The 4th of June, at the Plug, I have the pleasure of meeting one of the most promising and talented bands in Sheffield - Pistola Kicks.

The guys have had a very busy few weeks in the build up to their EP launch tonight, including promoting their record on BBC Radio Sheffield. If you aren't familiar with PK, let me give you a little bit of information on them... They are an indie/rock foursome based in Sheffield, releasing their debut EP which has been highly anticipated. The members include Rich Martin (guitar/vocals), Joe Moran (guitar/vocals), Jamie Hopkins (bass) and Ally Fraser (drums). I caught up with PK for a quick interview before the gig, and this is what they had to say...

Tell me a little bit about what you've been up to over the past few weeks in preparation for the EP launch.

Joe: Well, basically we've done interviews, radio, and a lot of practising. it's been busy!
Ally: Yeah, it's been so busy, but we've enjoyed it.
Rich: Practise makes perfect, I think I can remember all the guitar chords now!!

Did you aim for a particular sound for the record or did you take it a bit at a time?

Rich: That's a tricky one...
Joe: We've been recording and writing for a couple of years, and we've brought it all together now to produce an EP.
Jamie: Just took it bit by bit really.

Where do you get ideas for the lyrics?

Ally: Well, the track 'Friday Night' is just about a typical night out.
Joe: We tend to just write about everyday things, really. Just life and experiences, things like that.

Are you excited about the launch tonight or a bit nervous about people's response to it?

Ally: No, we're not nervous at all!

Jamie: We're all excited, everything's been leading up to this.

Rich: Yeah, totally looking forward to it, really positive.

You recorded the EP at Yellow Arch Studio. Was that a good experience?

Ally: Yes, that was a very good experience.
Joe: The Arctic Monkeys recorded there and we had a great time doing it.
Rich: I mean, we produced and funded it all ourselves so we're really proud of how it's all come together.
Joe: Yeah, Robin Down has helped to produce it, and everyone's just been really supportive.

The EP is self-titled... What's your favourite track on there?

Joe: That's another tough one... I'd have to say 'Shoes'.
Rich: It's gotta be 'Boquerones'. I love that song!
Jamie: Yeah, I'd have to go with that as well!
Ally: I'm gonna go with 'Broken Bones', but their all great songs to perform. Each song has something great about it.

You recently did a session with BBC Radio Sheffield. How did that come about?

Joe: Iain Hodgson has always been supportive of our band and wanted to get us promoted, really.
Ally: Yeah, it was the first summer session for Raw Talent, and like Joe said, Iain Hodgson did the session with us on Radio Sheffield. He's a good guy.

Finally, what are your plans for Pistola Kicks over the next few months?

Rich: Well we'll be gigging and writing. Still really busy...
Joe: We're going to write a lot of new material and record some more. Hopefully do more radio interviews, things like that.

.... The guys were a great laugh and seem to be very dedicated to their music. After the interview I went to watch their support acts of the night.

Ruberlaris were warming up the audience with their upbeat tunes, filling the venue with melody. The five piece indie/ska band performed some great, fun songs such as 'F**k The Label', making it a lively atmosphere and impressing the increasing number of people coming into the gig. They seemed a very tight band, and the saxophonist and mix of acoustic and electric guitars added extra class to their sound.

Following Ruberlaris were four piece rock/indie band - Driftrun, showing us that Sheffield has a brilliant music scene and deliver their performance with style! The enthusiastic lead singer really involved the audience and showed off his incredibly strong vocals. Their catchy tunes and bass lines got everyone in the mood for the main attraction of the evening.

The suspense was finally over when Pistola Kicks burst energetically onto the stage. After thanking the audience for being there and promoting their EP for people to buy, they swiftly kick into action with some tricky guitar rifts and a fantastic rhythm section. I have to say my favourite song they performed has to be 'Broken Bones' which I thought had harmonies and energy that would rock your socks off! Of course in between songs they stopped for some humorous banter which always connects the band to the audience instead of being monotonous and playing one song after another. PK are clearly passionate about what they do - and they should be, because they are all talented musicians and songwriters and manage to make their gig interesting. They finished the set with an encore from the crowd wanting more, playing a brilliant cover of 'Don't You Want Me?' (by Human League) which was a great way to end the evening, leaving their huge following of fans on a high!

I haven't got a bad word to say about the whole gig, and truly believe that Pistola Kicks are going to be snapped up by a label any day now and they're one of those bands that deserve to take their music further and get it out there. Their EP is available to buy now, so go and get yourself a copy and get down to one of their gigs - you certainly won't be disappointed!

www.myspace.com/pistolakicks.