The first is that the average age of the band is 17, which is not what you'd guess from the band's weight of sound and maturity of material. The second is that this is a proper rock band from Liverpool, a city best known of late for cosmic Scousers and their associated indie pop. It's as if every other band in the city got bogged down in Revolver and bongs while Black Diamond headed straight to Helter Skelter and cranked up the volume.

Playing live is key to Black Diamond. Rock bands - as all true fans of the genre know - can't fake it, and driven on by the lead guitars and searing vocals, this band bang it out so heavy live that local bands have refused to go on after them. No wonder the Diamond are snaffling up the very best of Liverpool's support slots, including The Struts, Natives, William Control, Natural Child, Kobra and the Lotus at venues like O2 Academy, Parr Street, EVAC, Jacaranda and the legendary Zanzibar.

So what's next for Black Diamond? An album is in the pipeline. There's a national tour coming later this year. There is already record label interest, with key execs twitching excitedly at the possibility - at last - of having a northern rock band that can occupy and own the space once frequented by the Gallaghers. And yes, before the old fella starts mouthing off, we can confirm that this band are proper lads. The real deal. Which is why they are going all the way.