The number one single on the week I was born was German singer-songstress Nena with ’99 Red Balloons’. I was quite disappointed when I found that out. Not only because she shows off her hairy axillae in the video, but the following week the number one single was Lionel Richie’s clay-loving classic smash ‘Hello’. This cunningly brings me round to saying ‘hello’ and a friendly ‘welcome’ to any virgins to this column who have decided to venture further than 3 pages into this fine paper.

There’s quite a lot going on this week, particularly in Wrexham, so bare with me…

Tonight at The Goulbourne Pub on Borras Road, Danny Gruff and Ronnie Rube will be taking to the ‘raised bit’ for an acoustic showdown. Doors are 8pm; it’s free entry and 18+.

Tomorrow night Ashbey are playing the Black Horse on Yorke Street whilst at the same time Tobacco Road will be playing Fat Cats on Lord Street and a band called ‘Gay Against You’ will be playing the Old Swan. They are a Glaswegian primary school P.E. kit wearing noise-pop keytar duo consisting of Joe How aka Germlin and Lachlann Rattray aka Yoko Oh No! I want to see them just off the back of that ridiculous description. Doors are 8pm and it’s free entry.

On Saturday in Wrexham, Parody are continuing their monthly residency at the Red Lion in Coedpoeth. Doors are 8pm and it’s free entry.

A new night is starting on Sunday at the Old Swan, called Jazzy Fluids. It’s an early one, 5pm, and is organised by DJs Martin McCready and Andy Muir of No UFO’s notoriety. Expect some deep house, Detroit techno (like I know what I’m on about!) and salty peanuts. Once again it’s free entry.

Next Wednesday Chaos Theory Promotions import yet another band from the US of A. This time it’s alternative punk band ‘Kill Hannah’ from Chicago. Buy your tickets for £7 online at seetickets.com or at the venue, Central Station. You can also pay on the door for £9. Doors are 7pm.

Don’t forget that tonight see’s the Panic Promotions Battle of the Bands come to it’s climax with the final being held at McLean’s in Pentre. The Day Before Mortality, Stokoz to Moscow, Mainstream and Monte Cassino are the contenders for the prize, which I think is some studio time in Ellesmere Port’s Whitby Studios. I’ve not changed my mind – my money is still on the second one, so watch this space next week! It’s £4 entry and begins at 8pm.

Telfords Warehouse tonight have their next instalment of ‘Doodleplanet’ – where interactive art meets music. Compulsive scribbler David Setter transforms the walls of the venue into giant blank canvases ready for you to wield your favourite colour and let yourself go ‘crayola-zee’. Sounds like useful and cheap therapy to me! In fact it’s free entry, and starts at 8pm. The music comes courtesy of DJ Matty Setter.

Tomorrow night at Telfords Warehouse local favourites The Loose Kites are performing. They consider themselves to be ‘better than tea, but not as good as cheese’. That’s probably an honest statement as it’s quite a declaration to announce be actually better than cheese, nothing is better than cheese – especially at 3am in the morning when you are hungry and can’t get to sleep because of nightmares. Anyway, they are one of the hardest working bands around, constantly touring the length and breadth of the island and I’ve no doubt that a homecoming show will not be one to miss. Doors are 8pm and it’s free before 9pm, £4 thereafter. The wonderful Adam Walton and his Pet Sounds will be feeding you the music after the band.

I’ve just been told about a new, interestingly named ‘Chillax’ music festival which is taking on Saturday 21st June by the lofty Dinas Bran castle in Llangollen. It’s in aid of Cancer Research UK and bands playing include Catskills, Tonnica, Mother of Six, Parody, A59 and Iguana, to name a few. I’ll have more info for you soon.

Something I’ve been waiting too long for – news from the Wrexham band Camera. Following the release of their debut album ‘Ashes and Dim Light’ in 2006, they have been laying relatively dormant. Recently though they’ve been back rehearsing and recording new material with Charlie Francis (who has engineered/mixed REM, Turin Brakes and The Noisettes amongst others) down in Cardiff, in preparation for some as-yet unannounced live dates. I’m keeping my ear firmly fixated to the ground for those.

Email me at ben@wrexhammusic.co.uk with your news. Have fun.