"**** the Pain Away, **** the Pain Away," cried Peaches on the opening track of last year's popular 2 Many DJs album.

Such is the plain-talking star's habit of catching the attention.

Sleazy, lewd, unhinged and plain old smutty are just some of the accusations hurled at the Canadian.

Apart from her explicit song lyrics, dirty, grinding tunes and sexually-charged stage persona are shocking images splashed across magazines, CD covers and promotional posters.

The front cover of the new album shows her in a leotard sporting a fully-grown man's beard.

There are other pictures which zoom in on tight pink hotpants with protruding pubic hair.

There is even a particularly gruesome image of her sitting legs apart, proudly displaying a stitched-up slash along her neck.

Unsettling to say the least and anything but glam, this rapping, beatboxing musician has been compared to the popular American TV show Sex in the City as someone who gives men the willies.

But it is her own idea of sexuality which goes a long way to challenging established perceptions.

"All people have sex, not just the Pamela Anderson lookalikes," she says.

"It's so dull, this idea that sexy is blonde hair and big breasts. Everyone is sexual, everyone has sex."

Born Merrill Nisker in Toronto, Canada, 35 years ago, Peaches led a comparatively innocent life teaching music and drama to the under-6s for ten years before getting involved in the music scene as part of folk duo Mermaid Hotel.

She then moved to Berlin and reinvented herself with dance music and a Roland MC505 Groovebox.

She released the Teaches Of Peaches album in Europe in September 2000 on Berlin's Kitty-Yo label.

She had soon attracted a devoted fanbase including John Malkovich and even Madonna, who is said to work out to the infectious **** the Pain Away.

Now signed to trendy label XL records at the request of the White Stripes and Basement Jaxx after they saw her perform in Australia.

The show starts at 9pm and tickets cost £10. Call 01273 772770 for ticket details and further information.