With one of the mildest Decembers in living memory we were all wondering if Jim Rowland was going slightly mad calling around everyone asking if he could get some frostbite. Then we realised he was talking about this House of Progression show featuring Frost* and It Bites and suddenly it was all abundantly clear. Our scribe was desperate for some prog noodlings to usher in his Xmas and The Scala was the place to be for this one off special event. Lucky we got him in then…. here’s his review.

Anyone who has seen Skindred live will testify that 'dred gig virgin Ben Hughes was in for an unforgettable night of ragga metal when he finally took the plunge and headed to The Duchess in York to catch one of the band's last Union Black tour dates of 2012. Did he peel off his shirt and partake in the Newport Helicopter? You'll have to click that link to find out.....

Returning after a two decade hiatus, (not so) young UK rock gods Little Angels made a very welcome return to Belfast recently as part of their 'One More From The Road' tour. Our man in Norn Iron, Mark Ashby, was there pressed up against the barrier ready to kick up dust with the rest of the crowd when all of a sudden he got a rather rude awakening. Had the bloke behind him slashed down his leg or was there perhaps a more celebratory type reason for this moment of unusual clarity? Well click that link to the right to find out.

If you didn't dig the Georgia Satellites then you're not truly welcome at URHQ. The next best thing (and featuring a member of the excellent Jason & the Scorchers to boot!) is former Satellite Dan Baird and Homemade Sin. Uber Rock's Ben Hughes took the short trip (not bus, obviously) to Fibbers in York in the hope of finding some rock 'n' roll salvation amongst the (homemade) sin. Did he find any? Of course he did, this is Dan Baird we're talking about......

In the UK as part of a nine date tour based around a headline appearance at this year's Hard Rock Hell festival, Los Angeles cock rockers Buckcherry once again found themselves back in the West Country of England looking to reveal some ‘Confessions’ along the way. So where better to catch up with the band live than in an old converted church, as long time ‘cherry fan Johnny H would soon find out.

Uber Rock is part Swedish - it has to be, we're just so enamoured with our yellow and blue rock 'n' roll cousins. Swedish heavyweights Graveyard, a bunch of Spiders following from the same country too, took to the stage at one of UR's favourite venues, the Fleece in Bristol, and our man Jamie Richards, refusing to take no for an answer, was there with (stolen Ikea) pen and paper ready to take notes for your reading pleasure.....

It's snowing, it's Xmas, so that means one thing: Uber Rock is off to catch a show from Ginger. Gaz E finds himself in Bristol watching two of the brightest young noisebringers that the UK has to offer support a legendary artist who appears to be somewhat jaded with the live music scene. Read on for obscurities, favourites.....and headbutts.....

Not content with seeing The Quireboys tearing it up on the main stage of his favourite holiday camp, Dom Daley made his way into the big city to catch the band again while his ears were still ringing from the first time he'd seen them live that week. The Globe in Cardiff was the setting as our rock 'n' roll renegade found an unwell Spike using his perma-bandana as a hankie yet still managing to find his way around a set littered with classic tunes......

Motley Crue making a rare visit to UK shores and teaming up with Def Leppard in the process for a series of sixx co-headlining shows meant it was a case of Christmas come early for many, and with both bands going head to head playing 90 minutes a piece it was all set to be a true clash of the titans. Matt Phelps went along to check out the opening night of this juggernaut sized tour to find out if these Eighties veterans could still cut it in 2011, but more importantly party like it was 1989.