SEVENBALL singer Luke Ritchie is being courted by ex-Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland for possible involvement in his next project.

Ritchie and his intense band won the Fibbers/Evening Press Battle of the Bands 2002 competition while studying at the University of York and have since re-located to London.

Last month Ritchie was invited to meet Borland at a five-star hotel in Kensington, after the guitarist heard a Sevenball demo and contacted gravel-throated frontman Luke as part of his search for a singer.

Ritchie is looking forward to the potential opportunity that lies ahead.

"I'd never leave Sevenball but it would be great to work with such a huge star," he says. "I'm very flattered that he wants to use my singing."

Recalling their hotel meeting, he says: "I was expecting it to be all sex, drugs and rock'n'roll but we chatted over a cream tea."

Dubbed the "great white hope of campus bands" by Fibbers boss Tim Hornsby, Sevenball came to the attention of Sony with The Bright Boy EP. Now they are gigging extensively across the UK and have just been in the studio with Shed Seven drummer Alan Leach to record their new single.

After performing at the all-day BarbiCube showcase at York Barbican Centre last month in the closing event of York Live Music Festival, Sevenball play a hometown headline gig at Fibbers on Monday. Support comes from Beyond All Reason and Vizzini (ex-Llama Farmers); admission is £4.

u LEON Banks was once described as "Muddy Waters in outer space". See why when his trio, Syncrownized, headline a four-strong bill at Fibbers tomorrow. Capone, Cartel and Brutal Tinkerbell play too.

Twenty-two years after their 1981 debut Punk's Not Dead, the anti-authoritarian The Exploited are still playing to their hardcore support. On Sunday night they will be thrashing around at Fibbers.

On Wednesday, Crime Seen Promotions present The Final Sigh, Razorblade To Say Goodbye, King Tonne and RSJ; and on Thursday night, York Rox! showcases young York musical talent on the learning curve.

"Take about 20 young musicians, new to each other and of varying age, ability and bottle," says Tim. "Then chuck them in a room and divide into groups of four or more. Stir in musical instruments and add a dash of survive-or-die. Shake vigorously and display on Fibbers stage after just four days for all to see and listen in York Rox!. You'd be amazed how damn good the results are."

No entry charge applies.

Updated: 12:13 Friday, July 18, 2003