Aussie TV soap Neighbours has a lot to answer for. Perms, mullets and backpacking Brit's, not to mention launching the musical careers of sugar-coated pop stars like Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Delta Goodrem and Holly Valance to name a few. But now the long-running soapie is finally responsible for something that isn't cringe-worthy, having produced one of Australia's most original bands - the Sand Pebbles.

Six years ago Melbourne's band about town, the Sand Pebbles, met at a party to celebrate the show's 200th episode, where three band members work as scriptwriters. "Our days are spent crafting coffee shop scenes for Lou and Harold, but at night it's kinda a psychedelic freak out," says guitarist Ben Michael X. "It's a little different from Ramsey Street." Despite their soap soaked beginnings , the Sand Pebbles won't be heard as background music at the coffee shop. Described as "lush, psychedelic flower punk" their latest album, Ghost Transmissions is receiving glowing reviews from around the world. The album is a sleek mix of Velvet Underground meets a dazed and confused Beach Boys sound. Their songs are laced with details of love, life and chaos that produced a completely original sound, far removed from Ramsay Street. The Pebbles musical influences are unpredictable, surprising and a complete contradiction. They draw inspiration from everywhere including the stoner space rock of Spacemen 3 to The Stooges and even the cutting edge hip hop sounds of Missy Elliott.

But with such hype and excitement surrounding them, are they ever tempted to pack their bags and leave Ramsay Street? "I don't want to have to make my money from music. We're not struggling to pay the rent so we're not forced to compromise our music," says Michael X. We're playing music in its purest form, without the commercial pressure and that's how we want to play it." Harold, Lou and the rest of Ramsay Street should be very proud.

- Pippa Lord.