Mainline continue to win friends and influence A&R people when they open for 22-20's at the Hub, Dublin (October 29) and The Limelight, Belfast (30).

Formed in early 2001, the band comprises Mr. & Mrs. Paxton's boys Neil, Conor and Daniel, Scott Glennon, Patrick McHugh and Jeff McDonald.

Having spent the last couple of month's in Grouse Lodge Studios with U2 and Elvis Costello man Leo Pearson, it's no surprise that their hypnotic Spiritualized meet The Velvet Undergound grooves have been the subject of much major label scrutiny.

"Sony, Polydor, BMG and EMI have all had a look at them recently, and there have been a few publishing companies over too so there's plenty of interest," a Dublin-based A&R source tells hotpress.com "I'd be very surprised if, come the end of the year, they're not a signed band."

Definitely signing on the dotted line this are psychedelic Derry combo Red Organ Serpent Sound who've pledged their future to Universal imprint Vertigo. Which is bad news for 679 and Rough Trade who'd also tried to snap up the northerners.

"What attracted us to Vertigo," reveals manager Nick Davis, "is that they've a small, enthusiastic team who've already broken Razorlight this year and look like doing the same with Thirteen Senses and the band they signed prior to us, The Black Velvets."

Currently working on demos in their hometown Blast Furnace Studios, the band plan to release their debut single in January or February 2005 with an album following in the spring.

"The songs are all written and arranged," Davis continues, "so once we decide on a producer it should be all pretty straightforward. We've also got a few gigs lined up, which is going to make for a busy few months." These include visits to the Nerve Centre, Derry (October 21) and the Town & Country Club, Magherafelt (November 26).