A THREE-piece band of Mod loving teenagers have been handed the chance to win new fans – opening for influential 70s rockers Eddie and the Hot Rods when they play The Witham, in Barnard Castle, next month.
And while the headliners – who found fame as part of the pub rock scene and with classics such as Do Anything You Wanna Do – are embarked on their farewell tour, The Thieves, who began life rehearsing at The Hub, are only just starting out.
Bishop Auckland-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Frankie Dobson and bass player William Mills, plus drummer Christopher Andrews, from Sunderland, are all just 15.
The band was formed in April last year and made use of the studio facilities at The Hub when they started rehearsing. Although the group’s original drummer left in May, Christopher stepped in almost immediately, playing at the most recent gigs in Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe.
Frankie’s mum Sandra said the lads were looking forward to the Barnard Castle gig.
“Frankie will be 16 on September 17 and he said what better way to spend his birthday weekend than supporting Eddie and The Hot Rods,” she said.
“They did have another gig on the same day, but they thought it would be a better crowd at The Witham. This is definitely one of the bigger things they have done.
“They do a 45 minute set of mainly covers with the odd original in there – from 60s mod and indie music such as The Who, The Kinks and The Yardbirds to The Jam and Ocean Colour Scene. They are listening to different songs all of the time.”
In addition to putting their own spin on other songs, the band has already recorded an EP of original songs.
Eddie and the Hot Rods, supported by The Thieves, takes place on Saturday, September 15, at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £15 in advance, £18 on the door and £12 for those aged 16 and under.
Contact The Witham box office on 01833 631107.
