Alnwick band signs record deal and looks forward to new album and US tour

The Tuckers have signed a two year record deal with Chicago based record label Thirdfire Records – all done by videolink in Alnwick Rugby Club with friends and family watching.

They have been commissioned to record an album between October and December, to be released in March 2021, followed by a US and UK tour.

“We’re all so excited at the prospect,” said lead singer Kevin Aitman, from Longhoughton. “It promises to be a great adventure.”

Back in 2006 they were being tipped as the next big thing after winning a chart compiled by viewers' votes on Channel 4's Popworld music show, an initiative to promote unsigned bands with the prize of an appearance on Saturday morning TV.

Their song, Same Old Streets, also caused quite a stir because it was all about living in a small town when you have big city aspirations.

Then it all went quiet.

"We’d been sending demos to record companies for such a long time and hardly ever received a response but then we got talking to a guy at Thirdfire Records who agreed to sign us up,” explained Kevin.

Now 36, he and his bandmates are determined to enjoy the journey – wherever it takes them.

“We’ve had 17 years on this journey and I didn’t think think this sort of opportunity would come again,” said Kevin, who is joined in the indie band by brother James, Glen Mattison on keyboard, Barry Fisher on bass guitar and Tony Orange on drums.

"We played at the Lindisfarne Festival last year and that got us back on the scene,” said Kevin. “We were due to go back again this year but obviously the virus hit.

"We’re not looking too far ahead but I suppose it shows the benefits of perseverance after such a long time going up and down the country in Transit vans for gigs.”

A new song they have written, Don’t Give Up On Trying, sums it up nicely.

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