DUCK Sick, the York ska punks with the circus showmanship, are releasing a six-track CD.

Available from band members and at gigs for £6, On Air assembles six of the best tracks from Duck Sick's burst of song-writing activity at the end of 2002. After a band intro, the track order is Heartbreak, Glad I'm Not 84, When I Grow Up, Playing In The Park, I Like To Wee and Mr Plod.

Duck Sick were born in September 2001 when guitarists Andy Crome and Miles Smith, vocalist Dan Gott, drummer Danny Bettley and bass player Mike Harmer met at the York Performing Arts Centre. They settled on their obscure band name, began writing material and entered the 2002 Fibbers/Evening Press Battle of the Bands before even playing a gig! That debut came on January 4 last year at a battle warm-up and to their surprise they came fourth in the grand final six months later.

Duck Sick recorded their debut CD, The Harris EP, in June 2002 and took part in Samaid last August. Over recent months in York, they have supported Skaville, D4, Jessie James, Farse and The Dead Pets, competed in the Fibbers/Evening Press Battle of the Bands for a second time and headlined an April charity event.

Bassist Mike says: "We've also begun to widen our circle of gigs to include venues outside of York with a view to a tour in early autumn, and we're now working on a live album at Cube Media, including a live video track."

Duck Sick's next live engagement is at Fibbers on August 27. More information on the band can be found at www.ducksick.co.uk

Updated: 09:42 Friday, August 08, 2003