HOW do you fancy joining some of the biggest names in the Merseyside music scene?
Last year's Liverpool Music Awards was attended by bands from across the musical spectrum and now we're offering you the chance to join them and play alongside them at this summer's Liverpool Music Awards.
It's a chance for a new band to show their potential at the awards - which take place on August 25 as part of Liverpool international Music Festival.

ENTRIES are now open for the Liverpool Music Awards 2013. Following the launch party last night (full story here), the organisers are now looking for your nominations.
This year, there are 16 categories, each designed to recognise a specific area of the music industry in Liverpool.
The Liverpool Music Awards are free to enter/nominate - just click here to make sure your favourite acts and industry figures are represented.

UP and coming Merseyside music stars The Hummingbirds are to play the launch of the Liverpool Music Awards. The skiffle six-piece won the Ones to Watch award at last year's awards.
Liverpool born DJ Janice Long will be hosting the event on Tuesday April 30 at Liverpool Town Hall.

AWARD-WINNING record producer Steve Levine is to open his new recording studio in the city centre.

Steve, who has worked with bands from across the musical spectrum, decided to set up his own studio in the Baltic Triangle after recognising how much talent was coming out of Liverpool.

He said: "I've been visiting and working in Liverpool frequently over the past 10 years - I find the city very vibrant and the people welcoming."

Brace yourselves, the Kerrang! Tour is back for 2013. It's a case of 'if it's too loud you're too old' as Kerrang!, the UK's biggest selling music weekly magazine, put on another stellar line up for February featuring headliners Black Veil Brides, Chiodos, Tonight Alive and Fearless Vampire Killers, and we've got tickets to give away

As the official chart announces that the Justice Collective single is nudging ahead in the singles chart, Melanie C has released this moving video about why she had to be a part of it

As the Justice Collective race for the Christmas number one spot, we look at what it takesd to get to number one, which sales count and how the chart is compiled.

PERE Ubu is an unusual band name, but according to founder David Thomas it contains three important elements.
It is named after a character from a play by French writer Alfred Jarry.
"Jarry staged Ubu Roi in Paris in 1896," explains David.
"The principal character is a fellow named Pere Ubu.
"You need three things in a band name: It shouldn't mean anything but it should seem to mean something, it needs to look good and sound good and three it should have three syllables. Also the Ubu character was monstrous."

In the latest of our guest columns, comedian Sam Avery - an avid Guns N' Roses fan - wonders why he's still following this band in 2012...