HE may have toured with Alice Cooper and Def Leppard - but it is only now that Holmbridge-born Jamie Evans feels he ready for the musical big time.

Jamie, 25, was snapped up by Birmingham-based Depth Records when he was just 17 and fresh out of Huddersfield New College.

He was made the frontman of rock band Lukan and given support slots on stadium tours.

But he says it is just recently that he has felt he has enough experience to write songs he is happy with.

And now he is ready to aim for the stars with his new band, The Mexicolas.

Jamie said: "You can try and write songs when you're 18, but people who've lived a little think they are contrived.

"Now I have experiences to write about."

The former Holmfirth High School pupil had been playing guitar for covers band The Bare Essentials at a gig in Otley when he was spotted.

He signed a development deal with Depth Records and moved to Nottingham to record with Lukan.

A single, Loop, was released and then began a whirlwind of stadium tours alongside rock legends Alice Cooper and Def Leppard.

Jamie also went solo to support one of his idols, former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell, at a gig in Birmingham.

Jamie said the high-profile gigs were a baptism of fire.

He said: "I was thrown in at the deep end.

"I was naive, but I've gained life skills from it. I've met interesting people - and some idiots, too.

"For instance, Alice Cooper was a dude! On TV and you think these people are amazing. Then you realise they are normal people who got a break.

"They have a wealth of experience. They've always told me: `Don't drink, don't do drugs and stay faithful' - everything they didn't do!"

Lukan split in 2001 and Jamie was made frontman of another band.

But the group failed to gel and last April, Jamie and the band's Bath-based drummer, Tim Trotter, struck out on their own.

They recruited Wolverhampton bass player Ben Drummond in September - and so The Mexicolas were born.

The band are now all based in Digbeth, Birmingham, and are recording there at studios owned by UB40 - some of whom grew up with In Exile Records boss Steve Skelding.

In Exile Records is the current incarnation of Depth Records, who have been a constant support for Jamie.

Jamie said: "I was lucky. I've always had good people like Steve around who believe in me. You feel like you need to prove that you are worth that belief and it motivates you."

So, Jamie has been working furiously for the past 10 months on an album intended to be titled called Solar Mexus.

Jamie says it is rock-based but with strong melodies.

He added: "It's hard to write a simple song that is original. But we are really getting it now. The music is powerful and honest and moving in places.

"The album is all about previous experiences of bands and life."

The Mexicolas wanted to make an album quickly after striking a deal to have their music featured on an extreme sports DVD, being produced by sportswear company O'Neill.

Some 3m copies are expected to be released.

O'Neill representatives heard about The Mexicolas through a website for unsigned bands, www.overplay.co.uk

The Mexicolas had eight tracks on the site for eight weeks - and received the most listener votes each time.

An average of 1,500 people a week voted for their tunes.

Jamie said: "We are chuffed to bits. The deal came out of the blue, but we wanted to release something to tie in the DVD, because it could really boost our sales."

Although they are recording, The Mexicolas don't neglect their live shows. They spend half their time on the road.

So Jamie sees very little of the Holme Valley, where his mother still lives. His last visit to Holmfirth was to play with The Mexicolas at The Picturedrome's Live 8 charity gig on July 2.

He said: "I don't think anyone really recognised me then, as I don't get back as often as I'd like. But it was great to play there and get a good reception."

The reception was so good that Picturedrome owner Peter Carr booked The Mexicolas for a headline slot tonight.