Ladykillers to hit States

Nov 1 2005 By Anna Jeys

IT TAKES most bands years to break the US, but an unsigned Great Barr rock group is to air on America's biggest television network after being together a matter of months.

The Ladykillers, better known as Mark Hickling, Dave Cureton, Paul Adams and Mike Lackner, formed in January after three years of touring as a tribute act called Ultimate Madness.

The musicians started laying down tracks of their own material, putting together an album and have spent the last ten months performing on the Birmingham gig scene. But after putting their tracks on the internet, they have started to see a wave of international success and were shocked to receive a letter from ABC.

The network, which airs to millions of viewers across America, wanted to use the Band's song, entitled Jellybean, as a soundtrack to a ten series advert run over Christmas.

The Ladykillers have not even got a record deal in the UK and are still waiting to be snapped up by the right company.

ABC heard the band first at Birminghamusic.com which compiled a downloadable chart of music by city artists.

They have also been approached by radio station KCRW in California who heard another track through the website and have now added the four Brummies to their playlist.

They are also to feature on an American compilation CD which features the likes of the Bare Naked Ladies and other American artists.

Mark said: "The success we have had has been amazing. We had nothing and we haven't got a record deal and felt like we were scrambling around in the dark. But then all this started and everything has come at once.

"The things that have happened us are incredible."

For more information, e-mail Markjhickling@aol.com.