They are veterans of the Huddersfield music scene.

But now rock and rollers RedStar hope to cement a name for themselves Stateside after being signed by the New York-based Music Management USA company, run by John Lennon’s US publicist, Bruce Replogle.

The big move has come about after the Huddersfield and Halifax five-piece were scouted at a gig earlier this year and means that they will now tour in the US for the first time next June.

Bruce worked as a publicist for John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy and has also worked for Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sonic Youth and British stars Robert Palmer, Madness and the Buzzcocks.

Singer Will Bloy, whose RedStar van is a common sight on the town’s roads, talked about the “fantastic opportunity” it has offered to them.

RedStar
RedStar

He said: “We’re thrilled about it.

“An A&R rep over here got in touch with Bruce, after seeing us in Leeds and he decided to sign us up to his roster, which means he’ll be pushing our stuff to his US contacts.

“We’re arranging a tour at the moment which will go ahead next May and June and will see us play every night for around two weeks in and around New York and Boston.

“It’s a small tour to begin with but we hope that it will just lead to even more– we can’t wait and it’s fantastic to get this US recognition because we’re been going for a long time.

“Unfortunately over here we have just been a victim of musical taste over the last few years– the last time there was a lot of rock n roll artists was over 10 years ago.

Watch RedStar live at the Parish earlier this year

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“I guess it’s just changing times and people think you’ve got to be on X Factor to make it big – hopefully our new US partnership will prove you don’t.”

The exciting news is just one bit of good news for the band.

“We’ve had a bit of a change over the last year because two of our long time members, lead guitarist Jonny Green and keys player Joe Leadbeater, have left.

“Shayne Whitton on drums and Timothy Whiteley on bass are still with us though.

“It was very sad but we’re still friends and now, after advertising locally, we have Karl Woolston and Jack Manning, who’s only 23.

“He wanted to audition for guitar but we needed a keyboardist and even though he had never played one before he’s been learning over the last year and is really good now.”

Recently the band have been playing in London, performing at Dublin Castle and the Hope and Anchor, where Blur got signed.

“We’ve also just finished a Yorkshire homecoming tour which was great – every night sold out.

“And another good thing is that we are now half way through making our new album, which will be our third.

“There’ll be 11 tracks in total and they’ll show the gentler side of RedStar but will also include anthemic tunes too.

“Some of the songs we’ve lined up for it so far are Don’t Let the Dogs Run Wild and Kill a Messenger.”

All their music is made and played outside of their full time jobs.

Publicist Bruce Replogle worked with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Publicist Bruce Replogle worked with John Lennon and Yoko Ono

“I’m a gas boiler fitter, Shane is a floor manager at a tile shop, Jack’s a student and Tim works in employment law.

“But we just get on with it and work hard at the band in our free time and Tuesday night is always rehearsal night.

“After our US tour we’re hoping to tour the UK and wherever we can.

“Of course, world domination is what we want,” Will said, smiling.

RedStar’s next gig will be on August 28 at the 360 Club in Leeds, followed by a Huddersfield gig on September 19 at The Picturehouse on Zetland Street.

Another hometown gig will take place in the Byram Arcade on December 5.