CONTRARY to what Morrissey may say, not all of us hate it when our friends are successful.

In fact, I’m sure the majority are jolly pleased and proud to be associated with them.

It’s certainly fantastic to see The Dolmen, one of the most successful bands to come from these parts for ages, do so well, not just in this country but right across Europe where they are in huge demand on the festival circuit.

And it’s easy to see why, with their exciting blend of Celtic rock, medieval folklore and furious, passionate musicianship.

Their new album Nuada has been getting rave reviews, not surprising really, as it’s flipping great, and there’s two chances coming up to see the band on their home patch.

As the band’s frontman Taloch Jameson tells me: “It’s been non-stop for us recently with gigs in Germany and Holland.

“We wanted to make a film to go with the song Free Will from the new album and the German film crew insisted we did it over there.

“We managed to persuade them to come over to Portland and they were quite amazed at the setting.

“We’re all islanders and our home is like a film set,” he tells me.

“We always like to do a few dates when were back home, so we’re really looking forward to them.”

They’re at The Rock in Weymouth tomorrow night, Saturday January 21, and the following Saturday January 28, they’re at the Old Town Hall in Weymouth.

That gig is for The Shipwreck Project, which is involved in exploring, discovering and research into maritime history, something very close to The Dolmen’s heart.

“If it wasn’t for Grahame Knott’s work we would have none of our marine heritage,” says Taloch, “and we’re delighted to support his efforts.”

Appropriate support for the Old Town Hall gig are the hirsute harmonies of Dorset Wrecks and their sea shanties.

And talking of local success stories, singer Amy Mayes has been going from strength to strength since signing with Ben Waters’ management team WHM. (That’s Waters Handles Music. See what they did there?) Her debut EP, featuring boogie woogie Ben and guitarist Robbie McIntosh, is released in March and she’s lined up a series of gigs to promote it, including a rather swish do at the famous Pizza Express jazz club in London’s Soho on Tuesday, March 7.

Amy will be performing with her band of Andy Grant on guitar, Stephen Smith on keys, Simon Rushbrook on bass and Ady Milward on drums at the celebrated venue which has hosted gigs by Norah Jones, Gregory Porter and Amy Winehouse.

Tickets for Amy’s gig are £18 and available from pizzaexpresslive.com Meanwhile, Hustle chanteuse Maria Greenwood will be celebrating her, ahem, significant birthday tomorrow night, Saturday, January 21 with a big ol’ bash at the Spice Ship in Weymouth.

Now, it would be very bad form and ungentlemanly to reveal a lady’s age, and I’d hate to be accused of that.

Maria, who will be 40, will of course be fronting Hustle and their discotastic floor-filling set, but will also be having a reunion of her first band, Stuff and Nonsense, formed when they were all at still at school in Dorchester sometime in the last century.

And finally, the late Dr Ian Sedwell will be remembered at a memorial night at Tom Browns in Dorchester on Wednesday, February 15.

Ian, who sadly passed away last year, was a popular figure on the live music circuit, particularly at open mic nights, as both a punter and performer.

He was a regular at the Dorchester pub’s open mic nights and gigs and his many friends are invited to raise a glass in his memory.

Till next time…

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT (20)

The Adele Songbook (Weymouth Pavilion)

Drive By Jamming (Finns, Weymouth)

Bianca (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

The Silhouettes (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth) Playing the sounds of Cliff Richard and The Shadows

TBA (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth)

Sukelele (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Remedy (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

The JK Duo (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Acoustic Freezer (Rock, Weymouth)

Dirtbox (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Slide Guy (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SATURDAY (21)

Megson (Corn Exchange, Dorchester)

Restless (Finns, Weymouth)

Fluke (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

The Dolmen (Rock, Weymouth)

Dean Dallinson (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Hustle, Stuff and Nonsense (Spice Ship, Weymouth)

The Sands (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Haze (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Steve Nicholas (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Dr Stomp and Prof Oz (Evershot village hall)

Zoe Schwarz and Blue Commotion

(Bull’s Head, Fordington, Dorchester)

Dirtbox (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Regulation 9 (Market House, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Stress (Bradpole Social Club)

Mr North (Tides Inn, Weymouth)

Saxuality (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Dale Fender Band (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

V8 Hearts (George, Dorchester)

Utter Chaos (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

Frank E Finn (Bridge Inn, Preston, Weymouth)

Mutter Slater Band (Ropemakers, Bridport)

JD Acoustic (Black Dog, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (22)

David Gordon (Belvedere, Weymouth) 4-6pm.

Andy Grant (Royal Portland Arms, Portland) 4pm.

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

Sheryl Lee’s Sunday Club (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 7pm.

Roger Mac’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Dave Taylor(Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth) 4pm.

JD Acoustic (Crown, Bridport) 4-6pm.

MONDAY (23)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (24)

Du Kane (Boot, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (25)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Open Mic (Bull, Dorchester)

THURSDAY (26)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic (George, Dorchester)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

SoapBox Night (Belvedere, Weymouth)

FRIDAY (27)

Jolly Boys Outing (Finns, Weymouth)

Stevie P (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Macca-Man (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth) Jimmy Stanley’s tribute to Paul McCartney.

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Jamie Pinnow (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Bug Tree Swamp (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Brass Monkeys (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Tripod (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

DuKane (Black Dog, Weymouth)