Dave Sharp, former member of '80s punk/ folk band The Alarm, has formed a new band which will make it's debut live performance at the Cellars on Tuesday.

The Hard Travelers, also features Zoot Money (Big Roll Band, The Animals), Henry McCullough (Wings), Gary Fletcher (The Blues band) and Colin Allen (Bob Dylan/ John Lee Hooker), and will be recording some live tracks for their forthcoming album, a celebration of the music of Woodie Guthrie.

Says Dave: 'We've got four decades of British rock 'n' roll that we want to bring together, and it's 40 years since Woodier Guthrie died. I've always been super-influenced by him - his sense of the human condition moves me a great deal.

'I've been feeling more and more that the human, spiritual side of music has been overlooked. Music has become so corporatised.'

Dave reckons he's not alone in his thinking. After spending 10 years living in America, he says he noticed a change in audiences' attitude to music which is now happening in the UK.

'On a human level, audiences are disillusioned with the smoke and mirrors of corporate rock and want something more honest and meaningful,' he says.

This gig is a prelude to the band's full national tour , The Spirit Of Woodie Guthrie, in the spring and summer.
Adds Dave: 'Portsmouth is the best place to launch our tour. The music scene is very vibrant right now and there are lots of talented musicians here. It's a very real place and I was really excited when I came to the city at the end of last year.'

Says Cellar owner Steve Pitt: 'To be chosen by a band of this pedigree as the venue for a gig this important is truly incredible. Everyone present will be a part of something which I'm sure will become the stuff of legend.'