Gutshot live on BBC Introducing

Gutshot performing live at the Millers Arms in Lincoln

Bands formed as part of a college course don't tend to see it past the semester let alone onto local radio.

Bucking the trend are Lily, Mike, Chris and Leyland, who are Gutshot.

With the full support of their college, this is an interesting time for the band who have impressed everyone.

Taking influences from the likes of The Clash and anyone who plays 'fun and honest music', Gutshot are aiming to entertain with their own brand of melodic punk rock.

Now the band are looking to take the next step and take on an entire nation, albeit one step at a time. First up for the Lincoln act is the BBC Lincolnshire Introducing studio.

"Gutshot was originally only supposed to last for a few weeks but we were pretty impressed with the feedback we got so we decided to take it out of college," says Chris confirming the bands beginnings. But what feedback did the band receive? "You smell of cider and your feet smell," laughs Chris.

"It was mainly from our tutors," corrects Lily, before Chris continues: "They just said they were impressed with the songs we've written, a lot of bands just do covers."

"They encourage you to write your own songs and that's all we wanted to do," adds Lily.

Writing their own material instead of doing covers has paid dividends, what would have been a few shows organised through college has turned into regular, often weekly features.

On tour

"We're trying to do more gigs out of Lincoln. We're doing Louth, Boston, Worksop, Gainsborough and then Aberdeen," says Lily laughing at the sheer distance the band have to travel. A fantastic chance for the band to flee the area, which came out of nowhere when Scottish melodic hardcore outfit Escape To Victory sent a message to the band on MySpace.

So how has college helped the band? Chris explains its beneficial effect on the band: "A lot of stuff in the band we get marked for within college, so that means we get to practice twice, sometime three times a week at college for free, which is a big help. A lot of bands I've been in over the years have split up because we haven't been able to afford to practice."

The future

Gutshot enjoy playing 'good and honest music'

Of course education only lasts so long, so what plans do the band have when the support from their educational facility is no longer available?

"We're thinking about taking a gap year after college and trying to do the band," says Lily. "We've been getting some big gigs and doing stuff like this," adds Leyland, referring to the show.

"It's mainly our jobs that get in the way. We all work different days and Leyland has just got a job as well," adds Lily.

"I'm missing a £50 shift for this," he interrupts tongue firmly in cheek. Most importantly, though, was it worth it? "It is, yeah".

Visit the Gutshot Myspace page for more information.

Gutshot on Myspace