BY JOHN McCUSKER

OMAGH trio Casper are to play support to rock legends UFO at gigs in Belfast and Dublin later this month. But as a precursor, local fans will have the chance to hear the band next week in one of their bi-annual performances for hometown audience when they play the Top of the Town on Friday, March 16.

The UFO support gigs came after Wonderland Promotions agent Turlough McShane heard Casper play before their home crowd in December. Now the three-piece – Mickey Tracey (guitar), Piero McGartland (bass) and Conor McCrory (drums) – are thrilled to bits at the break.

Conor McCrory explained, "We were always huge UFO fans and covered their material. We couldn't believe it when we got the call for this support gig and a band that we all followed, loved and had influenced us for years."

Two weeks ago the entire UFO tour was in the balance after their drummer Andy Parker broke his ankle. However, former AC/DC drummer Simon Wright stepped onto the podium and saved the day.

"Thankfully they got a replacement or it would have been a huge disappointment to have to cancel," Conor said. "It is an honour to play this gig and we will definitely be up big time for this one."

Casper was one of the region's hardest working acts since they launched on the road in the late 1970s. They travelled the country playing support to the likes of Mamas Boys, Toejam, Horslips and at the Slane campsite the night before the Rolling Stones gig. After taking a lengthy sabbatical, they reformed for a one-off gig in Omagh in December 2005, a night which was to act as a catalyst for further shows.

Last December they launched their debut album, Relight the Fire Inside, and the trio have since got a website up and running where four

Continued on Page 6

tracks have been uploaded onto www.casperrockband.co.uk

The band also hopes to have video footage of their album track Rockstar, shot by Eddie McCaffrey in the Top of the Town, uploaded onto the website soon.

Mickey Tracey takes up the story, "Most of the material on the album were songs we had never recorded so it was a matter of getting those captured onto disc before we moved on.

"We now have about a dozen music tracks nailed which just need lyrics written for them and we hope to be back in the studio very soon to lay down further material for a follow-up album.

"We have also got a load of gigs in the pipeline this year, playing in places like Derry, Magherafelt, Dungannon Draperstown and at the main marquee at the North West 200."

For the Omagh gig on March 16, Casper have invited up-and-coming Draperstown rock band Amaroula along as support. They will also have old friend Stevo McAllister, of Derry band Falon, guesting with them on the night on vocals.

"This is an excellent support band we came across when we played recently in Draperstown," explains Piero McGartland. "We thought we would invite them along to give local people attending the gig a bit more on the night."

There will also be a free draw for a pair of tickets to the UFO gig in Belfast, courtesy of Wonderland Promotions.

* Casper perform in the Top of the Town in Omagh next Friday, March 16 and play support to UFO in the Spring and Airbrake in Belfast on Friday, March 23 and in the Temple Bar Music Centre in Dublin on Saturday, March 24