SOAPBOX Story are working audiences into a froth with their energetic live shows and indie/melodic rock fusion sounds.

But singer and guitarist, Will Hunt believes the secret of success lies in a series of solo gigs he has done recently, giving audiences the chance to listen to his lyrics.

After playing a knock-out gig at The Flapper and Firkin in Birmingham, supporting songstress Juliet Turner, who went double platinum in Ireland, Will was invited to support Paul Carrack, formerly of Mike and the Mechanics, in Cheltenham this week.

''I enjoy playing solo because it helps my stage craft,' says Will.

"The audience is able to listen more closely to the lyrics and it earns publicity for the band."

The three-piece outfit, who formed seven months ago, have been described by Will as sounding like Travis meets Coldplay, with a splattering of Robbie Williams thrown in.

They recently had a real life soap experience of their own when they teamed up with Big Brother star, Dean O'Loughlin at Ronnie Scott's, Birmingham.

Will's musical family is like a soap in itself, for his father Bill Hunt was the original keyboard player and French horn player in the ELO and Wizzard, while his cousin Miles Hunt was the lead singer/songwriter with The Wonderstuff.

His cousin's presence at the Will's first gig with his previous band Grin, at Fairfield Hall, Bromsgrove, helped contribute towards a near riot, vans and police turning up to the venue to cope with the crowds.

''The police and riot vans came to stop people from getting in,'' says Will, from Bromsgrove.

''People were trying to get in because it was the only thing happening in Fairfield that night!''

He says the band's name sprang from the concept of the public airing their views in Hyde Park and the Bull Ring, Birmingham.

''I thought of it on the way to rehearsals. And the name Story came from the fact that at least one line in each song is autobiographical,'' said 20-year-old Will.

The band includes 19-year-old Adam Hood, from Worcester, on bass guitar, and drummer Sean Downing, 22, from Cheltenham.

Will says his songs are about people, real life, love, boozing and drugs.

''I take inspiration first hand, but my music is something in the genes,'' says Will, who has 12 GCSEs and three A Levels to his credit.

''During schooldays my dad would say 'Why are you doing your music and not playing your guitar!''

Soapbox Story will be playing the Flapper and Firkin, Birmingham, tonight and The Jug Of Ale, Moseley, on Friday, November 30.