BUSKING may not be the ideal way to rehearse but it suited up-and-coming East Lancashire band Spiral Minds down to the ground.

The band consists of lead guitarist Martin Scott, 21, of Blackburn, lead vocalist and bass guitarist Craig Prescott, 32, of Blackburn, and newly-recruited drummer Tam Douglas, 40, of Darwen.

Martin and Craig got together through work just three months ago and started writing their own songs.

They have already had interest from a promoter, Ace Records in Scotland, and have sent demo tapes off to Epic, Warner and Sticky Label in Blackburn.

Tam joined them recently after an audition and now they need another bassist to complete the line-up.

Martin said: "We've been rehearsing covers and quite a lot of our own stuff. We're into blues, rock, funk and dance -- a bit of everything really. We've had enough of playing in the front room and we want to take it as far as we can but we're keeping an open mind." They have recorded four songs themselves, from the haunting Mr Maguda to the uplifting Sitting In The Sunshine, and the rock-like When Will You and You Cried For Me and are now writing more material for an album.

Spiral Minds have a wide range of influences, from the Stereophonics to the Manic Street Preachers.

They rehearse anywhere and everywhere as Martin works nights, so they practice when they can.

Martin and Craig even did an impromptu acoustic busking session in the centre of Blackburn several weeks ago after they went into town to pay some bills.

They've had help from Dan Davies at The Hordens Pub in Blackburn, who let them lay a few tracks down on mini-disc using his equipment, as well as giving them some live spots.

Craig said: "Not one song has taken more than an hour to write but we're working on covers so we can get ourselves gigging.

"The biggest thing is that we enjoy it and we love our music. "Martin and I just gel together and we have our own formula for writing songs."

Their newest recruit, Tam, has been drumming for more than 22 years.

Originally from Scotland, Tam used to play to crods of 20,000 from 1984 to 1986 with a successful band called Scheme.

He said: "Martin and Craig's material is original and uplifting and is totally different to what I was doing before.

"Their songs flow really nicely and the lyrics carry me.

"I've been rehearsing alone for a while now, so I'm looking forward to being part of a band again."

Spiral Minds played their first big gig at Darwen Festival, and are hoping it will lead to bigger and better things.

For more information about the band contact 07930 109869.