SOUTHAMPTON band The Score have to believe in 'third time lucky'. Twice they have come close to signing a record contract only to be knocked back by circumstances beyond their control.

Under their original name of Moosey, the band created a real buzz in the media as one of the best unsigned bands. They were inundated by calls from talant scouts at A&R departments, when the drummer and lead guitarist decided that they did not want to be enveloped by the crazy world of rock 'n' roll and promptly walked away.

The remaining two members found replacements and re-established themselves as The Score. Under this new moniker they were in the throes of talks with Food Records (home to Blur) when the parent company, EMI, under financial strain put a hold on all new signings.

Despite the knockbacks, The Score continued playing live and built on their home following. Their original songs range from rock to ska, reggae to pop and rock all penned by the bands lead vocalist Just Payne.

No slackers on the work front, they won a battle of the bands title in 2001 and in the past couple of years have recorded five albums. Their catalogue of tracks include: Whatever Happened To The 1990s, See You Right (When I Get My Glasses), Monkey In Me, Go With The Flow and Wrong To Right.

They play approximately a hundred gigs a year in London and the south and have the support of the ex-head of EMI, who should know a thing or two about spotting a decent band.

To reach your own conclusion, you can check out The Score at Lennons nightclub in Southampton on February 15.