Last week we happily revealed that Alex Cowley and the Backbeats were gearing up to release a new single.

’Meaning to Talk’ comes out on Saturday January 25, and will be available to hear and buy through his Bandcamp page, amongst many other music outlets.

Featuring former bandmate Chris Honour on guitars, Alex said that he has given the song a real early 90s Manchester feel to it, using the Stones Roses and Oasis for influence.

’The song really sounded like Liam Gallagher’s new stuff and this is the music I’m trying to emulate,’ said Alex.

’I want to make music the way it was made in the 60s, the way the Beatles and Ray Davies of the Kinks wrote music.

’Every song I write including this one, is my attempt to recapture that sound.

’Why break something that isn’t broken?

After working with Dave McLean on his last couple of songs, Dave’s grandson Jack took over the mixing, and also provided the drums .

’Jack really impressed me with the final mix and showed that, even at such a young age, he his a full formed and rounded musician, being able to play many instruments and mixing this track,’ said Alex.

You can expect more new songs from Alex released throughout the year.

Gig-wise, it is a bit busy this weekend.

Staring on Friday, Liverpudlian troubadour Ian Thompson is appearing at Quids Inn from 8pm, while down the road at Jaks, Grass Roots will be playing a set of rock covers from 9pm onwards.

Up north, the Voodoo Bandits will be packing them into the Cooil Bar, on Ramsey Harbour.

The fairly debauched-sounding The Chrystal Methodists will be kicking off their first gig at Compton Vaults, in Castletown.

Featuring bassist Tom Granger, who also plays with the Headless Horsemen, the band wallop out a set of 50s and 60s rock *’roll.

Moving onto Saturday night. Power Cut will be electrifying the crowds at the Creek in Peel with their set of covers, taking in the Kinks and the Who, through to the Stereophonics and the Kings of Leon, from 9pm, while the island’s finest old-school metal band Ironclad are playing at the Rover’s, Douglas, from 9pm.

The Mitre, in Ramsey, will be feature a double bill of groups, namely the Tides and Caution Runners, from 9pm.

Finishing off down south, the folk-rock outfit the Ballaghs will be foot-stomping their way through a special Burns Night gig at the Secret Pizza Company, in Castletown, from 8pm and, in the Haven, Port Erin, there will be a gig from the authentic, whiskey-throated blues rock *’roller Bryn Davies and the Mad Dog Davies band, who have travelled all the way over from Wales for their annual end-of-January gig.

That’s your lot for this week!