LANCASTER'S Music Co-op has gone on-line to help local bands get their big break.

The rehearsal rooms and recording studio in Lodge Street has launched its own website, which is building into a directory of the best bands in the area - past and present - as well as a useful source of information about co-op facilities. A whole section of the site is devoted to details of the dozens of local bands who regularly use the co-op to rehearse and record, and according to the co-op's Torn Myall it could be a route to stardom for some. "We often get contacted by promoters putting on gigs who think we are some sort of agency, in a way this web-site will act like that, it has all the information on there provided by the bands about their music, Influences, contact details and photos," explains Tom. "If someone wants to book a band, all the information they need is there, and if they want more then there are links to the bands' own sites in many cases." In addition to the band sections there is a news archive facility with articles, posters and reviews about local bands. At present this is fairly comprehensive for the past two years but the co-op would welcome any clippings dating back beyond 1999 they can include. And a popular section is bound to be 'Boot Hill', which lists many of Lancaster's now former bands with any details about their histories, and again the co-op would love to hear from anyone who can fill in any of the gaps in this archive. "If you are in a band or were in a band then you should be on this site" says Tom.

The site has, been designed by Phil Milston, who says it took about a month to decide exactly what to include and then two weeks to put together. "It's fairly basic in terms of graphics but it helps to speed up down-load times - basically we want it as an information resource, not to show off our web design skills" says Phil. A shopping section lists items that can be bought through the co-op including CDs and videos, there is  information about equipment hire rates and a guide for anyone starting out about what to expect from a studio session, links to related music sites and special offers on instrument and equipment insurance. In the future, as well as expanding some of the existing sections, a chat room is planned and even a games page. "The co-op is a unique resource, it is one of the only rehearsal spaces of its type in the north of England and Lancaster should be very proud to have it, this is helping to spread the word a bit more and hopefully helping a few of the bands" says Tom. & Visit the co-op web- site at: http:\\lancastermusiccoop.users.btopenworld.com