THOSE who know their music may recognise the newest edition to the Ferocious Dog line up when the band play Burnley Mechanics on Saturday.

For the Celtic-influenced folk punksters added Les Carter - Fruitbat of Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine fame - to their ensemble in November 2014.

"I do get recognised some times," said Les, "but I'm very much just one of the band."

Fronted by Ken Bonsall, Ferocious Dog have been gaining a groundswell of popular support with their incendiary live shows attracting bigger and bigger audiences.

They have also released their debut album, From Without, which has gained great reviews. The album's title embodies the band's philosophy of remaining totally independent and doing everything themselves.

"Ferocious Dog operates away from most of the music industry which is something I really admire," said Les. "The band is completely independent, they don't have a record company breathing down their neck and yet they are going from strength to strength.

"Their approach is very much like Carter was in the beginning. We just got tempted by the major labels because we always wanted to play Top of the Pops and you could never do that as an independent band."

Les was invited to join Ferocious Dog after the seeing the band headline the Bearded Theory Festival.

"I met Dan Booth the fiddle player and we got on really well," said Les. "Then out of the blue I got a message on Facebook from him asking if I'd like to join the band.

"It was just after Carter had played our final gigs (at Brixton Academy in November 2014) so they probably through I'd be out of work.

"I was worried I might not be good enough for them but they said 'don't be ridiculous' and that was it. It wasn't the most strenuous of auditions!"

Les joined the band in time to help record the debut album

"I think I'd had one and a half rehearsals and then we were in the studio," he said. "I'm a lot noisier than the previous guitarist and the band had to find room for me in the songs. I also tried to keep my playing fairly simple to support the songs and the lyrics but it all came together really well."

The energy and commitment of the band is best seen at their live shows - they pulled the biggest crowd at the Avalon stage at Glastonbury last year - and their fanbase, nicknamed the Hell Hounds, is growing.

"All the guys just really enjoy playing live," said Les. "They really know how to communicate with an audience and create this wonderful energy. It's just how it should be."

Les is in a good place the judge. With Carter USM he and partner Jim Bob headlined the main stage at Glastonbury in 1992 having a number one album the same year.

Ironically both Ken Bonsall and Dan Booth were in the crowd for that Glastonbury show.

"This summer's going to be a really big one for the band," said Les, "and I'm really enjoying being part of it. The way I see it if going against convention works then you should keep on doing it and that is what the band is all about."

Ferocious Dog, Burnley Mechanics, Saturday, April 2. Details from 01282 664400.