The Dastards' BBC Introducing session

The Dastards formed at the age of 18 after leaving music college. Within months, they had already conquered the Worcestershire music venues and began gigging in London.

Drawing from an eclectic set of influences - Dylan through to Muse - The Dastards have compiled an unusually large and varied set for a band barely out of short trousers.

Wake got his first guitar aged 4 and fourteen years later, if he's not playing the guitar, he's thinking about playing the guitar.

They say they've kept a low profile while they've been honing the songs. Now they are ready to grab the world and shake it!

The Dastards have released their first demo, showing the variety of their musical range with tracks like Miranda, This Time, Spitting Roses and Trouble.

Their single 'Shami Chakrabarti' has received rave reviews, after The Guardian printed a whole page about Shami and the Dastards and published the song's lyrics. The single is a tribute to the leader of Liberty. The band admire her stance and determination.

In 2008, The Dastards were Festibull finalists at the Bull Ring in Birmingham, and played in Music Live at the NEC. They also played the Chagford Festival in Devon and supported Squeeze.