There's possibly a bit of hype going on here, especially since these guys are being PRed by Quite Great, who spearheaded all the hype that surrounded Sandi Thom and her home produced webcasts last year, but it looks likely that an unsigned band from Essex called Koopa could be the first to truly benefit from the much previously reported change in chart rules.
They have digitally self-released their single 'Blag, Steal & Borrow' and are selling it via those chart returning download services that deal with unsigned talent. With an existing online fanbase they have reportedly sold enough downloads so far to put them at number 17 in an unofficial midweek chart based on Monday sales. While they recognise that they will have benefited from a first day sales boost, and that a number of rival releases will go on to outsell them later in the week, the band are hopeful their end-of-week digital sales will still be sufficient to secure a place in next weekend's top 40.
Of course prior to last week's chart rule change Koopa's digital sales would not have been counted in the overall singles chart because there is no physical CD release of the song - most unsigned bands, of course, are unable to afford the cost of pressing CDs or, even if they can, are unable to get them stocked in any record shops.
Commenting on the chance of getting a chart position with their digital release, the band's singer and bassist Joe Murphy told the BBC: "With the new rules, it does give hope for genuine talent. You don't need to be dictated to by the big boys, by the record labels. You can release a song and if you've got the fanbase and people buy it, you'll get into the charts - it's great".