City band wins national competition

What would be the rock'n'roll thing to do?

The members of victorious Hull metal band Outspoken Silence could either take their £3,000 prize money from their triumph in the national Kit Kat Battle of the Bands competition and use it to do something useful and constructive.

They've needed a new van since their old one, a dilapidated old Parcel Force transit called Bertha, groaned to a halt last year.

Or, as guitarist Richard Lutkin, says: "We could take it to the casino and put it all on black."

The prospect of doubling their money on the roulette wheel is a tempting one, admits Richard. After all, six grand could go a long way to really putting the band on the road to success.

But, after five years of toiling away trying to build a reputation and a career in the music business, the six members of Outspoken Silence are determined not to blow the opportunity that fate has handed them.

"No, I think we'll do something constructive with it," laughs Richard. "It sounds boring, but £3,000 will really help us take the band to the next level.

"We're not going to rush into anything – but a new van will really help us get back on the road properly and allow us to invest in some new merchandise, which we haven't been able to do for a while."

The Hull sextet snatched victory from the grasp of five other regional finalists at the swanky Cargo club, in Shoreditch, north London, last week.

Their brand of melodic hard metal did enough to win over a panel of industry judges, which included electronic popster Frankmusik, aka producer Vincent Frank.

As well as £3,000 in cash, the Hull band will also be given time in a London rehearsal studio with Frankmusic who will then remix one of their tracks. Frank has previous worked with acts including the Pet Shop Boys, Alphabeat, Mika and Lady Gaga.

"We had a really good night," says Richard. "All the bands came from different genres but the standard was really high and we didn't really expect to win. We just went down to have a laugh and do our best.

"We were really happy with our performance and, as soon as we came off, Frankmusik came up to us and said he'd really enjoyed it. He seems like a really cool bloke so we're really looking forward to working with him. He's excited because he doesn't normally work with bands who do our style of music.

"I think he's seeing us as a challenge."

Frankmusik, said: "Outspoken Silence definitely deserve to be crowned the winner of the Kit Kat Battle of the Bands 2010.

"The competition was fierce with all six bands clearly deserving their place but Outspoken Silence clinched the top spot with their energy and confidence.

"Even though I don't regularly listen to heavy metal music, I was thoroughly impressed by their raw talent."

Anyone who didn't get chance to see the band's crowing moment in the capital will be able to catch up with them when they return to home soil on

With their feet firmly back on planet Earth, the band knows it still has a lot of hard work to do if it wants to achieve all its dreams – but Richard says he hopes having the Battle of the Band title under their belts may start opening a few doors.

Next on the band's to do list is to put some of the prize money to good use recording a new EP.

"At least we can afford to get a decent studio now," he says.

Outspoken Silence play at The Ringside, Beverley Road, Hull, on Thursday, February 18, at 8pm.

Entry costs£4 on the door.

For more details call (01482) 226698.