Four 16-year-old St Albans School pupils are preparing for the LoveMusic24.co.uk Battle of the Bands contest.

SUFFOLK: Four 16-year-old St Albans School pupils are preparing for the LoveMusic24.co.uk Battle of the Bands contest.

Alex Bloomfield, Joseph Ashby, Paul Buckley and Francis Pitcher, who make up Playing With Fire, will take to the stage on Saturday to compete to become the region's best band.

The soft metal band, which was formed 18 months ago, are currently reigning champions of their high school's version of Battle of the Bands.

Musical influences behind Playing With Fire include Iron Maiden, Meatloaf, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Thin Lizzy.

Drummer Alex, 16, said: “We can't wait to perform at the Battle of the Bands, it really is such a great opportunity for us.

“We like to play a mixture of heavy stuff and softer rock and it's good being at school because we've had so much support.”

A panel of judges will pick a winner, who will receive a weekend of recording at Punch Studios, free membership for a year at Punch Academy and album artwork by Outsauce.

Alex, who also writes most of the lyrics, added: “When I write songs I tend to write about current issues in my life and issues in the world generally - I like songs to have a meaning or a moral.”

Bands were asked to upload their songs on to the lovemusic24 website, where hundreds of people either voted online or by text for their favourite band.

The other finalists are This Boy Wonders, Fagan, Echoes Fall and This Sudden Injury.

The acts will go head to head in the final on November 14 at the Circle Lounge of the Ipswich Regent theatre.

They will also get to support hotly-tipped indie rockers Prego at the final showdown.

Tickets cost �5 and are available from www.wegottickets.com/event/61555?user=tickets

Do you think the competition is good for Suffolk bands? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk