WHO ARE THEY?

A guitar and synth trio with the unlikely aim of putting St Albans on the dance map.

WHY THE FUSS?

Friendly Fires are the funkiest new British band to emerge this year. Their catchy combination of rock and dance owes something to the Nu Rave legacy of the Klaxons, but the classic house music of Detroit and Chicago is a key ingredient, too. It's the sound of the suburbs, but in an alternative universe where the 'burbs are really cool.

Hot stuff: Friendly Fires combine rock and dance

WHAT'S THE STORY?

Frontman Ed Macfarlane, guitarist Edd Gibson and drummer Jack Savidge met at school and formed their first group  -  an instrumental punk combo  -  when they were 14. A hiatus followed when all three went off to university. By the time they got back together again, they had become huge club-goers and their new songs reflected the shift. 'We've changed since we started,' says Ed. 'At first, we took ourselves too seriously. Pop wasn't on our agenda. Now we want to make songs with a poppy edge.'

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

A series of limited edition singles attracted the attention of the XL label, home of Radiohead and Adele, and the band was snapped up earlier this year. After working with various producers, they opted to record their self-titled debut album in the garage of Macfarlane's family home. Out now, it blends nagging guitars and electronics. But, harking back to the heyday of disco, Ed's hum-along vocals are also well to the fore.

ANY CELEBRITY ADMIRERS?

Bono, who saw the band when they supported Interpol in Dublin, is a fan. 'When he introduced himself to us, he asked us where we were from,' says Jack. 'When we said St Albans, he told us that U2 had played The Horn Reborn, a local venue, back in the day. Who'd have thought it?'

WHERE CAN I SEE THEM?

Friendly Fires start a British tour at Southampton Joiners on September 24. For details, visit seetickets.com