Ainsworth's life on the wild side

He said: "I stole my dad's cassettes and I got hooked on The Doors at about 16 and either bought their albums or recorded them until I had more or less everything by them. I also saw Kiss a few years ago at Wembley Arena and me and three mates dressed up in full make-up. I was made up as Paul Stanley.''

Andersen, the group's lead guitarist, writes the music with Perry while Ainsworth comes up with the lyrics.

"Sometimes I'll sit down and write a song in an hour, other times I'll just write odd lines and hope things come together," he said.

Back on the football field, his move to QPR is the best thing that's happened to him since leaving Wimbledon last season.

Ainsworth joined the Dons for £2million in 1998 and scored on his debut but his spell at the club was then marred by a groin injury, followed by a broken wrist and ankle.

After spending a month on loan at Walsall last season he moved to Cardiff in March in time to feature in the club's final push for promotion.

However, his stay in Wales ended in disappointment as he was forced to sit out the Second Division play-off semi-finals and the victory over QPR in the final.

He said: "I missed the play-off semifinals because of a couple of bookings and Lennie Lawrence, being superstitious, said he didn't want to change anything-for the final. I was devastated about that - if I had been younger, I would have been in tears. It was hard to celebrate on the day because I didn't feel part of the success and then he told me there was no contract for me.

"But within a week, I had a call from the QPR chairman Nick Blackburn. I was impressed as not many chairman take an active part in signing players. He described the club's ambition and without speaking to manager Ian Holloway, I was ready to join the club.

"I am as enthusiastic now about the future as I was when I first stated playing as a schoolkid."

Indeed, Blackburn and Ainsworth spent the conversation talking about music. Blackburn was manager of top bands Procol Harum and the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver in the Seventies and told Ainsworth to get the impressive Kings of Leon debut album.

Ainsworth believes QPR have a great chance of promotion to the First Division this season and wants to play a part in winning something by staying injury free.

He did enough against Charlton to suggest that his pace and strength will be a real asset to Rangers this season.

Holloway, meanwhile, is hoping to sign Tottenham striker Mark Yeates on loan in time for tomorrow's clash with Blackpool.

An injury to Richard Pacquette has forced Holloway back into the transfer market and discussions are at an advanced stage to bring 18-year-old Yeates to the club for an initial one-month spell.

Pacquette will miss the first two games of the season after suffering a hamstring strain during Monday's pre-season friendly against Charlton.