JON Amor is an artist worth checking out as his song-writing style and performance has been compared to great names such as Paul Weller, Beck and Led Zeppelin.

The musician has been writing and performing his own material since the beginning of 2000.

Critics have even compared his deep, accessible, and melodic music to legends like the Beatles.

Aside from Jon on vocals and lead guitar, the band, who are also named Jon Amor, consist of Mark Evans on guitar, Mat Beable on bass and Jamie Little on drums.

"We were known as Amor for the first few years, but people had difficulty understanding what we were about - they thought we were perfume!" says Jon.

In 2001, Amor released their debut, followed up a year later with a second album, Even After That, also on the same label.

Both these albums were met with critical acclaim.

Jon and his counterparts worked hard in this country and Europe throughout 2002 and last year, building up a fan base.

The touring schedule took them to major events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, and Glastonbury Festival.

This put Jon Amor on the bill alongside the likes of Radiohead and Robert Plant.

On Jon Amor's tour of this country during May, the band will be promoting their new four-track EP, Brave As You Are.

"The title track is about a relationship - having to let somebody go because you want to move on, and the pain involved," says Jon.

"No matter what we do in life, everybody goes through relationships, and they catch on to what we as a band are talking about.

"I think a lot of my songs appeal to people because of the subject matter - that's the impression I get from talking to fans."

Jon began playing the guitar at the age of 15, but did not start singing until he put Amor together.

"Singing and fronting a band is a whole different thing - it's like starting a different job," he says.

"It takes a certain approach to speak over the mike and sing and play guitar. It's only in the last six months that I've started to feel comfortable.

"For the last few years I've been working really hard, and I still enjoy it, and still get a buzz."

Catch Jon Amor at The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester, on Saturday, May 22.

The band will also be playing at The Fleece and Firkin in Bristol on Wednesday, May 19.