IT is thanks to public transport and a hairy start that an unlikely friendship blossomed into a folk soul group.

Nizlopi, an acoustic duo consists of Luke Concannon, a vocalist, acoustic guitarist and percussionist, and John Parker, on double bass, human beat box and acoustic guitar.

When the boys, who hail from Leamington Spa first met on the school bus, it was not a friendship made in heaven.

John, who was trying his luck as a teenage bully attempted to test his gangster skills on Luke but to little effect.

Instead of becoming enemies, the duo became firm friends and since then have devoted their life to music.

"I met John on the school bus, and he was messing with me as he still does," says Luke.

"Other than the odd chase, and one fight in which I banged John's head against a radiator, we soon became best friends, and proceeded to write and play music ever since."

Now, their musical efforts are about to materialise, with the release of their debut album Half These Songs Are About You, on Monday, August 9.

Chart

The album has already spent 10 weeks at number one in the Xfm sponsored National Unsigned Network Chart.

The lads have autobiographical tracks on the album such as JBC and describe their influences as diverse.

"We grew up listening to everyone from Van Morrisson, and Otis Redding, to The Roots, Lamb and Ani DiFranco," says John.

Their lyrics and songs have been described as having references to British Culture.

Luke, studied at Sussex University where he says he did "girlfriend and music studies", sleeping in the library, and playing and busking with as many bands as possible.

He fell for a puppeteer, and packed in his bands to follow his lover to the cycle circus.

"She was a beautiful puppeteer, and as ever I was deeply torn between cycling round with a beautiful woman playing music for a circus, and getting focused on our music in the Midlands," says Luke.

Luke eventually decided to return to the Midlands to write seriously with his musical partner John.

John studied music at Manchester, spending eight hours a day practising his skills on the double bass.

He now manages to fit in two hours a day refining his breathing techniques to perfect his beat boxing style.

The duo will be gigging at The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester this Sunday.

"We love the Marr's Bar," says Luke.

"If we had to have a home venue other than our living room, The Marr's would be it.

"The place has magic - we play our best there."