DELAYS

MELODY makers Delays have just spent five weeks locked in a studio recording their eagerly anticipated second album. Not the best place to be if you're harbouring nerves about supporting one of the biggest bands in the world, but the band's guitarist Greg Gilbert isn't fazed declaring it's about time they were picking riffs with the best!

"You have to think this is your venue and you've got to show you're worthy of being up there on stage," he insists. "No nerves, you just want to do justice to yourself because you know you have earned it."

When Greg, Aaron, Colin, and Rowly started four years ago they remained loyal to Southampton and didn't get tempted by the big lights of London. "If people wanted to come and see us they had to come here," says Greg defiantly.

Since then the Delays have been performing all over the UK and most recently over in the States.

Before going on stage Delays make sure they're ready to give a great performance. Greg admits that he often needs time to get himself together. "I go and find a cupboard or something before a gig to try and avoid the other lads because I make them feel nervous. We have a group huddle before we go out, American football-style," he says with a laddish grin.

Delays will be playing some of their early songs at Sunday night's sell-out show, including their debut single Nearer Than Heaven and Hey Girl, as well as some new tracks from their second album.

They hope to release it in September, but admit they'll have to finish writing some of the songs while on the road with the Manics.

Greg sees the album as revealing more of their personalities than Faded Seaside Glamour, that was released a year ago and went straight to number one in the Indie Album Chart. "The first album was about pouring stuff on, it seems greedy but you always want more. I've got real faith in it and I'm more confident with this album than the first. It is more melodic and brighter!" he buzzes.

Doors for Sunday night's gig open at 7.30pm.