Here's a thought. All those expensive telephone chat-lines - just who are they aiming at? Surely, party people would be, well, partying and not making phone calls wouldn't they?writes Pookie Hudson.

The very same thing occurred to Scrambler, who hail from Abingdon and, in under 12 months, have become a highly-rated local live act.

Scrambler, who consist of drummer Andy Wright, vocalist/guitarist Rob Davies and bassist Damon Clulow, launch their debut mini-album, called Phone Club, tonight at The Bullingdon. Damien says: "Phone Club, the title track for our debut EP is laughing at all those people on those club lines. If they are clubbers, shouldn't they be clubbing? C'mon, get out a bit, go see gigs, have a good time, enjoy yourselves. At least go and DO something."

Early live reviews of Scrambler make comparisons with The Jam. Probably it has quite a bit to do with one of Scrambler's live favourites, Boom Town, arguably the most instant of the five numbers on the mini-album.

"It's funny, The Jam comparisons," says Damon. "Between the three of us we own one Jam record. They were a great band in their time, so I suppose it's flattering in a way. "Scrambler are three people with different tastes and different influences," he adds. "We're more about loud, spikey and poppy songs.

"It's a real buzz playing live, when people get up and get into our music it makes everything worthwhile. It's about enjoying yourself, us playing and people who come to see us.

"Boom Town is one of the first songs we wrote. We were a bit sceptical about it because it's a simple song with a catchy chorus we wondered if it would go in Oxford.

"It's turned out to be a crowd-pleaser. It's the song most people seeing us for the first time pick up on," Damien concludes.

The launch of Phone Club which features Unbelievable Truth's Nigel Powell on keyboards on two tracks is a bit of a milestone for the band.

"Phone Club will be on sale at the gig tonight. We've kept the price low it's 5 for five songs, which is good value for money, " says Damon.

Scrambler are poised to be the next band to graduate from Oxford's musical school of excellence. Catch them on the way up.