When stardom beckoned for two South Tyneside bands

Back in 1988 the Gazette reported how South Shields band Pulse was poised to sign up to a major record company.

Apparently Atlantic Records heard demos of three of group’s melodic rock songs, and showed a real interest in them. What happened?

South Shields rock band Pulse back in Friday October 1988.

placeholder image — South Shields rock band Pulse back in Friday October 1988.

Meanwhile, in 1991, stardom beckoned for another South Tyneside band when Chocolate Roundabout reached the regional finals of a national music competition.

It's January 1991 and this is Chocolate Roundabout. Members are five students from South Tyneside College. Singer, Donna Sherina Buglass; Lee Everest, guitar, back left; sax player Ian Trewhella; keyboard player, Tony Wilson; bass player Craig Stephenson, back centre..

The band, made-up of five students from South Tyneside College, were reported to have made it to the final eight of regional heat of the Panasonic Audio Rock School contest.

Success there would have taken them to the national finals. Did they make it?