What is the biggest band in the world? It's a question that can, and does, lead to hours of debate. But for many, the answer has to be the Rolling Stones, writes Tim Hughes.

Few bands have the longevity, talent, style and attitude of Mick Jagger and his pals. And earning a chance to support them on one of their regular tours of the stadia of the world is the crowning glory of many an artist's career.

Imagine, then, what it would be like to take to the road with the Stones, playing to 20,000 people a night, while most of the world has never heard of you.

Jet - firing on all cylinders

It's the stuff of fairy tales, but for Australian band Jet, it was a dream come true.

Despite a background playing mainly bars and clubs in their native Melbourne, the band were picked to support the rock legends on their recent tour 'down under'.

With their feet firmly back on the ground, Jet are launching their own assault on the world. But as singer and guitarist Cameron Muncey says, while resting between shows in Los Angeles, the memory of that tour is destined to follow the band forever.

"It was amazing," he says. "I remember saying it was the best two weeks of my life.

"We were staying in nice hotels, but the Stones take days off, so it was chilled.

"We came from being a pub band to playing arenas with 20,000 people. We were in the right place at the right time.

"There was a buzz around us in Australia and things were said about us, and we were seen as the obvious choice."

He continues: "You'd think that coming from playing in front of 300 people to playing to 20,000 people would make you 300 times more nervous. But it's not like that. It's easier. It's a clich, but you just have a good time.

"You can't hear anything and it's not as intimate as a pub where you are right there and trying to converse with people. But you can look down and see the first few rows. You have to play to them."

Jet - they took their name from the Paul McCartney song - were in Britain recording their album when the call came to return to their homeland to join the Stones.

Remarkably, the band blew out an offer to continue touring with the legends, so they could return to the UK to continue working on their music.

Cameron says the band still felt more at home on these shores than anywhere else on Earth. On June 4, they make their first visit to Oxford when they play the Zodiac in Cowley Road.

Cameron adds: "I am looking forward to coming to England. It's our favourite place. We like it more than our home town!

"The people have been really cool and good to us. And they were excited about the music. A lot of people are music lovers and know their heritage. We had people coming up to us and saying 'we dig your music' ever so politely, then getting blind drunk with us!

"We are happiest in the places we play in England - we like to mix it up and smaller venues are really good."

Cameron is only one of Jet's frontmen. The band has three, along with Nic Cester (guitar and vocals) and Nic's brother Chris (drums and vocals), while Mark Wilson makes up the four-piece on bass.

Part of Jet's appeal lies in their stylish retro edge, which has invited comparisons with The Beatles and The Kinks. But there are also shades of Aussie rockers, like AC/DC.

"That's what gets us off," he says. "Our heritage of Australian rock is in there."

And he is not joking.

Jet started off as a high school 'You Am I' tribute band and admit to "wanting nothing more in life" than to be like their Australian heroes.

Their Aussie-ness also shines through in Jet's lack of

pretension or inflated ego.

"We are laid-back," says Cameron.

"And as far as the men in suits are concerned, we haven't had too much bother - so far."

Oxford will be the first date of an eight-date UK tour and follows the release of their Dirty Sweet 12" EP on eastwest/Elektra Records. The limited-edition EP showcases demo versions of four tracks recorded in Australia last year.

Compared with the huge areas the band became accustomed to while touring with the Stones, the gig looks set to be intimate but ferociously energetic.

So are the band missing life on the road with Jagger, Richards et al?

Not according to Cameron; "We are getting back to reality a bit," he says.

"Playing to as many people as possible and working our guts out!"

Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 in advance/ £7 on the door.