By John Connell

Last updated at 08:35, Friday, 18 January 2013

Members of a heavy metal band believe they have a shot at winning a high-profile music competition.

Dynamo, from left, Steve Orchiton, Marc Farquhar, Andy Minnett and Garry Watt

Dynamo is the one of two Cumbrian groups invited to battle it out in the Soundwave Music Competition grand final on Saturday January 26.

Also contending for the crown are No Idea, of West Cumbria.

That band’s members are drummer Rob Logan, of Crosby, bassist Darren Green, of Workington, vocalist Sharan Stewart, of Whitehaven, and guitarist Russell Herbert, of Egremont.

Dynamo, from Penrith will perform in front of a capacity crowd at the main stage of Newcastle’s O2 Academy which has been graced by the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Adele.

Dynamo – which only performed its first gig less than a year ago – is one of just 12 bands to make the final.

The band includes Marc Farquhar, 31, on guitar and vocals, Andy Minnett, 23, on bass, Steve Orchiton, 25, on drums and Garry Watt, 32, on lead guitar.

Marc said: “We are the only Cumbrian band – the only one that doesn’t have a home advantage.

“It’s a tall order but we wouldn’t have entered if we didn’t think we could win it.

“For us to be here within a year of starting is incredible.

Watch Dynamo perform Blood In The Veinz live. Article continues below...

“We are a little nervous but there would be something wrong if there wasn’t a bit of nerves.

“We work and practise very hard and that’s why we are so confident.”

The band members have all played in different groups before forming Dynamo.

But Marc said: “I have never been in a band which has had such a positive reaction from playing live.

“People have been asking us to sign t-shirts: We weren’t prepared for that but we must be doing something right.”

A coach-load of more than 60 Cumbrians will be going to Newcastle to support them, many of them sporting Dynamo t-shirts.

The group plays “hard rock” and “heavy metal” and performs its own material as well as covers.

Marc said: “I think we are quite different from a lot of the bands around us. It’s difficult to pigeonhole us.

“People generalise and think it will be abrasive, but all our songs are very catchy.”

Dynamo has already won a series of tough audition stages in front of industry judges in Newcastle and County Durham.

The winning act will win a day at a professional recording studio, radio airtime, press coverage, and photo shoots.

Dynamo has already signed with Raz White Entertainment.

Marc said the band is also keen to play at Cumbrian festivals including Cock Rock and Solfest.

First published at 11:59, Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk