THE chance to catch the Lo Fidelity Allstars playing live is the rare treat on offer for Newport music fans this week.

The flamboyant pioneers of dance/rock fusion play in TJ's this week on the back of their critically acclaimed new album 'Don't Be Afraid of Love', released in February.

Already tipped as a contender for dance album of the year, it promises to be a fascinating gig on Wednesday night as the Lo Fi's mix it all together. Tickets are £7 and are available from usual outlets.

Elsewhere this week, the Cooper Temple Clause and Biffy Clyro, both with fast-growing reputations are in Cardiff this week. CTC are on the ascendancy at the moment, after their well received debut and MTV friendly anthem 'Kill All Music'.

They look like the part and talk the talk (it can only be a matter of time before the Levi ad man comes calling). We now await the delivery.

They headline their biggest tour so far with a gig in Cardiff University on Saturday night.

If you are looking for something slightly offbeat, then Dem Brooklyn Bums gig in Clwb Ifor Bach on April 18 is your best bet.

The New Yorkers are best known for their high-energy gigs where they comfortably mix musical influences ranging from ska, swing, punk and latino into the smoothest of blends.

Not only do they put together a top swinging sound, but possess some of rock music's best monikers with 'Broccoli Rob' Cittadino on lead vocals and upright bass, Timmy 'Pimento' Clemente on guitar, Rich 'Dusty Chopmeat' Zukor on drums, Paulie 'Pierogies' Brandenburg on trumpet, Bernhard 'Gunter Von Ginter' Ullrich on tenor sax, and Dave 'Canarsie Kid' Levitt on trombone - you just couldn't make it up - and as an aside they will go down in the most morbid annals of rock history as the last band to play in the World Trade Centre with their gig on September 9.

Other gigs on this week in Newport include British US punk devotees Capdown who play in TJ's on April 15, and tomorrow night the venue hosts a night of local metal bands.

This is their big break in Europe and they play in Clwb Ifor Bach on April 18.

Meanwhile, the summer line up over TJ's is being hastily arranged and among those down to play over the next few hazy months are crusty southern Englander's The Levellers and US punk legends the Dead Kennedy's, both gigs awaiting confirmation.

Cornwall's surf schlock rockers Reef are also playing next month, with tickets on sale now.