TWO Hampshire bands are featuring in the regional top ten in a nationwide contest to find the best local band in the land.

Local Heroes, being run by the Daily Echo's parent company Newsquest, uses the power of the Web to get fans to vote for their favourite bands.

But Me No Buts are based in Winchester and Southampton and are currently second in the chart.

Formed by current band members Mr Wag and Jay on the back of a skacore band, But Me No Buts have faced several line-up changes.

Having been described as "what system of a down would sound like if they were a punk band", "melodic with plenty of energy" and "a blistering wall of energy" But Me No Buts have started turning heads.

Sitting at number nine are The Arcades, a great indie rock band from Southamp-ton.

Adam Roe (vox, acoustic) and Jonny Evans (bass) lived in halls together at university. They began to jam on songs which Adam had written and soon began to look for a lead guitarist and a drummer to complete the outfit.

Compared as a band to Idlewild, U2 and even The Cure, the vocals have been likened to those of Morrissey.

The rhythm guitar plays hooky, interesting chord inversions whilst the lead blasts through with riff driven, blues inspired sound with a punch, although the songs are varied in their style.

The bass and drums provide a solid backbone to the band with funk lines and fresh beats.

The Arcades have played a host of gigs in Southampton, Bournemouth, London and Leeds.

Voting ends at midnight on June 30.

To listen to the best local bands have to offer visit www. lheroes.com