TAKING a leaf out of classic stadium acts such as AC/DC and The Foo Fighters is no bad reference point for rock-hopefuls The Crave.

The Ashford-based group have already secured an independent record deal for their single, Bring It On, which is already showing sings of gaining a commendable attention.

Their Myspace website has had thousands of hits which can only boost their confidence yet further.

That, and the fact two of its members have a raft of touring experience with the now defunct Scots pop act, Speedway, who scored a top 10 hit covering Christina Aguilera’s Genie in A Bottle.

Catching up with The Crave’s lead singer Ryan Burnett, it’s quickly apparent that this crew of former Brighton music college students are chomping at the bit with a tour calling in Kent around the corner.

"Being in the band is fun but there’s a lot of hard work involved and are giving it 100 per cent effort. Our EP is out in May which is being sold in HMV and have also been selling it at gigs.

"Live, it’s all about showmanship - you see a lot of bands who just stand there but we try and be much more energetic," explained the Manchester born singer.

His confident vocals have sparked tentative major label interest which could propel them into the big time. But they are not getting too ahead of themselves just yet. As their guitarist Carlos revealed, they are in fine spirits as they build enough material for a debut album.

"Things are going really well for us as a band, we’ve lots of influences as we are all from different places so have put these into the mix."

There’s always a slight snag somewhere and this has reared its head in terms of the band decamping to drummer Dave’s house in Ashford. In true rock style, it seems there have already been a few spills during their frenetic rehearsal sessions.

"They are pretty much trashing the place, but I am sure it will work for us," adds the drummer with a laugh.

Having the right attitude is half the battle won - the rest is down to fortune and skill, of which they seem far from short of from their excellent debut recording.

- The Crave play Folkestone’s Happy Frenchman on Friday, May 19 and The Beer Cart Arms in Canterbury on Tuesday, July 25. For further details see www.myspace.com/thecraveband.