PUPILS at Thornleigh Salesian College had a taste of the rock and roll life when Seattle band Holy Ghost Revival played at their school.

But at one point it looked like the band might not make it at all — two of their members had disappeared after a debauchery-fuelled night out in London the day before.

Happily they made it on time, and wowed the crowds with their modern dandies take on glam folk-metal.

The early evening gig was a far cry from the sleaze rock band’s usual haunts, and later that night they went on to play the Dog and Partridge, on Manor Street, with local garage rock band The Kiss Off and Preston’s Scoobeef?.

Holy Ghost Revival singer Conor Kiley said: “It was a treat to play alongside such talented young bands and to perform in front of such enthusiastic and lively kids. "I think I speak for the rest of the band when I say that playing the school in Bolton was awesome, it reminded me of when I was a kid watching other bands that made me want to pick up any instrument and play it. The kids were jumping around going crazy! It was loads of fun.”

Sharing the stage with Holy Ghost Revival, who are signed to Sony, were Thornleigh bands Taurus and The Velvet Tones.

Ivan Crompton, a teacher at the school who organised the gig, said: "It was the first time that Holy Ghost Revival had played in front of students so for once they were a little nervous as it was a brand new experience.

"However the turnout and reaction of the young people and staff alike (especially Mrs Burrowes our Head who now has the best street cred in Bolton) made it one of the most fun shows they had performed whilst in the UK.

"I was proud to be at Thornleigh and see the staff and children alike dancing and really enjoying the first American band to play here.

"I have known Holy Ghost Revival for three years now and it was a real honour for them to play at Thornleigh with two other great up and coming bands - Taurus and The Velvet Tones (who HGR enthused about later as one of the best bands they had played with).

"It was a credit to Thornleigh pupils that this extraordinary event happened, I was over the moon with the success and the turnout, and I hope the night will be remembered in years to come."