The Tuckers

A HOTLY-tipped North band, whose song topped a national download chart, have turned down a gig at one of London's top clubs - so they can play their home town instead.

Channel 4's Popworld Promotes offered rising Alnwick indie-rock quartet The Tuckers the chance to headline their own show at the prestigious Camden Barfly, after their song Same Old Street notched up more than 3.5m votes on the chart website.

But the lads - bass player Ricky Clark, 20, brothers Kevin, 22, and James Aitman, 20, who sing and play guitar, and drummer Daniel Hogg, also 20 - remembered the promise they had made to all their local fans who voted them to the top.

So they talked the TV producers round to staging the gig on home turf instead, and on October 12, the four-piece outfit will perform their showcase event for Popworld's cameras at the Alnwick Garden. Manager Simon Jobson said: "We wanted our first televised gig to be done in Alnwick, because if it had been in London, many of our most loyal fans wouldn't have been able to make it.

"We wanted to say thanks to everyone for helping to get us so far.

"We also think that the Alnwick Garden will be an amazing backdrop for the performance, and Popworld thought it was a brilliant idea."

Rachel Johnston, marketing manager at the Garden, said: "We were happy to provide them with a venue free of charge, particularly as the event is also in support of Lionheart Radio."

Following the Alnwick set, The Tuckers will embark on Channel 4's Music You Should Hear On The Radio national tour.

The band's first single is also set to be released in late November.

* Doors open at 6.30pm, with music from 7 to 9pm. Tickets are £12.50/£20 and available from The Falcons Rest in Alnwick. - The Journal

POP fans are being called on to help keep an up-and-coming Northumberland band at the top of the digital charts.

Alnwick foursome The Tuckers have been on the number one spot on Channel Four's Popworld Promotes for over a month, after registering the highest number of downloads for their song Same Old Streets.

It's been a busy month for the band - brothers Kevin and James Aitman, Ricky Clark and Daniel Hogg.

Not only have they played at Liverpool's famous Cavern Club, but they also performed in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 music fans at the Marvellous Festival in Reading.

And to cap it all, they are sitting comfortably at the top of the download chart.

But to stay there they need as many people to interact with the page as possible.

Kevin, 22, of Barrasdale, said: "Whether it is downloading the track, voting and texting or telling friends, it all gains us points. To help, we are holding regular Popworld Parties every Friday until the end of August at The Falcon's Rest in Alnwick."

The Tuckers' track can be downloaded from www.popworldpromotes.com for £1.50 - The Journal

Outspoken rock band The Tuckers and the Duchess of Northumberland have teamed up to help their home town radio station.

The Tuckers raised a ruckus in Alnwick with their single Same Old Streets, which labelled the town as pretty but dull.

Now they want to do something for the town by staging a gig at Alnwick Garden.

Money raised will help the funds of Lionheart radio, a new community radio station at Alnwick.

But its backers have not yet got the money they need to broadcast past the initial trial period.

Now The Tuckers and their main sponsor, Ian Linsley of Alnwick Rum, approached Alnwick Garden Trust about a gig to help out.

The trustees, including the Duchess of Northumberland, agreed and the gig is on Thursday, October 12, from 7pm. - The Evening Chronicle

An aspiring rock band have hit a sour note by claiming there is nothing to do in their picturesque town.

Four-piece outfit The Tuckers are being tipped as the next big thing after flying to the top spot in a chart compiled by viewers' votes on Channel 4's Popworld music show.

The band is to appear on the programme month.

But the band have upset local people in Alnwick with lyrics for their song Same Old Streets, which include the lines: "It's mainly about how I hate this town and maybe one day then I'll be free, but until that day I'm locked in this cell."

Bass player Ricky Clark, 20, however, claims they have been misunderstood.

He said: "Alnwick is a lovely place to live. It's beautiful and picturesque, great if you're old or a tourist, but it doesn't really cater for young people.

"There is no entertainment, and that's what we were trying to get across in the song."

And he said it was the universal sentiments of the song that had helped them top the Popworld chart.

"You could write that song about any small town anywhere," he said. "That's why the song took off, as people can relate to it."

With Ricky in the band are brothers Kev, 22, and James Aitman, 20, who sing and play guitar, and drummer Daniel Hogg, also 20. They all grew up in Alnwick and went to the town's Duchess High School.

The Tuckers, named after Kev and James' great-grandad, formed five years ago.

They honed their own brand of "H-indie", a crossover of 60s hippy beats and 90s indie tunes, which has seen them excel in the TV chart and catch the eye of a music industry talent scouts.

Now the lads are in talks with record labels hoping to get signed, but are also recording tracks for their forthcoming album.

Ricky said: "We have 14 songs to record. We've got ballads that make people cry and anthems that make people jump about."

He added: "We want to branch out and see the world. Our dream is to get a number-one album."

Alnwick mayor Ken Moore hit back at their claims said: "Alnwick abounds with things to do. What do you want in Alnwick that isn't already there?"

And he insisted the council was happy to listen to the views of young people. "If they come to the town council with a proposal, we can possibly take it forward," he said. - The Evening Chronicle

LOCAL music sensation The Tuckers have announced the showcase start to their winter tour, firmly on home soil.

After conquering Popworld's on-line chart, they were offered the chance to play the prestigious Camden Barfly in London.

But the foursome remembered their promise to the people who helped them to victory, and opted for a venue closer to home for the event which will be broadcast on Channel Four's Popworld.

Instead they will take to the stage at The Alnwick Garden on Thursday, October 12, in a fund-raising gig to bring Lionheart Radio back to the airwaves.

And the band warn it will be some time before their “h-indie” sound will be heard in Alnwick again, due to their hectic workload in the coming months.

Lead singer Kev, guitarist James, drummer Hoggy and Ricky on bass, will be joined on stage by their mentor, 1970s rock legend Pete Lincoln, and well-known local artist Hugh Dunford.

Sound will be taken care of by another member of rock royalty – Mel from STUK Sound – Mark Knopfler's sound engineer.

Doors to the gig open at 6.30pm, with musicians on stage from 7pm to 9pm.
Tickets are £12.50, or £20 with access to a VIP area, and an exclusive after-party at a yet-to-be-revealed location.

A bar and refreshments will be on offer, including The Tuckers favourite tipple, Alnwick Rum and Red Bull. Following their gig in The Garden, The Tuckers will be playing all over the country on the Channel 4's Music You Should Hear On The Radio tour, including dates in London, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow.

The tour will end in Jan 07, and the boys will then concentrate on recording their first album, with renowned producer and musician Pete Lincoln.

Simon Jobson from the band's management team said: “The Tuckers would like to thank the people of Alnwick for their continued support on their journey so far, and would like to again call on the people and businesses of Alnwick to help support Lionheart Radio.” l TICKETS are available from The Falcons Rest in Alnwick, but are not available from The Alnwick Garden. Children under 16 must be accompanied by one paying adult per four children. - The Northumberland Gazette

NEW Northumberland music sensation The Tuckers have knocked back the chance to play a prestigious London venue, instead fronting a massive fund-rasier to bring music to the airwaves of Alnwick, to be revealed exclusively in next week's Gazette.

The foursome had been asked to bring their hippy-indie sound - dubbed H-indie - to the world famous Camden Barfly, after triumphing in Popworld's new talent chart.

Instead they want their inaugural gig as Popworld proteges to be on home soil. And they are already fulfilling their promise to give something back to Alnwick. The gig will raise cash to bring community station Lionheart Radio back on the air. The lads have warned fans to expect something big, in a venue of true rock star proportions, captured live by Channel Four camera crews.

Now The Tuckers management are calling on local businesses to rally round and offer support. Anyone who can offer financial support for the event can contact The Tuckers management team on 07922 280859. A band spokesman said: "The lads had the choice of doing one of the biggest gigs in London and they turned it down to do something for the people of Alnwick". - The Northumberland Gazette

ASPIRING local rock stars have been thrust into the media spotlight after finding their lyrics at the centre of a heated debate.

Alnwick indie foursome The Tuckers triumphed last week in Channel Four's digital Popworld chart.
But before they could even strum a chord as Popworld proteges, the lads were plunged into a war of words over their chart topping anthem, Same Old Streets.
The song, which tells a tale of small-town life, was held up by their critics as an ungrateful rant against the town which helped them to victory.
Morning listeners to Radio Newcastle took sides in the debate, joined by Alnwick's bellman John Stevens.
And Tyne Tees added fuel to the fire as the lads were interviewed on prime time news.
Alnwick mayor Ken Moore also appeared with a question for disgruntled Alnwick youth.
"What do you want to do?"
He added: "Alnwick abounds with things to do. What do you want in Alnwick that isn't already there?"
And he insisted the council was happy to listen to young people.
"If they come to the town council with a proposal we can possibly take it forward."
But The Tuckers claim their lyrics have been mis-understood, and to show their loyalty to the town, lead singer Kev Aitman, 22, pledged to give something back when they hit the big time.
He said: "I love where I live and my family are up here. The song isn't slagging off Alnwick, it's about moving on.
"One thing I would like to do for Alnwick, I would like to give something back, something back to the people – and get myself a new Vespa."
Band members James, Ricky and Daniel, known as Hoggy, all 20, agreed.
James said: "We don't hate Alnwick, we are just saying there is not enough for young people to do here."
Musician Tony Kearman, known as Marshy, ex-Falcons player Paul Van Zandvliet, along with web guru Simon Jobson, are helping to guide the lads as their musical career takes off.
They believe The Tuckers are giving a voice to young people, and insist their success can only benefit the town.
"The town is getting the best of them," said Marshy. "There are young people like them, feeling the same, all over the country."
To those who criticised their lyrics, Kev replied, borrowing lyrics from an, as yet, more famous songwriter: "Did they not have any dreams or ambitions when they were younger, sitting in their town.
"Were they content just to be another brick in the wall?
"Fish only grow to the size of their pond. We are looking forward to being little fish in a bigger pond." - The Northumberland Gazette

AN Alnwick band's rise to fame and fortune is secure with help from the Northumberland Gazette.

After voting closed at midnight last Thursday in the Popworld digital chart, indie foursome The Tuckers were declared winners, following a nail-biting battle.
After topping the download chart for more than a month, a last-minute surge from rival singer Daniel Flay – a self-titled "one man tortured freak show" – looked set to knock them off the top spot, taking with it the chances of the ultimate career boost.
But thanks to the Northumberland Gazette's front page rallying call, the people of Alnwick rushed to back The Tuckers, pushing them back to number one.
Through votes and downloads, the indie four-piece clocked up almost 3.5 million points, the highest since the chart began.
Supporters said the atmosphere in The Falcon's Rest as midnight approached was "electric". And when The Tuckers were declared winners, the celebrations began.
"It was like Christmas, our birthdays and the millennium in here", said Simon Jobson, a member of the management team who helped guide The Tuckers to success.
"We knew this was the start of something, that the way everything was done was going to change."
The pub has been The Tucker's HQ since their campaign began, with regular Friday night gigs to drum up support and a Popworld voting station for those keen to pledge their allegiance.
Simon gave heartfelt thanks to everyone who lent their support, and especially The Northumberland Gazette.
He said: "You could see the points going up without us doing anything, as people got in at 6pm, and read the front page.
"Literally the whole town got behind us – the Gazette, Alnwick Rum, George Millar who helped with the media, everyone. The Co-op put a bucket out to collect money for votes. It was a town effort and it just shows how much everyone wants this."
Now the boys are receiving the star treatment courtesy of Popworld, as they are groomed for the big time with gigs, photo shoots and interviews.
And Simon is confident they have what it takes to succeed.
"The whole band are cool and Kev (Aitman] is a brilliant front man. He gets on with the crowd. Everyone sees him and wants to talk to him. He is a legend."
Join The Tuckers experience at www.thetuckersonline.co.uk and www.myspace.com/thetuckersonline. - The Northumberland Gazette