THE band 12 Dirty Bullets are putting Hillingdon on the musical map as they steamroll through their second US tour.

Many British musical acts fail to go on one successful tour of the US, let alone two, but this four-piece was different from the beginning.

Lead singer Jamie Jamieson wanted the band to make its own way.

“People were wanting us to change things, like image and lyrics, in order to be more commercially viable. I refused and I wouldn’t change things unless I wanted to,” said Jamie.

This ploy clearly put the band in good stead when it came to an industry, notoriously difficult to get into.

The singer is keen to give advice to young bands, based on his own rise.

“In my experience it would be not to sign anything!” he insisted. “And get out and play on tour. It’s a big world. You’ll be surprised how much music actually means to people when you do.”

Curiously, Jamie admits it was not always his dream to play live.

He said: “I didn’t actually want to be in a band. I just used to like writing songs. Things happen over time slowly, and you just try and build on it.”

Some five years ago, the band formed for a Battle of the Bands night at the now defunct Wembley Rugby Club.

Jamie reminisces about the night for which many of the band members’ mates turned up to support.

The debut was awful, he said. However, he is quick to point out that 12 Dirty Bullets have come along way since.

Last month, 12 Dirty Bullets released their latest single, Motown, to follow up their debut album, Downsides To Make A Living, which led music critics to draw comparisons with Sheffield band, Arctic Monkeys.

Unsurprisingly, this is one comparison that Jamie does not seem to care too much about.

He says Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys’ lead singer) is one of his favourite songwriters.

So what does the future hold for 12 Dirty Bullets once they have returned from their two-month US tour?

Jamie reassures borough people they will not be returning to any riotous “welcome home” parties.

“I think people they’re probably happy to get rid of us for a while, driving them all mad with gigs everywhere!” he said.

“When we get back, we go on tour in Europe and the UK. The next London date is at Koko in Camden for a Christmas show on December 16, which we're looking forward to.”