Hugh Bayley MP picks up the sticks at a rehearsal of York-based rock band We Could Be Astronauts.

Mr Bayley met the band after agreeing to nominate them to represent his York Central constituency in the Parliamentary live music competition Rock The House.

The competition, which has rock legends Alice Cooper and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as patrons, was founded by Mike Weatherley MP to support the UK live music industry and raise the profile of intellectual property rights issues.

Three finalists in each of the categories (bands, solo artists, and under-18s) will be announced by the organisers on May 23. They will then compete in a battle of the bands to determine who will get the chance to play a live set on the Terrace of the House Of Commons on Wednesday, May 30.

We Could Be Astronauts formed in York in 2009.

The band is made up of Robert Hughes (vocals, guitar), Simon Himsworth (guitar, backing vocals), Stuart Fletcher (bass), Paul Heaney (guitar) and Dave Hartley (drums, backing vocals). Influenced by Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden and Rage Against The Machine, We Could Be Astronauts are currently working on their debut album.