Wolverhampton unsigned band Mistrusted want you to believe in their gig tonight

But despite taking the word as their band’s name, Mistrusted want people to believe in one thing – that they’re here to make strong, loud music.

The grunge rockers from Wolverhampton have been working together in a few forms since 2012, when vocalist and lead guitarist Ken Sutera Jr and bassist and backing vocalist Ed Morton first met through a mutual acquaintance.

And Ken, aged 44, from Bilston and training for a new career, says it was when they met drummer Kal Bahia two years later that things really took off and Mistrusted knew they were on to something.

And despite his quieter outlook on life, Kal really packed a punch when it came to his drumming.

“Ed and mef were initially introduced by mutual acquaintance in 2012,” Ken tells the Star. “We went through various permutations of an embryonic line-up before settling on our definitive and present one with the inclusion of Kal on drums in late 2014.

“I’d already been writing some songs but we quickly started gelling musically so that as well as me and Ed, Kal also felt sufficiently inspired to contribute beats, melodies and lyrical input to the material. Kal had never been in a band before. He’s actually a pacifist so we were surprised at the aggression with which he plays the drums!

“Ed is an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter and his aggressive bass style locks into Kal’s drums really well. I’m more of a rhythm player but I like to break into huge riffs and unconventional melodic ideas which often takes the music off on a different trajectory.”

Ed, 38, a barber shop manager from Wolverhampton, and Kal (who says he’s ‘too old to mention’), also a Wulfrunian but who works in London, were working with Ken quickly and efficiently. And writing music is a lot easier when you have something to say. Just ask Rage Against The Machine or Pete Seeger. Politics and the world around them creeps into their ideas – even if it wasn’t originally intended to do so.

“We don’t strive to make overt political statements but accept there is a political undercurrent to much of our material,” Ken adds. “Growing up, we’d seen the same injustices suffered by many people and felt we had to speak out. Writing lyrics can be an individual or group process but the end result is we don’t move forward with things unless they pass muster. There’s more to us than politics as we haven’t set any boundaries.

“One shouldn’t be scared of approaching and writing about any subject, however it offends. There’s always someone who will complain.”

Hopefully, no-such complaints will be made about their live shows. Mistrusted try to keep themselves busy, and back in April they headlined We Shall Overcome’s #wsodudley2018 charity event at Katie Fitzgerald’s in Stourbridge which mixed music and politics to raise cash for local homeless charity Leslie’s Care Packages. LCP is run by Vi Wood in honour of her late husband, and the event was featured in Unsigned at the time.

“The event was brilliant,” Ken says. “We even had some dancing in front of the stage so we had a great time there. Frankie Prazer ran the event really well.”

The night saw them take to the stage alongside plenty of local talent. And Ken could not have any more praise for those he has met gigging on the local scene.

“We get on very well with pretty much everyone we come into contact with playing on the local scene and further afield. It’s nice to be able to crack a new venue if you’re an out-of-town band as the current climate makes venues feel edgy about taking chances on relatively unknown bands.

“This is largely due to social media. If it’s not instant people’s don’t tend to engage with new live music as much as the days before social media. For venues, no headcount equates to no money to stay open and no opportunity for up and coming bands to develop a following. Something needs to happen which brings everything down to an even playing field again.”

Such troubles don’t only exist in the Black Country; June 30 looked like the end of the road for iconic Birmingham rock pub The Flapper. Its landlord Baskerville Wharf looked set to pull the plug on its leasehold but this prompted thousands of music fans to bombard them with petitions.

Eventually the lease was extended for another 12 months, and this benefits Mistrusted directly as tonight they plug in their gear to rock the people of Brum.

“The Flapper is somewhere we’ve played several exciting gigs at already so personally we would like it to stay open for good.”

Rebel’s Kiss headline the night and Harlequin’s Kiss are also on the bill. Tickets are still available and can be found on the band’s Facebook page.

And live is also the only chance to hear the Mistrusted sound . . . for now. But that is all about to change. “We’ve been pretty quiet about things as regards studio recordings but we’ve actually recorded our debut studio album this year,” Ken reveals exclusively. “It’ll comprise nine tracks and we’re hoping for a release before the year’s end.”

l Mistrusted can be found on Facebook

@mistrustedrock and Twitter and Instagram @mistrusted_rock