THE last time guitar virtuoso Eric Sardinas played the UK it was in big venues on tour with Steve Vai. On July 31 you can see him in Clitheroe.

"It doesn't matter if there are five people or 50,000 people, the show's the same," said the flamboyant American.

"I just have to be careful I don't fall out of a window or something at the smaller venues."

With his distinctive appearance the flares, the hair and the cowboy hat Sardinas isn't your typical, understated blues guitarist.

"I hope it's quite genuine," he said. "What you see with me is what you get.

"It's not as though I have a stage persona. I guess I was the only guy who got off the plane when I flew into the UK with flares and a hat."

Sardinas is known for his hard-rocking Delta blues style and creates his unique guitar sound by playing an electrified version of an Doblo acoustic guitar.

"It started out when I was about 14 and I would put pick-ups in my old acoustic to see what sound I got.

"I grew up playing slide guitar and I just like the sound I've developed.

"I think the guitar symbolises something in the music in that you can take something that's fairly traditional and then take it where you want it to go."

The last time audiences in East Lancashire saw Sardinas was when he headlined the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne.

"I always look forward to coming back to the area," he said.

"Everyone is genuine and it feels like a little slice of home."

When Sardinas plays the Key Street Music Bar, he is determined to put on a show with his band he has over 7,000 live gigs behind him.

"I never want it to be like watching TV," he said.

"I want the audience to feel part of the music."

Eric Sardinas plays the Key Street Music Bar, Key Street, Clitheroe on Monday, July 31. Details from 01200 422 588.