By Louise ComptonAN ESSEX band are set to become the county's biggest musical export since Blur after yesterday confirming support slots on tour with successful US rockers Linkin Park.

By Louise Compton

AN ESSEX band are set to become the county's biggest musical export since Blur after yesterday confirming support slots on tour with successful US rockers Linkin Park.

Hard-rock outfit Onepity, from Colchester, are set to support the MTV award winning, multi-platinum selling Linkin Park this Wednesdayat Brixton Academy and again on Fridayat the Manchester Apollo.

Onepity hit the music industry by storm after appearing on influential Radio 1 music shows hosted by John Peel and Steve Lamaq.

Their eclectic mix of “heavy metal and melody” has been hotly received throughout the music press and after support slots with heavy metal bands Raging Speedhorn and Disturbed they are looking forward to supporting nu-metal pioneers Linkin Park.

“The shows have only just been confirmed and we're all really excited about next week. Performing with Linkin Park at such renowned venues is going to be amazing,” said guitarist Karl Bareham.

The band comprise of Lewis Hicks, 18, from Monkwick, Max Morrison, 20,from Mersea Island, Tom Boddy, 22, from Lexden, Karl Bareham, 21, from Sudbury and Krist Taran-Tula, 21, from Exeter.

Guitarist Karl, who previously worked as a sound engineer on tours across Europe, North America and Canada met bassist Max in 1999 on the Colchester Institute Access to Music programme where they formed a band as part of the course.

After leaving college the duo recruited friends Lewis, a drummer and Tom, a DJ to form Onepity, the line-up was completed with lead singer Krist.

The band believe that their success may be linked to diverse musical influences including U2, Guns N' Roses, Tori Amos and Pink.

Onepity's first performance was at Colchester Arts Centre in October 2001, but it was not until March last year that the band signed a management contract with Grand Union.

“We were all at a Raging Speedhorn gig at the Arts Centre when we approached their management and told them that we would like them to listen to our CD,

“The problem was that we didn't actually have a CD at the time so we literally had two weeks to come up with an album that would convince them that we were any good,” Lewis said.

After securing the management deal, Onepity performed to an audience of global major labels such as Sony, Universal and Virgin at a three-day showcase event late last year.

“The showcase went really well, we want to find the right label so we're still taking time to look at our options both in the UK and America,

“We've certainly come a long way since our first gig in Colchester, this is something we've always wanted to do and with an opportunity like supporting one of the world's biggest band is great,” said Karl.

Onepity hope to play at Donnington Download Festival later this year alongside Iron Maiden and Limp Bizkit. Vote Onepity onto the festival by visiting kerrang.com and onepity.com.