Four-piece 'power rock' band Barkerhound, whose members are from Leamington and Coventry, fancy their chances but realise they will have to "pull out all the stops" to go through.

They share bassist Will Taggart with Decatone and the band also includes keyboardist Hazel Stalker, drummer Mark Corabii and Roger Barker on guitar.

They have been writing and playing together for two years.
Barkerhound describe their sound as a "mish mash" of all their musical educations and styles and were put through by impressed judges despite not getting enough audience votes in their heat.

A judge wrote: "Hints of psychedelica and jazz fitted comfortably with their pop-rock sound and an animated onstage performance completed the package."

Will Taggart said: "We'd love it if people from the industry saw us in the competition and were impressed."

The band hope to release an album this summer featuring extensively gig-tested material.

Barkerhound play at Robbin's Well in Leamington on July 18 and at Devon's Aeon Festival in August.
www.myspace.com/barkerhound

Decatone who hail from Warwick and Coventry have reached the late stages of the competition which gives unsigned musicians the chance to play in front of top industry representatives.
They are hopeful of a place in the July 15 national final at Birmingham's Custard Factory.
In total, 12 bands from the South, North and Midlands regions will play showcases in front of a music industry panel including Alan McGee who discovered and signed Oasis, Charlatans drummer John Brooks and Embrace lead singer Danny McNamara.
Funk band Decatone impressed judges in their previous heats, described as having a "deep, interesting funky sound" and tracks "packed full of funky beats, catchy melodies and jazzy brass".
The eight-member group has been together for two-and-a-half years and was triumphant in the BBC's G-Factor competition last year.
Decatone features Mike Wilson and Dave Colliver on percussion, Steve Noakes on bass, Gaz Nicklin on electric guitar, Ian Farquhar on keyboards, brass players Howard Stokes and Andy McIntyre and saxophonist Will Taggart.
Dave Colliver hopes judges will appreciate the band's unique appeal.
He said: "A lot of bands in the competition are four-piece Indie groups with a lot of commercial appeal - we don't really fit that mould so hopefully the crowds and judges can look beyond that.
"We've got a really funky sound and love getting the crowd going - playing anything that gets people dancing."
www.myspace.com/decatone

For more information about the bands and the competition.
www.surfaceunsigned.co.uk