THREE years ago Esh Winning brothers Robbie and Jamie Pick had an idea at a Christmas party, in their mothers’ kitchen, resulting in the band Offpeak who, later this month, release their second EP, Told You So, at Durham University's Student Union.

The past 18 months has seen them come into their own however, following the release of their debut single Feelings Stay the Same at a sold-out launch at the O2 Academy, in July 2015, the band embarked on a debut EP launch, and several mini-tours, last year.

Champagne Lifestyle Lemonade Wages, was held at the Think Tank in Newcastle, six months later and the band will be appearing as a five-piece for the first time after adding a rhythm guitaristn.

Jamie says: “It was more a few lads having fun until we realised we actually sounded good, then it just went from there. The first video, for Stay the Same, was released in early 2015, then we had an EP launch at the O2 Academy, which we sold out. After that we went touring a little and we’re just doing things off our own back and enjoying it, that’s why we do it.”

The Pick brothers, Jamie as lead vocals and Robbie on lead guitar, have known the two other members since childhood/teenage years with Kier Hutchinson on bass and Jackson Raw on drums. Kurtis Sumpton is the new addition.

The new EP, which contains the tracks Don’t Know, Words of Wisdom, I Wanna Know, King of Your Throne, and Hypocrisy, has three songs already picked up, and played, by BBC Introducing, across both the Tees and Newcastle networks.

Robbie says: “Our rehearsals are either in Durham, or in Leeds, depending on where our drummer is. We’ve had a base in Durham since we started out. We’ve tried really hard to chase the dream, but not forgetting what we’re doing it for. We just have to go for it and see what happens. This EP was recorded last year with Ben Jones, at Wood Cottage Studios (Hartlepool), they’re amazing and we would recommend it to anyone. “After this launch we’ll be taking stock and doing some more writing building towards launching an album in November/December.”

The EP launch for OffPeak takes place at Durham University, on January 27, from 7pm, tickets £4. Follow Offpeak on Facebook and through Twitter @offpeakofficial.

Peter Mann