LINKS
A selection of links to sites we think you may find of interest. Maybe change your life, but most likely, just interesting.
HAPPY MUSIC MAKERS 'More than just your local music shop'. Run by our good friend Bob, HMM is a gem of a music shop, and well worth a visit.
OLD CODGER MAGAZINE The eccentric gig guide and entertainment magazine - covering Portsmouth and beyond. Always a great read.
HARMONIOUS CEREMONIES Alleycats very own Trevor Thwaites is also an accredited celebrant, who performs bespoke weddings and funerals. Experienced, personable, and creative, Trevor can make wedding days special, and celebrations of life meaningful.
STRETCHY DINOSAURS (Facebook Page) Mervasaurus on guitar, loops, and vocals, plus Trevadactyl on harmonica and stuff play the songs they love. A mix of classic rock, reggae, ska, jazz-funk, and more. They create a much fuller sound than you'd expect from a duo.
TREVOR THWAITES MULTIMEDIA Trevor Thwaites' personal website offering a complete range of multimedia services, including photography, video, web design, and more.
SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE The Centre is spread across 55 acres of woodland and natural chalk downland. The Sustainability Centre aims to educate, enable and inspire people from all walks of life to make positive changes to the way they live and work. Also, the home of the wonderful South Downs Green Fair. A very special place.
KING ROLLO King Rollo is a captivating and accomplished performer. With four decades of live experience, his exceptional talent as a guitarist and sublime vocal technique are only matched by his songwriting ability.
In other words, pretty damn good!
FRASER HARPER Musician. Writer. Storyteller. Fraser is a regular with Alleycats, a highly accomplished musician, and writer of songs.
THE BARLEY MOW, SOUTHSEA A wonderful, (slightly) quirky, community pub, and one of our favourite venues. Alleycats have been very grateful to have hosted regular nights there for over 15 years. Very supportive of live music, and with 8 excellent real ales on offer, I wonder why we love it so much!
THE MILTON ARMS / THE BARN, MILTON (Facebook link) A great community pub, with an excellent function room (The Barn). Alleycats now appear there on the 1st Weds of the Month. A well run pub, very welcoming, and supportive of music, film nights, and more. They do well priced food and drinks.
JOHN BRADLEY aka POMPEYJAZZ (Soundcloud) John is a Southsea based Singer / Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer with 11+ albums to his credit. Playing a variety of styles and genres, with collaboration projects Star XD and The Auditors. Additional links are on his Soundcloud page.
BARKING SPIDER The good folk behind The Southsea Folk and Roots Festival (below), plus many other great events and gigs in Portsmouth. John Roberts (Mr. Spider himself) is passionate about live music, as are the team who help to make it all happen. John is a promoter, manages several fabulous acts and an active supporter of the cider industry.
PAUL MONK (Facebook Page) Paul has been a welcome regular to Alleycats for a few years now, and is a great example of what we're all about. Helping new musicians find their feet, as well as welcoming seasoned players.
FIVE FINGERS SHORT (Facebook Page) Local band featuring harmonica, guitar, cahon, and bass.
RICHARD ANSELL An old friend and amazing pianist. Plays keyboards in a number of line-ups and also teaches piano. Shame he's all the way over in Kent. Go buy the Blues Academy album - fantastic.
STREET LEVEL (No website) 139, Albert Road (near the traffic lights), Southsea PO5 2SQ - tel: 023 92 877800 Musical Instrument Sales and Repairs. Excellent, compact shop run by Barry, a musician himself. Always very helpful and makes great tea.
ANDY BROAD Portsmouth's vey own 'King of the Blues'. If you're local to the area, or not, you should have come across Andy. Great player and very active on the local scene. Plays in loads of bands (including the one below), so best to look at his site to find out more.
WALKER BROAD Excellent musical collaboration between Andy Broad (above) and Sandy Walker.
Daz 'n' Chave The original Chas & Dave Tribute Band, based in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Daz 'n' Chave Tribute Band have been endorsed by Chas and Dave themselves!
FAIRPORT CONVENTION The official website of this seminal and highly influencial folk-rock band. Great band and hosts of the Cropredy Festival.