Swamp Thing, the EP’s opener, is nowhere near as dirty as its title suggests – the smooth bass and funky guitar providing the perfect accompaniment to Eldon’s voice.

Lift picks up the pace, with some sharp drumming and heavily distorted guitar riffs. A galloping baseline leads the charge, and there is even room for a blinding solo by lead guitarist Rich Young.

After a slow acoustic introduction, Mariachi Man kicks off with a distinctly latin feel. Young gets another chance to shine mid way through this track, which matches the pace of Lift.

Things take a softer tone with Unvidided - where Vixation’s sound is stripped back to push Eldon’s vocal to the fore. The band formed from an acoustic duo and that acoustic influence is clear here, providing a beautiful song that could be as easily performed acoustically as with a full band.

In fact it is acoustically that the EP is rounded off – vocal and acoustic guitar combining to create the stunning Distance. The production on the track has a ‘recorded live’ feel, which is no bad thing as it allows the warmth of Eldon’s vocal and the relationship between her voice and the guitar to shine.

This is a solid opening offering from Vixation, and leaves one in no doubt that they are as happy on stage as behind a recording desk, always an encouragin sign in the days of manufactures vocalists and overdubs.

Check out the EP at www.reverbnation.com/vixation

Kay won ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ at the Edinburg Festival Fringe in 1989, was nominated for the Perrier Award in 1993 before winning Best Stand-Up at the British Comedy Awards in 1994.

He has hosted a number of stand-up series including Phil Kay Feels…, Next Stop Phil Kay, Edinburgh Nights and The Montreal Festival of Fun.

The line-up also features Jeff Innocent, who reagularly headlines at Comedy Store, Radio 4 favourite Matt Green, Show Me The Funny’s Ellie Taylor and Channel 4′s Tony Marrese.

Tickets are £10 and can be purchased fromthe Civic Theatre Box Office, www.comedyshowcase.co.uk or by calling 01245 606505.

Kicking off the launch is one of the rising names of the British underground house music scene, Subb-An.

Co-owner of One Records with Adam Shelton, Subb-An has released tracks on various leading labels such as 2020 Vision and Crosstown Rebels. As well as this is the winner of DJ Mag’s Best of British Breakthrough DJ Award 2012.

Supporting Subb-An at the launch is:
Gav Rayner
Adam Saville
Discreet Soundsystem
Rob Bishop
and Mono 4

Advance tickets are £7, available from www.seetickets.com.

This is a new endeavour for the burlesque Miss Phoenix, promoting and organising her own night of burlesque, whilst the night itself will be hosted by Goldy Loxx.

Performing at Flaming Burlesque include:
Miss Phoenix
Miss Chantilly Lace
Raven Six
The Velveteen Showgirls featuring Fifi La Foo and Ruby Tuesday
with more tbc.

The doors open at 8pm and the first night is free entry, plus there will also be a burlesque cake stall and bar snacks to give you something to nibble on!

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The psychedelic retro soul band, formed in New York by DJs Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand, will be bringing funk fuelled disco beats on the Essex leg of their tour.

The Hooga gig will be sandwiched between Kazimier, Liverpool and Manchester Night and Day Cafe, coming after a stint in the USA before they head off to Germany.

The tour is in support of their new EP, Form & Control, released on Monday 13th February.

Tickets are available now from www.seetickets.com

For those that never read the book, or had it read to them, Plop was a baby Barn Owl. He lived at the top of a tall tree, in a field. He was fat and fluffy. He had big round eyes. He had very knackety knees. Plop was exactly the same as every barn owl that has ever been – except for one thing. He was afraid of the dark.

“I don’t like it” said Plop. “I do not like it at all!”

One day, Mrs Barn Owl suggested that Plop fly down into the world and find out about the dark for himself. So, Plop climbed out of his nest-hole, peeped over the edge, wobbled a bit, and fell off his branch. And so, Plop’s adventures began…

Adapted for the stage by Lynn Robertson Hay, with music and lyrics by Frank Goodhind, the show is a mix of live music, puppetry and storytelling, which introduces Plop, an old favourite, to a new generation of theatre-goers.

Suitable for children aged 3 – 7 (and grown-up’s who still sleep with the big light on!)

Tickets are priced £10.00, concessions £7.50 and family tickets £30.00. To book tickets go to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call 01245 606505.

The production takes audiences on a journey from the East to the West Coast of the USA, searching for a huge Rock star that disappeared at the peak of his career in the early 90s, to bring him back for one last concert.

It features some of the greatest American anthems including Born To Run, Livin’ On A Prayer, We Built This City, Bat Out of Hell, Proud Mary, Born to be Wild, St Elmo’s Fire, Walking in Memphis, Sweet Child of Mine, and many more.

John has spent decades building a successful career working with some of the biggest stars in the business, including Meatloaf, Heart, The Beach Boys, Celine Dion, Roger Daltry and Tina Turner as well as writing songs for films including ‘Three Men and a Baby’ ‘Running Man’ and ‘St. Elmo’s’ Fire’, where his song became a No. 1 hit Worldwide and gained him many awards.

He has also written some of the most iconic hits of the 80s for Meatloaf, Tom Jones, The Monkeys and many others.

Tickets are priced £22.00 and concessions £20.00. To book tickets go to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call 01245 606505.

Their festive fundraiser, featuring triple Perrier Award nominee Dan Antopolski, Nat Luurtsema, and Chris Martin played to a packed house at the Cramphorn Theatre for the event that aimed to raise both funds and awareness for the local charity.

“CHESS represents the very best of Chelmsford through not only the hugely important work they do in the region but also in the way they are wholeheartedly supported by the community. Using our Christmas show to raise funds for CHESS makes the whole event very special indeed” said Comedy Showcase promoter Ben Cormack.

Chelmsford CHESS seeks to relieve homelessness and related hardship and distress amongst adults in Chelmsford and Essex through the provision of temporary accommodation and a range of support services.

The next Comedy Showcase event is on the 23rd February at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. The line-up features British Comedy Award winner Phil Kay and regular Comedy Store headliner Jeff Innocent. Tickets are available from the Civic Theatre box office, www.comedyshowcase.co.uk or 01245 606 505.

A rare talent had gone but they didn’t leave us with nothing, as The Boys’ second album, The Town, is out now.

I Fucking Love This song opens the album on an upbeat note, reminiscing about countless classic nights at local hotspots such as the now sadly missed Dukes nightclub.

The Boys seems to have a window into the minds of every music lover as they rap about the times we have all shouted at the DJ to “reeewind” and crank out our favourite tune one more time.

The Boys’ social commentary continues with Cash In Hand – a reflection on the nature of capitalism and the economic policy of the country, and how people scrape a living on the streets.

In these tough times everybody has their own ways of trying to keep hold of a few more pounds from their salary and The Boys provide a voice for those involved in the constant fight against poverty.

If there is one thing this album definitely doesn’t lack it is motivation – the whole record is a call to arms, a shout to wake up, get up, and make a difference like the classic protest songs of Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

Nowhere is that call to action clearer than in Buy Our Song, as The Boys rally everyone together in order to share their message with the masses.

The arms problem on Chelmsford’s streets is rarely covered in the local media. It bubbles under the surface, ignored by many, as the upper classes try and pretend it doesn’t exist, but in a terrible prediction of the future The Boys tackle the issue head on in Guns.

Possibly my personal favourite of the album, it is a powerful analysis of the gang culture that controls our streets and takes too many, too soon.

The album takes a mellow turn as The Boys show their softer side, reminiscing about the hurt caused by a lost love.

Have You Seen My Bird? is filled with the pain of those left alone after finding that special someone – think Dry Your Eyes by The Streets if Mike Skinner actually gave a shit.

Criminal Record provides an insight into the criminal underworld of our county town – detailing the pursuit and apprehension of gangsters on our streets set to a thumping hip hop dance beat.

The Boy’s social commentary comes to the fore again as they dissect the minds of goths and emos and what motivates their style. You Look Like Mariyn Manson addresses the issues that divide our music scene.

Very few people that grew up in Chelmsford won’t remember going down the fair in Central Park – and The Boys reminisce on the good times had at this seasonal local venue.

The Fair covers everything from exhilarating rides to the thrill of seeing the touring beauties that accompanied the convoy around the country.

After treating us to a recording of a conversation with the one and only will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas things get serious as The Boys tackle that ever devisive subject.

Drugs.

Featuring Panic Award winning The Lemoncurd Kid, Drugs is a harrowing account of how drug use can destroy minds and ruin lives. Decribing the downward spiral of addiction, The Boys throw themselves under their own microscope in an effort to educate.

The album ends with a poignant, powerful and scary prediction of the future. In Hip Hop Heaven The Boys fantasise about what it would be like to rap in the clouds for the Big Man, giving the biggest gig of their life after being gunned down on the streets.

Featuring Kunt and the Gang as God, and Chavvy Xavi on drums, it creates an image that has become all to real after their tragic demise – however it also gives us all hope that they are up there having it large on The Lord’s bar tab.

If you ever hear anyone saying Chelmsford never produces talent then take this album and smash it right in their face. This is The Boy – The Town.

Their town. Our town. And don’t you fucking forget it.

The Town is available now in mp3 form from amazon.co.uk, and on CD via Paypal or The Boys estate

The Boys Facebook

Chelmsford Theatre Workshop manage to pull off this rather quite dark script to an exceptional level. The production encompasses all the intensity required to recite this story convincingly, but also injects some light hearted exchanges in cleverly placed moments. The dialogue is emotive and packed with conviction, especially leads Harry Sabbarton and Catherine Bailey who play Phillip and Rachel. Their performances are compelling, distinguised and of a real professional quality. The supporting cast add their own stamp and extend the dimensions of the recital well. A special mention needs to go to Kevin Stemp here who, although he graces the stage only briefly, is a joy to watch.

My Cousin Rachel is yet another sound, well executed production by director Christine Davidson and the CTW.