brilliant Silversea who can put and do put on blistering live sets, alongside up-and-coming rockers Deep Fix, plus the Confetti Pearls and the Stunts.

According to Silversea frontman Tom, the aim is to kickstart a real "Southend scene" with a cracker of a gig at the Pink Toothbrush in High Street, Rayleigh.

Having caught both Silversea and Deep Fix in recent months, I could not think of a better evening around for this month or county for that matter.

Both bands can get a crowd going and have the wherewithal and oomph to really make for a rousing and inspiring evening.

Saying that though, their manager sent me their newly burned CD... which hasn't been burned, so I cannot speak of their three new tunes, other to say they are called Kamikaze, Love Free and Make The Difference.

If you've ever lamented at the state of the British music scene and wondered if south Essex bands could ever compete, surprise yourself with a visit to the 'brush on June 26.

Doors usually open at about 8pm and tickets are only £4 - that's a quid a band for crying out loud! You can get tickets and CDs from Mark Shervil on 01702 353914, Penny Laines retro clothes store in Victoria Plaza and probably the Toothbrush itself.

So, if you're not going to Pilton next weekend, make up for it, support your local bands and go wild for them.

Jazz Sounds at the Broker

If jazz is more your bag, then Ron Spack may please you as he brings regular jazz to Leigh. Ron's band Jazz Sounds will be at the Broker in Leigh Road, Leigh on June 26 and every Thursday from then on.

The band is actually a duo, but Ron, who plays on double bass, will feature a different guitarist or pianist each week.

Ron returned to the area last year having run a load of pretty successful sessions around here in the 70s and 80s. He's had a good run at the Cricketers in Westcliff and continues to play there every Sunday evening.

Fortunately for Leighites, the Broker people have taken up Ron's offer and Ron said he hopes to see old and new friends there. Start times at 8.30pm and it's free entry.

Rochford joins the festival melee

Ah, summer means a melee of festivals, and Rochford has decided to get in on the act.

The inaugural Sutton with Shopland Music Festival may not have as catchier name as other festivals, but it's got a pretty delightful line up.

The venue will be the Sutton Hall, in Rochford thanks to the nice people at Tabor Farms and it's being organised by the Friends of Sutton and the supported by the Rochford District Council ARTS Development Department -which accounts for the less-than-catchy name.

But ah, for an all-day festival the entrance is merely £10, a part of which will be donated to the very deserving Little Haven Children's Hospice.

The gig itself kicks off at noon on July 5 and ends at midnight - and there'll be hot food and a licensed bar available.

There will be two stages and on the Great Barn stage you'll see a wide range of bands including the Alan Beecham jazz band, Y-Not and their covers from the 50s to the 70s, heavy rock from Malachi, Irish tunes from the brilliant Dirty Water, awesome punk covers from Swindle, calypso and reggae from the New Serenaders, rhythm and blues from the Basey Brothers.

Over on the Red Brick Barn stage there's solos, duos and trios.

On organ you can hear Gerald Usher and friends, with Alan Beecham popping over from the Great Barn stage. Add to that Rewind and their covers from the 60s and 70s, orchestral organist Victor McDonald, Esther Rowland and friends, and a return of Y-Not.

For tickets call either 01702 318171 or 01702 477799.

Castlemayne hosts Survival Car and Bad Side Effect

You can catch two great bands down at the Castlemayne, the Knares in Basildon this tonight (June 19).

The main act will be Survival Car, which is made up of the members of Red Nettle, Bad Pennies and Candy Anagram, so expect noisy Idlewild come Mogwai sounds. Support is from Bad Side Effect (BSE) who I'm told do political rap/punk metal.

Entrance is free and the doors open at 8.30pm

Two Timers take tunes to the Riga

Saturday sees the remarkable Two Timers with support from the equally remarkable BJ Ferrets, at the Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff.

Having played alongside the legendary Peter Green in 2001, the Ferrets have gone on to perform around the country, playing hard driving rock and sophisticated blues.

Formed back in 1993 in France the Two Timers have earned guest spots alongside the Corrs, John Mayall, Taj Mahal, Maceo Parker, Joe Satriani and the Stranglers.

The mesmerising Sarah James and former Dr Feelgood man Gordon Russell have a solid following across Europe and have successfully toured New Zealand, the Arctic Circle and Jamaica.

You can expect original pop/rock blues, siren songs, alternative country and blues.

Tickets are £6 and the doors open at 8.30pm.

www.twotimers.org

The New Crawdaddy Club has the very great pleasure of presenting Michael Roach and Ian Briggs for the first time tonight (June 19).

The venue, still at the Crondon Park golf club in Stock near Billericay has achieved quite a coup in hosting these two men who play an east coast style of blues which dates back to the classic era of the 1920s.

After spending several years learning directly from such well known figures as John Jackson, John Cephas and Jerry Ricks, Michael Roach has developed his own style and is now an exceptional and sought after performer both in the UK and in Europe.

Accompanying Michael is Ian Briggs, who is probably the most underrated harp player on the British and European circuits.

The last time you were lucky enough to see Michael play was two years ago when he and Ian pretty much stole the show at the ever marvellous Brentwood Blues Festival.

Support, as always, is from the resident band the Heaters who are masters of the blues art.

Doors open 8.30pm and admission is £8. Call on 01702 347007 for more information.

www.newcrawdaddyclub.co.uk

Published Thursday, June 19, 2003