AN EX-indie rocker from Pendle is the brains behind a new social networking site for musicians which he hopes will rival Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.

Sean Howarth, of Colne, said he decided to set up wohomusic after spotting a gap in the social networking world in cyberspace.

The site, which was set up last year, is different to competitiors because it provides an ‘open house’ in which musicians can interact and listen to tunes and where signed and unsigned bands can mix in the same space.

And unlike Facebook and Myspace, contact is not limited to friend lists.

The venture is a new path for musically-minded Sean who used to play in Hate Syndicate in the 1990s, supporting bands including the Buzzcocks and Stereophonics.

Sensing that the music scene is becoming increasingly corporate, Sean is putting on gigs across the UK, giving mainly unsigned bands an opportunity to perform live.

He said: “I have two main aims with the project.

"Firstly to bring live music back to the forefront of the industry and secondly to provide people with the opportunity to see music cheaply.”

The website is already an international success, with member bands from as far afield as Japan, Australia and Canada.

Although wohomusic is based in Norfolk, Sean, who is one of six partners, said he was keen to hold the first gig in East Lancashire.

So he has arranged for the launch to take place at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on April 23.

Tickets for the gig are £5 in advance and for students with flyers or £10 on door.