DUFFY PLAYS GUITAR

A rocking night was had by all at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on Tuesday September 12th, at the regular "Planet Rock" night, where the Welsh National Air Guitar Championships were held.

25 contestants took part in what must be one of Wales' most fun competitions - the Welsh National Air Guitar Championships. A packed Clwb Ifor Bach resounded to the sounds of some Rock anthems such as Van Halen, Metallica, Thin Lizzy and many more, as DJ Disastronaut brought his show to Wales for the latest leg of the Championships in the British Isles.

After some imaginary tuning up, some great twiddling and guitar solos were had from young and old alike. Coming out on top, though, was 23 year old Michael Duffy, from Thornhill, Cardiff. "Duffy" strutted his stuff on stage, even playing his air guitar behind his head - Jimi Hendrix style. Duffy's choice of track was Crazy Train by the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, and he later beat the 5 other finalists in an audience-based judging system.

"Duffy" will now represent Wales at the finals of the UK Air guitar championships to be held in Brighton, on September 17th 2006, with the winner of that competition going on to represent the UK in the World Air Guitar Championships next year in Finland.

Duffy said: "Well, I've always wanted to represent Wales at something, and if it wasn't going to be rugby, then it was always going to ROCK! I'm proud to be carrying the nation's expectations, and I won't let you down!"

Disastronaut, organiser of the UK Air Guitar Championships for the past 11 years said: "We always get a great reaction for the Welsh public, and this year was no exception. The Air guitar playing was of a very high standard, but the crowd had no hesitation in choosing Duffy, whose performance was superb."

THE IRON POINT

“30 minutes of solid, untarnished black horror that never, ever relents…” – NME

Norway’s Noxagt have been in a state of flux since they last played Cardiff, some three years hence. Formerly known for their shrill, viola-driven experimental rock songs, the band have since lost strings man Nils Erga, picked up new spring-loaded guitarist Anders Hana, and cranked up the sense of stark, crushing experimental rock density. Boasting three albums on Load Records, home of Lightning Bolt, they promise to rock with a similarly uncompromising force and density. Support on the night comes from acclaimed Cardiff experimental rockers Truckers Of Husk.

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERS

September sees Clwb Ifor Bach host the 6th consecutive South Wales Benefit gig, a charity show organised in collaboration with members of the South Wales punk, alternative, and electronica music scene in support of international charity Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Since the first benefit show back in 2004, the collective has raised over £6000 for the charity, a secular humanitarian aid organisation operating in war-torn regions across the world. Drawing together some of South Wales most popular underground bands, this years 11 band bill includes ska-tinged punks Adequate Seven, stoner trio Taint, hardcore revivalists Routine Check, acoustic rockers Halflight, crust-tinged doom-bringers The Keep, and many more. Doors 1.30pm, with the first band on soon after.

REAL MEN HUNT IN PACKS

FUTURE OF THE LEFT PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, SEPTEMBER 10
The long-awaited new project from Andy Falkous and Jack Eggleston of sorely-missed Cardiff rockers Mclusky, The Future Of The Left sees the pair join forces with Kelson Mathias, formerly of Jarcrew, for a new set of acerbic lyricism, dark wit, and coruscating rock. No confirmed record contract yet, but the four songs streaming on their MySpace prove the band have lost none of the edge that made Mclusky one of the most intriguing rock bands the United Kingdom has spat out in years. Support comes courtesy of The Quiet Kill (ex-Million Dead), and Whiteman – a new, as yet untested outfit also featuring Kelson from Jarcrew, and fellow ex-Jarcrew man Rod. Doors open 8pm.