This month's releases from Ace Records.

An Evening With Plan B: Talking About The White Stripes: Borders, Oxford St, London on Wednesday 18th August @ 6.30pm - Legendary music journalist Everett True (ex-NME, Melody Maker, VOX, author of Live Through This: American Underground Rock Music In The 90s) leads a panel of young enthusiasts and seasoned contributors from his new magazine Plan B through a discussion on the state of the music press. Featuring Dirtbombs drummer Ben Blackwell talking about all things White Stripes.

Sky Saxon at The Dirty Water Club, London, Friday 6th August - Apparently resident in London since the end of his recent UK tour in the spring, it was fantastic to see Sky stood at front of the stage and enjoying the Punkles set of Beatles covers. Though a great idea to tackle the Lennon/McCartney songbook in a 1-2-3-4 Ramones-style, the joke becomes stretched over 45 minutes. I still thought the Punkles were gabba-gabba-fab even if visually they reminded me of some unholy meeting between the Three Stooges and the Rutles. More "beer" than "gear" then. Fact fiends will be interested to learn that Sky's UK band comprise of the rhythm section from the re-actived Barracudas, a chap from the Scoundrelles/Scientists on guitar and two blokes from Spacemen 3 fiddling about on organ, theramin and assorted electronica. To begin with the garageniks kept the acid-niks (inc. Sky) pretty much on course as the band dug out such nuggets as "No Escape", "Evil Hoodoo", and "Can't Seem To Make You Mine". Sky looked and sounded great, although I had no idea what he was singing, as the boys in the band created a fair old noise worthy of the original Seeds. For thirty minutes we were cruising down the strip and digging the acid-punk vibe of Little Richie Marsh, that is until we invited us "Up In Her Room" and the songs became longer and unfocused. Not to worry though, the first thirty minutes were top-hole and one of the best live experiences of the year. Fact: Robin and Jeremy "Barracuda" are so lucky to have those young fellas on bass and drums. As for Sky, look out for a new album recorded over the last few days in London and should you get the opportunity, ask him about the real meaning of "Dirty Water" by the Standells. Clue: It’s about drugs.