IF you were told to shut your bone-box, you'd probably wonder what to do, unless you'd studied unusual 19th Century slang.

You'd be in good company. Because Worcester musician Alex Balch was in the same position when singer and lyricist Jay Taylor was asked to name their band on the spot - and had no idea what to call it.

"Jay had a dictionary on unusual 19th Century slang," the guitarist says. "Bone-box was 19th Century slang for mouth - you'd say 'shut your bone-box'."

Born in Ronskwood, the former King's School student lived in Powick, then moved to Clifton- upon-Teme, until moving to Newcastle to study a psychology degree in Newcastle.

Now he's living in Liverpool, and playing in the Manchester-based band, after teaching English abroad in South America and Europe for several years.

The album Working the Ribald Ratio - released last month - has had many positive reviews, including Classic Rock Magazine, who described the album as "darkly insidious and wonderful".

You only need one listen to realise their musical texture, melodies and broody vocals are hard to pigeon-hole in today's music scene, which can only be good.

Along with Alex and Jay, Bone-Box consists of bassist John Cooper, Tim Mullett on percussion, Rob Haynes on drums, Stef Walker on keyboard, Matt Skinner on harmonica, Paul Bennett on trumpet, Gavin Monaghan on samples and Julie Campbell on cello.

Chilled-out

"Bone-Box are made up of old members of a punk rock band I was in at university called The Choppers," says Alex, who pens the band's music with John. " The music has different textures in it - it's chilled-out blues stuff."

Alex says that when he taught English abroad in places such as Chile, Spain and France, he always carried his guitar.

"All the time I was playing a lot of music," he says. "In Chile, I learnt local folk music because I had a guitar with me. South American folk music is very political."

Since his travels, Alex has worked as a reporter, as well as an editor for magazines and various online publications.

"Learning gipsy and flamenco guitar in the South of France and in Andalucia, in Spain, helps me to give an extra edge to Bone-Box," he says. "We all bring something different to the mix."

The band will also be filming a video in the next couple of weeks for their new single, Shake My Frame, in Manchester.