Runners up for Battle of the Bands (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Runners up for Battle of the Bands

1:37pm Wednesday 4th January 2006 in

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AFTER months of heats, The Horn's Battle of the Bands competition has only three acts still standing. St Albans' I Love You Goodbye and Hertford's Black Cab and The Runners compete in the final tonight in front of what is sure to be a packed house at the venue in Victoria Street, St Albans.

All three are young bands currently garnering record company interest and establishing a formidable live reputation in the capital.

Black Cab, if you'll excuse the pun, hail from Hertford where the five-piece got together as school friends.

Vocalist and guitarist Joel Hyde says The Horn gig will showcase a more melodic direction in the band's sound as well as an EP of new tracks.

He says: "We've just released a new EP off our own backs. We sold all 500 copies of the last one. The Horn gig will be the first night the new one is available to buy.""

The new sound owes much, Joel says, to an appreciation of the work of the late Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett.

Still, those expecting the band's trademark blend of Led Zeppelin and Guns and Roses-inspired riffing will not be disappointed on Thursday. The band still rock hard.

Joel says: "We have a modern edge but we do listen to 1970s stuff. Live is our main thing. We've always been good live.""

Their live prowess has earned the band gigs at seminal London venues as Oxford Street's 100 Club and Islington's The Garage.

Joel and the rest of the band - lead guitarist John Bisset, bassist Jeff Lucas, Owen Griter on keyboards and Ash Hodge on drums - can't wait to get on stage on Thursday.Joel says: "The Horn gig should be brilliant.

"There will be loads of people there. It is one of my favourite venues."

As to their chances of winning, Joel says there's no point playing with defeat in mind.

He says: "You've got to be confident. But I know the others are top quality bands. We know The Runners well and they're really good. It would be great to win."

The Runners know that making it in the music business is a marathon and not a sprint but in their two years together they have made great strides.

A place in the Battle of the Bands final is indicative of their progress.

Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Gus Cox says: "We're very chuffed to have made it. We've been working hard on our sound and writing and recording new songs."

The result is their first demo which the band will be sending out to record companies, some of whom have already expressed an interest in the Hertford punksters.

Gus says: "We're trying to hone our tunes right now. We're known for upbeat indie punk songs but we're broadening our sound now, adding a few slower tunes.

"I'm the predominant songwriter but the rest of the band Jim Thompson on bass, Clive Romanowski on lead guitar and Clint Henderson on drums add a touch of magic at the end."

If you are coming along to the gig tonight, The Runners promise to change you.

Gus says: "Playing live is like going into another zone. I enjoy being able to change people's moods. You've got to give the audience a good time."

Gus admits that there may be some "friendly rivalry" between his band and Black Cab, who they've got to know well on the circuit over the years.

He says: "We know all the lads. But when it comes to the show you've goit to take a professional approach but I guess it will be a bit awkward."

A Battle of the Bands victory, though, would be another huge step in getting the band known. Gus says: "The recording time prize is huge. Our main aim is to get more recording time in, to keep writing great tunes and get ourselves out there."

For more information on the band log on to their website at www.therunnersband.com St Albans band I Love You Goodbye prefer to let their music do the talking. Lead singer of the electro pop rockers Tom Drew was reluctant to tell the Observer too much, but did let slip a few facts.

The band were formed at the beginning of the year by long-time friends in St Albans drawn together by a love of the music of The Cure, The Police and Kate Bush.

Tom says: "We are delighted to have reached the final. All three bands will have lots of support so it should be a good night.""

The band are aiming to record some tracks in a studio in January. Tom says: "Our aim will be to capture the energy of our live shows on the recording."

The band are already a hot live ticket. The night after the Battle of the Bands gig they will be playing at The Pleasure Unit in Bethnal Green, East London.

Tom says: "We also have more gigs booked for the new year."

n To buy tickets, priced £4, call 01727 844627 or go online at ticketweb.co.uk