The band with a golden song

Mar 20 2008 by Claire Rees, Rhymney Valley Express

SHIRLEY Bassey, Tom Jones, now two unsigned Rhymney Valley rock artists are making Bond music history.

A song by Blackwood guitarist Lee Lavis and Bargoed drummer Denley Slade’s band SAL has been chosen as the theme tune for a 007 release due out this year to mark the centenary of the double agent’s creator Ian Fleming’s birth.

Bands were invited to write a song for the audio version of Devil May Care, but SAL’s track of the same name was chosen by fans in an online vote to beat 500 other unsigned acts.

It will now be the first to accompany the book, which is due out on May 28.

The four-piece band, who formed in 2001, consist of Lee (also known as Noog,) Denley, Cat Southall on vocals and new bassist Chris Saunders.

After a tumultuous history including the loss of four bass players, computer support worker Lee hopes the Bond break will be the one they have been waiting for.

“This is the biggest thing to happen to us,” he said.

“To win, thanks not just to our fans also but strangers to our music, is a great achievement.”

Lee confesses his interest in the Bond franchise only started with the release of the Daniel Craig slick flick Casino Royale and says their track appeals to a new audience.

“We didn’t want to go for the stereotypical, cheesy Bond tune with strings and orchestral parts,” he said.

“I think ours reflects where Bond is now, it’s edgy and a lot rockier.

“We wanted a track to reflect SAL and be one would could play live.”

SAL’s song was shortlisted by a judging panel including the new book’s author Sebastian Faulks and is now playing on the band’s MySpace page at www.myspace.com/saltheband where fans also voted.

It will eventually be available as a free download at Penguin and iTunes.

The band play a charity gig at Cwmaman Institute on Saturday, April 19 to raise money for leukaemia lymphoma research. Entry is £5.