AFTER years of perseverance and hard work an Essex band could be just 15 minutes away from landing their big break.

Colchester based Stalker will go head to head with 14 other acts in the hope of winning a spot at the Emergenza festival in Germany, which features established groups such as Editors, Biffy Clyro and Skunk Anansie.

The band are made up of singer and lead guitarist Paul Hale, 29, his brother, Dave, 31, who plays the drums, 28-year-old bass guitarist Paul Turner, and 27-year-old Dan Currie, who plays rhythm guitar.

Front man Paul, who lives in Colchester and left his job as a city trader to focus on the band, said: “I noticed something online asking for groups to apply. I sent them an email and I actually forgot about it. A few weeks later I had a message inviting us to Hackney. We met with a guy and took two songs along. They listened and then we had a chat. A little while later we found out we were in the final 15.”

The band are well known on the local music scene, regularly playing in Colchester, Manningtree, Coggeshall, Braintree and Ipswich.

The Emergenza festival features up and coming bands from across the globe.

The UK final is on July 7 at The Garage in Islington, London, and if they impress the judges and make it through Stalker will be heading to Germany to perform over the weekend of August 10/11.

Paul continued: “We’re just really pleased to get this far. I’m sure the standard will be very high. We’ll play three songs in front of the judges - lasting about 15 minutes. Hopefully they’ll like what we do. There are some big names on the bill so it’d be fantastic to be involved.

“Whatever happens it’ll be really exciting and its great exposure for us. The UK final will be in front of quite a few people and it’ll be a fresh audience and a chance for different people to hear our stuff.

“It’s nice that from 200 bands we’ve made it this far because it makes you think that maybe it does stand out a little. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Drummer David has even had to change the date of his wedding just in case the band make it to the festival.

The insurance underwriter, who lives in Wrabness, said: “I was due to get married on August 10. When I found out the date of the festival I couldn’t believe it. Fortunately my fiancee was very understanding and she said as long as I was able to re-arrange it all then we could switch the date. So we’re now getting married the week before. It’s been a bit of a hitch but definitely worth it just in case we win.”

For more information about the band and upcoming gigs visit http://stalker-rock.com.