LEGENDARY US ska band, The Toasters, may well have been around for longer than most of their audience when they play in Newport next week.

The seminal US ska band make a welcome return to these shores when they play in TJ's on Tuesday night.

The Toasters are one of pivotal bands in the world ska scene, and are widely credited with single handedly reviving the scene in the mid-80s and 90s.

Such is their influence, bands like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and even No Doubt say they would not be around if it were not for The Toasters.

They were formed by Rob Hingley in the early 80s, and pioneered the Third Wave movement of the 1990s which has seen the more accessible ska-core bands being creamed off by major labels, and getting maximum airplay on MTV.

They are one of the true pioneers of the ska revival and paved the way through their own Moon Records for bands such as Save Ferris and No Doubt to get their first doses of mainstream exposure.

The Toasters are well worth checking out if you are fans of any of the new wave ska punk bands who are two a penny at the moment and support for the night comes from Whitmore and Cardiff's Shootin' Goon.

The gig is organised by Set It Off promotions and tickets are available on their website and usual outlets, priced £7.

Elsewhere this week, Gemma Hayes is a Dublin-based singer/songwriter whose hard to find debut EP - '4.35am' - came out late last year on the much respected Source records.

A low-fi Dido, who is being compared to the likes of Beth Orton, Gemma cites everyone from Nick Drake to Blue Nile, Gillian Welch and Mogwai among her influences, and her songs capture the essence of lazy summer days, with tunes soaked in sugar coated vocals.

She is being tipped for bigger and better things, so it could be worth your while catching her this week in Barfly, where she headlines on Wednesday with support from James Yorkston and Mark Ruberry Band.

Back in Newport now and news of a new live music venue in the town, with Iftekhar Haris, owner of OTT, getting his noodle bar cum easy listening acid jazz music bar, an entertainment's licence. The club has already held its opening night of bands last week when local bands Lo Ryder and The Effect played, and I will keep you informed of upcoming events.

The gigs will be held on Tuesday nights, and there are also plans for an open mic night. Elsewhere, the mad guitar scientists, Rocket Goldstar are playing in Clwb Ifor on Thursday with Presto, Spartanite and Dark Bazaar amongst others.