There’s a folk rock band you should take the time to hear. To be sure, Silver Dogs play what has become known as traditional English folk rock but there is far more to them than that appellation alone. This lot put more ‘rock’ into ‘folk’ than many bands put together.

For a start they have a vocalist with a formidable voice that is clearly more ‘rock’ than ‘folk’ but with an impressive range and power delivery. Becky Haslam has a distinctive tone and timbre to her voice that sets her apart from many female folk rock vocalists. It’s too easy to classify female folk voices in the Sandy Denny or Maddy Prior style. Not here, Becky is on her own with her own style and it’s great – listen to her deliver ‘Bedlam Boys’ or ‘Poisonjester’s Mask’ to hear what I mean.

Silver Dogs also have a skilled guitarist in Darren Dean. Many folk rock guitarists are strummers - good strummers admittedly but strummers nonetheless. Darren can wring the neck of that axe with the best of them, refreshing to hear in a folk rock band - reminds me of Martin Barre - nothing more to say there. Listen to Darren rip it up on ‘Northstar Grassman’. Of course, many folk rock bands have a fiddler, some have two, these guys only need Mark Knight. A more ‘rocky’ folk fiddler you’ll have to go a long way to find - in fact why bother to go anywhere at all just listen to Mark. Acid etched stuff and worth treating your ears, listen to ‘Poisonjester’s Mask’ to hear what I mean.

Andrew Turner plays keyboards and acoustic guitar, and along with the rest of the band, composes and arranges their songs. A stunning job guys. Add to the mix, the force of Neil Aspinall’s drums and drive of Peter Knight’s bass and you have the Silver Dogs – best described as folk rocking. Still unsigned? Can’t believe it.