FROM the town that is most known for paying their respects in the high street to the fallen, comes the young and talented musical band Sovereign.

The group play a range of cover songs, from modern popular rock and indie artists such as the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, to classic artists such as David Bowie and Coldplay.

As well as playing cover songs, some of the band members have written their own songs.

The band consists of Ben Reynolds, 20 (vocals and guitar), Kayvon Drayman, 20 (vocals and guitar), Ben Jerram, 20 (vocals, guitar, base and drums) and Mel Nkamba, 19 (vocals and drums). The band have all been friends since school.

The band came together for their first gig for the Wootton Bassett School sixth form cabaret, which, for Ben Reynolds was the most memorable gig for him, not only because it was their first, nor because he was wearing a big hat with a feather sticking out of it - but for a stage dive that went slightly wrong.

Luckily, at their gig at the Pheonix bar, in Wootton Basset, on July 20, no mishaps took place and the gig was a huge success.

Support act for the evening was 'Tips Welcome', which Reynolds also played in.

When asked if the group would be the opening act for future Sovereign gigs Reynolds said it would be strange being in a band, opening for a band that he’s already in and best-known for.

Sovereign are keen to play more gigs and future plans include getting themselves a small record deal.

But for now they’re trying to earn and save enough money to buy their own P.A. system whilst playing gigs and avoiding clashes with their University studies.

Since leaving school, Ben R, Kayvon and Mel have all gone their separate ways for university, whilst Ben J is now in full time employment.

“It’s hard trying to base University around band life, especially since we’re all in different universities," said Reynolds.

"But I still try to keep in contact with everyone in the band and try to hold open mic nights at university.”

They want to take their music seriously and get more reputation, even though Mel thought that at the start when they were performing at the Cabaret that would be that.

“I thought that when they said we want to play in the Cabaret, we were only going to do that, not actually take it further and become a proper band.”

But the largest venues performed at so far for Sovereign were, during a charity event at Papa Johns and also when Wootton Bassett was presented with a plaque of recognition from the Queen.

Now that it’s the summer, Sovereign wants to get as many gigs as they can under their belt, until they have to go back to university again and carry on with their studies.- STEVE ISLIP