THEY only met and formed last year, but the Droppers Neck have already released a debut EP, won themselves a place in Essex contest the MMG Battle of the Bands and scooped up a substantial following.
With their powerhouse rock sound, it should be a busy night at Chinnerys, in Southend, on Friday.
Lead guitarist Chris Blake says: “We formed in 2011, so we’ve only been together for a short amount of time. But we’ve built up a really good following already.
“It is a rock sound. We’ve been compared to Queens of the Stone Age, things like that.”
The band’s creative chemistry wasn’t build on longlasting friendships, but after recruiting the rest of the members, they found they just clicked musically.
Chris and his fellow band members, singer Lloyd Mathews, drummer Danny Keene, bass player Martin Huggett and guitarist George Barrows, didn’t know each other before forming the band,
However, they all had similar aims and ambitious for the outfit.
“It’s weird how it all came together really,” says Chris. “I met one of the guys and he knew someone else. We advertised for a singer and found him through that but it all came together and within two to three weeks we were really strong.
“It was really all meant to be. As soon as we all got together and started writing songs, we started writing and recording an EP.”
The band have already lined up top producer Paul Tipler, who’s worked with names including, Idlewild, Placebo, pop stars Atomic Kitten and Canvey legends Dr Feelgood to work on their first full-length album, so they’re hoping it will break them on to the scene when it’s ready for release.
“It’s really positive,” says Chris. “I think the quality we’re going to get from Paul  is going to be beneficial. From that we’re hoping to get a record deal or a bit more exposure at least.”
The band members come from Southend, Rayleigh and Stanford-le-Hope. As well as the Chinnerys gig, they are looking forward to playing a big gig the very next day, on Saturday,  when they appear at the Judge and Jury, in Colchester, for the MMG Battle of the Bands county final.
The Droppers Neck play at Chinnerys in Marine Parade, with Cavalry Scars, the Peppermint Apes and Disposable Heroes. Entry is £3.
They’ll face a challenge the following day when they take on fellow south Essex rockers Rough Divide and Mercury Rising, as well as north Essex outfits Vardo and the Boss and metalcore five-piece Seasons Collide.
The overall winner of  MMG Battle of the Bands will get recording time in the studio, instrument vouchers and a development package.
Doors to the Judge and Jury, St Botolphs Circus, Colchester, open at 7.30pm and entry is £7.