SCOUSERS are used to being ridiculed on TV comedy shows (remember Harry Enfield?) but Nick Kilroe is anything but that archetypal stereotype.

Thoughtful and articulate with a warming, thick Scouse accent Nick has some pretty candid views about life and rock 'n' roll.

He reckons most of the bands that have broken out of the Liverpool music scene over the last few years have been pretty naff and that Mancurian legends Oasis are one of the best groups ever to have picked up a guitar.

"I think there was a lot of dodgy stuff being smoked and all these bands just came out," says Nick of Liverpool's recent music renaissance. The only two bands from that scene that have stood the test of time are The Coral and The Zutons," he explains. "I think The Zutons are amazing. They are always looking to change their sound and progress, which is great."

Snapped up by Vertigo Records, the same label as Razorlight, for their unabashed retro sound, The Black Velvets boast arguably one of the coolest band names in rock today. According to Nick they've got some pretty cool tunes too.

"As a band we're not doing anything new, we're just doing it better," he assures.

"We listen to the stuff our dads listened to and when we pick a guitar up that's what we play. We listened to all this glam rock stuff and want to make it more appealing to people now. No one since The Verve has had those massive choruses. That's what we try to achieve, big choruses, big melodies and big harmonies.

"We can really play our instruments. I've been playing my drums for 12 years in clubs with people right up close in your face. That can only help you as a band. Today bands just come from the bedroom onto the big stage and you can see that in them."

With their debut album close to completion Nick is hoping The Black Velvets have what it takes to make the grade and cement their place as one of Britain's long-term great rock bands.

"You see a lot of bands just come out with one album like The Datsuns and that's it. That's what I don't want us to be. We want to play our album all over the world, but don't want to drive it into the ground. I want us to keep fresh and have a new album out next year.

"If we could reach the levels of U2 that would be great, but if we just keep progressing that's fine.

"I want this album to go to number one. It's not about singles, they don't matter. It's the album that's what it's all about. I would feel like we have failed if it doesn't go to number one. I think it will though."

The Black Velvets are at the Isle of Wight Festival on Friday, June 10. Visit www.isleofwightfestival.com for tickets.