By name, they remain the "dirty dozen". By nature, you would have to say that this Detroit rap group is, at the very least, numerically challenged. Originally named in honour of the band's six members and their six alter egos, of late, the lineup has taken more than its fair share of blows. In 2006 rapper Proof was fatally wounded during a bar argument over a game of pool. Meanwhile, the contributions made to the band by their most famous member, Eminem, have lately been a little unpredictable, to say the least. On the downside, when the group played in July, Em didn't join them, and he's not made any contribution to a solo LP by D12 MC Bizarre. However, with rumours beginning to surface of a new Eminem album, this could be the just the sort of low-key occasion for the rapper to dip his toe back in the water of public performance.
• Manchester Academy, Sun 14; Astoria, WC2, Mon 15
