AN indie band from Pendle could soon be playing alongside rock heavyweights Kasabian and Vampire Weekend as they make a bid to play at one of Europe’s biggest musical events.

A New Breed of Monkey, whose members went to Fisher-More High School, Colne, are hoping to beat off rivals in the 2010 Supajam Fast Track to FIB competition to secure a slot at the world-renowned Benicassim music festival.

The festival, held annually in Spain, has played host to a multitude of musical talent in the past with bands such as Oasis, Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes all performing.

The Pendle band, who cite The Smiths as well as Oasis and Kings of Leon as major influences, comprise bassist Joe Burke, 23, his brother Matthew Burke, 27, who is the band’s frontman, their cousin and drummer Jordan Watson, 24, and guitarist Jamie Robinson, 24.

Having already played several notable UK venues including the Manchester Academy, Birmingham’s Carling Academy and Liverpool’s Cavern Club, the band are ready for wider recognition in Europe and hope the competition will provide the springboard.

Jordan said: “We'd love to go and play the festival, so many great bands have played there in the past that we all look up to.

“Obviously it would be really helpful for us getting our name about and achieving more recognition.

“I think we deserve to win the competition as, even though there are a lot of indie bands around, they are all very monotonous and we like to think we’re original and bring something different.”

To win the competition, they need to secure as many votes as possible. To vote for the band, go to www.supajam.com/fib2010/entries.

The band will also perform at The Muni, Colne, on Friday, April 23 as part of a Battle of the Bands event.