WHEN you’re finding out about a new band, a good way is to check their influences.

If they’re inspired by Elizabethan madrigals and drum’n’bass, you might be on to something.

If it’s death metal and trainspotting, it might be a long night.

But if they list Guinness and shouting among their prime motivations, you know you’re on to a good thing.

And that’s the case with Black Water County, the six-piece folk punk pub-core outfit from the east of the county who are hitching up their wagon and heading this way for a couple of gigs in our part of the shire this week.

As you can see from the picture on this page, there’s quite a lot of hair involved as well as banjos and fiddles.

There’s also a lot of yee-hawing and mangling of tin whistles as well as the obligatory quaffing of vast quantities of the Black Stuff.

They smashed their way on to the folk punk scene a couple of years ago and have been building a reputation for high energy stage shows along with their original material.

They also take traditional folk songs and shanties and give them a kick up the bottom (I can’t say arse, apparently).

Take it from me, they’re a great night out and there’s two chances to catch them this week.

They’re at Finns in Weymouth tomorrow night, Saturday, January 9, and, after feeding the horses and having a bit of a lie down, they’re at the Ropemakers in Bridport next Saturday, January 16.

Moving on, and those lovely people at Air 107.2FM have very kindly invited me to host another Hijacked show next Wednesday, January 13, from 8-10pm.

After my punk rock special last time out when I actually did my back in pogoing in the studio, I’ll be taking it a bit easier this time and I’ll be playing the usual vintage soul and funk, with stacks of Stax, loads of lovers rock reggae and the same old rubbish jokes.

Finally, if you’re in a band or run a pub or club and want your live music event listed here, send the details to me a gigs@dorsetecho.co.uk Till next time..

TONIGHT (8)

Matt Walklate and Paulo Fuschi Quartet (Electric Palace, Bridport)

Dr Robert (Finns, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Tony H (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Total Madness (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic Session (Victoria Inn, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, Weymouth) 8pm.

The Katz (Little Ship, Portland)

The Rat Pack (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

John Stone (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Compass (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Chase Me (Belvedere, Weymouth) and later…

Chase Me (Aura, Weymouth)

Stacey Lou (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (9)

Blackwater County (Finns, Weymouth)

Southern Sinners (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Andy Kennett (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Party Animalz (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

The Rat Pack (Park, Weymouth)

Steve Nicholas (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Zoe Schwarz (No 10, Bridport) Noon-2pm.

The Dinnerladies (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

Chloe and Tom (New Star Inn, Portland)

Freak Circus (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Mad Hatters (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Three Go Mad (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Karen (King’s Arms, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (10)

Leanne Jackson (Park, Weymouth) 4pm.

Jillie and the Love Cats (Three Compasses, Charminster)

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Jam Night (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) 8pm.

Open Mic Surgery (George, Dorchester)

Sheryl Lee’s Sunday Club (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 4pm.

Danny Adams (Boho, Weymouth) 7pm.

Blazing Strings (Ayya, Weymouth) 10pm.

Finnian (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Gut and Steel (Old Ship, Upwey) 2.30pm.

The Rat Pack (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

MONDAY (11)

Songwriters night with George Hall (Boho, Weymouth)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (12)

Jazz Guitar Nights (Boho, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (Boot, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (13)

Jam Night (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth) Hosted by Blazing Strings

Georgie Broad (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Dave P’s Open Mic Night (Rendezvous, Weymouth) From 8pm.

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Belvedere, Weymouth)

An Evening with… (Boho, Weymouth) Originals night.

THURSDAY (14)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic Surgery (Tom Brown’s, High East St, Dorchester)

Steve’s Singalong (King’s Arms Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm.

SoapBox Night (Belvedere, Weymouth)

FRIDAY (15)

Bad Influence (Finns, Weymouth)

Samantha Maybee (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Darren H (Edinburgh, Weymouth)

Total Madness (Park, Weymouth)

Gimmie Six (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)