Hi Everyone

While as I write this, a pre-amble was planned, it appears that once more, life, and an even more excruciating episode of the Archers has once more got in the way.  (Really must avoid Radio Four... and maybe Radio Five especially when John "I'm in love with the sound of my own voice" Bercow is saying "order" in that rather grating manner of his)

Anyway, things at the Rising Sun this weekend look a lot like this...

On Friday, we're graced by the presence of STAND UP CINEMA

There's a change of emphasis for Stand Up Cinema in 2019. One evening a quarter we will be showing short films by local filmmakers and artists. Starting this month when we'll be holding an evening of experimental documentaries. Submissions are invited which must be under 3 minutes. Comment pieces, visual essays, awareness raising etc. Contact Real Time Video on info@real-time.org.uk if you'd like some more details or you'd be interested in showing your film on a future night.

The next Stand Up will be in July and will be ‘poetry on film’. Submissions welcome which involve collaborations between poets and filmmakers or poets using film as a way to present their work. If you are a poet and you have a short poem which you think would lend itself to being turned into a film. The Rising Sun and Real Time Video have a small amount of funding to match poets with filmmakers to create films which present poetry in new ways.

We'll be open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start and it'll cost you nothing at the door (but please feel free to keep something aside as a donation)

On Saturday, it's time once more for CLUB VELOCITY

The third Saturday of the month?  The third Saturday of the month at a certain venue in Reading? Surely that means another helping of one of the best band nights in town, and, as part of its 16th birthday looks like this...

ED BORRIE
The one-time lead chap of one of Velocity HQ's all time fave bands that being S*M*A*S*H.  They were part of the rather too short NWONW.  (Ask your grandad.)

The NME claimed they were "The English MC5,"

'Self Abused' their debut album-still sounds as fierce, vital and even
more vital than it did in 1995.

They had a top 30 hit with a song called (I Want) To Kill Somebody.  Basically threatening to kill several members of the Tory party.

They also found time to support The Ramones at Brixton Academy and blew them off stage.

As a song writer, Ed is possibly one of the most brutally honest, verbally amazing, a punk poet of a generation.  That some of us listened.  A lot more should have.

One of the best live bands ever.  Fact.

Ed is getting a new band together and an album will be released this year.
  However, do not expect S*M*A*S*H Mk2 as that is not the point.

But it will be great and a must see.

THE KEEP CATS
One of the ultimate Club Velocity bands.  Being playing the Rising Sun on a regular basis, and now, they could now be real contenders.  They supported Shonen Knife at Sub89 earlier this year.  Sounding truly amazing on that big stage and really held their own.  Shonen Knife called them 'cute pop' Their agent was very, very impressed.  Steve Lamacq (that chap on 6music who still can't say Klaxons without laughing) has played them now.  Robin Ince (the comedian) is a fan.  Round these parts-the chattering classes are definitely talking about them a lot.  (But don't let that put you off) They are still finding their feet and sound.  That is why they are a very, very exciting prospect of a band.

HARROLAND
Sid says this "Our fave new band in all the world of 2018.  They just happen to live here.  What is the genius of them-is I still do not really know why I like them so much.  I have played their soundcloud to death.It is pop music for the masses.  Slightly bendy, left of centre.They are not a particular cool band.  Cool sucks.  2019 really hoping that THAT London finally wake up to the genius that is Harroland."  (Digital readers press the red button now)

We'll be open at 8pm.  And it'll cost you £8 on the door to get in (£6.50 in advance from www.wegottickets.com).

That’s everything for another week, just to remind you that we are, as always, at 30 Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2ST (If you pop it into your satnav or Google, we shall magically appear!)