Forget wing backs and Christmas tree formations.

The Flat Back Four are hoping it is their traditional line-up which will take them up Bradford's pop music league table.

Despite their name, the Bradford band actually have five members since recruiting Rob The Rob as their new guitarist.

The Flat Back Four also feature brothers Nathan and Jerrad Barraclough on vocals and vocals and guitar respectively, plus Dave Naylor on bass and Dave Grant on drums.

They formed 16 months ago and have played few gigs locally apart from frequent slots at MacRory's Bar, concentrating instead on shows in Manchester and London.

But now they have completed their debut eight-track CD 20 Seconds, and have a string of gigs lined up.

Nathan said: "We've only been gigging properly for about eight months because we've been getting our set together. Jerrad writes 90 per cent of the songs and we're pleased with how the CD has come out."

You can see The Flat Back Four at a charity gig at the Melborn in White Abbey Road, Bradford, on Wednesday in aid of adults with learning difficulties and at the latest Shandyland event at the New Beehive in Westgate, Bradford, on Thursday, when they will be supported by Bullweek.

Nathan said the band also had two more gigs booked in Camden this month as well as dates at MacRory's on May 26 and July 7 and a spot on the Centenary Square stage on June 30 as part of Bradford Festival.

The Flat Back Four are loath to pigeonhole their music, which is no surprise when you think the bands their members listen to range from Martin Stephenson to Led Zeppelin.

And their CD certainly has a wide range of styles on it. It is already selling well - 33 copies were snapped up by punters at their last gig at the Fusilier and Firkin in Camden.

Of the eight tracks on 20 Seconds, two were recorded six months ago, and another dates back a year. The songs the band are most pleased with are the title track, Take Me Higher, Shine and Beautiful People, which were the result of their most recent studio sessions at In-A-City in Bradford.

"We recorded them live as well so in fact they turned out to be the ones that were cheapest to do," said Nathan.

Simon Ashberry

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.