Newry band A Theory Of Everything are preparing for the biggest gig of their career this week when they support former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan's band Loaded.
The five-piece hard rock outfit were awarded the prestigious gig after winning the Battle Of The Bands competition at the Spring & Airbrake in Belfast earlier this month.
Now they are set to support McKagan – who shot to fame with Axl, Slash and co and is now the lead singer with Loaded and bassist with GNR spin-off band Velvet Revolver – at the Spring & Airbrake in Belfast on Thursday (September 25).
"Winning the competition was a massive achievement for the band," said guitarist David McClure. "There were a lot of entries in the competition and we made it down to the final four. The other three bands in the final were very good, but the four judges unanimously decided to award us the slot supporting Loaded and we are delighted with that."
A Theory Of Everything – Gary Short (vocals), David McClure (guitar), Ruairi McGivern (guitar), Patrick Campbell (bass) and Keith Kinney (drums) – formed in 2006 and released their debut EP, Actions To Define, 12 month later. Like most bands hungry for success, they have been gigging constantly, in the process establishing a solid fan base.
However, David admits that this week's gig is without doubt the biggest night of their short career and he is hopeful it will provide the platform for the band to hit even bigger heights.
"This is the biggest gig so far and is a massive achievement for the band," said David. "Apart from playing at the gig, getting to meet Duff is also a big thing because Guns N'Roses is certainly one of the band's main influences."
"There's another band, The Loyalties, also playing on the night, which Loaded are bringing with them. But the fact that it's Duff McKagan means there's going to be a big crowd there just to see him in action, so for us it'll be a huge audience to play to and should be a great night for the band."
The band released their second three-track EP, Behind Closed Eyes in February. Next stop is the release of their first album, which David is hopeful will be out in early 2009.
"We have about two albums worth of material that we have been working on for quite a while now but it's just a case of finalising bits and pieces and focusing on recording," said David.
"We're more a recording band just at the minute because a few of the members are dads now and things have been on hold, but we want to get the album done and hope it will be out early next year."
Despite paternal commitments, the band are still busy playing and gigged at a number of festivals over the summer.
As always, they received a storming reception when they took the stage at Warrenpoint's Square Peg at the weekend in what was their final gig before this week's showpiece.
"We've been playing a bit in Belfast recently but this is the one we've been waiting for," added David. "We want to break into the Belfast market. There's no point in sticking to a six-mile radius.
"I think that because we were an unknown band people were afraid to take a chance with us, but having played the gig in the Spring & Airbrake and now supporting Duff McKagan it's a big step. Over the next twelve month we want to focus more on Belfast and Dublin and possibly go over to England for a mini tour. It's a big year ahead for the band."
A Theory Of Everything play the Spring & Airbrake this Thursday. Tickets, available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk, are priced £22, or alternatively www.geturticket.com priced £21.
For more information on the band log on to www.atheoryofeverything.co.uk
