York-based band Beyond All Reason have come a long way from their jamming sessions at school.

Acquiring the approval of Zane Lowe and Mary Anne Hobbs on Radio 1 - as well as Jo Whiley - is just a short introduction of a long list of admirers.

BAR have built themselves an impressive repertoire from their 2003 EP release The Line We Draw Between, to their 2005 album Words of Betrayal. Their sound has been described as part early Lostprophets, part Funeral for a Friend (amongst others) and bizarrely Justin Hawkins!

But lead singer Venno’s voice is purely unique and certainly makes you sit up and listen. Of course this isn’t just a one-man show. Venno is backed up by three other talented souls.

So here’s an insight into how it all began and what the future holds for the modest Yorkshire rockers…

How about a little introduction?
    "We are Beyond All Reason from York. Paul Ventress (24) plays guitar and sings lead vocals, Russ Hampshire (23) plays guitar, Mike Langley (22) plays drums and Nick Hutson (21) plays Bass guitar."

Where did it all start?
Nick - "It all started over 10 years ago when Mike and Venno started jamming together at school. They stole Russ from another York band as they realised the potential in his guitar playing.
    "Then one day they decided their bass player was not fully committed so they came and knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to be in the band.
    "It was a hard choice for me because I was already in a band at the time with some very good mates and didn't want to let them down but in the end decided it was what I had to do. Since then we have all become best friends."

How would you describe your sound?
    "80's influenced modern rock! A lot of bands out there are just churning out the same old shit so we have tried to do something different to separate us from the crowd. Venno's voice being the main factor!"

Have there been any bands or artists that have influenced you?
    "We all have loads of influences but mainly anything which has a decent riff and catchy melody. Our main influences are 80's metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Skid Row and Def Leppard amongst others.
    "But we also listen to a lot of other stuff like country music which plays a big part in Venno's life as he writes his own acoustic country songs. Artists such as Ryan Adams (not Bryan) and Bob Dylan are a huge influence to us all.
    "We also love bands such as Coheed and Cambria, Killswitch Engage, Atreyu...the list goes on."

How did your first album come about?
    "We recorded and produced the album by ourselves in a dingy little shed with no running water or proper heating. It was a huge learning curve for all of us. The outcome was a lot better than we had anticipated! At the moment our album is available from HMV and Virgin throughout the UK but it is on a label we set up ourselves with no outside help."

What did you have to do to get your own label started?
    "The first thing we had to do was find a manager. It was lucky really because we were recording some demos one day and this guy walked in and couldn't believe how good Venno's voice was, so asked if he could manage us.
    "Since then he has handled most things associated with setting up a label, most importantly getting us a distribution deal with Vital, who are the largest independent distribution company in the UK.
    "Once you have registered your record label and have a distribution company who can get your album into the shops, you’re sorted.
    "Now all we need is a bigger record label to come and help us out with finances so that we can produce a better quality second album."

What's happening for you guys at the moment?
    "We’re playing Download festival and hopefully Leeds/Reading festival. We will also have a new album out next year if all goes to plan if we get time to do it between touring. We have several major record labels interested at the moment and we are currently negotiating with them."

Where's the best place you have performed?
    "That has to be the London Electric Ballroom when we supported Coheed and Cambria on their UK tour. We played to 1200 people and they all went mad for it."

Have you got any advice for other up and coming bands?
    "My advice is to get some songs recorded, and then send them to as many people as possible. MySpace is an excellent tool for marketing your music as anyone in the world with Internet access can log on and listen to your songs within 2 minutes of switching their PC on.