Date Published: Friday 02 December 2005
thisisSouthampton
SOUTHAMPTON up and coming boy band 4Tune could soon be on the verge of signing a record deal with music mogul Simon Cowell.
The former X Factor contestants are heading to London in the new year to work with the production team behind Liberty X on an album.
If Cowell likes what he hears, then he has first rights on signing the band up to his label, S Records.
The music boss is one of the biggest in the business heading Sony BMG's A&R department and selling more than 150 million records with bands like Five, Westlife and Il Divo. It's a dramatic turn of events for 4Tune.
They were on the verge of splitting up after being voted off the X Factor show in which Cowell is a judge, just a few weeks ago.
Since then the band have been inundated with offers and they've just got back from Ireland where they performed with Liberty X at a charity concert for ChildLine.
4Tune, which are due to play two home-coming gigs at Southampton's Bambuu Bar on Sunday with fellow X Factor contestants Nicholas, Addictiv Ladies and Chenai, have also been headlining the Butlin's Chart Buster's Tour.
Since their formation the goal of landing a record deal has always been the main target of Phil Kemish, 18, Simon Vitsaides, 22, from Shirley, Mike Hannides and his brother Anthony from Chandler's Ford. It looks like being within touching distance at long last.
"Simon Cowell seems to be really positive. He's an honest guy and not the type of person who does things by half or backs things he's doesn't believe in.
"He's told us he's looking for great songs and hits and if we can provide them then he has first refusal," said Phil.
Since being knocked out of the X Factor in only the second round the band has been showered with goodwill wishes with more than 10,000 fans visiting their website.
"If it hadn't been for the fans I think we would have split," admitted Phil.
"We've had so many people wishing us good luck and wanting to see us perform that we knew we had to go on."
As well as recording an album in the new year, 4Tune will also begin rehearsals for the X Factor arena tour, which arrives at the Bournemouth International Centre on March 2.
"It's going to be amazing, we can't wait.
Playing in front of such a big crowd on the south coast will be the highlight so far for us," said Phil.
Tickets for Sunday's concerts at the Bambuu Bar are available by contacting 023 8023 7080. Contact the BIC on 0870 111 3000.