It was when Bradford musician Luke Thomson heard the voice of Noel Gallagher on his answering machine that he realised his band might have made it.

In fact, so impressed was the guitarist and songwriter of Britain's biggest rock band with Luke's own band that he asked them to support them at a stadium concert.

Luke, 25, from Baildon is a guitarist with up-and-coming band The Stands who are about to release their first album.

The group got their big break when Noel heard them perform live at Liverpool's cult Bandwagon Club.

He was so impressed he left a message and offered them time in his Buckinghamshire studio.

Luke, a former pupil at Ilkley Grammar School pupil, said: "There was a lot of record company interest and we were sending out silly numbers of demo tapes.

"I don't know how Noel got hold of one, he rang us up and left a message on our answer-machine asking if we wanted to play a gig."

The other Stands are Howie Payne on lead vocals and guitar, Dean Ravera on bass and Steve Pilgrim on drums.

Luke said: "I met Howie and the other lads at the acoustic nights in Liverpool about two years ago.

"I was playing on my own to build my confidence and a friend suggested I play with Howie's band."

The Stands supported Oasis at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham which holds more than 13,000.

Luke said: "It's by far the biggest gig we've done and in the second song it dawned on me how many people were there. I thought this is what I always wanted to do and I'm doing it!"

The band were quickly signed up by record label Echo and released their first single, She Speaks of These Things, in July of last year.

The band have also played with Paul Weller, The Thrills, The Vines and Alfie.

Luke said: "We've done a few gigs in Leeds and I'd definitely like to play in Bradford. It's important to set up clubs for bands to play and I'd be up for setting up a venue when I have more time.

"I'd love to come back and see things happen, all it needs is a little spark."

He added: "Coming from Bradford you think, is it ever going to happen, but its not a reason to give up. You've got to believe in yourself and you've got to hope that you meet like-minded people."

The Stands' third single, Here She Comes Again was released on February 9 and entered the charts at number 25.

They are touring Europe with dates in France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Amsterdam and Belgium, with plans for a tour of Australia.

Their first album, All Year Leaving, is due to hit the record shops on Monday and the band will be playing at the Cockpit in Leeds on March, 13.