The recession shows no sign of letting up, but one venue is here to help with a series of free gigs for the alternative music fan.

Scream Lounge, Croydon’s leading venue for Metal, Punk and Indie, has a week of gigs to whet the discerning music-lovers appetite.

Beginning on Friday February 17 Scream welcomes The Stranglers Banned, a tribute to the seminal band, including all the hits such as Peaches, Always the Sun and of course Golden Brown, accompanied by Slider, playing an hour of classic punk and new wave, all free of charge.

On Sunday the first edition of the Lounge’s New Faces and Open Mic night kicks off, featuring Ashleigh Blackwood, Urb Scrunting, Georgia Thursting, Will Cattermole and more, once again all free of charge.

If these don’t take your fancy a third slot hoves onto the horizon to complete a week of free fun.

The Badheads, The Jetsonics and Stop Press will be playing a mixture of Ska and Indie on Thursday February 23.

Scream Lounge, South End, Croydon hosts a feast of music over the coming week.

For full details on times visit www.screamlounge.com