PULSE - music and more, with Paul Barry

YOUNG noiseniks Symposium like nothing better than living out the rock and roll lifestyle.

But after touring the USA supporting former Nirvana member Dave Grohl's band the Foo Fighters, they could think of nothing better than coming home to mum and dad and getting looked after.

Songwriter and bass player Wojtek Godzisz said: "Touring is amazing and we really like to live out the rock and roll lifestyle, the fantasy dream.

"But when you get home it's just so much easier to live with your mum and dad. You come home and they wash all your clothes and make your dinner. It's just really relaxing."

The four-piece, who have appeared on TFI Friday and Top of the Pops, say they have a mixed fanbase.

Wojtek said: "We have a lot of rock kids with their Metallica T-shirts but there is also an indie crowd which is mostly girls.

"Then there are the thirtysomethings who come along and seem to love it.

"We haven't really 'made it' yet.

"We have made friends with lots of other bands but we still feel like the outsiders at some of the parties.

"We all went to school together in West London and any arguments we have are just the ones that mates have.

"We don't argue about the business side of things because we have known each other for so long.

"We've kept our feet on the ground in one sense because we all live with our parents in the same homes we used to when we went to school." The band recently returned from a tour of the United States where they played with the Foo Fighters. Wojtek says: "We got to know them and they were cool.

"They were honest and genuine.

"Dave Grohl was really sound.

"Nirvana have influenced our outlook, if not our music, because they always stayed true to themselves.

"It is much easier for a band like us to make it in the States than it is over here because people love guitar music.

"It is harder to get into the charts over here when you are a rock band.

"Getting big enough to sell out Wembley Stadium is my ambition, because I look up to bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin and Guns and Roses who have done the whole rock thing."

SYMPOSIUM play Manchester and Liverpool this week while their debut album, On The Outside, is released on Monday.

Charity rock and blues festival

A ROCK and blues festival to raise money for a scheme to help young East Lancashire bands is set to take place later this month. The Ice Cool Rock and Blues Festival will be held at the Astoria, Rawtenstall, on Tuesday, May 26, starting at 8pm. Proceeds will go towards a scheme called Reverb, brainchild of former Rubette Tony Thorpe, who now plays with Lancashire bluesters The Gas Company. The project aims to help young musicians develop skills through contact with established musicians, without the academic work involved in college courses. Bands confirmed for the evening are The Gas Company, groove pop outfit Cola Moon, rhythm and blues band The Bentleys and prog rockers Lydian Dream.

Tickets cost £4 and are available on the door or from Rossendale Tourist Information Centre, Kay Street, Rawtenstall, telephone 01706 217777. Anyone wanting to help Reverb by offering time or facilities should contact Pat Ratcliffe on 0378 598371.

Mode hit the road

DEPECHE MODE return to the stage for the first time in five years this autumn.

Their European tour is entitled The Singles Tour '86 to '98 and will coincide with the release of a singles compilation album. The moody rockers play Manchester Nynex on October 2.

Core blimey

A NIGHT of "happy hardcore" is in store when Ministry of Vinyl's Meltdown night comes to Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn next Saturday.

The line-up includes DJs Vibes, Danny Dee, Redman and Cully, and MCs Livelee, Chill, Spudz and Devotion.

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