Followers of Oxford's music scene have known it for some time, but now the secret is well and truly out.

Oxfordshire noise-mongers Winnebago Deal are the future of rock. The band -- two cool-looking fellas in their 20s, both called Ben -- have captured the eardrums of the nation with their high-octane riffage, pounding rhythms and often terrifying vocals.

After touring for months -- with 120 shows since last March -- Winnebago Deal now count both Fugazi and Burning Brides among their fans, and were also special guests of Blood Brothers and Kinesis.

After their hugely successful European tour with Nebula before Christmas, 'the Deal' have kicked off a national tour, which started at London's Camden Palace.

Local fans will have to wait until February 14 for a taste of the Deal's compulsive live performance, when they play the Zodiac.

The last night of the tour will be at London's Underworld on February 18. The band are in Fortress Studios with Dan Swift recording their follow-up EP to last year's Plata O Plomo. The EP, which goes by the working title of George Dickle, is set to be released in March.

Expect the band's debut full length album in June.