Rising stars

For while it's more than likely that you've never heard of them, this super-tight four-piece are no strangers to the music world - with five long years of gigging beneath their expensive-looking shiny belts.

Like experienced mountaineers, the band have resisted the temptation to make a quick dash for the summit of rock stardom, preferring instead to hone their technique and polish their craft before picking their way up the treacherous slopes.

And it shows.

After a long apprenticeship spent perfecting their knack for crafty hooks and engaging lyrics, they have emerged from the sidelines to claim what is rightfully theirs.

A single, Disguise, is out this summer, an album in the autumn and, this month, a UK tour, which hits Oxford's Jericho Tavern on Tuesday.

Formed around the core of Portsmouth-born frontman Ben Falsinki and guitarist Paul Cro' Cronin, from Stockton-on-Tees, who met at Warwick University, the band worked their way through a succession of guitarists before finding Nottingham boy Liam Malson and Hull's Ollie Patterson.

"Although I'm a Pompey lad, our paths crossed at Warwick, and we decided to get a band going," says Ben.

"We started writing songs for the album four years ago. We've been around for a while, but it's been an evolutionary process.

"It's very calculated, and I hope people will be able to tell that from the songs."

With no pretence at being anything other than a great pop band, they are an utterly honest bunch with a refreshing lack of moody posturing.

Quite simply, they know they're good, and don't need to do anything other than play to prove it.

Hailed as an irresistible cross between Oasis and Coldplay, they were spotted at London's Water Rats by Stage Records boss Matthew Brown. The band have now teamed up with producer Paul Simm, whose credits include Overload and Run for Cover by the Sugababes.

"Cro and me are obsessed with tunes," says Ben.

"We love melodies, but have an edgy feel. The result is smooth pop, and we are proud of that - but I hope people can identify a different sound.

"We are not aiming to sell records by having a rock & roll attitude. We just write songs, and enjoy it."

Have they been frustrated at what many would see as a painstakingly long wait?

"Well, it's nice to feel that things are finally moving," Ben confides.

"But we are all very determined characters, and we knew that if we worked hard enough and put the effort in, we'd see the rewards."

Now, as well as embarking on tour, the band are looking forward to the release of debut album Worldwide. When it's actually finished, that is.

"The album is the result of four or five years of sweat and blood," Ben admits, only partly in jest.

"But we are very proud of it. It's the best thing we could possibly have done, and we hope people will listen to it and hear four guys who are putting everything into their songs.

"We didn't want to release anything that wasn't the product of hard work," says the self-confessed perfectionist.

Ben and Cro admit they are very close. "We're like brothers," says Ben. "We share a flat and spend most of our time touring, playing and writing songs.

"There are moments where we could tear each other's hair out, but it's a healthy working relationship. Anyway, there's nowhere for us to hide, other than running to our rooms and locking the door. And we won't stop until we've done what we have set out to achieve. My personal philosophy is simple: never give up!"

Ivyrise play the Jericho Tavern on Tuesday.