WORCESTER will throng to the sound of up and coming musical talent next week when the city's second Boozestock kicks off.

The two-day festival at the Marr's Bar is drawing the cream of local talent and bands from further afield, with a distinct emphasis on punk and indie.

Each night will feature four bands, with B-Movie Heroes, Snorkel, Blighty and Skankt playing on Thursday, December 28.

The following night sees Pigfish, Liquid Television, 35 Seconds and 4ft Fingers take the stage.

The event has been organised by the city's underground fanzine Rhythm & Booze, dedicated to giving Worcester's best a push and shove.

This is going to be a great showcase for some unsigned bands who are all strong performers, promised Will Munn, of Rhythm & Booze.

We are hoping there will be a few faces from record labels there."

One band deserving of some commercial interest are B-Movie Heroes, who played a confident set when The Pulse watched them last week.

It's been a testing year for the three-piece, who were forced to think long and hard about future when their frontman Neil Phillips left to join the Yo-Yos currently enjoying chart success in Japan.

The remaining members, guitarist Dean McCreadie, bassist Dave Halloran and drummer Scott Garrett, re-launched and spent the autumn polishing their sound in residency at the Marr's Bar.

And the hard work paid off their blend of splatter punk sounded fresh and invigorating, and they looked like a band at ease with their re-shuffle.

Songs like Science Fiction Girl, Million Miles Away and The Drug You're On are tightly written and contain a youthful energy in the best tradition of good pop, but injected with a strong dose of Halloran's growling base and McCreadie's wild riffs.

There was even a welcome dose of mock-pomp from drummer Garrett, pointing his sticks skyward in a fashion that reminded me of Freddie Mercury. Watch out for possible ermine gowns, crowns and boxer boots at the next gig.

This was a band on the ascendant: more Hollywood box office should-bes rather than B-Movie fodder, though McCreadie may have to stop asking mum and dad to hoof his equipment if rock n roll status beckons!

Boozestock runs on Thursday, December 28, and Friday, December 29, with tickets £2 on the door each night.