Members of Wet Paint were astonished when they reached the third round of Pop Idol follow-up The X-Factor.

The Keighley rock band sang in front of Simon Cowell, pop manager Louis Walsh and reality TV star Sharon Osbourne.

The band states: "After branding our version of Sweet Dreams a comparison to a satanic cult performing a chant, he booted us off.

"Sharon was willing to take a demo from us to give to Ozzy but Mr Cowell objected."

Wet Paint show off their talent at the GuideFest on Saturday, July 17 at the Guide pub between Cullingworth, Long Lee and Cross Roads.

Also playing at GuideFest are local bands Random Hand, The Culprits, Nexus, Circus?, Angel Chain and Ironstorm, and the newly-reformed Undecided.

The festival, in aid of Manorlands, runs from 2pm to midnight. Admission £3.50 adults and £1.50 children/concessions.

n Breene has almost finished recording a six-track CD featuring a mix of studio and live tracks.

The songs, which include Set Me Free and Wrath of the Merry Elves, can be heard tonight as the Keighley punk band plays Bradford.

Blacklist, Same Old Equation and Six Wheel Trolley are also due to play gigs at the 1 in 12 Club from 7.30pm.

n Laika Dog, Wet Paint and Exoteric concert on July 24 will be the last in Keighley to be organised by We Rock.

The Keighley-based promoters will concentrate on Bradford, beginning at the Town and Country Club from September 18.

The all-day show is likely to feature Keighley bands Random Hand and Brand New Analogues, Leeds' Downfall, Sawthroat and Brody, and Bradford's Reeved.

We Rock spokesman Simon Clark says the Bradford concert features the strongest line-up of unsigned bands he's ever seen.

He adds: "Our shows have grown in stature and capacity levels, but Keighley has proved it's not accessible."

Tickets for the 7pm Keighley gig cost £6 from Bargain Booze, Cavendish Street, Keighley.

n Born in Rotherham of Irish parents, Ray Hearne is now a songwriter and musician who tours folk clubs and hosts a regional poetry programme.

He performs next Friday (8.30pm) at the Bacca Pipes Folk Club, in the Ukrainian Club, 9 Henry Street, Keighley.

An established songwriter and musician, Ray -- who is still based in Rotherham -- is also well known in Yorkshire for his appearances on regional television and weekly broadcasts featuring his own and other writers' poetry.

n Keighley Goth rock band Skeletal Family performs tomorrow at the Slimelight, Islington, London, supported by The Last Cry. Phone 0207 783 6419.

n Gigs taking place during the next week include Johnny and the Poorboys, Snooty Fox, Oakworth, tonight; Exoteric, CJs, Kirkstall Lites, Leeds, tonight; Hush, Fleece, Allerton, tomorrow; Sambuca, Punch Bowl, Wednesday.