WARRINGTON'S Slydigs say they are 'astonished' after being invited to tour America with one of world's biggest bands.

The rock and roll four-piece will be supporting The Who at 14 arena shows in April and May as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.

Slydigs' opportunity came about after they impressed the iconic band while playing with them in the UK last year.

Frontman Dean Fairhurst also described it as a dream come true as The Who, along with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, inspired him to become a musician when he was 13.

The Burtonwood resident said: "Those bands had an infatuation with black American music, as do we, and the idea of playing stadiums and heading over to America as a British band is what we have been working for all this time.

"By the same token, to support a band like The Who on possibly their last tour of America is astonishing and ultimately historic.

"We're very proud of what we have accomplished so far but for us this opportunity is not something that we will be taking lightly.

"While we will enjoy every moment, we have a job to do and when your supporting a band like The Who you best be on your A-game.

"I know The Who fans are not easily pleased so every aspect of our stage performance needs to be impeccable."

So what are Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend like behind the scenes?

"They have a charisma to them and it doesn't take you long to notice when they're in the room," added Dean.

"When we met Roger we talked a lot about Wilko Johnson and their album together and how the album, in many ways saved his life.

"He also made a funny remark about our bassist Ben Breslin's new Rickenbacker bass guitar that he had just bought, saying: 'I've seen many of them smashed in my time'. Ben quickly edged his way backwards!

"Pete Fleming, our drummer, had a good chat with Zak Starkey, the drummer of The Who and I know Ben often chatted with Pino Palladino, the bass player.

"You do usually end up speaking with your counterpart in any support gig scenario."

Slydigs, who also hope to release their debut album this year, will be playing to up to 20,000 revellers each night. Their leg of the tour starts in Toronto on April 24 and finishes in San Diego on May 27.

Former St Aelred’s High School pupil Dean added: "Not everyone gets there in time to see the support band but the amount of people we will be playing in front of is pretty astounding.

"To have your name up in lights behind you gives you a boost of confidence. It can be rather stupefying if you think about it too long but you have to just concentrate on the job at hand."

Dean told Weekend he is most looking forward to the Los Angeles show at the Staples Center.

"Hopefully I can get my mum over for that one," the 27-year-old said.

"I'm excited about seeing the place and doing the tourist things on our days off.

"Even travelling around in a tour bus is going to be pretty special and a far cry away from our times touring Ireland and sleeping in a transit van stinking of chicken and booze!

"Or busking on Grafton street in Dublin or playing the Leigh Arms in Newton all those years ago. I'll be looking forward to hopefully seeing Hollywood and going to Capitol Records with my camera around my neck too."

DAVID MORGAN