Leamington Assembly gig gives the Girls something to scream about

Months after making it to the Midlands final of this year’s Live & Unsigned competition, the four young men are just days away from taking the stage that has played host to Razorlight, N-Dubz, KT Turnstall and Beverley Knight.

Bass player Ashley Maugham said: “A London promotions company called us up after spotting us online to ask if we would support Toyah Wilcox. To our surprise, it just so happened that the gig was at the Assembly in Leamington!

“It’s great to be able to play at a local venue and, because Toyah Wilcox’s Nottingham gig was cancelled, it’s going to be a really massive performance and our biggest support slot.

“The pressure is high. I wouldn’t say we are nervous, but we do want to do the best we can.”

Primarily a rock band, the band’s influences range from Black Sabbath to Prodigy and Pendulum and dub-step and electronic music.

Twenty-four-year-old Ashley and his younger brother Stephen, the band’s synth player, have been friends with 21-year-old Chris Burdon - who took on the role of singer - since their school days and they formed what was intended to be a ‘party band’ four years ago.

But after drummer Kris Farrell, 20, joined the Girls last year, they took a new direction and have since had their music aired on BBC Radio 1 and Kerrang, while they also have a large internet following.

And although all four lads, who went to Campion, Myton and Trinity Schools, have full-time jobs, they are wholly committed to putting their band first.

Ashley said: “We are absolutely aiming to make this our career. We have just taken on a new manager and are focusing on getting more radio play, more gigs and more promotion.

“We are gigging as much as possible. I think we appeal to a wide range of people because our music is both vintage and modern. It’s quite unique.”

Girls That Scream are playing at the Assembly on Thursday. Doors open at 7pm. Call 311311 or visit www.leamingtonassembly.com