A TEEN dream has come true for three Witney schoolboys after their heavy metal band secured a record deal with a label in the United States.

Members of Twisted State of Mind have yet to sit their GCSEs but are ready to release their first single and album later this year.

They toured the United States twice in 2013 and last year they were spotted by Philadelphia-based independent Toil Records.

They signed them before Christmas to release the single Letting Go, recorded in Philadelphia last year, and an album to be recorded in the UK in the spring.

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The group features guitarist Luke Ashby, 14, vocalist/bassist Ben Comley, 14, and drummer Damon Marshall, 15.

Luke said: “We have to work hard and make time for the band.

“We manage to find time to do our work but music is our main hobby and passion and hopefully if the album is successful we will be able to make it our full-time job.

“We just work really hard at our songwriting and try to put a lot of effort into each song so it stands out.”

Ben added: “It means a lot. It’s a great opportunity to get our music out there.”

The band started in 2011 when Luke and Damon began songwriting, then met Ben at lessons at Witchwood School of Rock.

They have been compared to System of the Down and Rage Against the Machine and played their first gig at Fat Lil’s nightclub in Witney in 2011.

Since then they have performed 120 gigs throughout the UK.

They came to the attention of Toil Records when Market Harborough-based radio DJ Alan Savill played their music to his contacts in the United States.

Damon’s father Eric Marshall, 48, who is an accountant and helps manage the band, said: “There was always a bit of interest because of their young age, and people were absolutely blown away as soon as they started playing.

“Their stage craft has improved and they’ve really honed their songwriting.

“The label saw them in 2013 and they were convinced they were going to be signed by a UK label.

“So when they went back to the US and they weren’t signed they decided to snap them up straight away.”

Tyler Spink, 18, who works at Fat Lil’s and has seen the band play the venue several times, said: “They were always pretty special. They are much better than bands who are a lot older than them.

“It’s uncommon that you see mosh pits these days but I always see people starting them when they are playing.”

The band’s next gig is in London on Friday, January 9 supporting former Rainbow sinner Doogie White at the Merton Manor Club in London.

Watch their video here:

 

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