FORMER Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim is set to play in Earby this week with up-and-coming Pendle drummer Kieron Melling.

Teenager Kieron, who is still studying at Accrington and Rossendale College, impressed the legendary Aziz last month when he joined the group for two gigs in Scotland.

Aziz said: " Kieron's a very talented young man. He picked up the songs in less than a week and playing in front of a lot of Roses, Ian Brown and Aziz fans put him under a lot of pressure.

"But Kieron came good and the shows were fantastic and very smooth."

Last year Aziz released his first EP, Middle Road, on No Label Records but has since left the label.

Now the singer/songwriter has set up his own record label called Indus Records, named after one of the Indian sub-continent's most famous rivers.

He plans to put out his own material, music from other artists and promote the Asian underground scene.

His debut album will be out very soon and is to be called Lahore to Longsight, which is a twist on Stone Roses line Atlanta Georgia to Manchester from their Second Coming album. But the album will only be available over the internet or from selected record shops.

Aziz said: "The idea is to cut out the usual record label hype.

"It's my label and I can put out my music, my way. I want to know the reality and not live the hype."

He added: "I'll also be putting an album out by Denise Johnson, who sang with Primal Scream on Screamadelica, and then a compilation of Asian artists".

Of playing back in East Lancashire he said: "I remember the last gig was a lot of fun. It's always good to play the area because it's so near home. But playing small gigs at the moment is what I'm about. I'm looking to build up a fan base and playing small venues means if people don't like your music they tell you."

Aziz plays the free gig at Punch Bowl on Friday. Doors open at 8.00pm but fans are being advised to get there early.

CLIVE LAWRENCE