MINING Castro are anticipating a warm welcome when they play at Maloney's on Sunday.

"It's our first gig for a while because we've been writing some new tracks," said guitarist Gavin Sharp, "so we're going to try and get a few people to go down and make it a good night."

The band, who have been together for about a year, formed at Turton High School where the four members went to sixth form.

They list their influences as including the Foo Fighters, The Killers and Bloc Party.

Last year they narrowly lost out on winning Xfm's Rock School competitions, after they made it through to the final 10 by impressing judges with their rendition of The Killers' When You Were Young.

On Sunday they will be supported by Manchester five-piece The Score, who play funky ska punk and tell stories of disfunctional femilies and dirty old men.

Sunday's gig is part of the new Maloney's Rocks event series, taking place every Sunday.

Future line-ups include The Hicks, The Filthy Souls and metal band Defiant.

Bands interested in playing should email rockmaloneys@aol.com for more details or look on www.myspace.com/maloneysrocks.

Admission to Sunday's gig is £2. For more information, ring 01204 366111.

Mining Castro will also play a Battle Of The Bands at The Swan, on May 1.