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A chip off the old rock
SINGER Narelle Brooksbank hopes to seize the shot at stardom that eluded her father.
The Beeston 24-year-old fronts Leeds four-piece Chichino who are signed to independent label Junk.
The funk/soul/acid jazz outfit, who write their own songs and have supported Mica Paris, are due to shoot a video next month for the launch of their first album in a bid to break into the mainstream charts.
To hear three songs, click each of the green play buttons on the right.
For Narelle, originally from Pontefract, any success would be doubly sweet as her guitarist dad Gordon Brooksbank was thwarted in the 1960s.
She said: "My dad was signed by Decca Records. He had this single ready to release but it got shelved. It would be great to a get a track into the mainstream charts just for him, especially as he's now our roadie."
Electrician Gordon, 64, was from Middleton but now lives in Selby.
He said: "As soon as Bill Haley came on the scene that was it, I wanted to play rock 'n' roll.
"My first band was called The Pontiacs, all lads from Middleton. We played in Leeds pubs like The Yorkshire Hussar and Star & Garter, and even did a tour of American bases in France.
"When we split in 1962 I joined The Barbarians. We played the old Cavern in Liverpool and did a record, called Heart on My Sleeve, with Decca but they never released it.
"They'd rejected The Beatles two years earlier so that made me feel better. Chichino are good enough and different enough to make it and I hope they do."
Keyboard player Narelle and drummer Andre Siron, who also lives in Beeston, formed the band in 2003.
The other two members are guitarist Gary Williams, of Normanton and John Fowles, 20, from Rothwell.
Their first single, Every Little Thing, reached Number 41 in the UK Independent Charts last February.
A remix of another song, It Could Happen To You, by the band's producer Clyde Ward who has worked with Leeds lass Corinne Bailey Rae, then became a hit on the Music Week commercial club chart getting to Number seven.
They got a taste of the highlife when they were asked to support Mica Paris at the Karen Millen Christmas party in London.
John said: "What was really impressive is that was we played on a stage which above a swimming pool."
Chichino play their next gig in aid of St George's Crypt at The Courtyard in Leeds on February 5.
Narelle added: "The aim this year is to break into the mainstream charts. It would be great for me to do it for my dad."
Listen to Chichino's first single and remixes at www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/showbiz.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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