Recently the Scottish music scene has exploded with a barrage of great sounding bands and artists that have shot to success at the top of the U.K charts. Looking at the quality of the bands behind the front-runners, I would say it’s a scene here to stay!

The Kick, certainly kick they can be found in the Glasgow area and they sound incredibly fresh, after listening to the four songs on their Myspace page I’m hooked, especially on a song called ‘Lights Out’.

Addictive! That’s what this track is, like Pringles mixed with crack! It’s a must listen and you'll want to hear it again and again. God Damn Breeder! is one of those catchy tracks that'll stay in your head and you won't be able to get rid of it, the reason for this is that it's a solid track with good rifts and sing-along lyrics.

If I could some up this song in just two words, they would be ‘kick ass!' The band set about causing an explosion from the start with a breakneck speed that makes you want to jump around like a loon. Really good vibe, I can imagine the atmosphere at any of their gigs is electric from the start.

All the King's Men are a Manchester born and bred band that write songs for Manchester about Manchester and they do it well, very well in fact. There are hundreds upon hundreds of Manc bands out there doing their own thing, and there are hundreds upon hundreds of bands who copy the Manc sound with some effect. But All the King's Men manage to redevelop the Manchester sound into their own form to produce something a bit different.

Well it's a new year, which means more cold mornings, a rubbish summer, another disappointing birthday and more car tax to pay. But a new year also means a new sound. Every year brings a few bands that define the year with original and new sounds. Well the Gin Riots have that new sound, if they were a fruit they'd now be ripening up just in time for the summer.

Straight into 2008 comes King Furnace with another shed load of quality tracks! These guys have hit the studio, and they've hit it hard delivering some fresh tacks that smash out of the speakers and right down your ear canal. King Furnace sound as though they've evolved and grown as a band and are now getting to the top of their game. Although I love the old tracks a lot, there is something a bit more energetic about the new tracks, which will be whipping crowds up into frenzies at their shows this summer.

In 1991 people in my area dropped their glow sticks, ripped off their raving gear and dawned longer hair, scruffy jeans and chequered shirts, the reason? Nirvana! Kurt Cobain and the album Nevermind changed music and the way people were. Suddenly grunge was the best thing since sliced bread, and it was the way forward. Everyone had a shot at it but Nirvana were the bollocks! But like all good things it came to an end in 1994 with the death of Cobain. Although many bands tried the spirit was never really there, the ruggedness had gone and it seemed bands were just trying to copy but failing.

Coming straight from the Dales of Yorkshire (well not quite the Dales), come a fresh new band 'hey! Panda'. This is a young band that describes their music as dance punk. One thing I got to say straight away, this band is mental! There's loads of craziness running through the veins of their songs and also a lot of talent. Their sound is quite literally mind stopping stuff, its confusing, its hard to understand until you get taken away inside it and spat out the other end. hey! Panda sort of reminds me of watching a David Bowie concert from the 1970's (on T.V I'm not that old!) lots of energy, arms legs and spit everywhere in a chaotic mess that's absolutely amazing.

Ireland has always had a lot to offer musically with massive bands and massive anthems (usually drinking anthems!). But in 2008 Irish music belongs to ‘The Beat Poets' no doubt! This is a band that formed in 2005 and in just 3 years has rocketed to success beyond belief. They're sound is totally refined, its perfect, if they were engine oil they'd be Castrol GTX!

KunK, what a name for a band! And what a band they are! If you love heavy guitars, up-tempo beats and in your face lyrics, KunK are the band for you. This band rock and they rock out hard; every track from start to finish is straight in there, no messing around just pure quality.

The word Operahouse reminds me straight away of the many nights spent in a night club in Boscombe many memories, but this isn't about blurry nights gurning, this time Operahouse is all about a great band who are snowballing to massive success, gaining momentum all the way. The 1st thing that really strikes me about this band is the song writing ability, especially the lyrics to their tracks. Every song is full of intelligence and a certain charisma not seen from any band in a long time. Musically these guys are very tight and their professionalism shines through each track.

Guns on the Roof are a young and established band who are based in Leeds, so already they are in my good books. LEEDS! PRIDE OF THE NORTH! I'm sure some may disagree? Anyway this band are pure punk, they have the guts and the 'tude' the image is all there and their music, well just listen for yourself, this band is refined!

The Arkanes are an up and coming UK band with great potential, although they have really just started out since forming in 2006 they already hold an extensive fan base and are soon to tour the UK from Liverpool to London! Their style is unique and the band ooze eccentric energy levels that can be felt within their songs. Tracks like Sick Elixirs and Timebomb get at you from the start with heavy guitars and an up tempo beat, it's pick you up music that gets you ready for action.