BLACKBURN’S Electric Circus Band are taking their first steps on the road to big time success after landing their largest gig to date.

Rising newcomers, The Courteeners, who have seen growing national fame over the last 12 months, have specially requested young Blackburn lads, to take the support slot for their latest sell out gig.

The event at Keele University, is The Courteeners last headline appearance of the year and a warm up for their imminent tour supporting the Stereophonics.

Tomorrow night they will take to the stage in front of a crowd of 1,000 Courteeners fans and lead singer Chris Davies says he thinks this opportunity could be the start of things to come.

“The gig came about when I bumped into Courteeners’ Liam Fray in Manchester,” the 21-year-old explained. “We got chatting and he asked me to email him some songs and then after listening he got in touch saying he liked the tunes and we got offered this big support slot!

“It’s mad because we used to go their gigs as fans and now we are playing with them as part of one.”

The group, made up of Chris, his brother 18-year-old Daniel on drums and bassist Luke Ainsworth, 20, describe their music as having a distinct and sinister edge, hacking into the sounds of 1960s perfect pop and the raucous punk of the 1970s.

The band is named after the Manchester music venue of the where their idols the Sex Pistols and The Jam used to play.

The three-piece have big plans for the future.

Chris added: “The Courteeners weren’t that big a year ago so who knows what might be happening for us this time next year. We are already getting offered gigs at venues we’ve never played before on the back of being The Courteeners support so it could be just the start.”

He went on: “We’re looking forward to tomorrow night the nerves might kick in just before we go on stage but for now we’re just excited. It’s out biggest and most professional gig, so we’ll be able to see how it’s done properly!

“We’re starting to gain momentum, we’re recording more tracks in December and we want to release a CD soon. So next year should be our best yet.”

Keep a look out on their website for the Blackburn launch gig for the band’s new CD.