EPIC 45

Band members:

Ben Holton, Rob Glover, Mark Oldfield

In their own words:

"Music with the emphasis on the contrast between rural bliss and urban paranoia, represented by means of sonic experimentation."

Definition Of music:

Forward facing, post space noise emotion music.

Latest News:

This month sees Epic 45 entering the studio for the first time to record a 6-track CD which will be available from February 20th entitled "Steps To Further Winter". The CD will contain the tracks: "When the cold weather comes", "Special Renderings", "The Overwhelming Feeling", "Autumnal Fields" (several of which were unveiled at their recent gig at Rugeley's Red Rose Theatre), as well as two home recorded tracks: "Cue God" and "Abandoned Weather Stations".

Gigs: Epic play the Red Rose Theatre, Rugeley for a third time on March 27th and watch out for a date at Wolverhampton's Varsity venue around the same time.

PEOPLE IN JARS

Band members:

James Robertson, Matt Kelly, Ade Mincher, Ad Jones

In their own words:

"It's basically the most accurate reflection of the human psyche that I could get. The music is as varied and diverse as human emotion. It was pretty obvious to me that if you could create music that covers the entire range of feelings, then that was the only music that you'd ever really need."-James Definition of music:

"Soft clean tones meets guitar driven symphonies, symphonic rock, prog rock, purple punk eating soft sour rock. Zeppelin eats Floyd."

Latest news:

The band have already visited the studio twice to date, firstly to produce a four track E.P. titled "Sleep" in May of '98 and have since made an eight-track album in January of this year called "Stones of mayflowers'~

Gigs:

The group have already played a total of six gigs since last August, at venues such as Wolverhampton's varsity, Claregate and Rugeley's Red Rose, and have been support act for great new groups such as Stoney Sleep amongst others.

TRIP WIRE

Band members:

Paul Heeley, Peter Fortescue, Emma Fellows

In their own words:

I "Different types of music carefully crafted for the original Tripwire sound."

Definition of music:

Happy grunge.

Latest news:

The band has only recently been formed, so not much to report on as far as recordings go, but judging from claims that they have influences from Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, they sound worthy of listening out for.

Gigs:

No set dates as yet but Tripwire hope to play Rugeley's Red Rose Theatre sometime in the not too distant future.

HEADWAY

Members of the band:

Keir Mitchell, Oli Stokes, George Turner, Tom Wright

In their own words:

"A polarised, luminescent bulging sack of weapon walking the fine line between rock music and opaque beauty."

Definition of music:

"Rock and roll for the 21st century.'

Latest news:

Headway are currently busy rehearsing and writing new material for future gigs and recordings.

Gigs:

The band are planning to be playing at a venue near you around summertime.

TSUNAI

Members of the band:

Ben Harper, Matt Payne, Tim Rowley, Joe Bethell, Tom Peverelle

In their own words:

"We're just trying to make good music and enjoy ourselves, we're not taking it too seriously."

Definition of music:

"The rocky side of indie"

Latest news:

The band are currently finding it hard to find time to rehearse and say they are presently "just trying to turn some ideas into songs".

Gigs:

Four fifths of Tsunai are keen to play Penkridge Youth Club sometime soon, whereas guitarist Matt Payne has his own ideas: "Personally, I'm aiming to play St. Mary's All Girls Catholic School in the not too distant future."

The People in Jars were formed five years ago using elements from the likes of Zeppelin, Floyd, Radiohead and the Pumpkins to create their emotion stirring sound. Their forthcoming album 'Stories of Mayflowers' consists of four tracks taken from their debut E.P 'Sleep' recorded in May of 1998 and four tracks recorded in January of 1999 at Abbey Sounds, Rugeley.

The album is varied and diverse, compelling a varied amount of emotions and feelings as the album progresses through varying stages of the human psyche. From the enchanting tones and emotions of the title track to the intense powerful rock of 'Dying' to the soothing and sombre delicate vocals of 'Hunny' and 'Sleep'.

Taking the listener on a mind opening, melancholy ride through a deeper perspective of life that enchants, enthralls and makes us believe that The People In Jars may soon be taking priority in everyone's CD collection.

'Stories of Mayflowers' will be released in early March and 'Sleep' is available now.

Tom Wright