TSUNAMI APPEAL: MUSICIANS in Swindon are tuning up for a fortnight of fundraising for the Asian tsunami appeal.

Local bands, including British Beef, Stiff Kittens and Broken Daylight, are performing at venues across the town under the umbrella of STAFF Swindon Tsunami Appeal Fundraising Fortnight from January 23 to February 5.

The gigs will be held at venues, including the Beehive, the Apartment, the Vic and the Brunel Rooms, and all proceeds from the gigs will be going to the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Organising the event, which will be officially launched on Monday, is Shaun Buswell, singer, guitarist and Adver music columnist.

He said: "When I saw what was happening in Asia, I wanted to go out there as a volunteer and help out. But I knew I would be more of a hindrance, so I decided to try and help in a way I knew how, by spending some spare time to raise funds for all those suffering.

"Some of the events were all being planned, but it seemed like a great idea to bring it under the umbrella of STAFF.

"We have a wide range of music being performed and there is enough choice of music that people should be able to enjoy at least two or three of the concerts.

"If anybody goes to all 11 concerts, I will personally buy them all a drink."

Almost all of the venues involved in the STAFF fortnight have offered their premises free and many staff have volunteered to work to boost proceeds.

Mr Buswell is also hoping to organise a series of street events in the town centre.

He said: "I am aware that many people will have already given lots of money to the appeal, but the most you are going to pay for entry is £5. So it's not expen-sive.

"Its amazing to think that the people of Swindon can pull together for a common cause."

Entry for the gigs ranges from £3 to £5 with some only requesting donations for the appeal for entry. As well as the music, there will also be raffles at some of the events.

What's on and when

Sunday, January 23: The Vic, Victoria Road, Students from the guitar school donations on entry.

Monday, January 24: Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Half hour official launch of STAFF.

Thursday, January 27: Beehive, Jam night with local musicians donations

Thursday, January 27: The Apartment, Havelock Square Night, supported by staff from Zurich with Weekend Remedy, Buswell, special guests, and DJs playing 80s and 90s music £5

Friday, January 28: The Vic, Victoria Road, Belarus, Latitude Blue and The Last Calm £5

Saturday, January 29: The Furnace, Commercial Road, British Beef, Struck Blind, Broken Daylight with Flick Knives and Splinters £5

Sunday January 30: Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Comedy Night hosted by Jurgen Milkwolff with Janey Godley, Gary Delaney, Caimh McDonell and Batmonk £5

Sunday, January 30: Zu Bar, West Swindon, Latitude Blue, X-Teller and Otoko £4

Thursday, February 3: The Brunel Rooms, Havelock Square, Variety night with Bully Live, uud, Fortune, The Hamsters From Hell, Belltones and special guests £5

Friday, February 4: Riffs Bar, Hook, Stiff Kittens, The Return & Vector £3

Saturday February 5: Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall, eight band all-dayer compered by Milkwolff, featuring Old School Tie, This City Sleeps, 2 Sick Monkeys, A War of The Roses and more.

Flying the flag

THE Flag pub in Bridge Street is lining up some of the area's finest bands to raise cash for the tsunami appeal.

Among them are the Ludwig Beatles, Locomotion, Penfold, Almost Innocent, British Bulldog and Grasshopper.

Donations of at least £5 will be appreciated on the door tonight from 7.30pm.