Novellos rock Victoria Hall

A NEW look up-and-coming band performed in front of 1,000 music fans at the Victoria Hall in Hanley.

Seventeen-year-old Sam Walker, from Leek, has joined fellow Westwood College pupil Eddy Gillespie, Newcastle-under-Lyme lad Mike Thomas and Adam Steele from Knighton in The Novellos.

Sam replaces Eddy's brother Phil who has left the band due to other commitments.

The four-piece soul, punk and pop band took to the stage to take part in the Hanley-based Sons Records Label Showcase.

Around 1,500 people packed into the Hanley venue to enjoy performances from other Staffordshire bands such as The La Dies, This is Seb Clarke, The Rough Charm as well as The Novellos.

Top DJs Colin Murray, Alexa Chung and Chris Hawkins were also on board at the music extravaganza.

Novellos drummer Eddy said: "It went really well and the crowd was amazing, it was such a great atmosphere.

"We performed nine songs including our forthcoming single Not So Sure.

"Having Sam join the band has helped create a new sound as he plays trombone as well as keyboards and providing backing vocals."

The Novellos only formed at the beginning of the year and have already been honoured with airplay on both BBC Radio One, Two and Six Music.

The band released their debut single, The Lady Is Not For Turning, on March 24 and it went straight in at Number Three in the Top 30 Independent Label Singles Chart.

Eddy said: "We will be releasing Not So Sure in the next few months and we are currently recording our first album at Sons Records."

Both Eddy and Sam are studying for their A Levels at Westwood College.

When asked how he manages to fit gigging into his busy schedule, Eddy admitted: "I am such a busy guy as I have other music projects going on as well.

"But I have been in music bands for so long now that I just seem to keep on top of everything. It's great that The Novellos are doing so well."

To find out more about The Novellos visit their myspace page or visit the Sons Records website at www.thesoulof northstaffsltd.co.uk.