A Kidderminster band recently won the Gold award for the best original song in the under-14 category at the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival (WCAF).

The rock and pop event was held at The Marrs Bar in Worcester in front of a packed audience. Retsecrow(s), pronounced ret-see-crows, also won silver in the cover version category for a performance of the song Creep by Radiohead that the judge said showed good stylistic awareness.

The gold award-winning song called Grief Of Me was written by the band with lyrics by bassist Georgie and vocalist Luca who was 10 at the time. It’s become a popular fixture in the band’s live set and was praised by the judge as having ‘clear energy’. With a mixture of dirty metal and guitar-driven rock covers the band are happiest playing in front of a live audience and in the last six months they have played gigs in Evesham, Stourbridge, and Bewdley and have a regular slot at 45 Live venue in Kidderminster each month.

Retsecrow(s), which is Worcester spelt backwards, are comprised of Luca (aka #21CBoy) on vocals and guitar and at 11 years old he’s the youngest member. Georgie plays a thunderous bass, she’s 14, Ollie is on lead guitar, he’s 14 and the group is held together by the rabid rhythm of George on drums, he’s 13.

Speaking after the win, the four students from Heathfield Knoll School, Bewdley High School and Haybridge High School said: “We were so pleased to win. We love playing and The Marrs Bar is an epic venue with a great atmosphere. Thanks to everyone involved in the festival and to everyone who supports us.”

The band were formed 10 months ago at Load Street Music Academy in Kidderminster where they bonded over a shared love of music. They cite their musical influences as Queens of The Stone Age, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Iron Maiden.

With festival appearances and more gigs planned, the group will be in the studio soon to record their first E.P. For more information you can follow the band on Instagram at @retsecrows.

Worcester Competitive Arts Festival aims to give amateur musicians, actors, writers and composers the opportunity to perform in a friendly and supportive environment. The Festival has been running since 1951.