Ex-students Thomas Gilling and James Langan are now taking to the stage as part of their increasingly-successful band, Vice Killer.
We caught up with the boys about what they have been up to since leaving The Academy at Shotton Hall in 2014...
When did you leave Shotton Hall and what have you been up to since?
Thomas: "We both left in 2014 and since then, I’ve worked in Peterlee for Caterpillar, where I completed a degree in engineering. I've also spent a lot of time travelling around the world."
James: "Since leaving school I have been working as a fire alarm engineer at a company based in Peterlee. Over the years I've been enjoying music festivals, holidays and playing music."
Were you interested in music and performing during your time at The Academy at Shotton Hall?
Thomas: "I was always interested in music and spent most of my spare time listening to a wide range of musicians. In school I represented the school in football and athletics, I wasn't as interested in performing although I would have liked to. Every year I’d go to as many gigs as possible, usually tagging along with my older sister."
James: "At Shotton Hall, music was what I was most interested in after playing from a young age. I played guitar from a young age and then picked up saxophone in Year 10 and 11 to learn how to read music. I was definitely more into playing music than performing then.
Well us a bit about the band and how it started?
James: "In the first lockdown in 2020, Thomas got in touch with me to buy an acoustic guitar that I was selling then sent over some of his original tracks. I then wrote a lead guitar for the track and sent it back, which got me back into playing again. After a few jamming sessions, we decided to start a band alongside my brother Jack, who plays bass and my friend, Lewis Muir, who plays the drums.
What's the latest with the band?
Thomas: "We have just recorded two new songs, one being our latest single, Heroine, which was released just last week. Our first ever headline show will be at Sunderland Independent on the 29th January 2022. We've also just released a four-track EP, Alone in this World, which has received backing from BBC Introducing and has been played on lots of local radio shows. For our first ever show we travelled to London and since then, played at a sold-out show at The Cluny, Newcastle. The last show we played was for This Feeling in association with Scotts Menswear at Ku Bar, Stockton.
What are your hopes for the future?
Thomas: "I want to continue writing music for however long I can, learning from my friends and other musicians as I gain experience. It would be amazing to get onto shows with some of the artists I have listened to all my life."
James: "I would say my hopes are to keep on gaining recognition through singles and recorded music, as well as through playing our live shows. I would love to get on some festivals in the summer and keep playing live shows throughout the year!"
A huge thanks to Thomas and James for speaking with us, we can't to see what the future holds for Vice Killer!