Like many great bands before them, Hey Bulldog began as a germ of an idea of main man Rob Manton. The multi-talented Manchester-based musician, who named his venture after the last song that the Beatles recorded in a room together, recorded the debut EP, New York City Blues, by himself with the help of a drum machine.

Before turning the project into a fully fledged band, Manton subtly started to create a buzz with the help of music websites and a variety of fanzines, leading Manchester's Designer 'zine to say that, "At the time of going to press Hey Bulldog isn't a fully fledged band, haven't played a gig and we're already naming him one of the Best New Artists to look out for".

As word spread, Steve Lamacq named Hey Bulldog his Unsigned Band of the Week on his BBC Radio 6 music show and the band became favourites of XFM djs Clint Boon and John Kennedy.

Those Beatles influences along with the likes of The Kinks and The Black Keys are evident all over Hey Bulldog's music, from the catchiest of melodies to the guitar hero-esque riffs that Hendrix and The White Stripes would be proud of.

Hey Bulldog is that most rare of beasts. The music is as personal as it's possible to get, and yet the songs are so good that they're accessible to anyone and everyone.

Their fans herald them as the future of modern rock'n'roll, so catch them live now while you can still get to the front without getting crushed.