Katie Castles

FRESH from her recent show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Toowoomba native Katie Castles is thrilled to announce she's back for a homecoming show.

The self-confessed 29-year-old going on 60, once "shopped at the Grandy, partied at the Tatts, ate chips in the USQ quad" and will perform for one night only in the town that she says taught her to be tough.

"It's especially important to me, as I'll be performing it in a place that's very close to my heart, Toowoomba, where I was born and raised, not to mention at the USQ Arts Theatre, where I spent three years of thespian life and have so many fond memories of good times and awesome and kind people," she said.

Debuting in her first national commercial for Jeep last year, the comedian and actor has performed at stand-up comedy spots in London and Melbourne over the past three years.

With her recent shows receiving rave reviews - Melbourne's Herald Sun called her the bogan mate you kept inviting back to social functions - her success has been anything but overnight.

"This has been at least 10 years in the making.

"This show is the result of all the blood, sweat and beers," she said.

One of six children in a "loveable but abnormal" family and with bold opinions about dating and feminism, Ms Castles said she wasn't afraid to tell it how it is.

"I'm not interested in the heroines but the female characters who, in the past, have been pushed to the edge: independent and meaty women."

She said she was especially excited about returning to USQ, a university that gave her the confidence to crack the tough gig that is acting and comedy.

To catch her hilarious and brutal honesty head to the USQ Arts Theatre, West St tomorrow.

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. The event is BYO and tickets can be bought online at www.trybooking.com/EUPB or at the door.

John Sankey

DALBY drummer John Sankey and his band Devil You Know are topping international charts with debut album The Beauty of Destruction.

Currently on tour in America, the band reached number two on the US iTunes charts last week and has this week made number two on the UK and European's rock charts.

Proud dad Dennis Sankey said the Dalby born and bred musician came from a family of "musos" and started drumming when he was 15.

"He played in local bands before going to university on the Gold Coast and forming the band Devolve. They were one of Australia's most successful heavy metal bands and aired on Triple J," Mr Sankey said.

"About 18 months ago John teamed up with a famous guitar player and singer and started Devil You Know.

"The album was released on April 29 and they've already had worldwide success."

Devil You Know also toured Australia for this year's Soundwave Festival.

Search for Devil You Know on Facebook to hear their music.

Brendan Langfield

THERE have undoubtedly been a few gasps in Toowoomba's lounge rooms as MasterChef viewers spot the familiar face.

Those who know him will have watched former St Mary's College boy Brendan Langfield go from strength to strength but may not have expected him to don the chef's apron.

No stranger to the limelight, he has spent a good deal of his life behind a bass guitar in the pop-rock band Finabah, which has toured alongside Wolfmother, Spiderbait, Kate Miller-Heidke and Amy Meredith.

The musician turned celebrity chef said he saw many similarities between music and food.

"Both involve combining ingredients to give something to someone you love."

He confessed he's now looking for the thing to commit to in his life, ready to give it his all.

"I have a good job, but not a great job; I have had a good musical career, but not a great one: I was good at school, but not great at school. I am great with food - MasterChef Australia will be the turning point in my life."