A BLACKWOOD band have dedicated their new single to the memory of a schoolboy who was killed in a crash last year.

The Other Side was written after Super Marine’s frontman Rhys Davis learnt of the death of Cole Roper, from Cefn Fforest. Cole was killed in a collision on September 7, 2019. He was 12 years old.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing and no one has been arrested.

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Mr Davis had met Cole while on work experience at a school.

Cole had said to him: “You look like a rock star. What are you doing here?”

Mr Davis said that he could think of no reply at the time.

“This song is dedicated to Cole and keeping his memory alive,” said the band.

“We’ve had contact with Cole’s family, and they were happy for us to dedicate this song to him.

“We actually did it at our Blackwood Miners show back in October, with his mum in the audience.

“It was the first time we played the track live.”

Super Marine were due to go out on their first UK tour, with dates in London, Cardiff, Bristol, Swansea and more - but it has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Other Side was released last month.

The new single got its radio debut on March 21, with Adam Walton on BBC Radio Wales.

As with their first two singles, Super Marine’s new track was recorded and produced by Richard Jackson, whose previous work includes The Automatic, 60 Ft Dolls, Super Furry Animals and Pretty Vicious.

“Lockdown has had its ups and downs,” said the band.

“But, the time at home has been quite useful for us to practise (individually of course), learn new things, write new songs, and catch up on a backlog of admin work which we do all ourselves.”

Super Marine have also been nominated for ‘Best Group’ at the 2020 Cardiff Music awards. You can vote at cardiffmusicawards.co.uk