BRIGHT young popsters Whatever are at pains to make it crystal clear they are not a cover band.

Though the Burnley group have a name plucked straight from the Oasis back catalogue, vocalist Jonny Buck says the name owes more to chance than to the Gallagher Brothers.

"Whenever friends asked what we were called we just said 'whatever' and the name seemed to stick," he explained.

A year after the band got together, as they prepare for a brace of springtime gigs, he admits the choice is far from ideal.

However, as they reflect on the excellent results of their first studio session and the handful of gigs under their belts - including a fine performance in Towneley Park last summer - Jonny accepts they are now stuck with the name.

The five lads who make up one of the area's youngest outfits, all aged just 15 or 16, attend Habergham High School.

Their style is influenced by Britpop and the rockier sounds of Led Zeppelin, and Jonny admits: "We can't deny being influenced by Oasis."

A trio of writers within the group pen the songs, then when one has a complete song the rest of the group will work on it until it is a finished track, explained lead guitarist Jack Hutchinson.

The writers are Jonny, Jack and guitarist Chris Visser. Their creative styles are as diverse as their record collections. Jack admits he lifts some of his lyrical ideas, whereas Jonny writes on a much more personal level with songs about friends and life. Chris, on the other hand, brings his catchy tunes to the outfit, with melody taking priority over lyrics.

With 15 finished songs in the bag, they joined the ever-growing list of acts recording at MJM Studios in Oswaldtwistle.

The result, a four-track CD, shows a musical maturity beyond their tender ages.

The band happily reel off a list of influences, from the Stone Roses to the Beatles and the Modfather Paul Weller.

Jonny, however, is keen to add that: "Although the Stone Roses may influence our music, I don't want to sing like Ian Brown." As the New Year begins, the lads have one eye on exams and another on their upcoming date at Colne's Lesser Municipal Hall on February 6.

For the show they have recruited the help from two other local acts, The Anonymous and Gesture.

Having achieved such a polished sound so early in their musical careers, the lads only lack experience of the live circuit. As that accumulates, they look set to establish themselves as one of the area's best bands.

Tickets for the show are £4 on the door and it starts at 8pm.

By CLIVE LAWRENCE

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