BROMLEY-based band Steeler have only been together three months yet they already have interest from major record label Polydor. With such diverse tastes from Chilli Peppers to Oasis to Bob Marley, they bring together the musical genres of rock, funk, pop and reggae to form their own original sound. Could they be the next big thing?

- Who is in the band?

 Jay Melville, 25, from Bromley, is lead vocalist, Jim Thompson, 28, from Knockholt, is lead guitarist, Tony Haliday, 26, from Bromley, is the drummer, Jez Grainger, 28, from Tooting, is rhythm guitarist, and Nick Wright, 24, from north London, is the bassist. Nick is a charity organiser for the blind, Jim and Tony are sound engineers, Jez is a student at the Royal Academy of Music and Jay is a fitness instructor.

- How long have the band been together?

We have been together three months. Jim and Tony went to a student union rock gig at the Royal Academy of Music and met the other members of the band there by chance.

- Describe your sound?

A mixture of rock, reggae and blues.

- What are your musical influences?

Bob Marley, Steely Dan and The Doors.

- Any releases?

Not as yet. We are currently working on a single which is to be released soon.

- Best gig?

The Arts Cafe, in Old Street, EC1, was the best gig. It was jam-packed with people and had a really lively, exciting atmosphere. Hot and electric, the crowd went wild at the end of the gig for more and everyone had a great night.

- Worst gig?

We have yet to do a bad gig. We have enjoyed them all for different reasons.

- Plans for the future?

To create an impact in the music industry and kill off manufactured, boy-band rubbish. Jim said: "I'm glad to see rock music coming back I call it real music. I can't stand Fame Academy and Pop Idol. It is great if you want to be famous for six months but we are aiming much higher than that."

-- Steeler have a number of gigs lined up. You can see them headlining at The Water Rats Theatre on April 3, £6-£5; at the Catapult Club in the Amersham Arms, New Cross, May 26, 9pm; and at The Bowl 2004, the open-air concert at Crystal Palace, July 24-25.