AN underground venue in Blackburn is starting to establish itself as a key venue and has announced a series of gigs starring some of East Lancashire's leading bands.

The spring programme at the Cellar Bar kicks off tonight with a band called Chalk, who have grown from the ashes of cult indie guitar band Marion.

Other bands set to play in the next three months including promising Pendle girl three-piece Earl, Blackburn punks Boredom, indie rockers Missed Her Bliss and Lancashire pop rockers Slim. Underground alternative heroes Funzig will play on April 1.

And in May the bar will host roots, reggae and drum 'n' bass as part of the Blackburn Roots and Reggae Festival. Chalk formed from the remaining members of Manchester band Marion, who made their name with the hit singles Time and Sleep and got one of their tunes featured in a Citroen TV commercial. Support at tonight's show comes from skate punks Dahl.

The venue continues to host a variety of free music nights every Fridays, with different musical genres for each week of the month.

Slim are booked to perform next Saturday, while Earl are set to play on March 16 and May 6. Boredom are scheduled to play on March 18.

Missed Her Bliss are set to play Camden Underworld, London, on Sunday, April 2. For information on transport, call Rob Yates on (01282) 774385. The band's gig at Manchester Roadhouse on Wednesday was broadcast live on city station Radio Space 106.2 FM. The group, from Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, also recorded two accoustic tracks and had a chat on air.

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