ROCK fans who like lyrics that delve into the darker side of life with the guitars turned up to 11 should head to Kendal's Kent Tavern on Sunday night.

Dime Store Rock is a lively Lancaster-based outfit with a string of live-performances and a CD to their name and the gig at the Kent Tavern marks the start of a busy summer for the band, who are due to play the Festival of Light and Water in Morecambe at the end of the month.

According to the band, when they first got together they wanted "to form a kick-ass, straight-up rock band reminiscent of the great bands of the 1980s such as Guns n' Roses and Aerosmith."

However, their music has matured and their lyrics have become more thoughtful and personal.

The band play their own original material and each band member has an input in the song-writing process.

"Each member has their own individual influences and we write our music very much as a group," said lead guitarist Dan Mitchell.

Their first CD, Razorwire, recorded in September 2003, features songs exploring themes such as violence and the song Risk Worth Taking explores vocalist Andy Sparks's brush with drug abuse.

"It always makes me feel good to play this song because it was Dime Store and the dedication to the band that helped me to give it all up," he said.

For more information about the band, visit www.dimestorerock.co.uk