Five head for fame (From Barry And District News)

Five head for fame

A VALE band is having a 'berry' marvellous time with hopes they will soon be signed to a London record company.

The five members of 'Juniper' have just come back down to earth after being spotted in London by Barry Wallace of Free Fall Records.

Hannah Dickson, 22, of Park Road, Barry is one of the twin sisters who named the band. She said: "We came up with Juniper because Lucy and I were born in June, and we're a pair - June-i-pair. It's a bit cryptic, but we got it in the end."

The band members, who come from Barry and Dinas Powys, were playing at the Dublin Castle in Camden when they were approached by the talent scout.

Hannah said: "We've sent CDs around to clubs in Cardiff and one of them must have passed it on to a London contact.

"On Monday June 10 we headed up to London after work. It was a bit of a rush, but it went really well.

"After we finished the set and were clearing away our equipment, Barry Wallace handed us his card and asked us to phone him."

Although Lucy and Hannah have been singing together all around Britain since they were 14, the band formed just over a year ago. Lucy and Hannah are from Barry, and the three male members of the band all live in Dinas Powys.

Mike Shankleman gives the band its throb on the bass guitar, Matthew Fitt supplies the beat of the drums, Tom Bellamy picks out the tune with the lead guitar while Lucy and Hannah round it all off with their harmonious lyrics.

They sent Free Fall Records a demo CD last week and Barry Wallace called to say he wants to sign them to his label.

Hannah added: "We're all trying to organise some time off work as soon as possible to meet with him. We don't know what he's got planned for us yet, but we're all so excited."