THREE bands from Epitaph play Newport tomorrow night in the name of PUNKORAMA. Bouncing Souls, Mouthwash, Bombshell Rocks and Crashdown play TJ's on Saturday, October 6, as part of a world tour of punk bands signed to the American label.

The globe- trawling tour has already covered the States and Canada with bile and sweat, and calls on TJ's this weekend before crossing to the Continent.

Supposed headliners Guttermouth pulled out of the tour, frightened they'd get hurt flying to Europe following the terrorist atrocities in New York. Johnny, of Sickness of One Promotions, e-mailed bands throughout Wales to fill the tour, asking them why they should be on the bill. The winners, Crashdown, an eight-piece kiddy ska band from Monmouthshire, now open the bill.

Newly promoted headliners Bouncing Souls play like a meeting of U2 and Joy Division in a bar with the brass of a Ska band rehearsing in one corner, Hank Marvin in the other and Iggy Pop propping up the bar, occasionally singing to keep himself awake - see Don't Forget About Me.

An ambitious band, their latest How I Spent My Summer Vacation sports some of the band's catchiest material with characteristic wit and attention to detail: Streetlight Serenade is a ballad to a BMX bike!

Mouthwash (pictured) are not signed to Epitaph but are from West Norwood, South London, where their ska punk has earned them a deal with Hellcat Records. The band's debut album, 1000 Dreams, came out last year.

In 1997 Mouthwash released their debut single, Music for the Average Ninja, through their own record label, Hot Wok Records, which brought them into contact with bands such as The Vandals, UK Subs and Agnostic Front. The band has one other EP, Give 'em the Boot.

Bombshell Rocks are a five-piece Swedish punk band in the same vein as Stiff Little Fingers and Rancid. "We got together with the intention to play high-energy punk rock the way our favourite bands did it - Operation Ivy and Screaching Weasel to name two," a spokesman for the band said. "Not make a carbon copy of those bands, but to take the the energy, the simplicity and the honesty of their music and make our own special blend."

Cityrats and Alley Cats is their latest album, out now on Epitaph. The Punkorama tour comes to TJ's, Newport, on Saturday, October 6. Tickets are £7.50 in advance from Rockaway and Hitman records in Newport, or £8.50 on the door. Doors open 7pm. For more info on the tour surf to http://www.epitaph.com/punkorama/index.html