If you've been watching the sad procession of bands on Channel 4's Sunday afternoon Mobile Unsigned with Alex Zane you'll have seen one act stand out; and the camera panning across Jo Whiley, Alex James and company all mouthing "Wow". That would be Hijak Oscar, then. Named after the band on a doomed riverboat and mashing Tom Waits with Floyd, and Son House with The Who, this six-piece is completely original; utterly compelling and when they're flipping huge in 2008 you can say you were on 'em first here.
York's 7-piece answer to Brian Wilson's imagination gently developing in the hands and harmonica of Tim Fox. A sound of sex, soul and searing imagination with an arsenal of instruments including sax, mandolin, banjo, slide, piano and, of course, guitars - electric and acoustic . Tim's 'born in the wrong era' blues vocals and Emma's collar-grabbing voice top off a delicate, harmonious and impassioned performance all dressed up Tarantino-stylee. Is there something special happening here? We think so ...