TWO former rugby players who discovered a love of music after their sporting careers were halted have launched their debut album.

Ben Waller and Hamish Jeffcott, both 19, of Weymouth, formed their band Blazin’ Strings after sustaining significant concussion injuries playing for Weymouth Rugby Club.

Without sports in their lives, both teenagers started playing musical instruments – then realised they could write music too.

Ben said: “The time after I was injured was very hard, there were some very hard moments but we found this breakthrough in the music, just playing the guitar.” Hamish said he had never written music before he became injured through rugby.

“Ben suggested we have a little jam. He was living in Gloucestershire and I didn’t really have many friends back in Weymouth.

“I couldn’t work properly for six months so I picked up a guitar and started writing. It was something I could do without risk of injury.”

The pair describe their sound as ‘folky’ and ‘poppy’.

Ben’s biggest musical influence is Newton Faulkner whilst Hamish’s is Paolo Nutini.

They play a variety of instruments; guitars, ukuleles, banjos and both sing.

Blazin’ Strings recently launched their album - Play it by Ear – and have been playing several gigs locally.

They have written 13 songs for the album and also included three live versions, making 16 tracks in total.

They regularly appear at Weymouth venues such as The Lazy Lizard, Aura, The Belvedere, The Ilchester Arms, The Stage Door and the Ship at Upwey.

The production has been funded by the lads themselves from busking and playing locally.

Together, Hamish and Ben have written nearly 50 songs that need to be finished.

Hamish said: “We love performing our music. There’s nothing like it.

“When you compare it to rugby it’s so different because in sport you can be winning one time then losing another time.

“With the music and performing we are always winning and people are always enjoying it.

“Sometimes you look across and see people really enjoying the music and dancing and it’s a great feeling.”

Ben said the future looks bright for Blazin’s Strings, with more gigs booked for the band.

Hamish has plans to go travelling around New Zealand for a bit and Ben will be finishing his studies.

Ben said: “We just want to keep pushing our music and see where it takes us.

“We want to go further than people expect us to. We hope that we offer something a bit different.”

You can view Blazin' Strings singles on You Tube and they also have a Facebook page.

The album Play it By Ear is available by contacting Hamish and Ben at facebook.com/blazinstringsofficial I