27 January 2005

MEET NEW BAND YOUR CHILDREN WILL FALL FOR!

PUPILS enjoyed an exclusive gig by a hotly tipped pop-punk band.

Freefaller – described in some circles as the "new busted" – played a special show and signed autographs at Boldon School yesterday.

More than 200 youngsters crammed into the school hall for the acoustic gig, which formed just part of the visit.

As well as plugging their debut single, which came out this week, the band was promoting the Talk To Frank drugs awareness scheme.

Ollie (vocals), Dean (lead guitar), Gary (bass), and Richard (drums) played the single Do This! Do That! And album track Why Do I Do This?

Things got so carried away that one of the teachers even got up on stage to dance with the group.

If singer Ollie looks familiar, it's because he was in the northeast's own TV teen soap Byker Grove, and also had a brief brush with fame as part of boy band Point Break.

"It is great to be back in the north east, especially if we can do something worthwhile," he said.

"I think it is essential to keep the kids educated about the dangers of drugs."

The band is hoping the single, which came out his week, will sell enough copies to give them a good charting place.

"It's a really hard week to release a single, with a lot of other big ones being released," said Ollie, "but if we get into the top ten it will be wicked."

Metro radio DJ Wayne, who does a lot of work with the Talk To Frank campaign, hosted a quiz to highlight the dangers of drugs.

He said: "Even though this is a lot of fun, it does have a serious message. I think events like this are very important, as drugs are becoming more available. It is vitally important we educate kids about dangers of drugs. We have had a tremendous response around the region, but Boldon has been the best so far. The kids here are lovely."

For more information about Talk to Frank, call 0800 776600 or visit www.talktofrank.com.