Invisible Afros come into view

19 January 2010

DESPITE forming just six months ago,Woodford band The Invisible Afros have been plucked from 20,000 hopefuls to perform in the first round of a national music competition.

The three-piece ska/punk/indie band have been practising religiously since they received the news they had been shortlisted for the Surface Unsigned Festival and lead singer Daniel Lawlor says dedication is the key to making it in the music business.

Daniel, 24, of Pulteney Road, South Woodford, is a guitar performance graduate and worked as a session musician before deciding he wanted to start his own band.

Speaking on a short break from rehearsals, he said: "We were lucky because we gelled so quickly. We all love classic rock bands and our sound is heavily influenced by groups like The Who and The Jam.

"We are all just living the dream at the moment, practising up to seven hours a day as we try to perfect our songs for the competition."

The band, which also consists of drummer Dave Clarke, 33, and bassist Mark Hunter, 21, originally had four members but Daniel revealed that two of them lost their drive for success and stopped turning up for rehearsals.

"I had no other choice but to get rid of two of the guys because they simply weren't as committed as Mark and I," he said.

"I make all the flyers and posters for our gigs and they weren't contributing. Fortunately I met Dave and he joined early last year."

You can see The Invisible Afros at The Cauliflower pub, High Road, Ilford, on Thursday, January 28. Daniel says that punters can expect an entertaining gig which unites fans of different genres.

He said: "Our style has attracted a very strange fan base from heavy metal heads to garage lovers, so people who wouldn't usually mix are talking to each other at our gigs.

"We like to have a laugh on stage and we often put our own spin on songs like Hey Ya by Outkast and Hey Baby by DJ Otzi.

"After our gigs we always mingle with the crowd to chat and get feedback on what we played."

Their competition campaign starts on February 18 at the Boston Music Room, Tufnell Park, London. The winners will receive £5,000 and a UK tour.

- MARK WEATHERUP

Next week: Four acts in London East finals of Live and Unsigned competition.

LISTEN TO TWO TRACKS FROM THE INVISIBLE AFROS HERE

06-loser

09-You Don't Need Me

DOWNLOAD THE MUSIC TO YOUR MOBILE, M.ILFORDRECORDER.CO.UK