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Jez Collins

Is There Anyone Out There?

Is There Anyone Out There? Documenting Birmingham’s Alternative Music Scene 1986-1996 is a new exhibition co-curated by the Centre for Media & Cultural Research at Birmingham City University and the Birmingham Music Archive. It’s running from 4th-28th May, Monday to Saturday 9am – 7pm and its free entrance. Here is the exhibition blurb, it’s going… Read More »Is There Anyone Out There?

City Tavern

Pub on Bishopgate Street at the top of Broad Street. Known for it terracotta and ornate tiling, the pub had a great venue upstairs where bands such as Kirk’s Equator’s, Headbolt, The Vanessa’s, The Church of Elvis, Red Shoes, Great Outdoors, Box ‘Em Domies and a host of others played there. Although music still takes… Read More »City Tavern

Frosty Moses

Frosty Moses were formed in the late 60s by two members of Birmingham soul band Traction, Danny Gallagher and Phil Savage. They recruited Gerry and Maurice Earsdon and Mick Lavender. Chris Blackwell of Island Records gave the band their name. Tipped for big things it never quite happened for Frosty Moses but they did record… Read More »Frosty Moses

The Dungeon

Underground club that achieved legendary status despite only operating for a few years. Run by members of the Surf Drums, namely Davey and Anne, The Dungeon was situated in the arches on Lionel Street on the boarders of the Jewellery Quarter. Set below ground with no stage to speak off, numerous bands played there as… Read More »The Dungeon

Cecilia Costello

Cecilia Costello (née Kelly, 24 October 1884–20 April 1976) was an English traditional singer whose repertoire of folk songs was recorded by folk music scholars in the 1950s and 1960s. Born near the Bull Ring in Birmingham, she was the youngest of 10 children of parents who left Ireland to escape famine. She is first… Read More »Cecilia Costello

Oriental Star Ltd

Birmingham based Oriental Star Agencies is one of the most successful record labels in the UK and specialises in Asain music. Some of the artists on their roster are the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Malkit Singh, Alam Lohar and Bally Sagoo. The label was founded in 1970 by Abdul Ghani, his son Dr… Read More »Oriental Star Ltd

Fried

Fried are a musical duo made up of US soul singer Jonte Short, and ex-The Beat and Fine Young Cannibals guitarist David Steele. David Steele looked for a singer for his new project away from The Beat and Fine Young Cannibals for five years. He finally met Jonte Short in 2001 at the New Orleans… Read More »Fried