A BAND who tasted top 40 success in the indie charts last year are preparing to go for the full meal -- and make it much higher.

Fi-lo radio, based in Chorley, have put the finishing touches to their new single, Pretty Bones, which is now out on the Action Records label.

Their second assault on the charts rounds off a pretty amazing year for the group, who just 12 months ago didn't even have a record deal.

The three piece got their first 'big break' in the summer of 1999, thanks to a certain Steve Lamacq.

John Lee, manager of the band, said: "We were offer the chance to play on Radio 1's evening session by Steve Lamacq as part of their unsigned session.

"The broadcast was heard by Gordon Gibson, who is the owner of Action Records. He checked out the band and then released our first single on his own label."

It was once again thanks to the radio that the EP, Magic/Audio/Nano, did so well, added John.

"We got a lot of airplay from John Peel and Lamacq as well."

And, as the group prepare to see how the new single, which has been released nationwide, has fared, they have been greeted with some news with must mean they are going places -- their music is being used on the soundtrack of a television programme.

John said: "That was really good news for the band. The music was used on RAD, an extreme sports programme on Channel 5." The new single features three tracks, all written and produced by Jon Lee from the band. The recording was done at West Orange Studios in Preston, although, in the past, the band were regulars at Outback Studios in Blackburn.

Fans of the group -- which is made up of Jon on guitar, vocals and keyboard, Jude on bass, vocals and keyboard and Chris on drums -- can catch them tonight at Baroc Cafe in Bolton.

Tickets can be obtained by calling 01204 194471.

Alternatively, check out their new website, www.filoradio.com.

Cool Yule mix

LIKE it or not, Christmas is once again upon us and if you're looking for something to put you in the Christmasy mood but don't want to compromise your taste in music, then Xfm's It's a Cool Cool Christmas could be right up your street.

The 21 tracks are either cover versions of classic Christmas songs like White Christmas and In The Bleak Midwinter or exclusive festive songs recorded by indie artists in their own style. Bands like Belle and Sebastian put their own slant on the timeless hymn O Come, O' Come Emmanuel while The Dandy Warhols' take on Little Drummer is perhaps the pick of the bunch.

And with the album being a celebration of the spirit of Christmas, the artists have waived their rights with the Big Issue Foundation receiving four pounds for every copy sold.

Family of soul

A NEW soul night at an East Lancashire hotel got under way last week.

Family Tree, at the Swallow Hotel, Samlesbury, is hosted by DJs Peter Heigh, Steve Naylor and Joe 'Kevin' Priest. For details about future gigs, contact 01772 324562.

Apollo gig for Kylie

KYLIE Minogue has announced her first UK tour for eight years. She will perform at the Manchester Apollo on March 8, 2001.

The tour comes on the back of a successful few months for Kylie, which has included achieving three top three singles, and a gold album.

She has performed various one-off gigs, including the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics and alongside Robbie Williams for one night only when he played Manchester last month. For ticket details, ring 0161 242 2560.