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!

A favourite moment during ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ is when a simple question stumps Spock during a complicated test.

“How do you feel?” befuddles his Vulcan mind, yet begins to draw out his human emotions. A classic Trek moment.

Innocent questions are no problem for Sean McGowan who at first resorts to humour when asked: “Are you angry?”

“I’m angry QPR lost to Fulham, I’m angry I never got to see the Clash, I am furious that I can’t afford a better car than ‘Fiona’ my P reg banger.”

And that’s exactly what you get from his lyrics: the events and problems of daily life, expertly wrapped up in three minutes by Southampton’s folk/punk poet.

“I’m eighteen. I have strong feelings towards everything.” Sean continues, “I am angry, I feel certain things need to change. My views are expressed in my music, I have no intention to have any political influence.“

What he would like to see is debate: “I want people to question and challenge things they disagree with. Everyone has a voice and an opinion, imagine if they could actually have a ’say’ whether it be through music, art or any means necessary!”

His songs are definitely stirring up music lovers with 100 downloads, in 24hrs, propelling him to the top of the Mintsouth charts.

This Saturday, at the Joiners, he launches his début EP ‘McGovernment’ where the audience will hear a slice of what Sean calls: “The People’s Music.”

www.facebook.com/seanmcgowanmusicuk

They say charity begins at home and next weekend sees a whole festival that will benefit local organisations doing good work.

The Weekender is curated by Mintsouth’s Jodie Copeland who you may recall ran Oxjam 2010 last October for Oxfam.

Although many people took part Jodie found some businesses “…did not want to get involved with a national charity. So I thought it would be much better this year to raise money for a variety of local and national charities, but let the venues choose the charities themselves.”

It starts tonight (Friday 23rd Sept) at Blue Keys who are raising money for Wessex Heartbeat, while The Lounge in Bedford Place is collecting for the Society of St James.

The Talking Heads, Lennons, The Cellar, Guava and The Lounge are up for it on Saturday night, while on Sunday The Lounge, The Hobbit and 90 Degrees round off the weekend. All have picked charities close to their hearts.

As there are so many acts playing I asked Jodie for a highlight and for him its “Huw Olesker and Beans on Toast – both playing The Hobbit on the Sunday.” I’d also add Carly Rockett who is also on that bill.

Rather confusingly there is an Oxjam event at Guava Bar on Saturday and it isn’t even October! However Jodie and I agree on one act everyone should catch ‘ LST and The ManDem‘ (19:50)

They played a well respected gig at The Joiners recently and have a great buzz about them.