A HOST of musicians are getting ready to play notes for notes in Worcester - as the city gears up for two major charity gigs.

A total of six bands are set to grace the stage at Worcester's Marr's Bar, in Pierpoint Street, for the Cream Festival on Sunday, November 14.

The charity event has been organised by local promoter Tony Gibbon and musician Jules Benjamin, to raise funds for Tony's 13-year-old nephew Jeremy Vernaeve, from Worcester - who suffers from Stargardt's disease - a condition affecting vision.

Jeremy has lost 80 per cent of his eyesight during the last 18 months as a result of the disease and Tony hopes the gig will raise cash for specialist equipment to help him with his studies.

Tony and Jules have undertaken several walks for children's charities and the proceeds are also set to be split between them.

Still hot from supporting the legendary former Clash member Mick Jones's new band Carbon/Silicon in the Faithful City last month, acclaimed Worcester band The B-Movie Heroes will top the gig with their blend of punk rock and pop tunes.

The band formed in 2001, and their influences range from Elvis Costello to the Foo Fighters.

They will be supported by city instrumental band Diego Garcia, The Fever and Girl Friday.

Also appearing on the bill are Stitch - which formed in 2002, and is heavily influenced by grunge band Nirvana - and nu-rock covers group The Brethren - which plays classics from bands such as Queens of the Stone Age and Rage Against The Machine.

Tony said he also hoped to record the event for a forthcoming album to raise further funds

"I'm overwhelmed by the response we've had from the bands we've approached - nobody has turned us down," he said.

"It promises to be a brilliant night, and all in a good cause."

The venue will also play host to an all-day music event the following weekend for BBC's Children in Need.

Punk for Pudsey is a day of alternative music ranging from punk and ska to hardcore and is the brainchild of heavy ska band Backwash.

Ska-punksters Kenisia are set to headline the all-day event, on Saturday, November 20, with the B-Movie Heroes returning once again for another performance.

Pop-punk

The night will also feature sets from Backwash themselves as well as melodic pop-punk band The Fallout Theory, more pop-punk from three-piece band Fargo and piano led emotional punk with a difference from Alomo.

A CD featuring music from the majority of the bands performing will be available on the night - or in advance from Face The Music and Market Hall Records in Worcester, at a cost of £3.

"Bands like Kenisia and the B-Movie Heroes have gained much support touring the length and width of the UK and Europe," said Marr's Bar manager Brian Marr.

"Now local boys Backwash have started to find their feet in the national gig circuit, so having all these great bands in one day will make it a treat for any music fan."

Tickets for the Cream Festival - which starts at 6pm - are £3.50 in advance from the venue or Music City in The Tything.

Meanwhile Punk for Pudsey runs from 2pm to 10.30pm and tickets are £5 on the door.

Crusader, Hinterland and Rise are Marr's trio

A TRIO of top bands will be taking to the stage in Worcester on Thursday for a regular music evening.

The Free Bands for Free Quid night at The Marr's Bar, in Pierpoint Street, runs every Thursday and this week's offerings are Call Me Crusader, Hinterland and Rise.

Hailing from Nottingham, Hinterland are a loud, brash, song-orientated three-piece rock band, drawing comparisons with groups like The Stooges, The Pixies, Queens of the Stone Age, Cooper Temple Clause and early Manic Street Preachers.

Meanwhile, local band Call Me Crusader boast a dark, heavy yet melodic sound and formed in early January 2004, arising from the demise of local bands Karmella and Puffin.

And, last but certainly not least, Rise are a contemporary rock band, formed on the mean streets of Wolverhampton.

They have played with bands such as Milliondead, Longview and My Deaf Audio and recently supported Span and Amplifier on their UK tour.

Doors open for the evening at 8pm and entry is £3.

Mixed bag from wacky Celtic girl folk group

FANS of folk music will be pleased to hear that The Poozies will be performing at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall this month.

The group blend musical and life experiences to produce an unusual and vibrant style of music - from Karen Tweed's mercurial accordion playing, through the delicate strength of Eilidh Shaw's Gaelic singing, to the earthy traditional Scottish songs and tunes from Patsy Seddon and Mary McMaster.

The Poozies began their career in 1990, after Patsy and Mary had been working with singer Sally Barker on a solo album.

They all agreed that a new woman's group was a good idea - and the band was born once they met the all-Ireland accordion champion Karen Tweed at the Hong Kong Folk Festival.

Audiences can expect to be in for a mixed bag of entertainment - from the band's divine harmony singing to their wacky sense of humour.

They will be performing at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall at 8pm on Friday, November 19.

Tickets for the show are £12, (concessions £11) and are available from the box office on 01905 611427.

Paul Young's Tex-Mex tunes

TEX-Mex music will be on the menu in Worcester tonight as Los Pacaminos arrive in the city.

The seven-piece-band - fronted by none other than vocalist Paul Young - will be unleashing their Spanish and Tex-Mex tunes on audiences at the Marr's Bar.

Doors open at 8pm and tickets cost £10 in advance or £12.50 on the door.

Modfather calls off dates

TOUR dates for Paul Weller at Wolverhampton Civic Hall this month have been postponed due to illness.

This week's gig - due to have taken place on Tuesday - and the additional show on Monday, November 22, have both had to be called off.

New dates are due to be announced shortly, with original tickets valid for the new dates.

Band's final farewell gig

AN acoustic music band are set to re-unite this weekend for a final gig at The Conservative Club in Malvern's Church Street.

The six-piece band I've Seen Roger hail from across Worcestershire and the farewell concert takes place at 8pm tomorrow.

The members have not played together for 18 months and the gig will feature their usual brand of acoustic Irish, blues and Cajun-tinged feel-good tunes.

The event has been organised by Malvern Fringe Arts after one of the band members - Chris Lee - put in a last minute request to the organisation for help in arranging the gig.

Tickets are £3 on the door.