‘Stand Together Against Cancer: The Concert For Matt Long’ Series

Peter Anderson • May 07, 2024

Catfish lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Long was diagnosed with bowel cancer a year ago, and recent scans revealed that the cancer had spread to his liver and stomach lining. Matt’s mum Fiona Long has also set up a GoFundMe page aiming to raise £100,000 for private treatment in the US for his cancer treatment.

As a result of this significant and global support for Matt Long and his family, the blues, rock, and music community will be coming together for a series of five special benefit shows across the United Kingdom with each being held at a different venue and location which holds a special place in Catfish’s heart.

A description on the Crowdfunder reads: ‘Matt has been battling bowel cancer for just under a year and despite surgery and chemo, his latest scan shows that the cancer has spread into his liver and stomach lining. His cancer team have said although there is the option of trying a different type of chemo, they don’t hold out much hope that it will cure him and is likely to at best extend his life a little.'

'There is an option to have a sample of the tumour sequenced which will give us the maximum amount of information on its make up, which will then show the cancer team exactly what drugs to use to damage it - to either slow it down, or there is just a small chance that they may be able to kill it.'

‘Obviously, we want to give him access to absolutely everything that might give him a chance. The only access to this treatment is via the private route which is going to be expensive - just the sequencing, which involves sending a sample of the tumour to the USA to a specialist lab, is a little under £3k and any drugs will apparently be about £3k a month after that. We will fund what we can as a family, but obviously any ‘fighting fund’ you can give us would be very much appreciated.'

‘Without any treatment, his cancer team have told us he won’t make it past the end of this year. With the access to sequencing, if it turns out to be something specific they have drugs for, he may have a 15% chance of survival. That has to be worth a shot.’ To Donate to the GoFundMe visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/matt-long-cancer-treatment-fundraiser

All funds from all the shows will go directly towards Matt Long’s medical treatment fund. A different multi-talented lineup (as well as some unannounced special guests) will perform at the following (Lineups subject to change):

Wednesday 8th May 2024 – The Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs, Kent

Zac Schulze

Phil Woolett/John Doe Trio

Katie Bradley

Nigel Feist

Dave Good

Dudley Ross

Please Call Jackie on 07814 344 969 for tickets and more information.

Sunday 19th May 2024 – Thameside Brewery, 1 Hale Street, Staines, Surrey, TW18 4UW

Laurence Jones

Greg Coulson

True Strays

Mike Ross

Alice Armstrong

Bad Influence With Jess Hayes

Martin Abrahams Band

Thomas Heppell

Ticket Price: £30.00 Each

Timings: Doors at Noon Music from 1pm Till 10pm (UK Time)

Ticket Link: https://thamessidebrewery.co.uk/data/ETBooking.php

Saturday 1 st June 2024 – The Bear Club, Mill Yard, 24A Guildford St, Luton LU1 2NR

John Verity (Argent)

Del Bronham (Stray)

Robin Bibi

The Big Wolf Band (UK Blues Award Nominees 2024)

Ticket Price: £20.00 Each

Timings: Doors 6.30pm / Music 7.30pm

Ticket Link: https://www.the-bear.club/whats-on/stand-together-against-cancer/01-06-24

Friday 28th June 2024 – The Forum, Borough Rd, Darlington, DL1 1SG

John Verity (Argent)

Ash Wilson

Rebecca Downes

Andrew Pipe

Emma Wilson

Lorna Fothergill

Plus The Forum House Band consisting of:

Jamie Pipe on Keyboards (The Mentulls & Danny Bryant)

Steve Amadeo on Bass (Aynsley Lister, Ian Parker and Ben Poole Bands)

Alvin Sephton on Drums (More T Vicar & The Defenders)

Ticket Price: £25 Each

Timings: Doors: 6.00pm Showtime: 7.00pm

Ticket Link: https://theforumonline.co.uk/events/fundraising-concert-for-matt-long-catfish

Sunday 30th June 2024 – (Low Ticket Alert), Jim Marshall Auditorium, The Stables,

Stockwell Ln, Wavendon, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU

Brave Rival

Kris Barras

When Rivers Meet

Will Wilde

Chantel McGregor

The Cinelli Brothers

Ben Poole

Alice Armstrong

Ticket Price: £49.50 Each (Price Includes Fees)

Timings: 6pm Showtime until 10pm

Ticket Link: https://stables.org/event/stand-together-the-concert-for-matt-long

Matt Long Photo (c) Silfan van der Kaap

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Handheld release a new album "Live at 25"

By Peter Anderson • 18 May, 2024

" Short, to-the-point, poppy skate punk which" "has been refined to the purest form of the genre ."- Exclaim! In a landmark celebration of their 25th anniversary, Ontario Canada's Handheld , the dynamic fast melodic punk band that might have escaped your radar, have released 'Live at 25,' an extraordinary live album. Captured in a jammed packed small sold-out club, this record is a journey through their discography, brimming with energy. Celebrating a quarter-century, Handheld’s performance showcases their passion and evolution, delivering an unforgettable experience for fans and new listeners alike. If you are fans of Fast Punk with Lots of Melody, Face To Face, Bad Religion, NOFX, Rise Against, and Millencolin. Well then, I really think you would be missing out if having some how missed Handheld over the last twenty-five years you did not put yourselves into the new listener category. Here’s what Andy Dietrich of Handheld has to say:" I guess this was one of the 'hits' from the early 2000s, I guess it's about being in a band. Our singer hates the lyrics but people seem to like it. We've probably played this song more than any other. It was also around the time that song titles had to make no sense. Thanks Moneen! So we’ve renamed it to what we’ve been calling it in our setlist the last 20+ years, simply just “Lightbulbs”, always a fun one and favourite live, hope you enjoy! " Sure, it's been an incredible 25 years of Handheld, playing fast, melodic punk rock (some even call it skatepunk). Surprisingly, half of the band members don't seem to have aged a day since they first formed in 1998. As for the other half? Well, let's just say they're living the good life. From 1998 to 2008, Handheld tore up stages all across North America. Then, they took a 14-year hiatus, only to return with their most powerful album to date, "A Canadian Tragedy." The boys are back to their old tricks again, this time recording a high-production, top-notch full-length live record during a sold-out, intimate club show for all of us to enjoy. Now that they're back, there's no stopping them at this point; they might as well play until they're dead. Expect more new records and more shows on the horizon. Keep it fast, play power chords with your pinky, and unleash forbidden beats with a single kick pedal.

A Family Affair out on Digital 20/5

By Peter Anderson • 18 May, 2024

Lightbulb Film Distribution are delighted to share the poster for new British comedy feature A Family Affair, coming to all major digital platforms in the UK & Ireland from May 20th. The film was written and directed by Warren Fischer and produced by Joan Lane (The King's Speech). Starring Joe Wilkinson (After Life, Sex Education), Laura Aikman (Not Going Out, Gavin and Stacey) and national treasure Jane Asher (Death at a Funeral, Alfie). A cash-strapped hotel manager (Wilkinson) is forced to stave off interest from wealthy buyers at a public auction whilst hosting his in-laws on their wedding anniversary. Commenting on the release, Peter Thompson, Sales & Acquisitions Director at Lightbulb Film Distribution, said: “ A Family Affair is a hilarious, farcical comedy, guaranteed to bring a smile to audience faces. Joe Wilkinson is a household name in comedy and he shines in his debut film lead role, evoking memories of John Cleese in Fawlty Towers.” A Family Affair will be available to own or rent from all major digital platforms in the UK & Ireland from May 20