COLIN WILSON The Black Velvets take their very own rock and roll circus around the UK for their first national tour and headline Brighton Rocks, the guitar-frenzied club night at the UEA, Norwich, on Friday February 11.

COLIN WILSON

The Black Velvets take their very own rock and roll circus around the UK for their first national tour and headline Brighton Rocks, the guitar-frenzied club night at the UEA, Norwich, on Friday February 11.

Having already played gigs with everyone from the Who to the Killers, the Black Velvets joined the rejuvenated Vertigo label in the summer of 2004 and quickly provoked the interest of NME, Radio 1 and Kerrang!

With their mix of rock, punk and glam aided and abetted by classic northerners' swagger and attitude, it quickly became apparent that the band were going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Towards the end of 2004 they released a limited edition single, the storming Get On Your Life, recorded their debut album and played the Xfm Christmas party which has the knack of predicting the next big things (with the Libertines, the Darkness and Franz Ferdinand all playing the same event in previous years).

The tour coincides with the release of the band's second single, 3345, a rousing, foot-stomping anthem written in honour of the bar on Liverpool's Parr Street that the band have developed a love/hate relationship with.

Doors 10pm (band are on stage at 11pm). Tickets at £3.50 in advance are available in Norwich from UEA Union, Waterfront, Soundclash and HMV, on 01603 508050 or at www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk