Shropshire Star Battle of Bands nears grand finale

A Telford band has become the third local group through to the final of the Shropshire Star Battle of the Bands 2010.

Fake Obsession narrowly beat Blues Boy Dan and OsRock Band on a split decision during the third of four heats, on Friday, at The Ironworks, in Oswestry.

The band is now through to the final of the event, at The Ironworks, on October 9, alongside heat one winner Madoc Vanguard and heat two winner Befall The Aftermath.

Fake Obsession lead vocalist Nay Barwick, 20, from Telford, said she was delighted.

She said: "We are pretty shocked we have won. It is amazing and we are so happy.

"We thought we would enter the Shropshire Star Battle of the Bands because we have never done anything like it before. We thought it would be a good challenge and a good opportunity to get our music heard across the whole county.

"We thought all the other bands were brilliant and it was quite a tight competition. We thought it could have gone either way."

Blues Boy Dan, whose music is similar to Seasick Steve, almost scraped through but was pipped at the post. Judges said they were very impressed with teen rockers OsRock Band, who showed a maturity beyond their years.

The final heat will take place this Friday at The Ironworks from 7.15pm when fans can cheer on Static Root, Above Head Height, People Are Things and Tenacre. Admission is just £3.

Battle of the Bands 2010 judge, Chrissy Symmons, said: "It was another heat of difficult decisions. All three bands played their hearts out and we were very impressed by their quality. It was a tough call, but Fake Obsession just about got the nod."

The Battle of the Bands 2010 was launched this summer to provide a platform for new and emerging musical talent from Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid-Wales.

* Pictures courtesy of www.aquarian-photography.co.uk