IT IS difficult to pigeon hole Middlerow, a new band playing in BOTH Bolton and Bury tonight.

And for band members Carl H, Ed Case, Spee and Sweetie Irie, that is just the way it should be.

Middlerow is what happens when you take four different types of music and fuse them together.

There is rap, ragga, garage and hip hop resulting in a "sound" which, the band say, is completely their own.

It has been so well received that even Blur and Gorillaz singer Damon Albarn has been more than forthcoming with the plaudits.

Albarn asked the band to remix his debut single Clint Eastwood. He was said to be so pleased with the result, that talk of a proper collaboration between him and Middlerow has not been ruled out.

Wicked

Veteran rapper Spee -- who refused to give his real age but said his stage one was 26 -- said: "The Gorillaz thing was exciting and it was wicked working with Damon.

"Perhaps we may do it again in the future.

"But, you know, we're not looking to jump on any bandwagon.

"We're our own band with a buzzing sound and that's the way we want it to be."

Middlerow formed when the jungle scene appeared to lose its way.

UK garage music survived and thrived, however. It enabled Middlerow, Spee said, to create something stronger.

The band is based in West London and they are releasing their debut single, "Today's The Day", on December 3.

They will play at both Ikon and Sol Viva tonight -- one straight after the other.

Spee said: "Everything is coming together for us. The sound is honest and vibrant and it showcases all of our abilities.

"The tour allows us to really get down with the kids but it's important to say this is not about us, it's the music. The music's our pension, if you know what I mean and we've been allowed to concentrate on that. We know that if we like the music and we'd rave to it, then thousands of others will as well." NEW SOUND: Middlerow, due to play in Bolton and Bury tonight