A COLLABORATION with Buzzcocks’ Pete Shelley was a dream come true for RedTrack.

The punk trio play a hometown gig at Chinnery’s, on Saturday, as they gear up for the release of their new double-A side single, Pole Dancer/Addicted to Lust, released on Monday, April 6.

Singer Billy Wright, 20, believes the input of Mancunian punk pioneer Pete has helped the band make their best recording yet. “We’re all big fans of the Buzzcocks and to be able to work with Pete was great,” he says.

“He really liked our stuff, produced both songs and also recorded backing vocals.

“Our manager had a mutual friend and sent Pete some demos.

“He woke up one morning and found himself singing Pole Dancer. He didn’t know who it was by, but it made him go back through his music to find us.

“Pete got on the phone and said he wanted to get us into the studio, which was amazing.

Dave M Allen, the Cure’s producer, also helped with the new single, their third for Northern Blue, following past releases Pretty Boy/Inside and the EP, Wait Around/Miss You Not.

Both releases featured on Steve Lamacq’s Radio One show, and led to the lads getting high- profile gig supports.

The rest of the band are bass player Phil Blake, 20, and drummer Andy Perry, 23.

Billy adds: “I’ve always been more into punk than the indie scene. I’m not really into this guitar and electro thing which is popular in Southend.

“Don’t get me wrong, there is some great talent in this area, but we don’t want to blend in with everyone else.

“I think punk is more appealing, as it was before our time and in that way something new. When I watch people on stage like Joe Strummer, that is a massive inspiration for me.”

The new single was recorded at Club Ralph studios, London, and Billy thinks the band are finally discovering what they are all about. Pole Dancer, his favourite of the two new songs, is their best work to date, according to the frontman, who also plays guitar.

“Pole Dancer is all about going to a show and seeing a girl doing her job on the pole and then what happens when you get a bit more personal afterwards.

“It’s a real big up for pole dancers to be honest. Just because they dance around half naked, people think they are stupid, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

With a debut album almost written and Pete Shelley offering to get involved again, as well as taking the band on tour as the Buzzcocks’ main support, 2009 is set to be a big year for RedTrack.

Before that, however, they are going to the Netherlands and hopefully playing at the new Wembley Stadium.

“It’s a Troops Live Aid concert in June and we’re waiting to hear if it will be at Wembley or Twickenham,” adds Billy.

“There could be 80,000 people there, which will be unbelievable.

“The concert raises money to help our soldiers. I’ve got mates who have been out in Afghanistan and no matter what you think about it all, you’ve still got to support people who are putting their lives on the line.

“Before that, we’re off to the Netherlands in April. We’ve got a lot of fans over there who have been listening to us on Myspace.”

RedTrack are joined by Teegan at Chinnery’s on Saturday. Admission is £3, doors open at 8pm. For information, call 01702 467305, or visit www.myspace. com/redtracktheband