I had the pleasure of trading a few questions with Paul Stead of Sacred Heart recently as they prepare for their appearance at the Cambridge Rock Festival in Huntingdon, UK. Here is a reminder of what I said about their latest album before we get to the questions.

Sacred Heart: Shake

Paul Stead and company are back with their second full length release. All the elements that were there on their debut are here with far better production. Paul's Jani Lane fixation is still on show, with his propensity to hold the notes longer than one thought possible. All in all it's still good solid hard rock with a twist of English sensibilities.

The band continues to grow and is even tighter than they were on their last release. As someone who has seen the band live many times, it pains me to think that their live sound still has not been captured just yet. The title track will put a smile on your face and remind you why you like hard rock in the first place. Paul and the guys can deliver tracks with copious amounts of feeling whether it's a pop track like "Natali" and ballads like the uber "Maybe." This album has a wide variety of styles of hard rock/pop rock, but it all gels with the quality playing of the band.

Get these guys into a residential studio and wrench every bit of talent out of the lads. Shake is a good album, but this lot have the potential to make something very special. Oh yeah and if you get the chance go see the buggers live... you won't regret it. A nice collection of quality rock tracks which is always welcome one has to admit. British AOR new breed can compete with their continental counterparts: Burn and Sacred Heart are leading the way.

Those that have heard you, including me, have their ideas of who you were influenced by...who do you believe you were influenced by?

Well, I'd have to say the rock elements are quite apparent, Europe (1987 era), Whitesnake, Warrant, Nickelback - although I truly don't believe we're a carbon copy of any of those and have a sound of our own.

This could be because when I'm songwriting I also let other influences in, from pop music to country, and many other styles.

I've always said SH are a pop band - set to a rock backing!

Describe to those who have not heard you yet what you sound like and who?

Well, again - I don't think we sound like anyone in particular, but if you're a fan of good old fashioned fun, upbeat, sing-a-long hard rock 'n' roll, give us a listen!

How did all of you get into music and when did you start playing?

Claudio has been playing the shortest time - although the oldest, and it was classic metal, like Sabbath, Purple etc that encouraged his interest. Darren, Mark & I are basically all late 80's rock fans - that's certainly what made me wanna pick up a guitar.