Top Rock & Roll international touring band ‘The Sureshots’ join a fantastic line-up of entertainment at the Turbinia this Xmas.

There is something for everyone this year at Aycliffe’s award winning pub, finishing off on New Years Day with The Sureshots, fronted by Aycliffe’s very own Gary Allen.

The Sureshots started life as a trio called “The Atomix” in 1982, and set about rehearsing some of their favourite rockabilly, Rock ‘n’ Roll and blues numbers from their various record collections from the obvious to the obscure. A name change ensued and The Sureshots were born.

In 1987 the long-awaited album Four to the Bar was recorded for and released by the English Nose/ID label. Songs from this LP, like Broken Heart, Chinatown, Am I Blue and I’m Uneasy soon became Sureshots classics. Four to the Bar was a huge success, with releases in USA and even in Japan! More TV and radio work came along, the pinnacle being landed a spot on the now iconic show, “The Tube” for channel 4 in 1987, about the same time they were informed by “Charlie records” that they had reached number 3 in France with their first single, “Fire Engine Baby”, some achievement by any bands standards.

More TV work followed, Ben Elton’s “Friday Night Live” was next on the agenda in 1991 where shoulders were rubbed with “real media moguls” and after following their heroes from the 50’s, they now found themselves being followed and offered as backing band to the guys that started it all whenever they came to Europe.

The Sureshots have been booked to back or support some Rock ‘n’ Rolls greats like Sonny Burges, Jimmy Wages, Hayden Thompson, Charlie Feathers, Johnny Carroll, Jackie Lee Cochran, Sleepy La Beef, Tony Conn, Terry Dene, Johnny Powers, Freddie Fingers Lee and many more including the one and only Carl Perkins !

Since then they have toured the west coast of Australia, (twice)! Played roots and rock festivals in Las Vegas (twice)! Flew to Tokyo for a one off gig and radio show and still frequently tour Europe armed with a huge repertoire of songs, (self penned and covers).

The weekend of Friday 29th is our amazing ‘Open-Mic’ with local musicians covering every genre. Saturday 30th we bring you the amazing ‘Norgaards’ a local band that had the best ever debut here early in the year, playing Indie, Mod, Ska, Rock, Punk, Blues, Metal & Acoustic.

New Year’s Eve we welcome back Top North-East band ‘101’ playing 3 sets of classic tunes into the early hours. Finishing it all off on New Year’s Day with ‘The Sureshots’ – an amazing line-up of entertainment for you.

© Newton News