DREAMS are turning into reality for promising Blackburn band The Bond who have just completed their long-awaited debut album.

For the four piece collective - whose ambitions have always been to expand their skills into other mediums - have just recorded the soundtrack for a film and are currently working on a theatre production.

The group, who have been thrilling Blackburn audiences with their mysterious melodies for the past two years, have now teamed up with local artist Lawrence Thomason for a powerful anti-racism play with the working title The Storm.

The play features actors from the Blackburn Theatre Workshop and Bangor Street Community Centre and live music from the band. It will open at Blackburn Library's Hornby Theatre in October.

Lawrence said: "I met the band while I was holding an exhibition at Blackburn Museum and since then we have built up a strong bond. From the moment we met we were on the same wavelength and the music is very powerful and ideal for the play."

The play will round off a hectic few months for the boys who have just finished working on Pete Tong's film Gobsmacked. They are now preparing to travel with the Skelmersdale film-maker to the Edinburgh Film and Television Festival for the film's premiere.

Band member Luco said: "Our intention has always been to expand our horizons and not just concentrate on making records. Both of these projects have been a tremendous experience for us."

The debut album Beyond Songs and Stories is set for release in August and The Bond will perform at King George's Hall on Friday, August 29.

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