DAVE Livings has been a face on the music scene for about 20 years, and is one of the most credible musicians in Southend.

If you've not caught him around numerous bars and clubs playing solo, you may have seen him as part of a bigger band, or recently as part of harmonious guitar led three piece the Honkies or Mark Schubert led outfit El Ray.

It's with much eagerness that his fanbase wait for the release of his debut solo EP, Stray Dog.

The official launch takes place on Saturday, April 28, at St Clements Church, Leigh Hill, Leigh, with a full band including a brass section.

I put to Dave that it's a bit of a surprise that he has taken this long to release any of his music, given how long he has been playing. I was even more surprised with his response.

"I never really thought anyone would want to listen, I didn't have confidence in my songwriting ability... I'd put other people on a pedestal, but never wanted to share my own songs.

"Then something happened to me in 2016. I got a bit of a wake up call... I was nearly dying in my bed alone, had been ill for so long that it consumed me... but by some miracle I made it through and realised how precious your life and time is, and to not waste it, and so I thought I'm going to send these songs out into the world with the help of some amazing friends."

Dave explained that he suffers with crippling psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and that at one point it became so painful, he could hardly get out of bed for what turned into months. His pain relief and anti inflammatory medication wasn't working and he had lost the use of his hands. He said he was so consumed by pain both physically and psychologically, it took a desperate phone call to the hospital he was under, where he threatened to take all the pills they had given him at once, that they took steps to find an alternative medication, eventually settling on drugs which came from the US.

"Apart from the odd bout, since I started taking it - over a year now - I've been clear, which is the longest length of time I've ever gone without suffering" Dave said, quickly adding, "but I don't want this to turn into one of those X Factor bleeding heart stories! I look back and I feel it was like I was being tested. It took me to the brink of what I could stand emotionally, physically and mentally.

"When I was laying there in my bed, it did make me think of all the little opportunities I'd wasted, how you really should live life to the full because in any instant it could all just go bang, and you could end up bed bound. It was a massive wake up call! I'm recovering nicely and glad to be alive. I decided I should stop delaying the idea of releasing my recordings and get on with it."

Stray Dog is the culmination of three years recording on and off at Khandha Rooms recording studio, produced and engineered by Zach Dorne.

Dave said: "I'm putting that out, and also have newer material which is going to become an album yet to be released in the not too distant future."

Dave will be joined by Zach Dorne, Chris Senner, Joe Garner, Ali Thomas, Brad Walsh and Lou Woodger with support from Matthew Boulter.

"There will be an Honesty Bar and CD sales by donation, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the One Love Soup Kitchen" he said.

Doors to the gig open at 7:30pm.

Tickets are £10 on the door or £8 in advance, available from Peggy Sues' Music Bar in London Road, Leigh, six days a week, or 07902 759299.