Young band's covers recognised by rock band Shinedown and My Chemical Romance’s Frank Ireo

A young West Berkshire band has struck a chord with rock and roll giants Shinedown and My Chemical Romance.

Beyond the Sons comprises of five boys aged between 12 and 14 – lead vocalist Hector, 12, lead guitarist Jake, 12, rhythm guitarist Ethan, 12, bass guitarist Hayden, 14, and drummer Albert, 13.

Following lockdown delays the boys have managed to get into the recording studio and get back to work with their first gig in the calendar too.

They recorded two cover songs in recent months and both were quickly praised by the covered artists.

American metal band Shinedown retweeted a Beyond the Sons cover of their 2007 song ‘Sound of Madness’, on April 6, calling the young musicians’ work “beyond incredible”.

Within the same week, the rhythm guitarist from early 2000's alternative band My Chemical Romance applauded the band’s cover of their song ‘Famous Last Words’.

Frank Iero called the boys' cover of their 2006 song ‘rad’ on Twitter on April 9.

Managing director of Let’s Play Rock Leo Westby expressed high hopes for the band that he brought together and likened them to their predecessors The Mini Band.

He said: “Because of lockdown the boys kept having to stop but it was lucky that they kept their enthusiasm and kept going through those tough times."

Speaking about the Shinedown cover song, he said: “We wanted to do something that shows people they’re not a typical kids band or teenage band, they sound like a top professional adult band.

"They’re as good as it gets.”

Mr Westby added: “We’re really proud of the first songs they recorded. It’s quite a nerve wracking experience but they’ve blown away the recording studio, with people saying ‘we can’t believe it’s your first recording’. It’s incredible.”

He praised their professionalism and confidence, commenting on “natural” Hector’s energy in the music video.

He said: “The results from the music video were great. It came to life for the cameras.

“Mark, doing the filming, said give it a go, just go for it and he just did.

“It was brilliant, we were like wow what a frontman.

“We didn’t assume that before and neither did he. He surprised himself.”

The band did just two takes filming, one for each song. Mr Westby called it “point and go” with no planning or second takes.

“It was the quickest video done in history, we closed in an hour. It was quite fun,” he said.

The boys are now preparing themselves for the future with their first gig, in Cold Ash, on the way. Mr Westby said that while they may be nervous to start off with, once they get on stage they will just go with it.

“This is what they want to do,” he noted. “I don’t think live playing is going to be an issue. Once they start playing I think they’ll just go with it. They’re so desperate for it, it’s a great experience.”

Beyond the Sons are due to play at the Acland Hall in Cold Ash on June 4.