Rock prize is only a gig away

Dec 10 2008 by Gregor White, Stirling Observer Wednesday

THE biggest gig of their lives holds no fears for Denny rockers The Leads as they stand on the brink of grabbing an amazing $100,000 prize.

The five-piece, who have been honing their act continuously in live performances and recordings since 2006, head for the bright lights of London this weekend as Scotland’s entry in the massive Global Battle of the Bands.

As one of 30 performers taking part from all across the world, bassist David Malley (21) says the indie rockers are as confident as they can be of their chances.

“I’m feeling pretty good about it to be honest,” he said.

“I mean we’ve already won our way through the Scottish heats and you have to think that we’re at least as good as any of the others who’ve done the same in their countries.

“We believe in our music anyway and just hope we can go out there and persuade the crowd and the judges to get behind it too.”

With just an eight-minute slot on Saturday night to impress The Leads are planning to perform two songs Introspective Collective and The Grand National.

Despite hoping for a win David says that losing out on the top spot at the weekend wouldn’t necessarily be a disaster as past competitions have shown that even those coming further down the results table can look forward to a bright musical future.

“It’s not like an X-Factor kind of thing where you’re guaranteed a recording contract if you win,” he said. “Basically you get the money and that’s it and even though that would be nice, what we’re really looking for is something more for the future.

“We’ve heard about bands who didn’t win in previous years getting asked to play at things like the Texas SXSW festival and getting contracts themselves just because the right people saw them playing in this contest.’’

In a busy week for local music talent Stirling band Five Park Drive are also getting set for their own prestigious gig, performing at Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland on Saturday.

Hand picked for the coveted spot ahead of hundreds of others the group is looking forward to warming up a sell-out crowd ahead of the appearance of From the Jam, the band fronted by original Jam members Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler.

And following last week’s story about Tullibody metal outfit Exigency’s upcoming appearance at the regional finals of the UK-wide Red Battle of the Bands, it turns out they face a spot of local competition.

Burn the Sunset are a five-piece group whose members are all pupils at Stirling High School and who will go head to head with Exigency at The Barfly in Glasgow tomorrow (Thursday) night for a place in the national final.