MARTINI Henry Rifles have been thrown out of strip joints for touching up the ladies and hailed as the saviours of Welsh rock.

They are everything a bad-ass rock'n'roll band should be: fearsome, dangerous to know, and wildly talented.

It's been a long time since a band sounded so fresh and prone to outbursts of genius.

Next week the three-piece is in TJ's, Newport as part of their most extensive UK tour to date.

They're pushing a new single - Slash The Seats (Culprit One Remixes) - out on Monday, February 14.

It's the fourth single from the band's groundbreaking debut album, SuperBastard, which was released to much acclaim at the end of last year.

As well as the distorted drum-machine-fuelled art-punk of the band, there's the work of electronic artist Culprit One.

Slash The Seats (Wrong Side Of A Messerschmitt) keeps both the verse-chorus-verse form and the blistering beats per minute of the original.

Culprit One then builds his own production around the rage, enhancing the danceability of the track.

It's electrified gold and will hopefully see Martini Henry Rifles get beyond that 'hopeful yokels' tag that can down a band down like a noose. The remix fits well into the Martini Henry Rifle world, which is all 3D specs and B- movie aesthetics.

Born in South Wales garage, the band has steered its searing punk towards a richer, more produced sound, and with Culprit One they're akin even to DJ Shadow.

The mix masterpieces of the likes of Kid606 have also played a part in forming the Martini vibe.

Thankfully, however, the band is still one foot and two toes on this side of rock with dance leanings.

Martini Henry Rifles play TJ's, Newport, on Tuesday, February 15. Dial 01633 for tickets. Surf to www.martinihenryrifles.com or www.culpritone.com for more info.