ONE of Warrington’s most promising bands will be living the jetset life when they tour the US for the first time in March.

The Winachi Tribe will be performing in LA, Hollywood, San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas all in the space of 12 days.

And that is not all because just days after the electro funk collective return they will be playing at the Parr Hall.

The band will be Burtonwood rock and roll band Slydigs’ special guests on March 16 for the fifth anniversary celebration of Warrington Music [WAM].

Frontman Liam Croker, from Latchford, said: “The whole month is looking like it’s going to be pretty crazy.

“It kicks off 2018 properly for us. From March onwards we’re going to be on the road for the rest of the year. We’re starting it in style.”

Opportunities have been opening up for the band since they signed up with H.R.B Management and changed their name from China White to The Winachi Tribe.

Liam, a former Bridgewater High pupil, added: “Our management is based in west Hollywood so a lot of the work we’ve been doing, contacts we’ve got and people we’re working with are based in California.

“So in the past we’ve been out there with producer Danny Saber and then we went out to work with the actor Tommy Flanagan for the video for our single, A Room with A Zoo.

“The next natural step is to get us over there playing so we’re doing a number of showcases down the West Coast.

“Then we’re coming back to do that big hometown show at the Parr Hall.

“It’s going to be amazing because we’ve not actually played in Warrington as The Winachi Tribe.”

Liam and the group will be touring the States from March 1 to 12.

They will also be doing a live session for radio at the University Of Southern California and stepping into the studio with John X, who has worked with David Bowie and Marilyn Manson, to collaborate on a one-off track.

Liam said: “There’s going to be industry people at each show. We’ve got a lot going on in the UK and we’re now starting to make a dent in the US as well.

“We’ve also got a big radio exclusive to announce leading up to the first show in the States.”

There is another reason 2018 is set to be a big year for The Winachi Tribe because Liam hopes their album will be ready in the summer.

Liam added: “The record will be self-produced but it’s being mixed by Jim Spencer who does all the Charlatans and New Order stuff.

“We’re a collaborative band so we work a lot with different musicians and vocalists.

“One of the tracks will feature Wired for Sound, the community choir.

“We recorded with them at our very own Parr Hall which was really cool because it’s a 40-strong choir and a nod to our Warrington roots.”

Talking of Warrington roots, the seeds for China White/The Winachi Tribe were sown when Liam met band member Antony Egerton at the Barley Mow by chance.

Does it feel surreal that their shared love of Pink Floyd and Primal Scream and musical collaboration is still paying off?

Liam, who toured with hip hop legends The Sugar Hill Gang last year, said: “It feels rewarding to have come so far.

“I think you’ve got to have an absolute drive and a stubborn belief in what you’re doing.

“Because it’s a really long, rocky hard road and it’s not for everybody. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go doing this.

“It’s like being in an emotional rollercoaster being in a band as you have extreme highs and extreme lows.

“It’s just the nature of the beast and you have to be thick-skinned and totally believe in it.

“People sometimes think you’re doing it to be a pop star. That might be the case for some bands but I’m doing it because I’m an artist and I wake up in the morning and I have an urge to write music.

“It’s more than a job. It’s a way of life.”

The Winachi Tribe will be performing at the Parr Hall as special guests of Slydigs for [WAM]’s fifth anniversary celebration. For tickets visit pyramidparrhall or call 442345.