FUNK rockers A-Jay And The Maya say their planned tour of Japan is still on, despite rumours that Kula Shaker - who they were set to support - have split up.

New Musical Express this week reported that Kula Shaker had split following a decision by singer Crispian Mills to turn solo.

A-Jay And The Maya, who are based in London but have firm roots in Accrington, had been set to tour Japan in support of Kula Shaker in November.

Band manager Alan Parker told Pulse: "We were worried sick when we were told that Kula Shaker had split up. But I've been in touch with our agent and the tour is still on.

"Ajay and the lads had three dates arranged where they were going to play on their own. Now the agent has added another four gigs for us."

The five-piece, who clinched a four-year deal record deal last week, are set to start recording demos for their first release in London this week.

The planned tour with Kula Shaker is believed to have been a major factor in helping A-Jay And The Maya clinch the deal.

The band, who hope to have their first single out by February, have not revealed the identity of their record company, said by Alan Parker to be a major London-based label.

The group includes singer and guitarist Ajay Srivaftava and percussionist Behzad Mokir, both from Accrington. The line-up is completed by drummer Tobe Lamb, formerly from Blackburn, bassist Pete and keyboard player Dave Conway. The NME reported that Kula Shaker - who played Blackburn's King George's Hall last April - had split following slow sales of their second album, Peasants Pigs And Astronauts.

Kula Shaker's press spokeswoman was unavailable for comment.

Can't stop the Pigeon

YOUNG Pendle indie outfit Pigeon Smith are looking for a keyboard player to join their line-up.

The trio of 16-year-olds - singer and guitarist Lee Mathews, bassist Kieran Crimmins and drummer Kieron Melling, formed about two years ago while at Primet High School, Colne.

Since then, the lads have gone from stength to stength gaining a solid fanbase for their live shows. They now hope to take the band up to the next level, and hope to find someone with similar ambition.

The group's set list is compiled from a mixture of original material and covers by artists including Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics and Blur.

Anyone interested should contact Martin on 01282 601080 or Eric on 01282 870711.

Chance to get on course for the top

BEDROOM musicians and local bands who want to break into the music business can take advantage of a new training programme at Blackburn College which aims to help performers reach their full potential.

The college is offering a pre-foundation course in contemporary pop music, which is run in conjunction with national training organisation Access To Music. The nine-month course aims to encourage inexperienced musicians to improve their playing and performing skills.

Places on this year's course are still available and informal auditions are taking place during the next fortnight.

Course tutor Dave Ellis said: "The course is an ideal starting point for anyone learning to play an instrument and considering a career in music. We are looking for potential, not technical genius. Anyone who has a desire to make music should come along, regardless of what stage they're at."

The Access To Music programme includes further courses which give students the chance to play regional and national gigs.

To book an interview, call Alan Ramsay on 0800 281842.

5-piece Suite

FIVE East Lancashire bands are set to play at the second in a series of events which organisers hope will become a monthly showcase for local talent.

Camburslang, Unfinished Business, Snorkel, Unaudioed and Scapegoat are all set to play the Keirby Suite at the Comfort Inn, Burnley, on Friday.

The gig is the second Time Of The Month event organised by Nelson-based Fuzzy Bear Promotions.

Doors open at 8pm and admission is £2.50 for one person and £4 for two. There are no age restrictions on entry.

Stiffs' no to more gigs

RUMOURS that Blackburn punks The Stiffs are to play a further reunion gig in East Lancashire at Christmas have been scotched. Talking Primates Management, which organised the band's summer comeback show at Cob Wall Working Men's Club, Blackburn, have said no such reunion is planned.

The band, who signed to EMI in 1979 but did not release an album until this year, told Pulse earlier this year that the Cob Wall gig was likely to be a one-off.

However, a live album from the comeback show is scheduled for release in the near future.

Element's first single

PENDLE noise merchants Element are looking forward to the release of their first single later this month.

As Pulse revealed earlier this summer, the Nelson-based three-piece signed a record deal with Glasgow-based label Creeping Bent.

Their first single, called Lord Aparts, is a double A-side shared with indie band Mongoose, whose track Sanitise Me is on the flip side. The record, which is available on seven-inch vinyl, is set for release on October 16. Astonishing Sounds in Burnley have told the band they can order the record for customers on request.

Hometown gig for Bigfluff

IMPRESSIVE Blackburn band Bigfluff are set for a hometown gig next weekend.

The lads, who mix funk rhythms with strong indie vocals and dance beats, are set to play the Borough Arms, Blackburn, next Saturday, along with a support act.

The band consists of singer Matt Cousins, bassist Lee Brotherstone, guitarist Ben Clough, drummer Jamie Grime, percussionist Andy Manley and Kyle Sadler on turntables.

The action starts at 8.30pm and goes on till late. Admission is £2.50.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.