Tuned 'N' Trashed (TNT) are a band of young people from Leigh Park, Havant who like nothing more than getting together each week to make some "rubbish" music with a little help from Music Fusion, the Youth Music Action Zone for the South!

The TNT project happens every Tuesday night at Leigh Park Community Centre and includes a junk percussion band, using instruments made out of everyday household trash, and a crew of MCs and beatboxers.

Many of the young people originally got involved with the project through the local 10-13 youth club, making this an activity for young people of all ages but especially those currently in transition from primary to secondary education. Music Fusion Project Manager, Richard Wright said: "The band is a really practical way of getting that crossover and interaction between the two-tiers of educational age-groups. The medium is ideal because whatever the age or ability the young people can get involved and not feel excluded from taking part".

Music Fusion, together with local partners Leigh Park Community Development Team, set up the band in March 2006. Now with several high profile gigs under their belts and some enthusiastic local supporters, the band are looking to the future with a funding application to build on the success so far. Fingers crossed there will be more noise coming from this corner of the action zone later this year!

More information, quotes and images are available from Music Fusion, contact: Richard Wright, Project Manager
T: 023 9284 1034
E: richard.wright@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
 www.musicfusion.org.uk

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:
 
1. Music Fusion is one of 24 Youth Music Action Zones in England and Wales providing music-making activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity.  It serves the areas of Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth.
 
2. Youth Music funds and facilitates music-making for young people up to the age of 18, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need. It is a national charity set up in 1999 with National Lottery money provided through Arts Council England. By the end of 2006, Youth Music aims to have reached more than 3 million young people and their wider communities in a nationwide strategy to support youth music making. More information is available at www.youthmusic.org.uk

3. Since December 2000, Youth Music has invested £15m in setting up 22 Action Zones in areas of social and economic need across England. There are now a further two Zones in Wales. The aim is to provide music-making activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Each Zone is made up of established organisations from the public, voluntary and private sector. Youth Music Action Zones cover all genres of music and deliver a wide range of activities including workshops, rehearsals, performances, one-to-one teaching and mentoring. More information is available at www.youthmusic.org.uk