A ROCK and roll club is being launched in Kidderminster with a one-off event showcasing the best rockabilly bands in the Midlands.

The Mood Dawg Rock n' Roll club, which is being run by the The Hayriders, the Straight Aces and the Hep Beat Record Show, will hold its first event at the Gilt Edge Social Club, in Zortech Avenue, on Saturday from 8pm.

The club night was due to be held at Kidderminster Town Hall but due to a double-booking with Marty Wilde's gig on Friday, April 11, the Moon Dawg team had to quickly find a new venue for their venture.

Hayriders bass player Mark Davies said: "We set up a new club where we can offer our local area, which is primarily West Midlands, the Black Country side of Birmingham and Worcestershire, Rock n' Roll /rockabilly to audiences that can't get to Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds on a regular basis.

"Both bands are extremely busy and well travelled and we felt we needed to do more stuff within 15 miles of where we live.

"The Kidderminster area boasts at least two Rock n' Roll clubs that pull in at least 120 to170 regulars, one being the Gilt Edge club.

"We are lucky in this area,we have fantastic bands who are all within 15/20 miles of Kidderminster, to name a few you have The Del Ray Rockets, The Fireballs UK,The Bravo Boys, Danny and the Swampmen. We intend to use various combinations of the bands to give a variety of sounds and styles again to give the public what they want.

"The important thing is we want new people, they don't have to be Teddy Boys or Rockabillies just regular curious people who want a party night out."

After Saturday, the club night will be moving to Wolverley Social Club where they hope to hold regular events.

Mr Davies added: "I do believe with the talent we have locally we can make this work, even if it's just the Straight Aces and the Hayriders every month, if people like you they will come, changing the material is the key."

The Hayriders are vocalist Neil Wright, double bass player Mark Davies, lead guitar Darren Lince and drummer Neil Freeman.

The Straight Aces feature double bassist Jim Smith, drummer Steve Higgs vocals and lead guitarist Steve Taylor.

The Hayriders are also setting up a record label called Moon Dawg records to record their own CD.