Patchwork Grace take Kerrang! title

Bassist Scott O’Conner went to Batley Grammar School, while guitarist Chris Marrizon was educated at Heckmondwike Grammar School.

But last week the pair went to Birmingham with their band, Patchwork Grace, to record a session for the rock radio station.

Despite competition from around 600 bands, Patchwork Grace was picked to join a shortlist of just four who would compete on air for public votes.

Thousands of listeners voted for their favourite band, before DJ Kate Lawler announced that Patchwork Grace had been crowned the UK’s best unsigned female-fronted band.

Scott said: “It felt pretty amazing. It’s a pretty cool title to have from someone like Kerrang!”

The band will get £1,000 worth of studio time and a major support slot with an as-yet-unnamed band in front of 3,000 people.

Nottingham-based Patchwork Grace have been playing together for around seven years, going through various line-up changes, but Scott and Chris have played in bands together for several years.

Chris, whose family lives in Cleckheaton, joined the band seven months ago after getting in touch with drummer Dan Rolfe and singer Tori Tea through a social networking site.

Meanwhile, Scott, originally from Heckmondwike, was playing in the USA.

“I was supposed to go back out to America in September, but I preferred this. It’s more my kind of thing.”

Patchwork Grace released a three-track EP, Play Dead, in August. The musicians plan to use their Kerrang! studio time to record tracks for a new single. But with live dates booked throughout the Autumn, they already have plenty to keep them busy.

“We’ll get this tour done this year, get the Kerrang! single out, and then a new album for the new year, and tour the hell out of that,” Scott said.

“And if any record labels want to sign us, that would be great!”