A BAND, based largely in Suffolk, have rocketed to the top of the charts with their version of a well known classic.

A BAND, based largely in Suffolk, have rocketed to the top of the charts with their version of a well known classic.

Songs From the Blue House have been climbing the Fab 40 chart for the last eight weeks on the Big L radio station - formerly Radio London.

The acoustic ensemble's hugely popular cover of Blue Oyster Cult's '(Don't Fear) The Reaper' entered the station's independent chart at number 33 in July.

Since then the band, based mainly in Ipswich with a few members of the band now residing in Essex, have steadily earned more airplay, charting at number three last week and leaving some internationally renowned artists trailing in their wake.

The song is the track of choice for many of the DJs on the station, including the legendary Mike Read, and the band are seeing their name above the likes of the Fratellis, Cliff Richard and The Feeling.

Their sound is described by singer and flautist, Helen Mulley, as bluegrassy, sort of folky, a bit country but still nodding to pop and even punk at times.

She said: “The song is the only cover we do and there is more of a bluegrass folk feel to our version but it still has that recognisable sound.

“There is a peculiar thrill when people of a certain age hear someone like Mike Read playing their music.”

The introduction of instruments like the banjo, flute and fiddle gives an intriguing new twist to the classic rock song, without losing the familiar sound of the original.

You can find out more about the band at www.songsfromthebluehouse.com.