JUICED probably summed up how this funky seven-piece from Worcester felt after learning they were going to produce with John Waterhouse - best known for his work with a certain Massive Attack.

The band spent several days last month laying down their debut four-track demo in Bristol, the culmination of just three months together.

Pulse readers may remember many of the members from Little Funk Brother, but saxophonist Carolyn Evans says Juiced are a completely new group.

The line-up includes Sef Henni on vocals, Phil Lee on guitars, Carolyn on saxophones and backing vocals, Simon Plowman on keyboards, Nick Davis on bass, Becky Pearman on percussion and Scott Miles on drums.

She remembers the sessions at Christchurch studios as one of the highlights of the band's brief history despite the gruelling days, which ended with John burning the midnight oil at the mixing desks.

The production paid off, with a polished demo showing off the band's fulsome sound and even a bit of rapping from Sef on the last track, Lifeline.

"It was a fantastic experience. We'd recorded CDs before with another band, but working with someone who has produced such a top band was special."

But the links with the trip hop masters end there.

Carolyn says Juiced's sound is more commercial, with nods to the funk-jazz of Jamiroquai and packed with sax, keyboards and percussion.

And she's not afraid to lay down the gauntlet to Worcester to support it and bands playing original music rather than tributes.

"We consider ourselves champions of original music. We really want to play more in Worcester, but it's difficult finding the venues.

"There are some great venues pushing for live, original music, like the Marr's Bar.

"We feel we have an extremely good package with a seven-piece. But pubs are no good for us because there's usually no room."

For the moment, the band are hoping that live gigs, like tomorrow's at Scallywag's in Link Top, Malvern, will encourage the fans to snap up their demo.

But ultimately, the sky's the limit.

"We think we are good enough for festivals, but it's important for us to build up our local following as well."