Kaikoura will perform at Newcastle’s Carling Academy 2 tomorrow, to promote the group’s EP, Trust The Impact, after being signed by independent label Socio Collective. Guitarist Kyle Stubzi, 21, a civil servant from Horsley Hill, South Shields, said: “It should be a great night. We’re headlining the event, and it’s all in aid of our CD launch.

“Fans will be able to buy our music if they come along, but it’s also available from iTunes and on our MySpace page.” The band was established in 2005, after Kyle and bassist Jonny Robinson from Whitburn, joined forces with Boldon lads Benjamin Mitchell, Jonathan Douglas and Ross Lambert, who were already p erforming as Hoax. Kyle said: “We all met while studying music at South Tyneside College. “The name Kaikoura is a little different: it’s a place in New Zealand.

“We decided it would be perfect for us, because we wouldn’t be compared to anything or anyone else ‘“ we’d be unique.” Already this year the band, which describes its music as alternative rock, has supported acts including Hidden In Plain View, The Blood Brothers and Kubichek. They’ve also been on tour twice, and gigged in many of England’s main cities. Kyle added: “It’s been a great year so far, but 2008 will be bigger and better for us.