This Friday the 13th sees a special performance by Laminate, The Skins and guests in Cleere's Theatre as the curtain falls on one of the country's most highly charged and respected independent acts.

Energetic rock three-piece Laminate (Wexford) are no strangers to the Kilkenny music scene. It's been almost a year to the day since they last played locally, performing an outstanding set last June 16th to a packed house in the old ID venue. Although they were in preparation for one final EP release, the band effectively called it a day last December.

However, not to disappoint their fans in the Southeast, the Wexford trio have organised one final round of gigs this coming weekend with Kilkenny being the first stop on the list. "We had to come back to Kilkenny and hook up with everyone again", says front-man Derren Dempsey, "Every single time has been great. We're hoping we'll have the new CD with us too as a farewell gift". The fact that the band are drawing a line under their career as Laminate is certain to disappoint many but for one final night, local fans will have the chance to hear tracks such as 'Tom Petty', 'Always' and crowd favourite 'Paper' which organisers claim "nearly took the house down last year" in the small upstairs (evidence to which can be found on YouTube).

"At the Christmas Party a few years ago they came in and just blew everyone away. The band are an example of rock music at it's finest in Ireland", mentions KKM's Ken McGuire.

Laminate started out as a side project for Derren Demspey (ex-Wilt, Halite) in Wexford in 2003 before evolving into the powerhouse it became in 2006 alongside Harvey (drums) and Johnny Fox (bass).

They recorded a three track demo in Grouse Lodge (famed for having hosted Muse & The Manic Street Preachers among others) which was well received by Kerrang! Magazine, and received an impressive 9 out of 10 in Rock Sound Magazine with Ken McGrath describing the band as "A cross between Jimmy Eat World and Weezer, with some Queens of the Stone Age thrown in for good measure."

Laminate's ever evolving sound has been described in many ways, with some calling it punk rock, others saying it's too melodic to be punk, and some seeing it simply as an eclectic blend of heavy rock music - as long as the audience can take something from the songs, the band don't care how its labelled. The band are well known for putting "absolutely everything" they have into their live sets and this weekend will be no different, the band delighted to come back for "one last hoedown" in their adopted home.

Joining Laminate on the night are Dublin three piece The Skins featuring Kilkenny man Keith O'Neill. This alternative rock band were formed back in 2004 and comprise of Aaron Gaffey (guitar / vocals), Keith O'Neill (bass) and Riche Mason (drums). Good friends of Laminate, the band's music has been described as "riff based alternative stoner rock, with a mixture of time signatures", the description drawing on the fact the band hail influences as varied as The Who, Thin Lizzy, Mastadon, Lamb Of God, Eric Clapton and Queens of the Stone Age.

Doors open this Friday night (13th) in Cleere's at 9:30pm with the first act taking to the stage for 10pm. Admission is just five Euro with more gig details available on www.kilkennymusic.com. This will be the last and final time Laminate will be seen in Kilkenny so organisers are urging fans not to miss out.

Acts also appearing with KilkennyMusic.com this month include Travega, Dirty Epics, Joe Cleere, Evan Prendergast (all June 19th) and The Guggenheim Grotto (June 28th).