TIM HUGHES catches up with The Score and finds out why they can boast to be pop to the core.

DISILLUSIONED with pop? Think the charts are populated by hordes of talentless posturing exhibitionists and over-hyped TV talent show rejects?

Yes? Then you’re in for a treat… because along comes a band who are pop to the core – but have done it all the hard way – The Score.

Consisting of two sets of brothers – Americans Cameron and Taylor Graves, and Brits Nathan and Sean Allen, along with Californian Clyde ‘CJ’ Wilson – they are no flash in the pan pop sensation.

The lads have been working for years, are master musicians, write and produce their own material, and have performed with some of the planet’s biggest names as session musicians.

But after years making other people sound good, their time has now come.

Album Opus was released earlier this month to critical acclaim – earning favourable comparisons with the likes of Outkast - and the lads are heading out on the road supporting none other than pop-soul star Lemar, and JLS, who all play the New Theatre, Oxford, a week on Sunday.

“We are real musicians,” says Nathan, a former drummer with Amy Winehouse, who is speaking from his home in Richmond, South London.

“We blend hip-hop, r&b, soul and rock with jazz, taking influences from our own backgrounds.

“Playing as The Score is very rewarding. It’s great for me to appear on stage as Nathan – and not as Amy Winehouse’s drummer. It’s been a long process but has paid off.”

The band got to know each other after Nathan was introduced to Clyde and the brothers Graves, by Amy’s tour manager.

He flew out to Los Angeles and found himself in the band. Quickly followed by his brother.

“Sean came to LA for a holiday,” explains Nathan, 33. “He brought his bass, started jamming with the band – and they liked what they heard.

“It’s great to be in a band with your brother. We play drums and bass so are the backbone of the band. He knows what I’m thinking.”

They come from a musical family, which Nathan admits hasn’t harmed their careers.

He says: “My dad is a jazz musician and once appeared on TV’s Stars in their Eyes as Louis Armstrong. My mum, though, is more into literature, and is very cool. Both are very proud of us.”

“It is unusual having two sets of brothers in the band,” he admits, “But we get on really well – and take the Mickey out of each other. Clyde is on his own, but can stick up for himself!

“Our selling point is that we are not manufactured,” he says.

“We all play our own instruments, and write and produce our own material.”

One person who certainly appreciates it is Fame Academy star Lemar, who asked the band to support him for the second time.

The Score support Lemar at the New Theatre Oxford on March 29. Tickets are £25. Call 0844 847 1585 or go to www.gigsandtours.com