Way-hey. The Phrogs are back in action and not a moment too soon.

The unsettlingly good Dave Dulake - yes, he of Virgo Intacta - wrote to say hello, please come and see us, and I'd concur and urge you to do the same.

The Phrogs are the epitome of hard-working-Southend-band-with-more-energy-than-a-nuclear-power-station.

Acid Jazz interest - Single due out soon for The Progs

Notorious for their tight four-piece rock/mod/rhythm and blues tunes from the 60s and 70 they've now caught the attention of - get this - the Acid Jazz label.

Dave said: "We recorded a load of songs at Toerag studios in Hackney last year (where the next White Stripes single was recorded) and some time ago, our CD made it's way into their office.

"They sent a bloke down to the Dawn gig that you came to, who told us that they wanted to put our track Baby I'm Gone on a Garage compilation - for starters - then they wanted to put a single out.

"So we've been busy writing songs and getting our sound together. Seems that everyone's looking to American bands like the Hives and the Strokes as the punk alternative to all that hard-rock skater thing.

"I think the Phrogs fit into that garage mould, probably in a more 'Southend' way, but then a lot of those bands out there now are influenced by Dr Feelgood, even if indirectly."

As Dave kindly remembers, I caught their last gig at Club Dawn and slap-my-cheeks if it wasn't a ruddy good one. The aggressive but loveable Feelgood influence is right there on stage and each of the band - Mat, Pat, Jay and Dave - are each masters of their instruments and vocals.

So, for just a fiver, you can catch one of Southend's greatest and most-loved bands at Club Dawn, Southchurch Road, Southend. The doors usually open 7.30pm, the gig is on March 8 and support is from Milk.

On Freeway to Maritimes Rooms

Freeway have called to announce their gig at the Maritimes Rooms within the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend.

Tonight's gig kicks off at 7.30pm and you can be assured a broad mix of music from rock and roll to the equable MOR.

For the princely sum of £5 on the door you can hear the vocals of Laura Joseph from Peer Pressure, the keyboards of Dave Woodcock from Badego and the Plastic No-No's, ex-Plastic No-No bassist Pete Dwyer, Stuart Viney of the Receeders and the Plastic No-No's on drums and Jerry Joseph on guitar taking the place of the absent Jeremy Goldsmith.

Seafood in Chelmsford

Seafood, from the outskirts of London are coming to the county having got fed up with hanging out with various media-hangers-on types at the NME's Brat Awards.

Lead singer David said: "I have never been so bored in all my life. At one stage we were very close to being thrown out."

After all the glitz of an awards ceremony there's only one thing any self respecting rock group can do - and that's go back on the road.

And lucky us, Seafood have decided to start their new tour with a visit to the Army and Navy in Chelmsford.

David said: "We played at the Army and Navy on our first ever UK headline tour which was about two years ago. We sold out then so hopefully we will do it again."

The tour is taking place to coincide with the re-release of their debut album When Do We Start Fighting.

The repackaged album has six extra bonus tracks in the form of original demos or live performances, including original LP demos and tracks from a slot on Radio 1's Evening Session.

With influences as wide ranging as Carole King, Neil Young and The Beach Boys, Seafood have often been criticised for sounding too American.

Seafood will be at the Army and Navy this Friday £6 with Crackout and Renton in support.

And then you can see them at Chinnery's on Southend seafront on March 14 along with Engerica for just £5.

Sheena returns

Sheena Davis is back and good thing too. You can catch her the Vocalzone, held at the Ship pub, New Road, Leigh on March 24. From 7.30pm and for the meagre sum of £4 you can enjoy this brilliant singer who has been lauded wherever she's gone.

The punky-but-sweet lady has clearly got a love of the south east of Essex as she's been coming back for the past few years and even put on a great show at last year's Southend Jazz Festival.

But don't take just my word for it. The London Evening Standard said she was "dynamic, spirited and effervescent... sings with power and feeling" while Jazz FM said Sheena was: "the finest new talent to come around for many years."

Welcome return - Sheena Davis

The Mail on Sunday said Sheen had a: "strong style and an impressive backing band", the Daily Express was: "amazed at her talent" while the Times called her a: "fiery jazz & soul singer." And having seen her live, I'd agree.

For more information call the Vocalzone on 01268 778704.

Meantime, this March 10 you can see Closing Time who are a cracking live band. Leon is a master of the piano and their singer can kick it with John Mellencamp. Again, tickets are £4, doors open at 7.30pm and you'll get two live vocal sets.

Tessmarka set to rock the Riga

Cheery three-piece Tessmarka will be playing the Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff on Thursday night. They cite their influences from the Beatles to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Counting Crows to Pink Floyd, but write their own material.

There's not enough space here this week, but I'm told a demo CD is on the way so I'll tell you more soon. Meantime, you can catch Tessmarka, along with Lander and the Grove for the measly sum of three pounds. For more information call the Riga on 01702 348020.

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002