Hoop-fuls need your vote (From Stourbridge News)

Hoop-fuls need your vote

7:42am Friday 25th May 2007 in Local Bands By Bev Holder

STOURBRIDGE outfit The Hoop Group have beat hundreds of hopefuls to make it through to the final six in a TV search for the Black Country's best young rock bands.

The trio, comprising Mike Durrant, aged 18, from Kinver, Richard Cadby, aged 17, and Jon Aymes, aged 18, from Stourbridge, have made it into the final of the BBC Midlands Today School of Rock 2007 contest - fighting off competition from more than 350 school and college bands.

The lads, all music students who formed the band just two months ago, were filmed belting out their catchy guitar track Russia at Birmingham's Electric Cinema and their performance was aired on Midlands Today.

Fans are now urged to vote for them and help them win the chance to cut a professional demo, shoot a video and perform live at the Rock and Pop Festival at Birmingham's NEC in July.

The 2005 winners Ripchord are now signed to Sony-backed 1965 Records and are set to support the Kaiser Chiefs on tour; and 2006 winners Wish of the Day recently took to the stage at the NEC.

For more about The Hoop Group check out www.myspace.com/thehoopgroup

To vote for them call 09015 223003. Calls cost 15p and lines close at 7pm on Friday June 1.