Martin Gale and Gavin Gale are two brothers from the band ‘Desert Soldiers’. Martin is the lead singer and guitarist and Gavin is the drummer. This year they were known throughout the world for their hit song ‘Saving You’ and their album success. They are here to tell us about how the band formed, the early days of the band, their huge success throughout the world, their oncoming tour in Britain and the future of the band.

First off congratulations on the bands success!
Thanks, it has been a life changing year for all of us, It’s been mad! I still can’t believe it has happened to us, we are just five normal lads from Gateshead doing what we love, and to be given this chance is unbelievable. We still can’t believe it has happened to all of us and we are so lucky to get this big break.

How did the band form?
Eight years ago me and Gav had been playing the guitar for two years at school and I wanted to go further than just playing at school so when I was 16 I told Gav that we should make a band and he agreed. We made posters in our spare time and put them all around Gateshead and we had loads of replies and we had to pick the best and the band formed from there. We had a slow start playing at the clubs because no-one wanted us to perform. We finally had the chance to perform at a club and we gave it our all. After we performed we got a huge cheer from the crowd and that gave us confidence to keep on going and don’t stop. I’ve always said that our success and the belief in the band started there.

How close are you to the rest of the band?
We are all best friends and we do everything together. We even live together all five of us and we enjoy each others company, I don’t know what id do without them. Sometimes they get on your nerves and you have arguments over silly things but we always get past that. We will be friends forever and we look out for each other.

What is your best memory with the band?
Probably the first year with the band because we had no worries back then. It was all fun and games and we didn’t take it seriously at first, but now it is serious as this band is our lives so we have to work really hard to get somewhere in life. I still enjoy it now but there was less pressure back in the early days. However the best memory for us will have to be the Guns and Roses concert. They were amazing and we were invited backstage because they liked our music. We were so exited and nervous at the same time and when we were face to face with the band we were speechless. We had a great time but the thing I always remember about that night was the advice they gave us. I (Gav) use that advice every time I perform and it has helped a lot. Not just for me but for the entire band.

Your song ‘Saving You’ reached Number 1! How pleased are you.
It was the biggest shock we’ve ever had. Rock music isn’t as popular nowadays, but to get to Number 1 in the charts is magical. This also tells people that rock is becoming popular again. It is our biggest achievement to date and in the future we will like to repeat the success.

So what’s it like being one of the biggest bands in the UK?
It’s unbelievable! Everywhere we go we get noticed; in the streets, everywhere. We are living the celebrity lifestyle which we love. Every one of them has given us great comments and I am grateful that they like our music. They are the reason why we do this for a living. We are happy because they are happy.

Do you have any celebrity fans that you are star struck by?
I don’t think we have any Hollywood celebrity fans but we do have fans that I am shocked by, like Guns and Roses. They’re our heroes and to know that they appreciate our music is really flattering. I first went to see one of their concerts in my early teens and I have loved them since. Nickleback also like our music and that helps us even more write new material knowing that great rock figures are supporting us all the way.

Your album went to No 2 in the charts, did you expect that to happen?
To be honest, if our album got in the top 20 we’d be happy, but to see it in the top 2 we were ecstatic. I (Martin) was listening to the radio in the car with my girlfriend and the album top 40 charts were on. When we heard our band went to number 2 we were speechless, I phoned the guys and we were cheering and screaming. We all went out for a treat celebrating getting there. It’s still a shock to us and hopefully in the future we’ll keep up with the success.

You have an oncoming tour in two months, are you nervous?
I am nervous and exited about the tour coming up. We have worked hard and hopefully during the tour we’ll enjoy it. We have 30 gigs to do in that tour and it is tiring especially when we are travelling to the venue. We don’t like to travel around the country but we have to deal with it.

So what is happening in the future for ‘Desert Soldiers’?
We are beginning to write some new material but other than that not at the moment. We are taking every day as it comes. We hope to release another album next year and if it’s a success like the last one then we will be happy. We are also looking forward to working with great bands and artists like Nickleback and Fall Out Boy.

We then asked Martin and Gavin some questions of interest.

What do you do in your spare time?
We don’t have a lot of spare time at the moment but when we do we like to play football. I (Martin) used to play for a Sunday league team when I was in my early teens. It was really fun and it kept me fit. I am also a die-hard Newcastle fan and so is Gav. When we have time we would go and watch a game of football. I also like going out with friends everywhere and when I am home I like to play on the ps3.

What is your favourite food?
(Gavin) I like all sorts of food, but my favourite would have to be Chinese. I have Chinese at least twice a week; I can’t get enough of it. I also love ice cream.

What is your favourite film?
(Gavin) My favourite film will have to be Pearl Harbour. I love this film because it’s really entertaining and it shows the impact WWII had on people. I also like the Dark Knight.

Who is your favourite non-rock artist?
It has to be Michael Jackson. He is another inspiration to our work. He was the king of music and everyone even rockers appreciated his work. When we found out that he died we were devastated.

What is your favourite song?
(Martin) That’s a hard choice. I love many songs, some rock and some aren’t. But my favourite would have to be ‘Don’t stop believing’ by Journey. I absolutely love it. I listen to it every day and it never gets old. If I had to choose a non-rock song it would have to be ‘Smooth Criminal’ by Michael Jackson.
(Gavin) There’s no contest for mine, it has to be ‘Sweet child of mine’ by Guns and Roses’. I love the guitar at the beginning and it’s got amazing vocals. My favourite non-rock song is I’m gonna to be (500 miles). You will laugh but this song does cheer you up when you are upset and it puts everyone in a dancing mood.

And finally what’s your favourite show?
It has to be ‘Family Guy’. It’s the funniest animated comedy ever and we watch it when we can.