January

January - it's long, depressing and this year it's very very cold. Nothing like star of TVs "Madmen" January Jones I'm sure.

This year however it doesn't have to be so bad as there are some awesome shows coming up to keep you warm and entertained:

Friday 22nd Jan sees the return of The Big List magazines "Big Gig" as sponsored by a well known drinks company. Headlining are re-formed sleaze rockers Dirty Stevie, second on the bill is the one and only Yakuza and opening are post-hardcore hallions Before Machines. Kicks off at 9pm and admission is 5 of your so called "bucks"

Then on Sunday 24th Senator Steven Agnew, one local politician you can rely on not to sleep with a 19 year old boy and embezzle thousand of pounds from a property developer before trying to commit suicide, will host the Wee Green Man festival at Auntie Annies to raise funds for the Green Party general election campaign. Steven was the brains behind "Noise Against Nuclear" along with Complication a while ago and he's learned from that experience by booking some bands people might actually want to see. Headlining the bash will be Wexford mathcore favs Adebisi Shanks along with north coast punk upstarts Axis Of along with a DJ set from the notorious Not Squares - basically an hour of solid Xiu Xiu if that's your thang. Minimum suggested donation is £5 and kick off is at the traditional 9pm.

Finally on Tues 26th again at Auntie Annies is the triple threat of Comply Or Die, Black Bear Saloon and those pesky Yakuza kids again. Kick off at the predictable 9pm and admission is at a mere £2. That's a demonic 66.6 pence a band you cheapskates.

And finally the new series of "Madmen" starts on Sunday 24th on BBC4 and suddenly January doesn't seem so long or depressing. It's still really cold though.