Last updated at 19:36, Sunday, 22 February 2009

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TWO more groups made it into the final of Maryport’s Battle of the Bands playing two different styles of music.

The second heat took place last Friday and the winners will now have the chance to open the 11th Maryport Blues festival this summer.

Five bands from across the county fought it out in front of a large crowd at Grasslot Working Men’s Club.

The two bands to make it through to next week’s final were Feed Me and Colt 45.

West Cumbrian band Feed Me have been playing together for two years and were also finalists in the competition last year.

The band describe their music as "old classic guitar riffage with a modern twist" and said they were influenced by some of the older blues bands.

Feed Me’s line-up was Jonathan Cuthel, 24, of Cockermouth on vocals, Kiefer McCrickerd, 18, of Maryport on guitar, Jamie Francis, 18, of Maryport on guitar, Andy Bates, 17, of Egremont on drums, Phil Lavery, 17, of Frizington on bass and Kev McGough, 42, of Frizington on guest harmonies.

Andy said: “We play some of our own original material and some old reworked blues classics that we want to bring into the modern era.”
Three-piece act Colt 45 have been together for four months and band members come from Workington and Maryport.

Their line-up was lead vocalist and guitarist Neil Harper, 24, backing vocalist and bassist Stuart Pyne (corr), also 24, and drummer Owen Scott, 15.

The band played a rock / indie set and said their greatest influence was Manic Street Preachers.

Owen said that the band had met through their fathers all knowing each other.

Other groups that performed on the night were The Breed, The Revolution and With Lights Out.

The last heat will take place on Friday February 20 with the final taking place on Friday February 27, both from 7pm.

The winners of each round are chosen by a new system this year.

The audience choose their favourite contender through a ballot, which is considered as well as the votes of the four judges.

If the audience choice is different to that of the judges, then two bands will go through to the final.

Main acts for the summer festival have yet to be announced.

The overall winner will get the opportunity to play on the main stage at the festival’s marquee.

Some of the groups taking part in the Battle of the Bands may be offered the chance to perform during the festival, which opens on July 24.

See heat one videos and read the story here

See heat three videos and read the story here

First published at 18:47, Sunday, 22 February 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk