FORMER Milltown Brothers keyboard player Barney Williams said he was "in turmoil" after former Stone Roses man Aziz Ibrahim tried to tempt him to join his new band.

Barney, from Nelson, said he was flattered when Aziz asked him to work on his new project - but he has elected to stay with Pendle favourites The Rubbish instead. Barney said: "Aziz phoned me and I was given a tape of his new songs and asked to go along to rehearsals. For a week I was in turmoil. Aziz's project is going to be massive and he has people like Mani and Paul Weller guesting. He is a brilliant musician who knows so many people. It was a dream offer."

Barney realised he wouldn't have had time for both bands and chose to stay with The Rubbish, where he says he has more creative input. But he said the offer has inspired him to make The Rubbish a better band.

"The way that Aziz crafts songs has inspired me to work harder," he said. "Perhaps we've become a little lazy. We started the band for fun and have had a little success but there is so much more we can do musically."

The Rubbish have had airplay on Radio One, supported Status Quo and appeared on TV.

The Rubbish are set to play a Christmas Eve show with three other East Lancashire bands.

The concert is at Colne Municipal Hall, where they will be joined by Pigeon Smith, Concise and Walter Mitty's Head. Tickets are £5. Call 01282 661661.

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