FUNK-rockers Beef may have started out by playing gigs for pints, but they're setting their sights high and hope to make a name for themselves by playing live at pubs around East Lancashire.

Beef are Blackburn-based Dan Moss, 17, on drums, Simon Frazer, 23, on bass, Ricky (Angry Boy) Meteha, 22, on lead guitar, and Whalley-based Ben Sheared, 19, on guitar and vocals.

Dan started jamming with Ricky and Simon in September last year, and Ben joined the band just two months ago.

Dan had previously played in a band called Strange Frequency for more than a year and Simon was in a band called Peppergrain Earth. The pair met up in The Borough Arms, in Blackburn, and Beef was born.

The band describe their sound as a fusion of rock, funk and back-beats, with funky basslines. They say they have many influences, from Bob Dylan to Rage Against the Machine.

Ben writes most of the lyrics but Beef also play some covers, such as Motorhead's Ace of Spades.

Dan said: "We've got a big following at Blackburn College and we've played at a few pubs, including gigs at The Albion, in Clayton-le-Moors, for free pints."

Dan and Simon are both students at Blackburn College, Ben is studying for a music degree at Burnley College and Rick works full-time at a van firm.

They still manage to fit in rehearsals around their other commitments, and do most of their jamming at Rick's house in Blackburn.

Dan added: "We've not made any recordings yet, which is down to lack of funding, but the response to our music has been great. I always prefer playing live as you get a response straight away."

Watch out for more from Beef, who play regularly at the Cellar Bar, as well as the Malt and Hops, in Blackburn.