Don't Shoot the Messenger are a band based in Sheffield, UK. We play covers of rock & pop songs from all decades.

Next gigs - Sat 4th February 2012, Carcroft WMC Visit our Facebook page and become a fan!here.

Please click on the Gigs link for details of all our gigs this year.

Here is the news!

Added 29th January 2012

Well, the New Year has got off to a flying start with fantastic gigs at Woodseats and Handsworth. Due to popular demand, (well, a demand anyway) I've updated the Upcoming Gigs section so that all our dates are listed until June this year. No doubt more will be added as they arise. We've some new venues added this year apart from the club gigs we have, so if pubs are more your bag, come along to The Forest on 18th Feb, The Harlequin on 10th March or The Hop on 14th April. See you there fans!

Added 13th November 2011

After a brief November break whilst Mr Candling celebrates becoming a pensioner in Mexico, we're looking forward to hitting the road with our busiest month of the year. The band is out every Saturday in December so there's no excuse for missing us. We might even have time to learn a couple of Xmas songs to throw in! Any suggestions?

Added 22nd August 2011

The summer months are always quiet for us due to various members taking holidays, but we're pleased to squeeze in a charity event "JOCKSTOCK" at The Horse and Jockey on Wadsley Lane this coming Sunday. It's an outdoor event, so fingers crossed for the right weather. There are loads of other acts appearing too and it's all in a good cause. Hope to see you there!

Added 27th June 2011

Summertime. Warm evenings, cool beer, good friends.....and some quality LIVE music from yours truly. So far this year we've had no major crisis, have put a few new songs in, ressurected a couple of oldies and played some cracking gigs. It's a real buzz when we get asked back to so many places because it's been FUN!! Or maybe we're just too cheap? Cool friends, warm beer, good evening!

Added 21st Feb 2011

The ups and downs of a rock and roll band. This weekend sees the end of Ecclesfield WMC, yet another live music venue that has been forced to close. We're hoping as many people as possible will be there for the final party weekend, and we're sad but honoured to be the last live band on the stage. So, here's to a great night and some great sounds from yours truly. PS, bingo as usual.

Added 28th December 2010

Happy New Year to all our friends! Last year was mostly fantastic, even though we had a few ups and downs with Dave's injury. We're looking forward to the new year with some new songs and the diary is already filling with bookings, so if anyone reading this is after booking one of Sheffield's finest cover bands, visit the contacts page quickly and shoot us an email. See you at a gig soon!

Added 8th October 2010

The good news is that Dave is managing to play with usual aplomb, even though he's still got a bit of a bad back. We're beginning to think he's just doing it to get out of the housework. Shh....!

Added 23rd August 2010

It's gone a bit quiet.....but then it is the summer holidays. John's been to Dorset, Dave's in Ibiza, Nick's off to Turkey and Woody is booking Sciatica for a week with Paul. At the time of writing, Dave's bad back is still not responding, he's been off work and having a really tough time with it. Consequently we had to cancel some gigs before our hols but were admirably rescued by Burt, guitarist with new Sheffield band The Take and also a fine bassist! We're obviously hoping Dave recovers in time for the Autumn schedule, but Burt has said he will stand in again if he possibly can. So it's fingers crossed.....We're also starting to book gigs for 2011, so drop us a line via the contacts page if you would like to book us. Cheers.

Added 10th July 2010

Unfortunately we've had to call off both gigs this weekend due to the creaking old bass player we have. Poor sod has sciatica. Al thought that was a Greek island til someone told him. Hey ho. Disappointing but you have to put yer health first - especially at Dave's age.

Added 20th may 2010

Time flies when you're having fun! The band diary is bulging with juicy gigs at venues old and new. In fact, we're now taking bookings for 2011 as there are so few dates left this year - December being the next available! Private parties and weddings seem to be on the up which we take as a huge compliment to our entertainment value as a band. Hope you can make it down to see us soon!

Added 9th Feb 2010

Sorry if you missed the website during January! We were undergoing a change of administrator. Hopefully the coming months will see a few changes, especially as the old stuff on here dates back to the 4-piece band with Ali Lowe and we've been a 5-piece for over a year! We can use your gig pictures if you want to email them to me via the contacts page. the more the merrier. We've played a couple of new venues recently, The Golden Lion in Pudsey and The Ship in Cudworth (on a Sunday teatime!!). Hoping to return to both later in the year. Hope to see all our regulars at the Sporty on Saturday and maybe a few new fans too. Search for Dont Shoot the Messenger on Facebook and become a fan, then we can send you updates and gig invites that way too.

Added 17th November 2009

Three great gigs in and around Ecclesfield. Well done to all concerned and what a good turn out of support! All three venues have invited us back for gigs in the New Year. Believe it or not, but the diary is already looking busy, so if you want us, get in touch soon!

What a night the Harlequin was! What a fantastic pub! Real Ale and not a beardy in sight! Excellent staff and locals who know what they like. Can't wait to return next year.

Added October 2009

The Ecclesfield Tour is next on the agenda. 3 gigs on home turf, all booked at separate times but turned out close together in the DSTM calendar. Got posters up all over the place. Come to all 3 if you can. We'll not be driving so beer will flow!!

Added 28th August 2009

Sorry Folks, but there's been a cock up with the dates for the New Inn, so unfortunately we aren't appearing there til November. We'd like to take the opportunity to apologise in particular to Lisa, who, on her only night off in the week was going to drag herself to see us, through the rainy streets of Sheffield, all the way to the New Inn where no doubt she would once again be throwing her underwear at the band and demanding that we wash it. Not that she seems a particularly assertive or dominant person ("bossy cow" they say in the office) but just that she now realises what she could have had if she hadn't chickened out of arranging a few dates for us. It must be like when Decca turned down the Beatles. However, we're not too big to offer another chance, but of course the commission is now MUCH less. Then again, we do need all the fans we can get.......

Added 31st May 2009

3 - 2 - 1 - We're back in the room! Nick is at full voice again after undergoing rehab, councelling, remortgage, MOT and some sessions with a nice lady who coaxed his vocal chords to stop being shy and get working properly once more. At great risk of jinxing everything, I'm pleased to say we are resuming operations, starting with a warm-up at the Sportsman on the 13th June. Then it's a busy round of some of our favourite places, a biggie at Ecco WMC, weddings and a charity do in August. Welcome back!

Added 14th April 2009

We have regrettably decided to cancel all our gigs for the next few months to give Nick's voice a chance to make a full recovery. We realised it's no good struggling on and giving below par performances - the whole band, not just Nick! So its time to re-assess. If you have any gigs booked with us through the summer, we hope to be able to honour them from July/August onwards, but we'll just have to wait and see. We are sorry that we've had to take this decision, but in the long run we feel it's for the best.

Added 29th March 2009

April already! Nick's throat is slowly improving. He's had a camera investigation at the hospital and it's revealed strained vocal chords. Resting them is the best policy, so he'd better have been a good boy! This month has our regular visit to The Sportsman, a gig at Ecclesfield Working Men's Club and a Friday night at The New Inn. Things are still a little touch and go but we hope to deliver the full DSTM treatment for all of these dates. Hope to see you at one or all of them.

Added 20th Feb 2009

Apologies for not updating the site recently, but we've been off the road! Nick has a had a very worrying bad throat which forced the cancellation of our last three gigs, including the wedding. We hate letting people down, but there was absolutely nothing to be done. Fortunately, Nick is well enough to tackle our favourite venue, The Sportsman, on Saturday 28th Feb, so a good crowd will do us the world of good. Hope you can make it.

Added 5th Jan 2009

The band are recording during January and so it is a quiet month gigwise. Plus, Dave's off on his winter jollies. Don't forget the stick of rock. We've got a private function on Valentine's Day - a wedding, then its back into the groove with some quality venues lined up for the early spring. Confirmation of these dates will appear as soon as possible.

Added 30th November 2008.

Sadly, the 8th November gig will be Ali Lowe's final appearance with DSTM. He and Jenny (and a growing baby bump) are moving to Bristol as a step in Al's career as a transponster. Can't think of any reason to want to move to Bristol unless you REALLY have to, so work is probably as good a reason. Al, we're going to miss you. You have been a huge part of DSTM and we can only hope to have as much fun with the band with Dave and Paul in the future. Who will the singing vicar pick on now? We all wish you both (and the bump) the very best for the future. So, please come and say a fond farewell to The Mad One on the 8th. Beer will flow and maybe a few tears - you know what Nick's like!

Added 20 May 2008

Welcome to the new look site! Soon the site will change further with a load of new photos from our recent photo shoot. Stay tuned.

Added 9 May 2008

Check out the gigs section for a load of more gigs that have been added!

Added 14th Jan 2008

Happy new year from DSTM!!!

Added 31st Dec 2007

Well, this is the last post for 2007. It's been a great year, and DSTM have gone from rags to musical riches since our first gig in the Sportsman last January. Here's hoping that 2008 brings many more exciting performances! The gigs section has been updated with a few from 2008. Watch this space over the next few days for some downloadable tracks!

Added 5th Dec 2007

Hope you like the Christmassy theme! John has started the band blog, where you can go and read about what we get up to!

Added 25th Oct 2007

A forum has now been created! Go to http://dontshootmusic.aceboard.com to post your messages about the band!

Added 25th Oct 2007

Loads of new photos from the Fleur de Lys are now up. Check them out!

Added 18th Sep 2007

Well, DSTM's extended summer holiday is nearly at an end, and that means we're working hard before we get back on the scene at the Fleur de Lys this coming Saturday. Hope to see you there!

Added 26th July 2007

The site has been updated once more! This time, there is a new video in the gallery along with a new page dedicated to photos of our devoted audience!

Added 21st June 2007

The site has been updated to include a "next gig" box as you can see above - which also announces a gig this Saturday at short notice. Hope you can make it!

Added 17th June 2007

After a period of silence, this site has been updated to list a load of new gigs for you to enjoy!

Added 18 May 2007

Following our successful gig on Saturday night, there are now two more videos in the gallery for your enjoyment! Now you can see the fab DSTM boys performing 24/7!

Added 1 May 2007

A new page has been added to the site! The songs page gives a list of the songs that we play.

Added 19 Apr 2007

The gigs list has been updated, as we've rearranged a gig for Thursday next week. Check out the gigs section.

Added 13 Apr 2007

More pics added to gallery, this time from the Sportsman way back when. Hope to see you there again tomorrow night!

Added 8 Mar 2007

I have added some more photos to the gallery. These ones are from the Pen Nook on 24th February!

Added 26 Feb 2007

We now have video evidence of our shenanigans in the Sportsman. What are you waiting for? Check it out!!!

Added 21 Feb 2007

We've now had a whole load of gigs confirmed in various places to make a busy time for DSTM! Check out the gigs section for more info.

Added 12 Feb 2007

DSTM are booked in at the Sportsman again for 9pm on 24th March 2007! Hope to see you there!

Added 12 Feb 2007

DSTM's gig on Saturday night went pretty well, being two sets of about 45 minutes each, plus five encores by popular demand! Pics from the gig should appear on this site soon, and maybe also some video footage!!!

Added 25 Jan 2007

DSTM are confirmed to play in the Pen Nook in Deepcar on Saturday 24th February 2007. Check out the gigs section.

Added 18 Jan 2007

DSTM are confirmed to play in the Sportsman once again on 10 February 2007, check out the gigs section.

Added 16 Jan 2007

DSTM's new site is up!!!

Added 16 Jan 2007

Don't Shoot the Messenger's debut gig in the Sportsman Inn on Barnsley Road, Sheffield, was a massive success! The band played two sets of about 45 minutes each, and the packed pub enjoyed it immensely!