RED Hot Chili Peppers producer Todd Burke was so impressed with the music of a west Wiltshire band he has offered to mix their latest EP.

Four-man rock group Hooker are on the verge of stardom and have hit the jackpot with the top record producer, who has worked with the Foo Fighters, No Doubt and Idlewild.

Lead guitarist Rob Chapman, 28, of North Bradley, said working with the top producer was a dream come true.

"It was amazing for us to hook up with Todd, when you think about all the great bands and artists he has worked with over the years," he said.

"We didn't expect to be keeping such illustrious company just yet."

Burke is currently in Los Angeles mixing the band's latest EP Souled, which was recorded at AC/DC's studio in London.

Drummer Ian James, 27, said: "We are incredibly lucky to have someone of Todd's calibre making a record with us.

"We are also lucky in that we have incredible belief in our abilities as a band, and that Todd obviously saw something there that he wanted to work with."

Hooker has already created a wide fan base, both in west Wiltshire and further afield, and have played all over the country.

The band consists of Chapman and James, bass player Simon le Blonde, 22, and 23-year-old lead singer Tom White.

Chapman and James, who now works for a record company in London, met at music college in the capital 10 years ago and have played together ever since.

They formed Hooker with White, from Steeple Ashton, and le Blonde, from Bradford on Avon, two years ago, and have gone from strength to strength. Their songs, influenced by the likes of Reef, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, are written by Chapman, with lyrics penned by the young lead singer.

The group gig together about four times a week and have attracted considerable interest from record companies.

Chapman said: "We are not signed but we get pretty much everything we need that a signed band would for free, from people who want to work with us when we are signed."

The guitarist said the group are holding off on signing a record deal so it can be done on their own terms. For more information about the group and upcoming gigs visit www.hookermusic.com

CHILIS FILE

Started life as garage band called Anthem before first success in late 1980s

Their 1991 album Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik sold seven million copies in the US

In June 2004 they played to 100,000 people at Hyde Park in London