WHAT better place to interview this year's winners of the Colchester Battle of the Bands than on top of Colchester Castle?

On The Roof (see what we did there!) are certainly riding high at the moment and, if winning music competitions is a part of their coursework at Colchester Institute, they must be on for an A.

It was at the Sheepen Road college that On The Roof first began as part of its National Diploma course in popular music.

In fact, when Jack Howe (guitar), Xavier Winton (drums) and Adam Overton (vocals) started in September, they were put together to form a group with another bassist.

It wasn't until December that they changed bassist, with Billy Mawford joining to make up the current line-up.

Rather amazingly, the final of the Battle of the Bands at Colchester Arts Centre at the weekend was their first proper gig and, naturally, the nerves were a bit rattled, to say the least.

Adam confirmed: "I have never had nerves like that and I think it's true to say we were just concentrating on the gig rather than on actually winning it.

"I couldn't believe it when they said we had won. I don't think it sank in until the Monday."

Following the gig, the event's organiser, Abby Chervest, described their music as an exciting fusion of jazz and funk and although they were last on after eight other bands, the crowd warmed to them quite quickly.

Billy added: "No-one really knows who we are, so it was nice we got such a great response. We've got this new song called Bank Job, which is an upbeat ska number that everyone was jumping to. It was great."

So, what now for the band?

Well, recording Bank Job for a start and then some more gigs.

Jack said: "Part of the prize is to have one of our songs played at Colchester United and there's also a headline gig at the Twist, so that should help get us better known."

lFor more information on the band, go to myspace.com/ontheroofuk