It has been one hell of a couple of months for Bunker based band Spoken Words. After receiving rave reviews for their set supporting Frankie & The Heartstrings just after Christmas, the lads have been tipped in NME's top 100 bands to watch in 2012.

We're not sure if the lads have been rubbing their lucky pennies or have had all fingers and toes in constant cramp, but they seem to be on a roll. After filling in a simple feedback form at The Bunker, following hours slaving away in their regular rehearsal room, the lads were entered into our monthly prize draw. Well....they have only gone and been pulled out of the hat! As well as a discount for a live recording, and a free session in their own practice room, the lads will feature in the new issue of Manifesto Magazine and have the opportunity to head down to Spark FM's Local Music Show to play live on air.

If the start of the New Year is anything to go by, Spoken Words are in for a decent 2012!

For more information on rehearsal rooms, please visit 'Our Facilities' above.

To find out more about Spoken Words and listen to their music visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Spoken-Words

There's nothing like a bit of healthy competition to stimulate the music scene, which is exactly what The Bunker and The Ivy House will be aiming to do, as they join forces to deliver Stripped Back 2012. Live music championing pub The Ivy House are re-branding their weekly gigs to create a year-long contest that will crown one act the punters' favourite. Each Thursday three acts will perform in an acoustic showcase, attempting to win over the audience with their stripped-back sets. The best set of the night will be chosen via audience participation, with the crowd voting for their favourite act. At the end of 2012 a prize fund total of £1000 will be up for grabs for those make the final showcase gig.

This is an ideal opportunity for bands and artists to strip back and show the talent that belies their songwriting and musicianship, as well as a chance for the gig going public of Sunderland to show their support for their favourite acts.

Manifesto Magazine kicks off 2012 with a very special New Years edition! Packed with news, views, and reviews from Bunker HQ’s seasoned writers. Manifesto #24 will pick the best and the rest from a year in local music that has seen Sunderland produce some outstanding emerging artists. As if that wasn’t enough to cure post-festive blues, the most special and sparkly of guest editors, Frankie & The Heartstrings, will be giving us the low-down on what has been a phenomenal year for the red and white blooded, indie darlings.

Manifesto Magazine has gone through a series of changes towards the back-end of this year, with a new editor coming through the ranks and a new online editor appointed. In conjunction with the growth of the local music scene, Manifesto has kept up with it’s subject, launching a new design and features that allow those thriving and breaking through across the North East, the opportunity to grace the magazines pages and similarly attract new listeners and fans with some online pr.