Eight Rounds Rapid’s songs are rooted in traditional blues, but guitar from Simon Johnson and singer David Alexander’s acerbic delivery make the act sound like John Cooper Clarke and Mark E Smith jamming in a Southend bus depot, with their gritty tales of the Essex underworld. 'We are from this place. We make music of this place'.

The group gained a national audience last year when they supported Wilko Johnson on his UK Farewell Tour, winning over BBC DJs, Artrocker magazine and a clutch of bloggers with their polarising performances at Camden’s Koko. Their debut album Lossleader is released this spring on Cadiz records, with a busy tour planned for the summer, including gigs with The Ruts.