Their website says that they “have worked to develop a sound that draws on classic influences to produce gentle melodic tunes to out and out soulful adrenalin fuelled rock and roll”. And you wouldn't argue with that. Lois are an established part of the growing East Midlands scene, producing music that puts this listener in mind of the scenario if Tommy James and The Shondells met The Creation in a mid naughties bar - drinking Red Stripe of course. The band is: Johnny - Vocals and guitar Rich - bass Tom - drums You can check them out at http://www.myspace.com/wwwmyspacecomlois and http://www.loistheband.com/ . Log onto their My Space and you‘ll immediately be greeted with the excellent “Monkey Girl”. Its top drawer, frenetic guitar pop, complete with distinctive 60's style vocals.

There's a classic freak beat guitar solo, some very interesting lyrical content and a feel that just makes you want to dance. But they can slow it down if the mood takes them. “There's A Love Inside” displays a gentler pace at the opening, before it gets going - think Stone Roses meet Love. And “Girl On Fire” is a definite ballad, with gentler guitar and some superb vocals. Then they crank it up again with “Liz Fox”. A harder edge, some in your face guitar, and those quality vocals concluding a superb four pack of songs. Rob Massey put some questions to Johnny.

Where are you from? Were from Nottingham

How long has the band been going? About two and a half years

How did you get together? Me, and Rich have been mates since we were 5 and i met Tom at college

Were you mates before? Yes we were all mates

How would you describe the Lois sound. The Lois sound is a mixture of retro influences we then use to create a modern indie band, that is a bit different to the majority of current bands. We take subjects such as film stars, girls, love and come out with upbeat rock and roll, slow melodic stuff, songs that can tell a story true or fiction. Songs we like to hear ourselves.

Tell us a bit about your local scene? The Notts scene is strange it never really gets going the way other cities such as Sheffield has, but i think we have some good new promoters that could change that.

Who would you say have influenced your direction? Rock stars, film stars, other bands mainly from the 60s and 70s such as The Doors, T-Rex, etc.although as far as current bands go I love the Long Blondes, and think they are doing something a bit special.

Which of your tunes are the most important to you? Tell me a bit about them.
This is very hard to say cos there is a reason for writing every one. Monkey girl probably as it always gets noticed by people and makes them wanna dance. Also I love our track Girl On Fire cos its such a warm song (no punn intended)

Do you have a main songwriter, or are the tunes all band compositions? I write the songs to start with music and lyrics then we take it to the studio and all work on it together.

Are there any books or films that you would mention as influencing you? The Virgin and the Gypsy from 1970 influenced me to write a song of the same title, also Bridget Bardot influenced me and also legends like Oliver Reed, Steve McQueen films have influenced me to write.

If you had to choose any record as of particular importance, what would it be? Windmill In Old Amsterdam. it might be a kids song but I still love it, and reminds me of how life used to be growing up.

What are your plans for the future? We have a white label release in March, and are talking with a company at the moment. We are also hoping to record and release some stuff later in the year and carry on supporting some big bands as well as arranging our own uk tour. Were also talking with some promoters in Europe about some gigs. generally we want to get more exposure this year than a flasher on Trent bridge.
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