SOME music fans might not have heard of the latest Oxford band to hit the big time.

But thanks to their bizarre name – and their catchy “punked-up jazz” – the Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band should be hard to forget.

After raucous gigs around Oxfordshire, and an appearance on Mark Lamarr’s Radio 2 show, the group has been offered a series of sets at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

The seven-piece band, which is influenced by New Orleans jazz, swing and punk, were last weekend performing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

But Glastonbury will be the biggest showcase yet for their uplifting and lively sound.

Band leader Stuart Macbeth, 27, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be given the chance to play four nights at the Rocket Lounge at Glastonbury.

“It’s the festival’s 40th anniversary year, and the World Cup will be on so it should be a great atmosphere.”

Mr Macbeth was playing piano in clubs before the band formed about three years ago.

Previous appearances have included slots at last year’s Oxford Punt festival – where they closed the night with a headline slot at a packed Cellar club, off Cornmarket, the OX4 Festival in Cowley Road, and the ‘Equitruck’ all-dayer, where they delighted music-lovers at the Jericho Tavern, in Walton Street.

They also livened up crowds at last year’s Carnival in the Park in South Park, Oxford; Truck Festival, at Hill Farm, Steventon; the Marlborough Jazz Festival; and Bestival on the Isle of Wight.

More recently, they performed at the Oxford O2 Academy.

Mr Macbeth said: “We played the Academy in February and the place was packed. There were about 950 people there.”

Describing his musical style, he said: “We play a punked-up version of New Orleans jazz. It’s quite loud and not at all relaxing.”

He adds: “We’re music for dancing and drinking to and wouldn’t go down too well at your local restaurant.”

Saxophonist ‘Muggsy’ West, from East Oxford, meanwhile, describes the seven-piece as “the undisputed heavyweight champions of Chav Jazz”.

At Glastonbury, they will share a bill with such musical giants as U2, Muse and Stevie Wonder, from June 25-27.

Before that, the band play the Regal in Cowley Road on Sunday.

Then in August, the musicians will travel to London for an appearance at the Notting Hill Carnival.

“We did 119 shows last year and we are still very busy,” Mr Macbeth said.

“Most of the time we do our own stuff but we also play our own versions of old jazz tunes.”

The group’s first album, Gin & Sympathy, came out last year and the second album, with the working title Monkey Magic, is due out in the autumn on vinyl and download.

Mr Macbeth and Bunny Eros, who plays trumpet collect old 78s on vinyl and Mr Macbeth said the band also wanted to record songs on a 78rpm vinyl record.

‘Spasm’ bands were formed on the streets of New Orleans at the end of the 19th century and played homemade instruments.

Mr Macbeth explains: “We started out as a skiffle band playing banjos and kazoos and the name stuck.

“Rabbit Foot is inspired by the Rabbit’s Foot Company, which featured many of our idols, including Bessie Smith.

“They probably featured a spasm band but they have been forgotten in history.”

For further information on the band, visit rabbitjazz.co.uk. For details of Glastonbury, go to glastonburyfestivals.co.uk