A BROMSGROVE band has enjoyed a jam-packed year with scores of gigs under their belt and a diary already bulging with dates for the New Year.

Since scooping top prize in a battle of the bands contest at a Tamworth music festival in July 2000, it has been full-steam ahead for Easy, the five-piece rock group.

Bass guitarist Baz said: "We have had an excellent year.

"We are an original band, not a tribute, we have stuck to what we believe in and we really feel like we are getting somewhere."

However, trouble hit the band last month when lead singer Danny announced he was leaving the group to pursue solo projects and commit more time to his family.

He has agreed to stay with Easy until February, which will cover the release of their new ten-track album, but the rest of the band are still keen to find a replacement.

Baz said: "When Danny announced he was leaving the news hit us hard. We will be sorry to see him go.

"However, we have been auditioning for a vocalist and I think we have someone lined-up."

The band will be releasing their second CD, Two Tattoos and a MasterCard, in the New Year and will be performing a number of gigs around the Midlands before introducing their new singer.

They can be seen at The Sugarbrook pub, in Charford Road, Bromsgrove, on Friday and at The Old Mill, in Northfield, on December 20.

Into 2002 they will be performing at The Old Mill on January 5, at The Robin Hood 2, in Bilston, on January 24 and at the Robin Hood 1, near Merry Hill, on February 2.