Hello one and all, welcome to another instalment of ‘The Scene’. I think I’ve been quite lucky with this column so far because there hasn’t been one week where there has been little to no gigs or events to tell you about. I don’t want to count my chickens though as I’m sure there will be some fallow times ahead, but this week certainly isn’t one of them.

What’s the link between Russia, professional tennis and Wakefield? The Blueskins of course. Hailing for the lovely northern town of Wakefield, in 2005 they waved goodbye to their original guitarist and gained the Russian ex-tennis pro player Andrei Nosov. How continental.

If I remember rightly they were tipped for ‘big things’ in 2003 (probably by the NME magazine – as per usual) and signed to the niche cool Domino Records. Around late 2004 they fizzled out quicker than eating a whole pack of Refreshers in one, and are now looking for a new label.

They are playing Telfords Warehouse in Chester tomorrow night (£4 after 9pm) and obviously they must like our parts as they are playing the Old Swan in Wrexham on 12th April.

On Sunday, Telfords Warehouse have The Family Mahone playing, which usually tells you that a particular calendar date is pending. It’s either St Patrick’s Day Eve or New Years Eve. It’s doesn’t take a degree to figure out which one. Their set consists of not only Irish drinking songs but also English and Scottish drinking songs and their team sheet includes BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe. Have a shamrocking good time….. Shoot me, shoot me now.

Tonight the Panic Promotions family play host to Isolation (Cheltenham) and Blindsight (Wrexham) at McClean’s in Pentre. £3 entry, 16+ and 8pm start. I don’t know anything about Isolation but I know from when we had Blindsight play at our night at Central Station that they are heavy duty, with the duties being METAL duties.

Tomorrow night get your favourite ‘Onkin’ outfit on as it’s the return of the Dance night Luv*Jam to Central Station in Wrexham. I’ve been to a few of these and it’s fair to say if you don’t like permanent tinnitus then you should probably give it a wide birth. But don’t let that put you off, as the Onk boys certainly know how to spruce things up with free CDs, secret guest, free tinnitus, the superwobdisko and the legendary Café Del Quad. Wondering what I’m chatting about – find out for yourself! £6 will buy you a ticket, £8 on the door and the proceedings begin at 9pm. I’m joking about the tinnitus – maybe just a really faint ringing afterwards.

There’s a pretty eclectic line up at the ‘For a Cause’ charity gig in aid of the Rhys Wynne fund. It’s happening this Saturday at the Connah’s Quay Civic Hall. There are 6 acts playing; Kizz Mac – Flint based rapper, Slightly Generic – pop/punk from Connah’s Quay, The Kayas – Indie/Rock from Oswestry, Monte Cassino – indie/rock from Connah’s Quay, Catskills – intense rock from Wrexham and Stokoz To Moscow – alternative/rock from Deeside. As well as the bands playing there will also be some other fundraising activities – the usual shaving of hair and such like. Oh and some of the band members might be wearing only underwear whilst playing. Doors are 6:30pm, it’s a 14+ night and entry is £4 – which will all be going to the charity fund.

The immortal Baggie’s metal night (which has been going ever since I can remember) has 3 bands playing on Saturday 15th at Pepper’s in Wrexham. The bands are Severenth, Where Angels Fall and Impaled Existence. Doors open at 11pm and its £4 entry.

Next Wednesday Don’t Die Just Yet! return to Central Station with the Scottish electro act Errors. Their debut album ‘It’s Not Something, But it is Like Whatever’ is due to be released in late spring on Rock Action Records, which has been setup by influential Scottish post-rock band Mogwai.

The cheekily named Cheeky Cheeky & the Nosebleeds (I’m wondering how they explain that name to the press) are the main support band for this gig. They have recently toured with Joe Lean & the Jing Jang Jong and have been booked for two support slots for The Wombats.

First on the line-up though they are bringing it respectfully back to the local scene with Wrexham electro-noise-rock band Gallops! If you haven’t heard them already they can easily be compared with Battles or Foals and after putting two tracks on their myspace page they quickly gained attention from the music industry and had top their track ‘Crutches’ recently played on Bethan Elfyn’s Radio 1 show. Tickets are £6, doors are 8pm and over 14’s are welcome.

So there you have it, another hectic week in our part of blighty. Keep emailing me your news and gossip to ben@wrexhammusic.co.uk.