ANDY Bennett, bass player from Ocean Colour Scene, has quit the chart-busting mod rock band to go it alone.

The guitarist is also a singer/songwriter and feels the time has come to become the front man of his own band.

But Before he gathers his chosen musicians, he is performing a few gigs on his own, to promote his first solo single, Hole In The Road, and he will be stopping off in Swindon on Friday, May 22.

Andy said: “I don’t want to pigeon-hole myself, I like people to make up their own minds, but it is certainly a Beatlesque in sound.’’

Andy joined Ocean Colour Scene in 2004 and he appeared on a number of albums including One For The Road, On The Leyline, Saturday and 21 as well as touring with the band. He also co-wrote the track, Old Pair of Jeans, that was featured on the Saturday album but the desire to write and sing gradually grew to such an extent that he was ready to jump from the safety of a known rock outfit, to devote all his time to his new project.

“I have enough songs for an album – all written – and I will be in the studio later this summer. I plan to plug the single on local radio and then tour next year,’’ he said.

Andy is currently working on his new material with Danny McCormack, Roy Wood’s musical director, and he has also filmed a video to go with the single.

The West Midlands-born musician still lives in Solihull and frequently hosts open mic slots where he encourages new talent.

At one of his open mics, last January, Andy met Swindon’s Alfie Mahone. He became an instant inspiration to the Swindon singer/songwriter.

“Alfie’s a good lad, really talented,’’ said Andy. “His genre is different to mine but I like anyone who is that into their music and I get him into things and he introduces me to new stuff.’’

Alfie will be opening for Andy when he plays at the Swiss Chalet in Gorse Hill from 8pm.

Alfie said: “I am more into the mod indie scene having met Andy. I’ll be playing three of my own songs and covers for about 15 minutes to open for him.’’

Andy is not the only one who has been squirrelling away songs, as Alfie has his own back catalogue of 30 tracks but, he says, he will start from scratch and write a whole set of new songs when it comes the time to record his own album.

It is free entry to the Swindon gig. For more details, call 01793 535610. — FLICKY HARRISON