HEREFORDSHIRE band Crowsaw, who will play the Hard Rock Hell Blues Festival in Hafan Y Mor, North Wales this weekend, formed in 2010, and count Hendrix, Gallagher and Bonamassa among their influences.

Initially a rock covers band, the band soon set its sights on more blues influenced music, developing a sound with an edge that sets them apart from the crowd, mixing up their own music with classics by Rory Gallagher, Hendrix, ZZ Top, Cream and many more.

Crowsaw won their place, one of six, on the Hard Rock Hell line-up, supporting the legendary Dr Feelgood, by seeing off competition from 800 bands in the Highway to Hell heats in Glasgow last year.

Founded by Rob Lomax from Grosmont, the line-up also includes Glynn Mason and drummer Elvin Robinson.

It's shaping up to be a busy year for Crowsaw, who have already toured with Uli Jon Roth and Skinny Molly, as they release their debut album, Smoke and Feathers, recorded with Mark Pullin, who's previously worked with Ten Years After.

Rob, who's been playing since he was a teenager, reveals the band's ambitions: "Ultimately we'd like to crack the European blues rock circuit, and we're hoping to pick up a support tour for later in the year."

Smoke and Feathers is available as a digital download at crowsaw.comor for a physical copy, message the band on the website, or via their facebook or twitter pages.