High-flyers headed for sun

8:37am Monday 12th May 2008

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2008 is shaping up to be an exciting year for local band Sunflies with two record releases planned, gig requests flooding in and favourable coverage from the critics.

The band has got a slot at Luton Carnival and a place on the Music in the Parks bill. They also supported The View at Millennium Square in Leeds.

The recently signed act is to re-release their debut song The Indigo Sampler with future release dates booked for the autumn.

To celebrate the launch of their single they are planning to play a gig in their home city of St Albans at The Horn Reborn, Victoria Street on Friday "It's going to be an absolute blast," said front man and guitarist James Scott.

"Sunflies' sound is influenced by the likes of The Cure, Nirvana, Muse, Joy Division and Foo Fighters. We're a band that started out doing country and western covers of Britney Spears, Outkast and Nelly songs - it's a bizarre and brilliant combination."

The band formed in 2005 when they played their first gig at a 1950s-theme party.

"I really didn't think we were going to be very well received at all, and in that respect it was almost a very safe first gig to do," added Mr Scott.

"But the audience was grateful for a break from the traditional rock'n'roll and crooning they'd been force-fed all night and we went down an absolute storm.

"It was just like that scene from Back To The Future."

On Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, the punk band plan to play at Luton Carnival.

Organiser Paul Curry said: "Sunflies were chosen as one of the seven bands selected to play the BBC Introducing' stage at Luton Carnival because in the two years we've been working with them they've really developed, displayed great professionalism and never given less than 100 per cent when it comes to putting on a show.

"A firm favourite of us and our audiences, Sunflies were selected simply because they've proven they are good enough and just keep getting better and better."

The band comprises four members who live and work around St Albans - frontman and guitarist James Scott lives in Flamstead as does singer Joanna Scott. Bassist Chris Marks and drummer Matty Long both work in Harpenden.

Tickets for their single launch gig on May 16 are £6 in advance or £7 on the door and are available from: www.sunflies.co.uk