BLACKBURN band Urban Empire are kicking up a real storm ahead of their return to the Grand in the Ribble Valley next week.

The band recently opened the main stage at area’s Beat Herder festival, while a new single — 101 Acre Wood — is poised for release.

“We were chosen out of 1,500 bands to be first on at Beat Herder and it was just the coolest thing we’ve ever done,” said guitarist Alex Procter, from Wilpshire.

“We got an email out of the blue a few days before the festival — we thought it was a hoax. It was totally mad — we had our own teepee and free beer. It was an incredible moment for the band.

“Death in Vegas and Orbital played the main stage, and we were all stood in the field later on thinking ‘wow’ we’d done that.”

Although Urban Empire offer a moody, melodic sound, Alex was inspired by the sound of the Sex Pistols.

“My mum and dad bought me the Sex Pistols greatest hits for my 10th birthday -and the Pistols inspired me to pick up a guitar and play,” said Alex.

“I was in a Sex Pistols tribute band with our drummer Rob Hirst, we gigged all over England at 15 and it was an amazing musical education.

“We were at school learning maths and English and at night we had middle aged blokes shouting Pistols lyrics at us when we were playing live.

Last month, Urban Empire supported Happy Mondays’ Bez.

Urban Empire return to the Grand this month, where they recorded their first EP.

“We always love playing the Grand, it is a special place,” added Alex. “It is A-level results day, so it should be a really nice, happy atmosphere.”

  • Urban Empire, The Grand, Clitheroe, Thursday, August 16. Details from the box office on 01200 421599.