THE DMS Battle of the Bands competition gets underway next week with the first of three heats at the Comrades Club in Nailsworth, featuring SuperJuice, HARD-DRIVE and Aisha.

"The winner of each heat will go forward to the final, which takes place in the summer," said organiser Roger Fauske. "Winners will be decided by a combination of the three judges' decisions and the popular vote from the audience.

"The competition is a chance for local bands to show what they are capable and the winner of the competition will receive the main prize - 50 hours in the Hollow Altar recording studio in Cheltenham."

HARD-DRIVE formed in February last year. Their influences range from classic rock to the music of Metallica and Green Day.

Aisha have been going for four years and can be seen regularly at places like the Welsh Harp in Gloucester and the 2 Pigs in Cheltenham.

The band's influences are Interpol, Pavement, The Pixies and Teenage Fan Club.

SuperJuice have been together for two years.

Their first gig was backstage at the Acoustic Tent at Glastonbury Festival in 2004.

Since then they have regularly played in most of the local venues, as well as Gloucester, Cheltenham, Swindon and a number of successful gigs in London.

The judges are professional musicians Paul O'Sullivan and David Smylie and Pete Blackwell from local band Sweet Fresh Air.

The Battle of the Bands is on Saturday, February 11 from 8pm. Tickets for the show are £5, available from Trading Post in Stroud and on the night for £6, although there is limited availability.