With many venues closed over the coming week, and a mass weekend exodus expected to punchestown for oxegen, many of our local bands and their fans will be having a well-earned break from their relentless gigging engagements.

No such luxury in store for Tracer AMC who have a gig lined up at Lavery's Bunker this coming Sunday, though.

The post-rock Bangor instrumental quartet have been gigging and recording since 1999, with an impressive back-catalogue of releases on their own We Love Records label.

Support comes from recently formed noise merchants Gaju, comprising ex-members of Killing Spree and Corrigan, proving that there is no rest, whatsoever, for the wicked!

ZZ On the same night, over at the Pavilion on Belfast's Ormeau Road, there's more good news for anyone who didn't fancy the line-up at Oxegen.

Headlining are North West five-piece Zombie Safari Park, described on their myspace page as "the hard rockin', walkin dead", which probably more or less sums up their excellent performances.

Support acts include Coleraine punk trios Gunther and Falling From Grace, as well as the brilliantly named Ballintoy bad boys, Manoverbored.

It has to be the perfect antidote to the World Cup final on telly, or indeed probably the best place to let off a bit of post-match frustration afterwards - at least nobody will hear you scream.

ZZ Congratulations to Blackball Fighter, winners of the Battle Of The Bands contest, held recently at Balmoral's King's Head bar.

Fighting off some stiff opposition from fellow finalists Seven Eves and Spiral Force, the Belfast four-piece turned in one of their best performances ever to secure their place in the top slot.

The band are delighted that their relentless gigging around Belfast over the last year and superior songwriting skills have been finally recognised and are hoping to score some dates on the mainland off the back of their success.

Their Disciple EP is due for release any day now, but you can preview some of the tracks at www.myspace.com/blackballfighter

PATRIC BAIRD