David Jackman of Bishop's Stortford Citizen is reporting that a British heavy metal musician is seeking legal advice claiming that "X-Factor" boy band group G4 (photos) stole the name of his band, which he helped form five years ago.

Glenn Abel, 27, says fans of his heavy metal band GEARED4 (photo) which he says is known as G4 have been taking the mickey since the operatic singers came to the fore on the ITV talent show, and that his band has now become a target for ridicule.

Abel, who is lead singer and bass player, said: "Many artists' names get abbreviated and what we're known as among our fan base is G4 and we've been using G4 in all our merchandise, all our correspondence and promotional material for about the last three years.

"Being a heavy metal band we have an image to protect. We're supposed to be hard men, look tough and everything.

"Playing on the heavy metal circuit we've just become the victims of ridicule because we're known as G4."

He added: "Since G4 have come on the scene we've basically had people taking the mickey out of us and it's harmed our prospects with regards to maintaining our fan base.

"Our main goal is to gain a record deal but at the moment we're struggling to maintain our fan base because we've become a laughing stock."

Read more at Bishop's Stortford Citizen.