Twister have bigger things in mind

TWISTER, fronted by founder, Stevie Stoker, have announced that they are headlining the O2’s Academy One on May 14, and are re-releasing EPs Refined State of Mind and Designed State of Mind as one album called Combined State of Mind.

Joe Major (drums), Jake Grimes (guitar and backing vocals) and new addition John Howard (bassist) have been together for nearly two years. Earlier this year they sold out Academy 2 with the EP launch for Designed State of Mind and were well-supported by Catalyse, Singapore Safehouse, and Craig Roddam. Academy manager Phil Beevers contacted the lads the following day and offered them the main stage.

Twister were also been nominated for seven Ubeat TV awards at last weekend's Newcastle O2 Academy event and won two further awards at the Heather Terry Memorial Music Awards, at the Music Lounge, in Stockton.

“We’re aware as to how big a step up this is and the O2 Academy challenge presented, but it’s a dream stage to play on and we’ve only been there once and that was a few years ago now (as support to Alarm). We’ll certainly throw everything at it,” says Stoker.

Grimes adds: “Playing the O2 is just surreal anyway and was packed out from start to finish, staying like that until the last song. So, already being on cloud nine with that, we get this as well. It brings back great memories for me going to gigs there as kids and the Ubeat Awards is just the perfect warm-up for that.”

Drummer Major says: “We will certainly push to get the place as full as it can be and make it as comparable to the big touring bands the Academy gets as we can. It’s not just a one-off though that’s for sure. So long as we put the work in as individuals then the band is certainly capable, relieving that pressure so we can concentrate on the putting down tracks, writing that new material and showing that we can, in essence, do whatever we like.”

* Twister are putting together a Battle of the Bands in conjunction with UBeat TV and Filthy’s Newcastle (application through the UBeat website from December 1) with prizes of a support slot, music video, studio recording time, photoshoot and a Series 4 Ubeat TV appearance on offer.

* Tickets for Twister Live at Academy One will be available soon and are priced at £7 standard and £11 VIP (inc. Twister acoustic). Further information officialtwister.co.uk or Twitter @wearetwister and facebook.com/TwisterUK

Peter Mann