DISCOVERING a new band is always exciting and you just want to share it with everyone else.

That happened to me on a special family holiday we had over in Canada in the summer of 2005.

I'd switched on the local television news just as The Trews unleashed So She's Leaving, a song from the Toronto-based band's Den of Thieves album, which had just been released.

It was an absolute knockout.

The day after, me and my cousin Mark went down to the massive Sam the Record Man store downtown on Yonge Street and bought the album.

We loved it and when we got home I sent an email to the band loaded with praise for their music.

Low and a behold some 12 months or so on the band's manager Larry Wanagas, at Bumstead Productions, dropped me a line to say the lads were on their way to British shores and Den of Thieves was due for a UK release.

The band - Colin MacDonald, vocals and rhythm guitar; his brother John-Angus MacDonald on lead guitar; bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Sean Dalton (they all help out on backing vocals) - have notched up a reputation for their live performances and hard graft across their homeland.

Along the way they've shared the stage with the likes of Evanescence and Nickelback and constant gigging has paid off with a sound as tight as one of JA's guitar strings.

The production values on Den of Thieves are top quality and it was no surprise to hear that Grammy Award-winning Jack Douglas was the guy at the sound desk.

Jack's worked with Aerosmith, New York Dolls and John Lennon and has really captured the magic of The Trews legendary live shows.

Fire Up Ahead opens The Trews' Den of Thieves, blazing a trail for a 15-track, mix of music from riff city, hard-edged rock to more melodic sounds tinged with harmonica, strings, even a bit of banjo.

Cry is a gutsy no nonsense riff Jimmy Page would be chuffed with, laced with horns, which gives it a awesome, big band feel. Sweetness is another riff-laden beauty with terrific vocals, orchestration and a great hook.

I Can't Say is a Hollywood film soundtrack if I ever did heard one.

Colin is at the top of his game. His vocals building from a husky whisper over gentle piano to a thundering tune that'll have you humming all day and a guitar solo to match.

So She's Leaving is raunchy rock and roll at its best and the pace slows somewhat in Yearning, showcasing once again the guys' superb vocal range and versatility.

Meanwhile, Poor ol Broken Hearted Me has a neat percussive cow bell intro alongside funky guitar six-string legend Joe Walsh would tip his hat to.

With a pot full of polished and cleverly constructed songs they've the talent to have Nickelback's Chad Kroeger looking over his shoulder.

For me, Mr Kroeger has one of the finest and most distinctive voices in rock, and fellow countryman Trews singer Colin ain't far behind.

There's a lot of good music coming from both sides of the Atlantic.

However, every now and then, something exceptional comes along and with people like Jack Douglas giving a helping hand The Trews are a potent musical force.

If they have the staying power, they have the potential to go all the way.

Den of Thieves is released on Cadiz Pinnacle on April 27 and has already gone gold in Canada and spawned three top ten singles, including a number one with Yearning.

I'll publish the UK concert dates when they are finalised.