The media spotlight is currently shining on Kettering. And it's not just because the Northamptonshire town's footie team look to have secured a place in the Nationwide Football League after many years of trying.

Kettering is also home town to the frenetic power-pop trio The Junket. Long time favourites of Radio 1's Steve Lamacq, The Junket have been tipped by many in the know, as one of the bands most likely to succeed in Y2K.

Founded in February 1997, the band released a handful of singles plus a mini-album, called Stamina, on Deceptive Records. This, coupled with non-stop touring and support slots with big guns such as Mansun and Idlewild, earned them a big following. Constant live performances has seen the band hone their art-rock influenced punk-pop to perfection. Throughout May they are touring on the back of the release of their debut album, Lux Safari, which has been released on the tiny independent label, Lime Street Records, one-time home of Oxford favourites The Nubiles.

They have also recorded a studio version of long-time live favourite, Brother and Sister a song about an incestuous relationship for inclusion on one of Fierce Panda's highly collectable six-band seven-inchers.

The Panda disc featuring The Junket is entitled Closer To The Hedge.

No strangers to Oxford, The Junket return on Monday when they play at The Kooler Extra at The Bullingdon, Cowley Road.

Kettering Town FC have secured league status so don't bet against The Junket reaching the musical equivalent of the Premiership in the near future.