EVERY rock band hopes for a good review from the critics - but one music journalist took things a step further when he set eyes on a Suffolk group.

EVERY rock band hopes for a good review from the critics - but one music journalist took things a step further when he set eyes on a Suffolk group.

Mark Beaumont, who writes for the New Musical Express (NME) and the Guardian, was so impressed by Prego he started a record label just to put out their next single.

The indie-rock band, fronted by Woodbridge-raised Edd Simpson, have been touted as one of the country's hottest prospects by the music press and have released two critically-acclaimed singles.

And their growing reputation was given a boost after Beaumont saw them play live at a club night he put on in Camden.

Edd, 27 said: “It's a lovely thing to do and we're thrilled. It isn't easy to get people to listen to your stuff in the first place, especially within the industry, so to get this sort of interest is fantastic.”

The label, Year Zero Recordings, will release the download-only single, The Longest Calm, on April 13.

Mr Beaumont said: “I have no major label backing, no money for a full album campaign and not much interest in running a record label at all to be honest, so Year Zero Recordings - named after the club night I saw them play at - has been founded and is planned to exist solely for this one single release, and then be retired.”

Edd, a former Framlingham College pupil, formed Prego in 2005 and the current line-up features bassist Caspar Williamson, from Aldeburgh, and guitarist Simon Britcliffe, from Saxmundham.

Musical success is nothing new to Edd's family. His younger brother Charlie found fame with pop band Busted before going on to form rock group Fightstar, while his elder brother Will is preparing to release his third album with his band Brigade.

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