Music and More - with Paul Barry

YOUNG pop rockers Cola Moon are proud to be from Rossendale - but have decided to adopt a Manchester image as they bid to clinch a record deal with a new video and single.

The band went on a walkabout of Manchester's canalside Castlefield area to film clips for the video to their single The More Things Change.

The video, which has been sent in a mailshot to leading record companies, also shows the band on stage at The Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall. Although it has been shot on a shoestring budget, Les Walker who looks after the band says he called in all the favours he could think of to ensure it is as professional as possible. A spokesman for the popular Ramsbottom five-piece said: "Although the lads are from Rossendale, people in the record business don't know where that is. They identify with Manchester and of course there have been some great bands from the city in recent years.

"It's a lot easier just to say Manchester. If the band can get themselves established then they'll be only to happy to point out that they are from Rossendale."

The young band's single is backed with two other tracks - Photographs and Last Dollar.

The band may release the video as a "stand alone" item for their fans. The five-piece, led by Alex Kirkley, 19, of Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, have already had radio play in the United States and recently recorded five unplugged songs for a new radio station in Cardiff. The band, whose line-up is completed by Mike Partridge, 19, and Rob Keeling, James Greenhalgh and Paul Adams, all 18, also played a live electric set in the studios of a new Manchester-based cable channel which is set to start broadcasting this summer.

They are waiting to hear whether they have managed to set up concert dates in London for the spring.

Cola Moon play The Witchwood, Ashton-Under-Lyne, on Tuesday, March 16 and hope to confirm an appearance at Manchester Roadhouse soon.

Chance to win Blues Fest tickets

PULSE has more tickets to give away for this year's Burnley Blues Festival.

Performers including seasoned harmonica player James Cotton and young British swing band Big Town Playboys look set to ensure that this year's festival is one of the greats.

The four-day extravaganza takes place between Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5 at Burnley Mechanics.

The host of events which are part of the festival include a blues art exhibition, a film festival, an acoustic stage and a wide variety of fringe events.

This is the the second of four weeks we will be running a series of competitions giving you the chance to win tickets for each night of the event. For your chance to win tickets for the Saturday night, tell us: Who headlined last year's Sunday night bill at the festival. Was it a) Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges, b) Harold "Hide And Seek" Lamp Post or c) Eric "Hide Your Wallet" Blenkinsop?

Answers on a postcard to Pulse, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 16 Edgar Street, Accrington, BB5 1PT, or drop entries into your local Telegraph office. Usual Pulse competition rules apply.

Girl band Earl's on top

GIRL band Earl take their moody, blissed-out sounds to one of the North West's best known venues this week.

The young East Lancashire three-piece's intriguing mix of blues, jazz and dark rock has helped the students build a strong reputation on the local music circuit and they have started writing material for an album.

Singer Ruth Daniel, 17, from Brierfield, her sister Fiona, 15, and school pal Lizzie Evans, 17, from Earby, formed the band three years ago while they were at Skipton Girls' High School.

The highlight of their short career so far was an appearance at the fringe of this year's Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne.

Their live sound bewitches some listeners and baffles others as Ruth's powerful voice echoes out over her unorthodox guitar playing, and Lizzie and Fiona's relaxed but hard-hitting rhythm provides a solid backbone.

The girls play The Witchwood, Ashton-under-Lyne, on Tuesday, and have an appearance at Band On The Wall, Manchester, lined up for next month.

Roadhouse double

ONE of East Lancashire's top unsigned bands and a signed group with a local member are both set to top the bill at Manchester Roadhouse this week (see Gigs).

Unsigned Pendle indie rockers Element are headliners at the venue on Friday, with support from North West hopefuls Confusion Is Next, Emergency Exit and the bizarrely-named The Arisen Followed By Eclectic Hair. An indie disco follows and the evening goes on till 2am.

Creation Records' noisiest new signings One Lady Owner, with Burnley teenager Nathan Sudders on bass, make their return to the venue with a headline show of their own on Wednesday. The band recently played a successful show at the venue supporting much-gyped glam rockers Gay Dad.

Support comes from indie rockers Medal.

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