Posted online: Jul 19th, 2010

COUNTY Derry band General Fiasco have been nominated for a prestigious award by one of the world’s biggest rock magazines.
The band, made up of brothers Owen and Enda Strathern from Bellaghy and Stephen Leacock from Upperlands, have been announced as one of the nominees for the Kerrang! Awards.
The lads are up for Best British Newcomer alongside Deaf Havana, Out of Sight, Rise To Remains and Throats.
“It feels great to be nominated for this award,” band member Owen told the County Derry Post.
“The public suggested the fans to be nominated for the awards by taking part in a public vote and the winners will be decided by the public so it is a fan based thing. It feels great to be nominated for this award by the fans.
“This is a big thing for us. Kerrang is a massive magazine for rock fans so it would be great to win this award and have that seal of approval from Kerrang.”
General Fiasco are hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Northern Irish band In Case of Fire who won the Best British Newcomer title at last year’s Kerrang! Awards.
Although there are four other new bands vying for the top title, General Fiasco are confident of clinching the accolade as Owen explains.
“There are four other bands who are in the same boat as ourselves,” he said.
“Some of them have just released their own albums but we feel Northern Ireland is really good at getting behind bands and voting for them like crazy. We just hope people will vote for us.”
As well as the upcoming Kerrang! Awards ceremony, the number one date in all rock stars’ diaries, which is to be held in a top secret London location on July 29, the lads have a packed schedule to look forward to.
On Sunday the band supported Aussie rockers Jet in London and this Saturday they will play Draperstown festival Glasgowbury.
Then it’s off to the UK to play at a few festivals before jetting off to Japan for a concert then back to Belfast at the end of August for Belsonic.
The band have come a long way since playing their very first gig at Glasgowbury Festival back in 2007.
Earlier this year they supported Snow Patrol at their homecoming gig and released their debut album ‘Buildings’.
“The album is going well,” said Owen. “We are slowly releasing it in different countries. Just recently we released it in New Zealand where we had a number 38 single.”
To make sure General Fiasco walk away with the best newcomer award log on to http://awards.kerrang.com and cast your vote.