These are troubled times in the music world so it's always good news when there's a new local release.

A couple of weeks ago I reviewed the debut single from Apollo SteamTrain. Now the live band gets its own launch in a showcase night at the Mount's Totara Street performance venue. Apollo SteamTrain is the brainchild of Brendan McCarthy, who, from late 2014 along with Tim Julian and a coterie of Tauranga's finest, spent 18 months recording songs for an album called ‘The Barony of Carbery'. Among the various musicians were Jed Dawkins, James Bos, Derek Toner, Brian Franks, Denise Hyde and Tara Watson. The album is not due for airing until mid-2017, during which time Brendan intends to play live extensively, but the first single was released in October and can be found at ApolloSteamTrain.com After the recording sessions Brendan set out to find musicians for a permanent live band. He wanted to create a core three-piece that is able to perform in both acoustic and electric settings with the idea of boosting the band with session musicians when required. In August the line-up came together: Brendan on guitar, Les Robinson on drums and Ian Clark on bass. Now they're celebrating at Totara Street next Saturday, November 5, along with two well-established Tauranga bands. Brilleaux, Tuner and Apollo SteamTrain will each play a one-hour set, which should be a whole bunch of fun. Tickets are $20 from Eventfinda.

A birthday party

But perhaps a week is too long to wait for a burst of musical entertainment. If so, there are a couple of things on this weekend at the Mount that might be of interest. They're taking place this Saturday night, October 29, and just round the corner from each other. You could easily check out both if you're so inspired. First up it's Totara St again, and another celebration, this time their first birthday. Damn fine! Yes, a year ago the performance venue was officially christened Totara Street. The venue had been running for roughly a year before that but to celebrate this anniversary ‘The Sequence' will be held on Saturday, October 29. It's at 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui – hence the name. They've assembled a slew of local bands, a little bit of everything, as a ‘thank you' for audiences who've made the venue so successful. It's a non-ticketed event, with a koha entry on the door going to the artists that perform. And those artists are... The Deeds, Regan Perry and the Evolutionaries (great name!), John Michaelz and the Usual, and K Holla.

A new band

I could spend a whole column on this show (and would if it hadn't kinda sneaked up on me and my mouldering brain) as all the musicians have been doing interesting stuff – particularly Reagan Perry, who's achieved some amazing things. But let me just introduce you to the newest of the bands. This is the debut gig for John Michaelz and The Usual. At least this ‘Usual'. John gigged with a band of that name a couple of years back but then went to live in Whangarei. This is the first gig with the band he's assembled since returning earlier this year. It comprises Bruce Rolands (Brilleaux) on guitar, bass player Pat Hawkins – both of whom were with John many years ago in The Stone Babies – and drummer Nick Ririnui. Their music is, from what I've heard, modern guitar rock with a hint of Australia's Cruel Sea in the grooves. As I say, it's a koha on the door and things kick off at 8pm.

B-Side back in town

If you want a break from that, at 9pm B-Side Band play their first gig in the Bay for several months just round the corner at the Mount Social Club. Admission is free. The left-field rockabilly revivalists were up in Auckland a couple of months ago where they featured on Face TV's ‘Rockin' the Planet' show with Shane and opened for a reunited Human Instinct at the Kings Arms Tavern. The latter gig was recorded and is currently being mixed at The Boatshed Studio for release in the New Year.

watusi@thesun.co.nz