OLD friends rekindled their passion for heavy music and added some groove for their re-incarnation.

Bassist Dave Boydell and drummer Liam Casey picked up where they left off 10 years ago after the latter returned from a stint in Australia — and are now joined by frontman Jason Franks to make up the newly formed Neurosync.

Despite all three coming from areas around Bolton — Dave from Leigh, Jason from Leyland and Liam from Summerseat — they are most at home playing in Bolton where they have a strong following, and just last week they rocked the Alma Inn with Tapestry and Montagu.

But while their music has matured over the years, they still love nothing better than getting their audience on their feet.

Dave, aged 26, said: "We almost always play in Bolton or Manchester, which is where our main fanbase is. We did play in Wigan for the first time in two years the other week, which was fun, but we sometimes find that people from elsewhere don't take a risk with us because they can't put us in a box and say, 'they are a rock band'.

"In the early days we had a very sludgy, head-banging sound, but we have all matured now. I used to be a metal bass player but now I bring a lot of funk and jazz into the music, so we do a mix of everything really.

"We just want people to come and have a good time and a dance, and then get people head-banging. There's nothing better than seeing people's minds changing about you as they're nodding along to one of your songs with a smile on their face."

The band reformed two years ago after Liam returned from Down Under.

Dave said: "I used to be in a band with Liam about 10 years ago called Neurosync — same name, but different kind of music, more heavy grunge. We disbanded when Liam went to Australia, but both carried on playing. He kept in touch — we're like family, so when he came back to the UK, Jason asked whether I wanted to join them both for a new Neurosync set up.

"Sadly there was no 'we met in a crowded room and our eyes met' – it was more a case of, 'do you want to come for a jam?'"

The band ventures into Manchester for a gig at the Thirsty Scholar on July 23.