ONE of the stronger 'local band' gigs next month is likely to feature Disraeli Gears. The group from Abertillery and Ebbw Vale are a solid rock band with Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd and Smashing Pumpkins' influences.

Their nine-track album, Cornerstone, shows them to be strong songwriters with musicality and technical ability to match.

We All Breathe the Same Air is perhaps stronger in presentation than in its lyrical content, but it's a good opener, with Stone Roses-like moments. Elevation and Down a Hole have lots of choking lead guitar played in a similar style to that of Floyd's very melodic Dave Gilmour. The latter's solos fade into a jam not a million miles from Floyd's Lunatic, from the second side of Dark Side of the Moon, and the waves feedback as the track dies sounds like Porcupine Tree's more languid moments.

She Threw it All Away is a lament and the album's last downbeat tune as from the title track is fairly rocky.

The album is the most recent release by the band available, but they have a new EP recorded for release in July.

Until then you can See Disraeli Gears live on Tuesday, April 8, in Riverside Tavern, Newport, and TJs, Newport, on Saturday, April 12. Surf to www.disraeli-gears.co.uk for more information.