Max Raptor are part-hardcore punk throwbacks and part-savvy 21st century media kids with an eye for good publicity. Formed in the Midlands five years ago, they have built a reputation for direct, energetic punk rock and roof-raising live shows.

The foursome of Wil Ray, JB Willcox, Tom Garrett and Matt Stevenson supported The Stranglers for 16 dates in 2010, continuing their live education at Download that same year. The result is a bright, ballsy brand of edgy rock, packed with riffs and hooks and knowing nods to punk's fine traditions.

After a few singles in 2010, their debut mini-album 'Portraits' was released this year to broad acclaim. Their still short back catalogue also includes the curiously titled 'Barney Hall's Bedroom: The Live CD'. The recording was made at the home of Max Raptor fan Barney Hall after a Facebook campaign to see the band perform in a fan's bedroom.

Not quite the Beatles on the top of the Apple building but, still, a nice idea and, no doubt, bloody exciting for Barney. With something of a fervour following the issue of 'Portraits', not least about how British punk may not be dead after all, it is unlikely that Max Raptor will be playing such an intimate venue as a fan's bedroom ever again.

Max Raptor will, however, be playing 24 gigs in less than a month, beginning in Exeter on 23rd February, followed by dates in Llanelli, Bristol, York, Coventry, Sheffield, Glasgow, Cardiff, Liverpool and more, before the final show of the tour at London's Barfly on 22nd March 2012.

Support comes from Kent six-piece Hildamay, whose debut EP, 'We Loved, We Lost', was released in September.

We have tickets available now, priced from as little as £4 (for Exeter), rising to £6.50 for Barfly. Bargain.