Pleasant surprise through the letterbox from Monster Jaw

SOMETIMES the postman delivers pleasant surprises rather than bills and junk mail - and when unsigned Monster Jaw's three track ep dropped on to the doormat we confess we weren't expecting much, after all unsigned is not always a portent of undiscovered talent.

But this three-piece post-punk act from the Yorkshire towns of Leeds and Bradford have produced three songs that are engaging and catchy.

Our interest was sparked by the trios support slots for Belfast punk legends SLF, and a recent slot on the BBC. And the interest proved justified.

Opening with the grunge like track 'Get a Tattoo' frontman Mik Davis keeps it all downbeat but engaging, in a song worthy of more than one listen.

The glory days of the early 80s punk from the likes of Buzzcocks and early Boomtown Rats are captured in the defiance of 'We Don't Care About Anything' with bassist Neil Short and drummer John Bradford tight behind Davis in this sparky track that clocks in at less than two minutes.

There is an inevitable comparison with Ash on closer 'Summer Girl', but that comparison belies the catchy piece of pop punk that is contained in this track.

Produced by Wes Maebe overall this is an enjoyable three tracker which shows that there are still musicians who defy the people who want to just put music in boxes for marketing.