CULTURAL boundaries were crossed last month when Hereford band Burn took their popular act on tour to Sweden.

The reception the five musicians received was overwhelming - with bass player Dave Quine's Liverpudlian accent driving the fans wild and national stereotypes being blasted into infinity.

"The Swedish people were far from cool - they are outward going tactile people and very generous with it," said Dave.

From the minute the band touched down at Stockholm airport the press were intrigued to find out more about them, their music and the town they are from.

Upsala, in Sweden, the larger town that the band played has a population similar to that of Birmingham. Tierp, the smaller town, being similar in size to Hereford.

"The parallels were amazing," said Dave. "Both are provincial communities, with people's concerns being the same."

The tour was arranged as a reciprocal event, further to Swedish band Gooze appearing at a couple of Herefordshire venues, including TGS, earlier in the spring. The relationship between the two bands stemmed initially from Dave's meeting with Mats Nilsson - their drummer - at a European work council meeting for Eramet linked with Hereford firm Special Metals Wiggin, where Dave previously worked.

"A bond was formed between us then which has just gone from strength to strength. All of the band members stayed with the various musicians in Gooze and became integrated in the Swedish community very quickly."

Being driven around in a 1965 Cadillac convertible, playing to an audience of over 1,000 in the grounds of a manor house and spending their one night off at a barbecue beach party in their honour were just three highlights of the tour as far as Dave is concerned.

"Gooze enjoyed every minute of their trip to Hereford and they returned the favour with incredible hospitality," he said.

Gooze will be back in Hereford on September 5 for a follow-up gig at TGS..

Tickets available at TGS - £6 in advance or £6.50 on the door. To reserve tickets phone 01432 341994 or 07739382991.