FEMALE rock trio, The Amorettes can justifiably hold their own in the male-dominated world of Hard Rock. With a new album released earlier this year and a gig at The Joiners in Southampton tonight, the band are definitely one to watch.

The heavily male saturated world of heavy rock has seen its fair share of all female hard and heavy bands over the years, the Runaways, Girlschool, and She, now you can add the Amorettes to the list of female rockers who can put many of their male counterparts to shame.

Formed in March 2009 , when vocalist/guitarist Gill Montgomery met a kindred spirit in drummer Hannah McKay at Stevenson College in Edinburgh, the girls eventually became a trio with the addition of McKay’s sister Heather joining on bass guitar.

Releasing their debut album Haulin’ Ass in 2010, the band soon found some heavyweight support from the rock fraternity. With the release of their third album, White Hot Heat earlier this year and a growing live reputation the Amorettes are justifiably taking their place amongst hard rock's elite.

This meteoric rise has been hard earned by the band and is even more surprising when you realise that lead guitarist and vocalist Montgomery is deep down a very quiet and shy girl from the borders.

“I am a very shy person and I do suffer from stage fright as well, so it’s a bit strange that I front a hard rock band, playing in front of loads of people, for me it is very personal, I didn’t realise that being up on stage would feel very exposed," she laughs.

Listing to White Hot Heat with its hard rock riffs and strong vocals you would never know that the vocalist is a reserved wallflower. This band kicks donkey, and that’s just on record. The live arena is where the Amorettes take no prisoners, a high-octane performance every time is winning over more and more fans. It’s a credit to the girl's obvious passion for playing live that is going a long way to establishing them as a force to be reckoned with.

“After our first tour with Europe and Black Star Riders, it felt so natural, like it was always what I was meant to do. Touring for me is what its all about, I love the travelling being in new venues, meeting new people, the adrenaline of the whole thing lasts for weeks. When I come home after a tour it's all a bit strange “ says Montgomery

For someone who, by her own admission bought The Velvet Underground's Loaded as her first LP and saw Bon Jovi as her first ever concert, Montgomery and the band know what they want when it comes to their own sound. With heavyweight support from the likes of Europe’s Joey Tempest, and The Blackstar Riders, Ricky Warwick, the Amorettes have, with White Hot Heat not only found their sound but it's one that many others will follow.

RICHARD BENNETT