SKIMMER are a new Southampton band who look well placed to add to the city's growing reputation as the music capital of the south.

"I spotted Ritchie Swann playing keyboards in a pub about four years ago and asked him to pop round to play along to a song I'd just written," says Richard Hunt, singer/songwriter in the band.

"He took to it like a duck to water, and we started playing as a duo in local pubs."

Says Ritchie: "It's been a lot of fun making music together, but I always knew that Richard's songs had a much greater potential than we could ever achieve as a duo.

"What we needed to fill the gaps was a good looking double bass player with his own transport!"

Adds Richard: "I don't really believe in fate but it was a bit weird, bumping into bass player Dylan Clarke when we did.

"Bearing in mind he's toured with the likes of La Cucina and the Flatville Aces, we were just a bit gobsmacked when he agreed to join us.

"Shortly after, Clare Garrard of Broderick and Julian Caesar of Banda Bat 2K also hooked up. Clare's fiddle playing is our third voice and Julian stitches it all together with a lifetimes' percussion experience".

Skimmer's next gig is at Talking Heads in Portswood Road on tomorrow.

For more information call 023 8055 5899.