HAPPY GLOOMY VALENTINE'S DAY

IF IT wasn’t for the effort Feeling Gloomy put into their Love Hurts Valentine’s night, I’d have ignored it altogether.

But every year they step in to fill the deathly absence of cards, flowers and dates for singles.

So head to the 02 Academy Islington (Feb 12) for torch songs, indie heartbreakers and rock to scream to plus Down With Dating’s Speed Hating (spill your dislikes) and Blind Hate (Cilla, but dark). Hankies on hand, dead flowers on the tables and classic divorce flic Kramer Vs Kramer will be screened – perfect.

Alternatively sketch Burlesque models at Dr Sketchy’s Valentine’s Special to mark The Old Queen’s Head’s birthday celebrations (Feb 14). Rob Da Bank, Jamie Woon, Mystery Jets , The Maccabees, Tribes and Sound of Rum will be making an appearance over the week’s festivities.

• The more romantic may enjoy Ronnkie Pop’s Valentine’s Prom Night at The Silver Bullet (Feb 11), complete with prom king and queen coronation, prom punch and the inevitable slow dance. Think Back to the Future’s Enchantment Under the Sea dance.

• I last saw Mark Ronson at the Roundhouse for the Electric Proms in 2007 when he brought along an assortment of celeb guests. I’ll never forget The Rumble Strips’ Charlie Waller’s unexpected and explosive cover of Back to Black (look it up on YouTube). The Proms may be no more but Ronson returns to the Roundhouse (Feb 16) with The Business International, who knows what he’ll have in store this time?



• Tickets go on sale today (Feb 10) for Mumford & Sons’ special gig at Dingwalls on Feb 22. Support from the divine Marcus Foster, Anna Calvi and Rachel Sermanni.

JON MCCLURE'S SNOWY BREAKS, CHARLIE SLOTH AND DAPPY TALK GRUESOME DISCOVERIES AND ARE THE RUMBLE STRIPS SERVING PINTS?

MY spies tell me Charlie Waller, frontman of The Rumble Strips, was seen serving pints at a Dalston pub last week. Does anyone know if it’s true? And, if so, is it because they need to make ends meet or just an Amy-Winehouse-behind-the-Dublin-Castle-bar kind of favour to a fave venue? Although there’s nothing wrong with having a day – or in this case night – job, I only hope it’s the latter. It’s a long way from playing the Roundhouse with Mark Ronson.

• Archive moment, for any who haven’t seen Charlie Sloth’s Guided Tour of Camden, here’s a reminder – look out for our favourite Greek restaurant – Andy's Taverna - scene of many awkward office Christmas parties.
There's also a reference to where Camden Ripper Anthony Hardy's victims' bodies were found - timely in light of Dappy from N-Dubz' claims in his biography that he witnessed the body parts dumped in a bin bag at the back of his flats.


• Gleeks unite! Camden Jazz Café’s Hairbrush Heroes Glee night is next week (April 16). Dress as a US teen and belt out those tunes – hard to believe this comes from the same people behind Feeling Gloomy.

• Get well soon to Reverend and the Makers’ Jon McClure. He’s just broken his shoulder on the slopes at Snowbombing but was able to tweet all about it while lying on a stretcher waiting for his operation.