Discharge nights return

Saturday will see the return of the Discharge Soundstage music nights.

It is coming up to two years since the sound kit was packed up and the Hockey Club closed its doors to music fans.

It was another blow to Discharge organisers and local gig-goers – we lost another venue and understandably it made organising monthly events a lot harder.

And with the June Discharge Festival becoming more popular each year, it seemed best to focus on that and its successful stage at the Vale Earth Fair.

These events saw some awesome bands from the UK and Jersey. Those such as Toupe, Bulletproof, Falenizia Horsepower, Subliminal Girls and Johnny Mental were brought over.

'We're definitely looking forward to having monthly nights again,' said Discharge organiser Pete Witham.

'The scene still has a good following and we've still got bands interested in playing, so it will be good to get the kit out again.'

The nights, which will be held at the Fermain Tavern on the first Saturday of each month, will rotate through genres.

The first event will focus on punk and the following month will be the 100% cheese-free psy-trance night.

'We're rotating the nights to keep it different,' said Pete.

'So we are going to have a metal night, a punk one and also cheese-free. And, we hope, each night will generate interest to different audiences.'

I am really excited about Discharge returning: for me growing up it was all about going to a Soundstage or Chaos night at Chandler's.

And it was all about running to Number 19 to pick up the Discharge fanzine, of which I still have my copies.

I have a lot of fond memories and Discharge played an important part in generating much interest in the music scene.

It was at Soundstage and Chaos nights when new local talent was showcased. Bands such as Silkin Fly, which later became My Last Victory, played its first gig at a Discharge Battle of the Bands.

My Last Victory has since moved to the UK and was voted Total Guitar Magazine's MySpace band of the month.

'We're still going to have some old faces in the line-ups,' said Pete.

'But with a lot of bands going off to university, we will see some new ones as well.'

So, it may be history repeating itself – it's time for new bands to come forward and make a debut at a Discharge night.

And will we see the fanzine again?

Maybe I should put my pen and notebook where my mouth is...

* Catch 2 Minutes 2 Late and other bands at the first Discharge Soundstage music night, returning on Saturday at the Fermain Tavern, 7.30 till 11.30.