They may have sold millions of records and rocked the world with sell-out shows but they were both playing second fiddle when they took to the stage in Keighley.

Former Oasis guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Smiths drummer Mike Joyce were used to the adulation of millions of fans but they were content to keep a low-profile when they performed at Keighley's New Variety Club as a supporting act to the town's veteran punk band The Skeletal Family.

Skeletal Family bassist Roger "Trotwood" Nowell, who met Bonehead while working as a roadie for Oasis, said the stars had asked if they could join the bill for the first live performance of their new band, The Dogs.

He said: "Bonehead's just a mate. He rang me up and when I said we were doing a show he asked if they could come along and join in. How could I say no?

"We've had to keep it all a bit quiet because the venue only holds about 200 people and if we had thousands of fans turning up to see them it would be a nightmare."

Although Oasis and The Smiths have sold well over 30 million records between them Roger said it did not feel too strange having the pair supporting The Skeletals.

He said: "It doesn't feel odd at all. I feels just like in 1984 when we were above The Smiths in the indie album chart with our first album, Burning Oil!

"I think we were at number one, New Order were at number two and The Smiths were at number three. It's just like old times! The Smiths went on to do quite well though, didn't they?"

During a soundcheck Bonehead admitted that the Russell Street club was a long way from playing in front of 100,000 fans at Knebworth, but said he was looking forward to putting his new band through its paces in front of a live audience.

He said: "Why Keighley? I've got no idea really - why not? I've been here before and we'll be out dancing in town tonight!

"This is our first gig anywhere. It's a world first. We've been stuck in rehearsals for six months so it's good to get out and do it live again. We haven't any plans to put anything out at the moment. We're just getting the band right first and then we'll see what happens."

The Skeletal Family's most successful 1980s line-up, including bassist Trotwood, Stan Greenwood on guitar, Anne-Marie Hurst on vocals and drummer Martin Henderson, reformed last year after a resurgence of interest from a new generation of punk and goth fans. Anne-Marie has since been replaced by Skipton-based singer Claire Bannister.

After rubbing shoulders with the stars, the Keighley band continued to hit the comeback trail on their 21st anniversary tour with a gig in Glasgow's infamous Cat House last night.

Today they were heading south for another rock 'n' roll show at the Slime Light Club in Islington, north London.

To keep up to date with The Skeletal's comeback, log on to their website at www.skeletalfamily.co.uk.