BLEEDING HEARTS, a Ledbury based fiddle-driven punk folk anarchy band just home from touring Canada, strut their stuff tonight (Friday) in Worcester's Marr's Bar.

So far, the band's political persuasions have been virulent enough to frighten off any interested record labels but last year they financed their own CD recording called Fly in the Face of Fashion.

Lead singer Steve Brown said: "The whole concept of the album - which starts off with loads of samples through the chronological history of major events of the 20th century, including the First World War, depression, Second World War and H bomb, is about how the corporate machine began and grew to become a huge global empire.

"On our album cover in the eyes of a 3D blowfly are logos of all the major companies that we think are not necessarily the most ethically sound in terms of animal rights issues and the employment of Third World children. As a result record companies thought they were going to get their bottoms sued off although most people have found it quite positive."

The album has sold through independent record shops, online distribution companies and at Levellers gigs, who the Bleeding Hearts supported for their forest festival dates this summer.

The band has also done several tours in Germany and Austria, where its name, chosen to imply the band members' bleeding heart liberalism, is interpreted graphically.

"That's led to a few interesting moments," Steve said.

As well as waxing political, the band's lyrics feature chocolate, girls, growing up and funny people they meet.

Steve said: "At the end of the day we are like a good time folk rock band."

Prior to joining together, Birmingham-born Steve played solo in folk clubs, "blowing their minds with aggressive folk stuff", fiddler Nick Gibbs was a member of Bristol-based folk band Clover, drummer Gaz Hunt toured America with his Cheltenham band and Gel Newey played with Brummie group Pressed Darlings.

After forming Bleeding Hearts in 1996, they moved their base to Ledbury with Steve three years ago.

"I had enough of the city," he said. "I had a look round Hereford and Ledbury and thought it was ideal. It's such a great place to live."

Doors open at the Marr's Bar at 8pm and tickets are £5.