ROCK players who have joined forces to form a new band will be cranking up the amp for their first gig tonight (Friday), reports Lisa Frascarelli.

The Soul Company are taking to the stage for the first time with an 8pm kick off at The Bobbin in Lancaster after weeks of rehearsing.

The band is the brainchild of Dave Sharp, guitarist of The Alarm, who returned to his native Britain after a spell in the States. Sharp left the UK music scene in 1991 and headed to the US to develop his talents as a writer and performer.

He teamed up with record producer Bob Johnston and spent the next few years touring and recording with artists such as Johnny Cash, Larry Crane and Dave Grissolm (The John Cougar Mellencamp band), George Porter (The Neville Brothers) and Chris Solberg (Santana).

With two solo albums and extensive tours under his belt, Sharp began to look again to the British music scene for inspiration.

''I saw fewer and fewer UK rock bands able to make a lasting impact on US audiences,'' he said. ''There has got to be a serious British rock band capable of taking on the United States. British rock has lost much credibility Stateside.''

Following his return to the UK in early 2002, Sharp began touring solo to reintroduce himself to British audiences.

He headlined at venues such as Liverpool's Cavern Club, The Underworld in London and King Tut's in Glasgow. He also took on opening slots with artists such as Nick Harper, Jake Burns (3 Men & Black) and Lonnie Donnegan.

At the same time Sharp began searching out musicians for a new band. He says his search focused on just one thing: ''These cats have got to be seriously tested rock players who can deliver.''

A chance meeting with bass player Keith Ashcroft brought him to Lancaster, where Ashcroft brought in long-time associate and master drummer Paul Burgess to solidify the rhythm section. Both Ashcroft and Burgess - known on the North West music scene for their work with Lancaster band Free Parking - recommended Carnforth guitarist Mo Witham, whose career has included spells with Micky Jupp and Dr Feelgood. The Soul Company was formed.

Since then the band has been rehearsing in Lancaster's The Yorkshire House for the past month and is taking to the stage at The Bobbin tonight.

Rock fans can expect to enjoy new material from a forthcoming EP to be released in the New Year along with material from Sharp's first two solo albums.