Music scene in the Medway towns

By Andrew Parry
BBC Blast Music Reporter

As well as possessing a number of legendary figures when it comes to its music scene, there are also loads of exciting new bands pouring out of the Medway towns.

When the words "Medway" and "music scene" are uttered in the same breath, you are hard pushed not to conjure up the image of Billy Childish and the garage-rock sound that was created from his huge musical output.

An important label involved with Billy and many other Medway bands is Damaged Goods records.

Damaged Goods

MySpace: Billy Childish

Underground Heroes

Medway seems to possess quite a few legendary figures - when it comes to people, Billy Childish is certainly legendary - and when it comes to venues, Tap 'N' Tin is too.

A classic rock venue that has of late acquired many different nights, as well as more quirky things like fashion shows.

Tap N Tin

Billy Childish and the Tap 'N' Tin both have a bit of history to them, but Medway ain't just rammed full of old fogies - oh no. Loads of exciting new bands are pouring out of the Medway towns at the moment, one being Underground Heroes.

I managed to chat to Jak, Joe and Aaron of the band about how they have been influenced by Medway's history.

MySpace: Underground Heroes

I have been thinking about other new Medway bands, and I reckon I am onto something. With Billy Childish, he's got 'child' in his surname. Look at some other smashing new up and coming bands; they have all got something related to child in their name. Kids Love Lies, Kid Harpoon, Underground Heroes…ah not quite. Still, pretty strange eh?

MySpace: Kids Love Lies

MySpace: Kid Harpoon

Gillingham has a great venue in the Beacon Court, with Black and White Music Promotions doing a lot of great work there. With more students piling into the Medway towns, things are looking exciting.

MySpace: Black and White Music Promotions

Don't miss the opportunities that Medway offers: great bands in legendary venues at cheap prices. Can't ask for much more can you?

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