UNCOMPROMISING Blackburn band Tompaulin are set to release their debut album with a message that integrity is more important to them than success.

And they also revealed that the inspiration for the album came from their observations of life in Blackburn -- a town to which they remain fiercely loyal.

Featuring eight musicians, The Town and the City is a reflection of the musicians' geographical locations -- Jamie Holman, Stacey Mckenna, Ciaron Melia and Lee Davis are based in Blackburn, with the others living in London.

Despite becoming darlings of the national music media after only their second gig, the group -- named after TV critic Tom Paulin -- have refused to play the industry game, paying for studio time and releasing music on small independent labels.

So when Guy Lovelady of Manchester's Uglyman records offered them complete musical control, the release of their debut album was agreed on a handshake.

Jamie said his observations of Blackburn life helped inspire much of the album, but added that people were wrong to assume his sharp lyrics are a criticism of Blackburn.

He said: "Blackburn is a really exciting place for us to be. I came back here after university because I was really positive about the place but I don't see things through rose-tinted glasses."

And he believes sketching his songs around the ordinary events of everyday life will connect with people and give the work universal appeal.

But the constant comparisons the media draw between them and Belle and Sebastian are a thorn that digs deep into his side He added: "Our first single had a lot of Belle and Sebastian influences but we've done a lot since then and now we speak to them and even they say the comparisons are absolute rubbish.

"When we played in Glasgow they promoted our show but I think sometimes the journalists just take their notes from the last review."

As the band move things up a gear, a UK tour is in the pipeline but local fans are unlikely to see Jamie's co-writer and keyboard player Cieran on the stage.

Despite being advised to the contrary, the band, who rely on Cieran's input in the studio, are more than happy to let him sit out the shows.

Jamie said: "The bottom line for Tompaulin is it's our band and we'll do what we want.

"We are ambitious. We want people to hear Tompaulin and be on Top of the Pops but it's how we get on that's important to us."