BIG DOG, Central Station, Wrexham

RAISE the alarm! Big Dog have at last been let off their leash and are now em-Barking on their own bid for world domination.

Last week in the unlikely setting of a tiny North Wales club, the band, who feature two top East Lancashire musicians, showcased their material for the very first time. Hyndburn lads Mark Jones on guitar and drummer Ged Lynch complete the line-up with former Black Grape rapper Kermit and bassist Danny Williams.

The live show is built around the massive presence that is Kermit. Dressed in a orange tartan trouser suit, his personality had filled the room even before the opening number threatened to blow off the roof.

A guitar fuelled meteorite of a track, Natural Disaster, smacks you right between eyes. Its repetitive guitar and bass hooks have the strength to set even the most cynical foot tapping.

Followed with a passionate blast of their debut single, Raise the Alarm, the band's bookmark was neatly placed between the chapters, where hop-hop meets indie.

Rapping over the verse by the time the chorus kicked in, Kermit was practically singing -- a style the frontman is doing a whole lot more of these days.

Many of the lyrical ideas are all very tongue in cheek. And speaking to PULSE, Kermit revealed his writing is inspired by a mixture of science fiction and comic book stories providing fantasy storylines laced with humour.

Despite avoiding the limelight the musicians have their singer's maximum respect, looking totally safe and secure throughout the ten track set, there could have been few who doubted their credentials.

And with an album packed full of chart friendly speedballs it's won't be long before Big Dog are barking out of a stereo near you.

CLIVE LAWRENCE