Event is a 'breath of fresh air' lor local bands (From Stroud News and Journal)

Event is a 'breath of fresh air' lor local bands

TOP Stroud group SuperJuice were confirmed as a headline act at this year's Stroud Fringe this week - and they are convinced the festival is going to be the best one yet.

The six-piece band, fresh from winning second place in a county-wide Battle of the Bands at the beginning of July, are raring to go for the September event.

Set to headline at the Cornhill Market stage on Friday, September 9, they believe the new-look festival is just what the town's blossoming music scene needs.

Shunning paid-for events in favour of free local music, the organisers have had to turn bands away as they assemble an undeniably impressive who's who of local talent.

"It is going to be fantastic," said bassist Mark Thompson, "a breath of fresh air for the acts we have around here,

"There is a lot going on in Stroud and it needs to be pushed out there a bit, without being overshadowed by big bands."

Lead singer Josef Reeve added: "It will be better this year because now it is all about local bands and what they are about. There are so many great bands around here."

Since their debut as a six-piece at Glastonbury 2004, the outfit have gone from strength to strength and are convinced their sound is tighter than ever.

Keyboard player and vocalist Matt Blackie said: "We know what each person is likely to do and we have a really good rapport going, which makes writing a lot easier.

"A lot of the time it is just eye contact and nods rather than actually saying anything."

Drummer Sam Baker is busily fashioning a recording studio in his back garden in Thrupp, where the band hope to record their first full-length album.

"We have enough for an album, definitely," added Matt. "We have virtually 20 tracks under our belts now and we hope to have something out in late Autumn, certainly before the end of the year."