A band fronted by a former Islander is preparing for a gig at the world famous Cavern Club.

Ben Jones and the Rifle Volunteers will be appearing at the Liverpool venue, which is where The Beatles made their name, on Saturday, May 18.

Lead singer Ben, who went to Cheyne Middle School and Minster College, started the band in 2012 along with slide guitarist John Bowles; pianist and organist Josh Roots; bass guitarist Craig Ferguson and drummer Matt Gibson.

Max Kerr, who was the band’s backing singer, has recently left.

The gig is part of the International Pop Overthrow event and will be the fourth time Ben, who grew up in Queenborough, has played at the club.

The band is currently working towards its new album, called Shangri-La.

It is a 12-track CD and they describe it a tour-de-force of power pop which evokes sounds and feelings of classic albums gone by.

Their influences include The Beach Boys; Steve Winwood; The Beatles; Bob Dylan; Neil Young; The Monkees and The Who.

They are also planning to do an album launch gig at the Sheppey Little Theatre in Sheerness on Saturday, June 7.

It is hoped the gig will be filmed and then released as a live DVD.

Ben, 30, said: “I’m really excited to be asked back to The Cavern.

“It’s a real honour, particularly as the gig will be coinciding with the release of the new album, Shangri-La.”

For more information about the band, go to www.bjrv.co.uk