LOOKING for an antidote to the world of plastic pop and preening, pop pretenders? Dirty Harry could be the perfect medicine.

The new-look band, who talked to Pulse in the back of their plush tour bus this week, have been opening shows and stealing fans from American Nu-metal hard boys Disturbed.

But, heralding from Reading, they are more than just a British, knee-jerk reaction to the influx of Stateside noise merchants.

Fronted by female superstar-in-the making Harry, they describe themselves as more Rolling Stones than Papa Roach and not just another Nu-metal act. Determined to turn her dream of stardom in reality, Harry has been working on the band for the last five years. Having written with producer Youth -- best known for his work with The Verve on Urban Hymns -- since she was 15, he was the obvious choice to work on their debut album.

They may not be opening any new chapters in the history of rock, but strong melodies are the key to their energetic and empowering style.

And at just 20, Harry is a no-nonsense singer who has no time for her pop contemporaries. She said: "We're totally against manufactured acts.

"I'm the same age as Britney and Christina but what they're doing is sick and disgusting."

Writing her own material is vital to her but having control of her art is even more important.

Inspired by strong female role models like Madonna and Patti Smith, she decided to start her own Dirty World label

She said: "We don't make disposable music for a disposable time.

"We want it stand the test of time and still sound good in 20 years."

With their debut single Nothing Really Matters released on Monday, they have already been confirmed for the Carling Leeds Festival.

But it's coming as little surprise to the group that the enthusiastic audiences are embracing their ideals.

Harry said: " Everywhere we go the kids want rock.

"They've been force-fed pop for to long and now they're reacting against it."