Purple Dawn for Fluid

Fluid are a new, young and exciting to emerge from the Southend area and are being tipped for bigger things.

Formed in the Winter of 1999, the three piece started when vocalist and lead guitarist Jamie O'Donnell started jamming with bassist Gaz Bond after school and together they formed a writing partnership.

With the addition of drummer Adam Iles, plus influences ranging from Nirvana, Foo Fighters, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin, they have now hit the circuit and are already getting rave reviews and positive audience reponses.

Jamie said: "My all time hero is Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy. His playing is mind-blowing.

"We're all really itching to make it. We think the public need a band which mixes the simplicity of the early Nirvana stuff with the extra solos that are very Thin Lizzy."

The band are en route to a recording studio to lay down a four-track demo, the a-side being Purple.

You can catch fluid at Club Dawn, 42 Southchurch Road, Southend, on November 16, along with Sidewinder. Tickets are £4.

Closing in on battle of the bands final

Closing Time are set to hit the Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff on November 16 as part of the semi-finals for the battle of the bands.

The three piece of Matt Price on lead vocals, Saffron Chant on vocals, violin, sax and flute, and Leon Chant on piano has grown into a six piece after being joined by Jess Chant on guitar, Dave Shalloe on bass and Nigel Howsey on drums.

Their four-track demo-CD from last year is reminiscent of Counting Crows with a vocal nod to John Cougar Mellencamp and even Meatloaf.

The songs are as clear and crisp as a winter's morning and emotionally charged enough to send a shiver down your spine.

The harmonies between Matt and Saffron are electric and backed up by Leon's accomplished and professional piano playing I would not be surprised if they got label interest in the near future.

With all original material the Southend band stand a good chance of making in through to the finals, if not to win the whole shebang. Tickets are just £3.

The band also have a date booked in London on December 14 and will be putting a coach on.

For more information contact Leon on 01702 618902 or check them out on closingtime@hotmail.com

Kerr-ific start to winter season

Vocalzone have some cracking jazz musicians lined up for the winter, starting off with the great Trudy Kerr.

Trudy last played to a packed Westcliff Hotel in Westcliff Parade, Westcliff in April.

She has received rave reviews throughout the music press with the Observer calling her "outstanding" while Jazzwise magazine said her voice was "strong, persuasive and peppy, particularly on the bluesier material".

The London-based Australian singer blends standards tunes with good quality contemporary songs, add to that a dash of swing, a bit of flair and a sassy style all adds up to a warm evening of good tunes.

The Stage newspaper, describing her Ronnie Scott's jazz club appearance in 1998, said: "There is also a more soulful side to her, the echoes of Aretha Franklin coming through as she attacks and pushes her numbers through to a forceful climax".

So, for a mere £4 you could just get a taste of something special in your own home town in a venue which is swish and quite intimate as well.

For more information call Vocalzone on 01702 468492. Doors open at 8pm and the joy goes on until 11.30pm.

By Carl Eve

Reporter's e-mail: carl.eve@notes.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.