The current debate over the flood of foreign talent into the pop charts has become as topical as the annual outcry over the number of over-paid and under-skilled footballers in the premiership.

But deep in the heart of Eltham, one band has proved you can get quality signings at a very reasonable price.

Three-piece Oasis cover band The Rain gigged around London since 1997. Then Dan Rayner, (lead vocals), Joe Sullivan (rhythm guitars/backing vocals), and Mark Stevens (drums) dipped into the transfer market to recruit Scot Craig McCulloch (bass) and Lithuanian Linas Merkys (lead guitar), re-christened themselves Stanbak and are now taking the rock world by storm.

Having already reached the finals of the The Fountain showcase and the Amersham Arms Battle of the Bands, Stanbak are preparing to take the capital by storm with their moderate rock sound and frenetic live gigs.

Stanbak have played to packed audiences throughout their six-month career and can count Natalie Imbruglia and ex-Five singer Sean Coghlan among their fans.

But, as manager Vic Rayner told us, the five-piece got together more by accident than design.

He said: "We were looking for a guitarist when my brother told me one of the painter and decorators at his firm had been in a Lithuanian band.

"We got him in the studio. He could speak very little English but we gave him a guitar and we were all blown away.

"It turns out he was in one of Lithuania's biggest bands called Syndrome of Chaos. At the first gig he played we were mobbed by eastern European fans who recognised him."

But the rest of the group also play their part to produce earthy songs in a frenzied live atmosphere. Lead singer Dan Rayner has been touted as "the new Robbie Williams" by record industry bigwigs and the rest of the group produce an exhilarating live set.

Vic Rayner said: "We have been playing gigs north of the river for the past few months.

"We have a huge following already from different cultures all over London but we would love to play more gigs in and around Eltham, which is, after all, the band's home."

Stanbak are playing at the final of The Fountain showcase, in the Fountain Venue, West Green Road, Tottenham, on Saturday. The band are also playing Sound, in Wardour Street, London, on April 5.

February 14, 2002 13:38