Big break for Alan's top ten (From Gazette & Herald)

Big break for Alan's top ten

FORMER Shed Seven drummer Alan Leach is giving would-be York rockers the chance to hit the big time - by letting them record in his own studio.

Alan, from Fishergate, who recently played at the Sheds' farewell gig at the Barbican Centre with Rick Witter, Fraser Smith, Joe Johnson and Tom Gladwin, is staging his own Battle of the Bands competition with a difference, to encourage local musicians to realise their dreams.

He is offering the chance for ten local bands to record one of their songs at his own studio - Studio Seven - in one-hour slots with the aid of a skilled engineer on Saturday, June 12.

The ten songs will then be professionally mixed and mastered on to CD and sold in the York area with all the profits going to charity. A panel of judges - likely to include former Sheds' frontman Rick and a member of Welsh rockers Funeral For A Friend - will judge the tracks and the winning band will win a full weekend's recording at Studio Seven.

"I don't think this has ever been done before and should be a great opportunity for local bands," said Alan, who plans to provide drinks and a barbecue on the day.

"If the songs sound anything like decent in an hour, then they will show a lot of potential. I'm hoping there will be a lot of interest."

Alan has hired out his studio on a full-time basis since Shed Seven split and also gives drum lessons.

He said there will be a top drum kit tuned and miked up in the studio on the day, along with a bass amp and two guitar amps all miked up.

"I'm really enjoying life since we split up - I've not had time not to," Alan said.

"I'm still in touch with the rest of the band."

Anyone interested in competing should email Alan at studioseven@ntlworld.com They should include brief details about their band and its members, including name, age, musical style etc.

Updated: 09:11 Saturday, May 22, 2004