A NEW record and management deal has seen one of Warrington's most successful bands change their name.

Electro funk six-piece China White will now be known as the Winachi Tribe after joining A1(M) Records and California's H.R.B Management.

But the band, who have worked with Ian Brown and Danny Saber, have described it as a fresh start and have a summer of festivals ahead of them opening for the likes of Primal Scream and Happy Mondays.

Frontman Liam Croker, from Latchford, said: "We took the name China White originally from the song White Lines and it was a nod to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

"But china white is street slang for heroin. The first thing the management said to us before we did anything with them was that we had to change the name.

"They were having meetings with promoters and record labels and we were hitting a wall with the name because of all the connotations of being named after a drug.

"But since we changed the name all the work that we put in over the years has paid off massively.

"It feels like a fresh start. China White was a big part of our lives for a long time. There was always a bit of a dark edge to the group but I think Winachi Tribe is a bit more fun."

The Winachi Tribe has since joined A1(M) Records and their new EP Time For Love will be released at the launch at Manchester's Ruby Lounge on August 27.

The single of the same name is out on Monday.

Former Bridgewater High pupil Liam added: "Time of Love is the closest we’ve come to making a pop record I would say. It’s been described as working class Wham.

"It’s a really cool upbeat record and in the video Keith Allen plays me."

Another song from the EP, Plant The Seed, will feature in the upcoming Hacienda documentary Do You Own The Dancefloor?

Liam said: "We won a competition out of 500 applicants for our song to feature in the film. The film premiered at Glastonbury and will come out later in the year with our song in it so I’m really happy about that."

The band is also set for a great summer opening for Primal Scream and Flaming Lips at Victorious Festival in Portsmouth on August 29 and Happy Mondays and Stereo MCs at the Shiiine On Weekender in Somerset on November 7.

Liam, aged 32, added: "We also played the Ricky Hatton do at Victoria Warehouse opening for Black Grape so it’s been a mad year.

"Being on stage feels like home and in a way doing the big festivals is easier than doing the little gigs.

"When you can see the whites of people’s eyes in front of you that’s when you’ve really got to perform."