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Hanky Park set for big time

23/12/2002

It will be a very happy new year for Salford band Hanky Park, about to sign the deal that could throw them into the big time.

The band is playing a pre-Christmas gig at Manchester city centre's Life Cafe on December 22 and should be in high spirits as the ink dries on a contract with new label Captured Records.

The band is expecting to put out a single called "Crazy Guy" in February and is about to start work on a video promoting it, as well as being half way through recording an album they hope will be released in the summer.

The news comes at the end of an eventful year for Hanky Park, who have supported New Order at Finsbury Park and this summer's Move Festival, as well as being Radio One's favourites at September's "In The City" event organised by Tony Wilson.

They have also been getting airplay by former "The Word" presenter Terry Christian on Century FM.

Frontman James Davenport, a former professional boxer who has also played rugby for Eccles Rugby Club and Salford City Reds, had to turn down the opportunity of fighting in an amateur bout at The Willows because it was on the same day as the gig.

He told us he wanted to thank New Order band members Peter Hook and Bernie Sumner for their help over the last year, and added a side project involving himself and the two fellow Salfordians was being planned.