POWERHOUSE trio Wille and the Bandits have the unenviable task of following the legendary Wilko Johnson on stage when they close the Sunday night on the main stage at he Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne.

"It's nuts following Wilko," said the band's singer and guitarist Wille Edwards. "Going on after a legend like that, I think we're going to have to be on top form."

Anyone who may have caught the band's last performance in East Lancashire at Burnley Mechanics will know that Wille and the Bandits won't have any difficulties living up to the main stage billing for the August Bank Holiday festival.

"That seems like ages ago when we were in Burnley and it was only February or March. It's mad how time flies," said Wille.

Since then the band's reputation as a live act has continued to grow and they remain one of those acts which are difficult to classify.

"One of the difficulties with modern music, in a way, is that everything has got to be pigeonholed," said WIlle. "We're always tried to avoid that and people struggle describe us. We've had people say that we're not really their thing but they've been dragged along by their mates and absolutely loved it.

"And people see the acoustic guitar and don't get that either, they think we're a folk band. But the more we get out there the more word of mouth spreads."

Labels might be difficult to place on Wille and the Bandits bur one thing's for sure, folk band they are not.

A mixture of blues, rock and even country, at times evoking the spirit of classic trios such as Cream, they are one of those bands which needs to be seen live to be fully appreciated.

But Wille is hoping that their new album, due for release in October, may finally capture some of that energy on record.

"It's a lot more raw recording than we normally do," he said. "It's all been done to tape and is pretty much live. When you record to tape you can't go back and chop it up, it's pretty much as is. There's no hiding behind the producer which I think suits us.

"We've been trying for a long time but it's very difficult for us to capture the live sound and I think that this is the nearest we have got to that. Certainly it's a lot more raw."

The album, Steal, features some of Wille's most poignant songs yet.

"It's quite a politically driven album I suppose," he said. "It's about how we're stealing the world's resources and how we're stealing things from other countries and how it's all coming to a head at the moment. .... it sounds quite depressing doesn't it?" he asks, bursting out laughing. "There are happy songs on there as well."

Before the album launch comes the date in Colne.

"I think festivals like Colne work for us," said Wille. " I know we're not a typical blues band but I think a lot people who go to blues festivals just want to hear people play their instruments right. They want a guitarist who can play, a bassist who can play and a drummer who knows what they are doing."

Wille and the Bandits play the International Stage at Colne Muni on Sunday, August 27. Details from bluesfestival.co.uk or the festival box office on 01282 661234.