Gig on track for Good Vibrations

Preston’s Mad Ferret plays host to the 8-Track’s Beach Boys Night, in which local artistes will each be covering a song by the California Girls stars but bending it to their own particular style.

On the bill for the night, at the Fylde Road pub, will be rock and rollers Yukon Bill, former Star27 frontman FirstName Frank, stalwarts of the Preston music scene The Jackpot Golden Boys, singer songwriter Baxter Rhodes (pictured), new Preston band Sean Keefe and The Hostages, the enigmatic Richard Bilsborough Experience and the night’s organiser, Richard Lomax, frontman of Johnny 5th Wheel and the Cowards.

Each has chosen a Beach Boys song - which they will perform in a quick fire 10 minute three song set along with two of their own original songs.

Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961 by brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine, The Beach Boys’ unique close harmonies and tunes reflecting the sunny Californian surfer lifestyle made an impact worldwide.

Yukon Bill will be giving a rock and roll twist to Wouldn’t It Be Nice while Baxter Rhodes will be serving up an acoustic version of Barbara Ann.

The Jackpots are to give a rendition of Surfer Girls, Sean Keefe and the Hostages will be taking on In My Room and Richard Lomax will be giving us his own version of Sloop John B.

Preston indie poppers Cry Baby Aeroplanes were to have been on the bill but sadly have been forced to pull out at the 11th hour.

But, fronted by a founder member of Preston band, Fighting, The Richard Bilsborough Experience’s contribution to the evening will be “a surprise.”

The night, which starts at 8pm, was originally inspired by a night run in Liverpool by another band, Married to the Sea, called 10 Bands, 10 Minutes.

This Beach Boys night will be the fifth 8-Track to run at the Mad Ferret. Previous nights have focused on David Bowie, Tom Waits and the Smiths, with a Christmas Songs night which went ahead during last year’s festive season.

Following the bands, there is a DJ set from FirstnameFrank, playing Beach Boys and Beach Boys-inspired and inspiring tracks.

Behind the bands, the Mad Ferret’s big TV screen will show a couple of popular surf-sploitation movies, including Gidget and Bingo Beach Party.

Richard Lomax said: “Everyone will be performing these songs in their own specific style - that’s kinda the point of the night. They will not just be straight covers.

“This is the fifth 8-Track night we have done so far - and the previous nights have all been very successful.” Doors open at 8pm and entry to the night is free.