Would you be able to scrap all your work and start again?

It’s a question most musicians would be unable to answer in a positive manner as their ‘back catalogue’ is their family tree.

But for Broken Links their past is being “completely wiped from all existence” and remade in their current image as their front man Mark Lawrence explains:

“We decided to make an album of our best stuff to date, all re-recorded, re-arranged, and produced.”

The band have always released a few songs on EPs but as Mark pointed out: “the production of our 1st EP was poor, and our sound and song-writing has evolved over the course of our other previous EP’s.”

This slash and burn approach is admirable because most bands rarely admit they didn’t get it totally right.

But with the experiences of previous recording sessions under their belt, Broken Links have been able to enter the studio knowing exactly what they wanted and who was needed to achieve it.

Which is why they have picked producer Chris Coulter who is also working with acts like Arcane Roots, Subsource, Trails and Romans.

And used the Ranch Production House in Southampton.

Due out in May/June 2012 the album will actually be finished today and we’ll be playing tracks exclusively in Saturday night’s show (South by Southampton on 103.9 Voice FM) – which is exactly what radio should be – fresh and exciting.

Titled “Disasters: Ways to Leave a Scene” it should fully encapsulate the past three years of Broken Links’ excellent electro metal.

There is something in Southampton that helps create a sound in Winchester.

We heard it on New Year’s Day and the recording will be played in Saturday’s show.

Funnily enough my guest Paul Eastham has a coincidental connection to that sound and it comes via the album ‘The Turning Stone’ which his band Coast released in 2011.

Inspired by his daily commute on the Hythe ferry it’s a wonderful collection of Celtic rock songs flavoured with the spirit of Southampton.

The album has been doing brilliantly in Denmark where the band has a very strong following and will be touring in March.

And as Paul pointed out this is a big moment for them: “It’s our first trip where we are gigging with out the aid of festivals. They not only pay you but also give you an audience.”

No doubt this tour of large clubs will also bring them closer to the people who’ve hearing Coast daily on Danish national radio.

They will be playing major European festivals in 2012 but might not eclipse the filling of Paul’s childhood ambition in Germany last year, when Coast played Cologne’s Tanzbrunnen Park stadium in front of 14,000 people.

Not only did they follow Bryan Adams but, as Paul recalls, “it was weird to hear the crowd singing the second chorus of ‘Oceanos’.”

On Saturday night on 103.9 Voice FM you’ll hear why Coast have such a good footing in Europe, tracks from the new album and the connection between Southampton, Winchester, Coast and that sound. Show starts at 6pm.

At the year’s end do you look back or does your mind’s eye peer into the future?

Today I’m casting my steely glare towards the early months of 2012 in which we see ‘Band of Skulls’ releasing their much anticipated second album ‘Sweet Sour’.

Available on February 20th and eagerly anticipated, it will launch them into the upper echelons of the rock world.

Evidence so far points to the band adding another layer of polish to their impressive studio sound and all I’m waiting for to hear if they’ve retained their knack for songs filled with quality pop hooks.

As a free taster you can sign up to their mailing list at www.bandofskulls.com and get ‘Devil’s Rug’ an alternative version the single ‘The Devil Takes Care of His Own’.

Another free offering to look out for is ‘Nature Regulate’ a track from Birdpen’s second album.

Its a wonderful soundscape and is already in the playlist at Voice FM.

You’ll be able to download it from www.birdpen.com in January and it will be accompanied by a cool, artistic animated video.

Also in January Dlugokecki will be studio bound to add the finishing touches to their next album ‘Putting the Tracks in Front of the Train’.

It should be a cracker of an album, released on 12th March and you can pre-order from www.dlugokecki.net

Add to that the début début album from LST and already 2012 is looking like the year Southampton will be sticking its head above pops parapet and waving a flag of quality.

Life for the nightclubber was almost different in the late 60’s: a dance, a drink and at least one fight witnessed.

It was also a time when recording artists had it tough: especially in The Joiners.

So say Carole and Den, a couple who frequented this historic venue in 1967 and then experienced music’s waves of change as they swept through Southampton over the following decades.

I met them last Saturday evening during Grey Matter and they told me about the Joiner’s DJ who would destroy any single that the punters didn’t like.

He even had a special slot he could roll these offending items of vinyl down.

Its an amusing story and one which leaves you gasping to know which songs were literally a dance floor smash and if the DJ actually paid good money for these 45s of despair.

And to meet a couple still enjoying live music 40 years later is another reason to celebrate.

Although the slightly scary though that if you are 19 now, the equivalent will be going to The Joiners in 2051.

So will you fly by jetpack? And will the 80’s still be popular on every radio station?

Back in the present, there are two Christmas spectaculars for festive frolicking.

Delays are at The Brook supported by Sean McGowan and Oresteia.

Or you could check out Mintsouth’s Christmas party at Guava Bar and enjoy Heathward who recently won “Live Session Of The Year” on BBC Introducing.

Either way have a smashing Christmas!