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Last update: 20/11/08 14:58

ALL GIGS ARE ALL AGES UNLESS STATED, Under 16’s need to be accompanied by an adult. Under 14’s get in FREE.

November 08 CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO RIFFS WEBSITE

FANCY HOLDING YOUR PARTY AT RIFF’S?

We hold the best PARTIES in the WEST! You can even have your own VIP area by the stage, exclusive use of the Acoustic Lounge and your own BAR & Hostess.

Call, email or chat to us about details.

Wednesday

20:30

19

The HALF HOUR SESSIONS New bands/original music night. See http://www.myspace.com/riffsbarmusic for details.

Free

Thursday

20

HI-ON MAIDEN

Hi-on Maiden are the worlds longest running and ONLY official Iron Maiden tribute band. With a history spanning 13 years, and endorsements from Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith and Nicko McBrain, Hi-on Maiden are the closest thing you'll find to the real deal!

http://www.hi-onmaiden.com

£5

Friday

21

The FAUX FIGHTERS – SOLD OUT!

The official launch night of the Faux Fighters. The newest Foo Fighters tribute band, born in Swindon.

http://www.myspace.com/fauxfightersuk

Sold Out!

Saturday

22

TOUCHSTONE

Touchstone and the album, Discordant Dreams, come highly recommended with none other than Jeff Wayne describing it as ‘stunning, passionate music with wonderful singing’ and Asia’s John Wetton declaring it simply ‘fantastic’. Heady stuff indeed and recent reviews have only added to the huge sense of achievement in producing an album on a reasonably limited budget that has had the great and the good reaching for new superlatives.

http://www.touchstonemusic.co.uk/

£3

November 08 CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO RIFFS WEBSITE

FANCY HOLDING YOUR PARTY AT RIFF’S?

We hold the best PARTIES in the WEST! You can even have your own VIP area by the stage, exclusive use of the Acoustic Lounge and your own BAR & Hostess.

Call, email or chat to us about details.

Wednesday

20:30

26

The HALF HOUR SESSIONS New bands/original music night. See http://www.myspace.com/riffsbarmusic for details.

Free

Thursday

27

JURGEN MILKWOLFF PRESENTS…..

Tired of the usual gigs? Want something a bit more "magical"?

Well, step right up and check out the worldwide premiere of Jurgen Milkwolff's new show "THE TOMBOLA OF FUN, MAGIC AND MUSIC"

An interactive show with the audience, you'll get to choose each section of the show by picking out from The Tombola. Anything could happen, but one things for sure. It'll be a night not to be missed.

There could be music!

There could be magic!

THERE WILL BE FUN!!

WHERE?? RIFF'S BAR OF COURSE!!!

WHEN?? THURSDAY 23rd OCTOBER

HOW MUCH? Free (donations of fruit, booze and coins accepted)

AGE LIMIT? 14+ (But with one of those parental advisory sticker things)

THAT'S IT!! THIS AD IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Free

Friday

28

The JOHN YOUNG BAND + Support: Jupiters First

John Young plays keys and sings for: The Scorpions, Bonnie Tyler, Greenslade and the John Young Band.

He has also worked with:Asia, John Wetton, Fish, The Law, Paul Rodgers, Qango, Uli Jon Roth, Roy Wood, Lucio Battisti, The MTV Band. John has guested with: George & Ringo, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Bon Jovi, E.L.O., The Moody Blues, Wishbone Ash, Zucchero, Alexander O'Neal & Van Morrison amongst others. John writes for the JYB, John Wetton and Fish as well as C.N.N., the BBC,ITV, C4, Discovery Channel, History, Nat Geographic etc.

The John Young Band formed in 2002 to produce and perform new original quality classic rock music.

Current Band Members:

John Young (keys & lead vox) (Credits include The Scorpions, Bonnie Tyler, Greenslade, Asia, Paul Rodgers, Fish John Wetton, Qango and C.N.N.!)

Frosty Beedle (drums & vox) (Cutting Crew),

Robin Boult (guitars) (Howard Jones, Fish, Big Big Sun, Sugarbabes)

Steve Vantsis (bass & vox) (Fish, Bonnie Tyler)

Other associates:-) Dave Stewart (drums & vox) (Camel, Fish Deacon Blue), Matt Prior (gtr) (Bonnie Tyler)

http://www.myspace.com/johnyoungband

http://www.myspace.com/jupitersfirst

£4

Saturday

Workshop

15:00 – 17:00

Gig

20:00

29

TEENAGE RAMPAGE - Teenage Rampage is a specially put together tour that sees young, up and coming bands from the South West of England touring the region, playing gigs at major venues.

Teenage Rampage gives young musicians the opportunity to experience being part of a tour, to interact with other bands from the region, to gain experience of and mentoring on the different aspects of live music, the music business, and touring, to promote themselves via CD and merchandise sales, and to collect names for their mailing list.

Teenage Rampage will be gathering industry experts to answer young people's questions about the music industry in a workshop environment.

Running from 3pm until 5pm in the venue itself, the workshops will cover a variety of topics from getting your first gig right through to getting a record deal on the table. The discussion is steered by the young people so they get the information they need about the music industry first hand.

After a short break, the doors will open for the gig. A night of the best talent from the region mixed with upcoming local acts. We hope this will give young people a chance to see what their contemporaries are doing in other parts of the region.

The educational session is free and the gig is £5 or £4 for under 18s. The venue will remain open in between the educational session and the start of the gig.

The touring bands have now been confirmed and are:

The Suitables from Bristol

The Alfonz from Swindon

Isla Sky from Totnes

The Volt from Somerset

My Embrace from Exeter

http://www.myspace.com/teenagerampageuk

£5/£4 cons

December 08 CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO RIFFS WEBSITE

FANCY HOLDING YOUR PARTY AT RIFF’S?

We hold the best PARTIES in the WEST! You can even have your own VIP area by the stage, exclusive use of the Acoustic Lounge and your own BAR & Hostess.

Call, email or chat to us about details.

Monday

1

Drum Masterclass featuring COLIN WOOLWAY

7.15pm – 8.30pm Doors open 7pm

Founder of the Drumsense teaching program, Colin now divides his time between clinics, masterclass lectures, percussion workshops and private teaching. He also writes a regular column for Rhythm magazine.

http://www.drumsense.com

For more info contact Rob Cooper on 07970 012241

£5

Wednesday

20:30

3

The HALF HOUR SESSIONS New bands/original music night. See http://www.myspace.com/riffsbarmusic for details.

Free

Thursday

4

BLUES JAM NIGHT! Come and Jam with the house band, all abilities welcome. PA and Backline provided.

What is it?

Riffs Blues Jam is hosted by the house blues band and is a opportunity for you to come down and play the blues on the legendary stage at Riffs – if you impress us enough it might lead to a booking for your band!

How does it work?

The house band will provide and set up the equipment and then at around 9.00pm play a couple of songs to get started. If you want to play simply make yourself known to the house band, tell them what you play and they will add you to the list of musicians. The night ends at 11.00pm so space for playing is limited and is allocated on a purely first come first served basis. If you turn up at 10.30pm there is no guarantee that you will be able to play so please get there in good time! How much time you get to play for obviously depends on numbers on the night to ensure that everybody who want to gets a go.

What songs do you know?

It’s the Blues! The house band do have a wide repertoire of standard blues tunes ranging from Muddy Waters to Joe Bonamassa, but at the end of the day as long as you can get through a 12 bar progression then beautiful music can be made.

What do I need to bring?

All the backline will be provided. Singers need themselves, drummers need drum sticks and guitar & bass players need an instrument that's in tune – a house guitar & bass will also be on hand.

Please don't bring racks, pedals and amps as this takes away valuable playing time on the night. All this will be provided and is pro quality.

That's it – see you there...........................

Free

Friday

5

MEMM Presents: THE MENTALISTS + RATS RUINED MY BRAIN + The PANTONES + tbc

MEMM promote the best in original music from the South West…and beyond

£4adv/£3 SU card

Saturday

20:30

6

SOULJACKER + PAUSE BREAK RIOT!tbc + tbc + tbc

RICHARD WRIGHT TRIBUTE NIGHT FEATURING THE SONGS FROM PINK FLOYD Sorry, POSTPONED UNTIL JAN 31^st

£3

December 08 CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO RIFFS WEBSITE

FANCY HOLDING YOUR PARTY AT RIFF’S?

We hold the best PARTIES in the WEST! You can even have your own VIP area by the stage, exclusive use of the Acoustic Lounge and your own BAR & Hostess.

Call, email or chat to us about details.

Wednesday

20:30

10

The SWINDON MUSIC CALENDAR LAUNCH NIGHT! Raising money for the GOLDENHAR FAMILY SUPPORT CHARITY. Featuring Music from HOT ROX (70’s Galm Rock) + Guests

Swindon musicians have taken their clothes off for charity! The calendar will be just £5 each all proceeds to the Goldenhar Family Support charity

From Alan Holmes (Holmes Music)…..”Thankyou for your support with my Goldenhar Family Support appeal, This was Lisa's (Puttyfoot photography) idea and what an idea it is I must admit I didn't think Lisa would get all the Swindon Musicians to get their kit off!!! As i'm sure you know 20 months ago my Grandson Morgan was born with Goldenhar Syndrome which is a rare syndrome and still not known why children are born this way. Morgan was born with only One eye, One ear, Butterfly Vertebrae, Part of his jaw missing and has to breath through a Tracheostomy…..he is such a happy boy though J”

Please come and give your support

http://www.goldenhar.org.uk/

http://www.puttyfoot.com/

Free

Thursday

11

MONSTER SHARK RECORDS Presents:

BEFORE ALL TIME + CONSCIOUS UNCONSCIOUS + WONDERKIND

Monster Shark Records are an independent record label that has recently started by Johnny Webb and Hannah Butler. We will promote any kind of music and each have music tastes that will cover all kinds of music! Your music deserves to be given a chance and here at Monster Shark Records we believe that all kinds of music should be heard!

So, currently we have 1 band signed to our label. Swindon locals Formula 51 whom have been around for a year now and also includes Monster shark records member Johnny as vocalist and Guitarist.

We like to take a personal connection with all the bands we promote as we believe that if you are gonna be apart of our company. The least we can do is do EVERYTHING that we can to get you heard! Even if it means traveling across the country to meet up with the band.

Buying music is the only way to go, It shows you really care about the artist and you are a true fan

http://www.myspace.com/monstersharkrecords

Free

Friday

12

KIDS CAN’T FLY + Support

Saturday

13

RIFFS GOTHIC XMAS FANCY DRESS PARTY with The KILLERTONES!

The best in SKA and BRIT-POP classics. If you missed The Halloween party… don’t miss this!

£3

December 08 CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO RIFFS WEBSITE

FANCY HOLDING YOUR PARTY AT RIFF’S?

We hold the best PARTIES in the WEST! You can even have your own VIP area by the stage, exclusive use of the Acoustic Lounge and your own BAR & Hostess.

Call, email or chat to us about details.

Wednesday

20:30

17

4014 Open Mic night. All welcome

The 4014 Project aims to host 12 Open Mic nights a year along the Wiltshire / Gloucestershire border, visiting different venues and meeting new people on the way.

Our only rules are: no backing tracks, no drum kits. We always have a small PA system and not much else!

We pride ourselves on being the only dedicated touring Open Mic outfit in our area, so if you're interested in visiting us for a few songs , let us know by emailing jon@4014.co.uk

Free

Friday - Sunday

19 - 21

PLAYIN’ THE BLUES FOR AFRICA! FESTIVAL @ RIFFS

Featuring:

PROVISIONAL TIMES……..

Friday: 20:00 - £3

BUILT FOR COMFORT

JIM from HIP ROUTE

DANI WILDE

Saturday: 20:00 - £6

DANI WILDE feat. JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR

WILL “H” WILDE

BOB BOWLES & SAM KELLY

Sunday: 12:00 - £6

EDDIE MARTIN

GWYN ASHTON

TRIP DRESS feat. MARK “The Harp” GOWLAND

FABLUSIS

BEN POOLE

JOSH KUMRA BAND (KICKABERRY)

MATT KILFORD

DANI WILDE Acoustic

More tbc….

Playin' the Blues For Africa Festival has been established by Ruf Records artist Dani Wilde and Venue owner/promoter Andy Pett with the goal of raising money for an underprivileged primary school in Embu Kenya!

Dani Wilde began the fundraising project in 2005 where she raised money to provide the school with musical equipment such as descant and treble recorders, drums, guitar and trumpet!

Since then her whole family have become very involved with the project, with Will Harmonica Wilde teaching the kenyan children how to play blues harmonica, and Dani teaching the children to sing blues and gospel songs in a choir!

The children attending the school reside in Embu's slums and the level of poverty is horrifying. Sanitation at the school desperately needs to be improved to prevent the spreading of germs. The money raised at the Playin' The Blues For Africa Festival will be used to fit a modern, working toilet block, which will replace the current 'hole in the ground'.

http://www.myspace.com/bluesforafrica

About Dani Wilde….

"She releases a sort of diesel roar from her throat, pierced with little darts of high falsetto. It is like two voices. She sings the old twelve bar blues "I'm In The Mood", whooping and slurring like an old boy from the Delta. The place goes mad, as if it can't quite believe what it's heard." - ALAN FRANKS, The Times Magazine.

"In 33 years in the music business I have never heard a British female singer of such brilliant raw talent." - KEVIN NIXON, Virgin V2 A&R Director/ Manager of Kula Shaker

"Dani and her band are bringing some great energy to the UK blues scene..[they] have a great future in front of them." - EDDIE MARTIN, Blueblood Recording Artist www.bluebloodrecords.co.uk

http://www.daniwilde.com

http://www.yspace.com/embuprimaryschool

December 08 CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO RIFFS WEBSITE

FANCY HOLDING YOUR PARTY AT RIFF’S?

We hold the best PARTIES in the WEST! You can even have your own VIP area by the stage, exclusive use of the Acoustic Lounge and your own BAR & Hostess.

Call, email or chat to us about details.

Tuesday

20:00

23

XMAS QUIZ It’s back, the zaniest quiz in the world! The Pirates are making their annual appearance plus Xmas goodies and prizes galore!

Free

Wednesday

21:00

24

NAVI-TITY PLAY 08

Come and watch the Staff and friends take part in the maddest Nativity Play of the festive season….and we have a real baby Jesus!

Send any script ideas to riffsbar@hotmail.com

Free

Thursday

25

CHRISTMAS DAY…MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Open 12 – 2pm So come and open your pressies with us J

Friday 26^th – Tues 30^th CLOSED for a rest J

Wednesday

31

THE BEST NEW YEARS EVE PARTY IN THE WORLD EVER….AGAIN!!!!

FANCY DRESS…..To make it easy, this years fancy dress theme is whatever you FANCY!

Music from 80’s PARTY BAND, SYNTRONIX + More tbc

Buffet included

Get your tickets early as we have sold out every year…you have been warned J

£15

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January 09 CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO RIFFS WEBSITE

FANCY HOLDING YOUR PARTY AT RIFF’S?

We hold the best PARTIES in the WEST! You can even have your own VIP area by the stage, exclusive use of the Acoustic Lounge and your own BAR & Hostess.

Call, email or chat to us about details.

Friday

2

Saturday

3