WITH a borrowed name and borrowed hair, hotly-tipped songstress Scout Niblett heads for Lancaster.

According to her record label, the wig-wearing singer, who steals her name from Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, often reduces audiences to gibbering wrecks for all the right reasons.

Scout Niblett may sound like a woman with a penchant for neckerchiefed do-gooders but the only thing she's been sinking her teeth into is the music industry.

The singer, who has toured with Cat Power and has been compared to PJ Harvey, comes to the Farmers' Arms tomorrow night fresh from a show at New York's Mercury Lounge.

Niblett who teamed up with maverick music producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey) to record her last two albums will be joined by Todd Trainer, drummer in Albini's latest band Shellac, for her Lancaster debut.

Support on the night comes in the guise of Manchester two-piece Former Bullies - think Neil Young and Frank Black who have just completed a UK tour with fellow Mancunians Nine Black Alps.

Also making an appearance is a favourite on the Lancaster university campus scene Scouse student Martin Chitty.

For those who like the idea of being reduced to a gibbering wreck on Saturday night, doors open at 7.30pm.

l John Peel show veterans Bearsuit head the line-up at the Farmers' Arms tonight (Friday). The six-piece are joined by European outfit Envelopes, who are making waves this side of the English Channel, Preston's Star 27 and Kr!ss Foster.