A BAND named after Irish tradesmen who sharpened saws for a liv-ing will be sharpening musical appetites at The Anvil, Basingstoke at the end of the month.

Widely thought to be one of the best live groups around, The Saw Doctors bring their mix of traditional Irish music and old-fash-ioned rock 'n' roll to Hampshire on Tuesday April 30.

The band got together in the small Galway town of Tuam and started gigging on the back of a clutch of self-penned rootsy rock tunes.

They picked on the name Saw Doctors in desperation, hoping something better would soon come along - but nothing did, so it stuck.

Their hits include Exhilarating Sadness, N17, Red Cortina and I Useta Lover.

Over the last year, the group have expanded to become an eight-piece band.

It now includes percussionist Padraig Stevens, former Waterboys member Anthony Thistlethwaite on saxophone and Danny Healy on trumpet.

The Saw Doctors' Anvil date comes hot on the heels of a triumphant American tour.

The gig starts at 7.30pm, with tickets priced £15.

For more information, call the box office on 01256 844244.