ALPHA ROAD

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 Alpha Road began life at school as Tom, George and Mike, playing gigs in village halls to confused teenagers. The band essentially formed on Alpha Road, where practices were held at the time. Originally a three-piece, Tim Bond was soon recruited on lead guitar when the band went to sixth form. In 2006 the band recorded their first demo as a four-piece in a day at Orchard Cottage Studios, Willingham, Cambs. This was entitled No Dice and was a hasty, scratchy rock EP that captured the band's talent, even if they didn't quite know how to exercise it yet. The three tracks recorded were Street Dancing, Bad Strategy and Cry Baby, the latter having an epic instrumental ending which would become a favourite spectacle at gigs. The EPs were made at home, DIY, and the limited 200 run proceeded to sell out (I don't even have one myself now!), being sold at gigs and at school. Shortly after uploading the songs to myspace the band enjoyed some gigs at the Man on the Moon, which was oh so exciting for wide-eyed 16 year olds! They also played on the Future Stage at Strawberry Fair to much acclaim, and appeared at the Hills Road summer ball that year.
 
Throughout 2006 to 2007 the band were both writing and gigging around Cambridge regularly. It was remarked that the band 'pretty much had residency at the moon', having played there four times in one month! The band also won the Hills Road Battle Of The Bands, held at the junction to a packed out crowd. The performance culminated in a rendition of Cry Baby with Tom's arms out wide, which a radio DJ remarked was a 'Jesus Pose'.  Pete, not the bassist at this time, was at the gig and said he preferred the runners up, but he's come round now, we hope! A real sixth form band scene was built up, which unfortunately led to great animosity between the bands involved.  Alpha Road gave as good as they got!
 
In April 2007, the band decamped to the Sick Room in Norfolk for a three day session, to record the 'Back Fence Talk' EP.  Much like the bleak surroundings, the EP was a more hushed, sparse affair, though it still retained the bounding vocals of No Dice.  The four tracks recorded were 'Weak Spot, Back Fence Talk, If You'd Been Watching and the first version of Daisy'.  Three rainy days were spent crafting the recordings, the band staying in an old caravan at night and playing Super Nintendo between takes in the room size collage that is the Sick Room.  The EP this time was professionally pressed and featured a multi-coloured card case. These have nearly all been sold or handed out at gigs.

 

After sixth form, Tim and Tom decided to take a gap year, Tim to work steadily, and Tom to meander through various jobs and attempt to 'find himself'. George went to study medicine in London and left the band. Pete came in to replace him. The band won a competition run by www.cambridgebands.com, the prize being a 3-day session at Monkey Puzzle House Studio, Suffolk. 3 tracks were recorded - previous versions of Colours, Astranaut, and Edge of the Earth. In early 2008, the band was approached by the Animal Farm record producers, based at Atomic Studios, Bermondsey, London, and in April the guys did a 5-day session. The tracks recorded were new versions of Astranaut, Colours, and Just Wave. The sound was fuller and rockier than that on Back Fence Talk. On the gigging front, a live partnership came about with local Cambridge outfit Isaac's Aircraft, and the bands have become firm friends, having played about 20 gigs together.

 

Tom and Pete then to university, which put a strain on the band. However, gigs and rehearsals were plenty in the holidays, the band playing about 30 gigs in total over the summer holiday. This took the band up to Manchester, over to Oxford, and down to London, touring around in a people carrier, affectionately named 'the Shaz'. This included a couple of tiny festivals. At Xmas the band played a sold-out gig at the Cambridge Junction with art-rockers Rosalita. Another session was recorded with The Animal Farm in July 2009, resulting in a new version of Daisy and the new track, You And Me And.

 

In 2010, Alpha Road have played on an open-sided lorry in Manchester and written more material. Other notable gigs include a high school may ball, Gwydir Street Party in Cambridge and other little festivals.