The latest music news from in and around Huntingdonshire.

NEWS: VIOLET BONES INVITED TO BBC MASTERCLASS

ST Ives rockers Violet Bones have been invited to attend the BBC masterclass at Abbey Road in February.

The day will involve the band chatting to the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs and popular DJ Zane Lowe, with songwriting sessions with the legendary Tom Robinson.

Meanwhile, the band are set to release their first single of 2011 shortly. The track is titled ‘Villains’ and has become a huge favourite with fans at their recent gigs. The band are currently working on new material, with a string of live dates to follow.

NEWS: SPLIT WHISKERS SEARCHING FOR NEW KEYBOARDIST

HUGELY popular local blues band Split Whiskers are currently searching for a new keyboardist.

The hard-working combo are renowned for their highly infectious, foot-tapping blues, with rock and roll and even jazz/funk thrown in to their live repertoire.

Those interested should check out the band’s website at www.splitwhiskers.com, where contact details for the band can be found.

NEWS: FIRST LIVING ROOM GIG OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

A CONTINUED sell-out, The Living Room is widely regarded in Cambridgeshire as one of the most exciting acoustic evenings, with a wide range of acts from both the local scene and beyond featuring in their unique showcases at the cellar of CB2 Restaurant, Cambridge.

The first Living Room gig of the year is on Friday, February 4, and features live music from Special Preserve (a combination of country and funk), Fred’s House (young band inspired by folk legends such as Simon & Garfunkel, Fairport Convention and Fleetwood Mac) and Irish singer-songwriter Patrick Plunkett. The doors for the show are 8.30pm, with the music starting at 8.45pm, and tickets are �4.

NEW BAND OF THE WEEK: SCREAMING DAISIES

FRONTED by Gavin Bates, Screaming Daisies are a brand new loud, angst-driven quartet that are set to storm the local scene with their fiery guitars, honest lyrics and promises to start a new revolution.

For fans of Feeder, Smashing Pumpkins and Manic Street Preachers, the band will launch officially (after a secret warm-up show) with a gig at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, on March 4. In the meantime, three excellent tracks – Nothing Touches Me, Septembers Ghost and The New Revolution can be heard at: www.screamingdaises.co.uk

GIG ROUND-UP

ON Friday evening, acclaimed rockers Kyrbgrinder hit Cambridge to play at The Portland Arms as part of their brief tour of the UK. They will be supported by local favourites AR, and tickets are �5.

On Saturday evening, singer-songwriter Aidy is performing a free gig at the Emperor (Cambridge), while over at Great St Mary’s Church there is the debut show from rock choir Dowsing For Sound – which features 40 singers, a five-piece band (including myself on drums) and a speech from world traveller Sarah Outen.

Tickets are �8 in advance, available from the Cambridge Corn Exchange box office on 01223 357851. On Sunday, a free show worth checking out is The Dirty Purples, who will be performing at Floods Tavern, St Ives.