BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

Under their original name, Jeff Killed John, the Bullets, formed in 1999 while studying music at Bridgend College in Wales, started out as a Nirvana and Metallica covers band. After a 2002 EP the band lost direction with their aimless, identikit nu-metal and then their bassist quit. The band, consisting of childhood friends Matthew Tuck (vocals), Michael Padget (guitars) and Michael Thomas (drums), rethought their strategy, worked on their sound, hired a new bassist and crucially, got rid of the rubbish name. Bullet For My Valentine were reborn with a London showcase in 2004 which attracted the attention of Sony Records who offered the band a five album deal. Their debut album, The Poison, appeared in October 2005, a testament to the old adage, never say die. "We've matured a lot," says Tuck. What doesn't kill you eh?