Strange are a band who are based in Manchester and formed a year ago. Vicky Cresswell (vocals) and Gary White (guitar) met at Coventry in 1994 while pretending to study, when in fact, all they wanted to do was meet musicians. Vicky was heavily into music and wanted to sing in a band. Des (keyboards) was living in Blackpool where he released a dance record on white label which sold over 5000 copies. Des also dabbled in soundtrack music. Gary and Des being brothers, they soon found a common cause.

The band were eager to find a rhythm section to complete their line-up, but found most people who auditioned were either too rock or too stupid. Tim and Dave didn't enter the picture until a year later, when they met the others in a rehearsal room in Manchester. Tim and Dave were practising next door to the other three and a chance meeting in the toilets gave rise to them bringing their equipment next door. The next day they went to seek management.

After recording in the studio, they tentatively sent out a few tapes. Amongst the listeners who gave good response to the songs were Jo Whiley, Mark Radcliffe, George Micheal and Jamie from Marion. Strange were one of six bands chosen from 2,000 demo tapes to record a video for an independent studio. The recording has not yet seen the light of day, but MTV and Granada have shown interest in buying the program.

Strange got their songs together and began gigging at the beginning of 1996. People talked about Strange's vibrant performances which usually gave other bands on the bill no chance of winning the audience over. The band have signed a management deal with Manchester Music Management and record labels are beginning to visit their gigs.

Describing their music is difficult, they don't sound like the usual Britpop bands converging on Manchester, but comparisons have been made with Blondie (mainly because the singer is female and blonde!), but they respect anyone who mixes pop with something a bit different. Vicky is exceptionally gifted, with a voice that stays in your head way after the gig is over. Many of their songs lull you into a false sense of serenity, and then kick you in the face (in the nicest possible way, of course).

This year has seen Strange appear on BBC Television as part of the Radio One Music Live showcase for unsigned bands which took place in Albert Square in Manchester. They have also played at the Virgin Megastore in Manchester, had airplay on Key 103 and been featureed in magazine interviews including Flux Magazine.

Recent developments have meant that Strange are beginning to put together quite a schedule of gigs in the UK including several visits to London and they are never out of the studio recording new material. Check out their gig list, they will soon be in your neck of the woods.