One year I got a guitar for my birthday, even though I didn't ask for it. A couple of years later I picked it out of the cupboard and asked Matthew if he wanted to buy a drum kit.

Artist Name: Untold

Genre: Hard Rock / Heavy Grunge

Covers or Originals: Originals

Website: www.myspace.com/untoldrock

Who's in the band?

Ian Messenger - lead vocals and guitar

James Golder - backing vocals and rhythm guitar

Toby Whittington - bass guitar

Matthew Golder - drummer

When and how did it all start?

Ian - One year I got a guitar for my birthday, even though I didn't ask for it. A couple of years later I picked it out of the cupboard and asked Matthew if he wanted to buy a drum kit.

Since 2003 we have been through a lot of rhythm and bass players, but we've got our best ever line-up now.

How did you decide on your name?

We've been through a few names, including Venom, Venome and Bad Luk, before deciding that we wanted a more serious name. We're an unsigned band making new music in the local area, so came up with the catchy name Untold, like the untold music.

What was your first gig?

Our first gig was at The Brewery Tap in June 2004 supporting Another Shade of Black, who are now Goodbye to Midnight.

It was nerve wracking but brilliant. All of our mates and family were there. We just love performing now and can't wait to get on stage.

What band is your biggest influence?

We've always written music from the start, as lots of local bands do covers and wanted to do something else. We have a collaborative approach to writings our songs and throw in everything from Nickelback and Metallica to Foo Fighters and The Beatles.

Have you released any EPs or albums?

We released the EP Imprisonment in 2008 and are hoping to follow that up. We have settled on an album, but will probably do a six-track EP first this summer.

What's the best gig you've ever done?

Probably Zen night club in Great Yarmouth. It was absolutely packed and you couldn't even move downstairs. It's one of the best we've ever sounded.

Also, when we supported Speed Therapy at Haverhill Arts Centre was really good. There was professional lighting and sound and we had are own dressing room.

What's your favourite song to perform?

The crowd favourite has to be Imprisonment as our fans know all the lyrics. My favourite to play is These Only Bribes. It's got nice melodies, catchy drums and the lyrics are based on my brother who's been in Afghanistan.

Matthew - My favourite is Back to Black. I love drumming to that.

Where is your next gig?

The Flying Dutchman on June 13.

If you could support any band in the world, who would it be?

Probably the Foo Fighters as Dave Grohl is a huge influence.

Ian - I'd love to have supported Metallica back in the late 80s, but today it would be Nickelback.

What would be your dream venue to perform?

Wembley Stadium or the O2 Arena would be great. We'd love to do an area tour across the UK.

What are your hopes for the future?

We're writing new material and practising our show as we start looking further afield. Blondie Promotion have helped spread our name in the US and our future could be there as this type of music has a lot of more success over there.

Your band summed up in three words:

Powerful, charismatic, modest

If you are a local band or singer-songwriter and want to be profiled in Sounds of the East Coast, email richard.wood@archant.co.uk or call 01502 525834.