A LEEK based band are back home after completing a tour with X Factor stars Leon Jackson and Same Difference.

The Cameleonz, made up of vocalist Marcus Birks and guitarist and vocalist Lis Lawrence, have also been touring schools and night clubs across the country.

The duo are promoting their forthcoming debut UK single release "Should I Stay".

Marcus, from Leek, and Lis, from Werrington, formed The Cameleonz almost three years ago.

They have invested £15,000 of their own money and £36,000 from a private investor in a bid to make it in the UK music industry.

Their hard-work paid off earlier this year when Lis and Marcus were signed by management company Piper Music Management.

The duo's debut single will be officially released on June 22 to the UK music industry and they hope to at least make it into the top 20.

Lis said: "The tour with Leon and Same Difference was brilliant and we have really enjoyed it.

"We had heard some nightmare stories of supporting acts touring with big stars but we couldn't have asked for better treatment.

"We got the crew and Leon and Same Difference some chocolates as a thank-you at the end of the tour."

Marcus said that three and sometimes four gigs a day over the past six weeks had been a hectic schedule.

He added: "As well as the Leon tour we have been performing at nightclubs and visiting lots of schools. We love touring schools as we get an amazing reception – and the school dinners are great too."

The pair have been getting used to life as pop stars, not only by being chauffeured to and from gigs courtesy of their management company but they have also been mobbed by fans asking for their autographs.

Marcus explained: "When we arrived for one of the tour dates we noticed lots of people crowding around the stage entrance and we thought they were waiting for either Leon or Same Difference, but apparently they had already gone in and they were actually waiting for us. So we went over and signed our autographs."

Lis added: "It's crazy now that we are getting recognised. It's weird having strangers call you by your name and I had my first gift from a fan – a teddy."

Although The Cameleonz may becoming accustomed to the life in the music industry, they both vow that they will never forget where they have come from.

Marcus said: "I have been trying to make it as a pop star since I was a teenager. I remember going along to the youth club and taking my karaoke machine and performing. I also used to spend all my pocket money on calling recording studios.

"Now we are performing to crowds as big as 30,000 people which we did at Cheshire Oaks at Christmas. But I will always hold a passion for my home town of Leek. That is another reason why we want to make it big – to prove that music talent from our small town can make it. If we make it and do a UK tour, we want Leek to be one of the venues for one of those tour dates. We want to put both Leek and Stoke-on-Trent on the map."

The duo will be making a guest appearance at Stoke's Top Talent on June 21 – the day before their single release.

And on June 27, the day before they hear if their debut release has charted, Lis and Marcus will be performing and signing at HMV in the Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley from 1pm.

"Should I Stay" by The Cameleonz is now available for pre-order by texting "STAY" to 78789. Texts will cost £1.50 plus the standard network rate. Those pre-ordering will receive a return text with a download code and web page for Seven Digital. It is also available to pre-order online from HMV for 99p.

For details, visit the band's web site, www.thecameleonz.com