To embark on a journey through the clubs, pubs and toilets that is a local rock scene can be a daunting and difficult experience.

And unfortunately more often then not the enthusiasm and energy that comes with youth often fails to cover the cracks left by a lack of actual talent.

But when anybody who enters a competition to play at one of the biggest festivals in the country is told the two-track demo they recorded for less than £100 is the best thing since sliced bread, something must be going right.

This is precisely what happened when Bradford's The Tempus sent off their demo to perform at one of this summer's top events and were contacted by one of the judges, who also writes for a national newspaper.

"It was a bit of a shock really," says Jonny Miller, lead singer and guitarist of the group.

"We don't know if we have won that yet, but we got an email from the panel saying it was the best demo they have had so far.

"He said it wasn't fair to tell us what our chances were, but it turns out that he also writes for a national newspaper and he liked the demo so much that he wanted to do a write-up for us."

At the tender age of 18, the life of a rock 'n' roll star couldn't be any more appealing, but judging by the songs Jonny's band have recorded and his general demeanour, this young, talent's feet are well and truly anchored to the ground.

With his mature growl of a voice and often sprawling wah-wah-guitar, Jonny steers the way through the group's solid tunes.

Having grown up through the Britpop explosion, with an influential healthy dose of classic Sixties and Seventies rock administered by their parents, influences for the lads in The Tempus couldn't be clearer - or more adhered to.

Jonny says: "I guess we are just a proper, popular-rock band.

"We are trying to veer away from that indie-rock label that everyone seems to get at the moment.

"We want to pay homage to many of the old greats, but we are also trying to be as original as possible.

"I first got into music listening to my dad's old Led Zeppelin albums and got into playing the guitar because it was cheaper then buying a set of drums."

Just as his steady, driving drums propel the songs forward, Dave Jones, of Idle, was the catalyst behind the band's gigging life when he joined the group in January this year.

He joined Jonny, from Eccleshill, along with Matt Hall, of Tyersal, on bass, after the teenagers had originally formed the group in mid-2006.

Jonny says: "We are in a sort of working class area, I guess. Bradford is quite a normal, northern city.

"I suppose your upbringing affects what you become and what your opportunities are. But it seems to be going pretty well so far."

To check out The Tempus visit www.myspace.com/thetempusmusic, or you can see them live at the following dates: The Coniston, Idle, on Saturday; Delius in Bradford on Sunday; TK Café Bar, Bradford next Thursday; and 1 in 12 Club, Bradford, on July 6.