THEY may have only been together officially for four months, but The Torrents are already the talk of the town.

Made up of Stephen "Swanny" Swan, 29, (lead guitar), Joss Croasdale, 20, (bass), Neil Burton, 20, (rhythm guitar and vocals) and Joe Readfern 19, (drums), the band describes their music as indie punk with influences from The Who, The Clash, The Jam, The Strokes, Oasis, Stone Roses, Libertines, Paddingtons and Pete Doherty.

"Pete Doherty is a genius," said frontman Neil. "People should judge him with their ears not their eyes."

The band started about a year ago when Swanny and Neil, who were working together as lifeguards at Waves swimming pool in Blackburn, realised they were into the same music and decided to learn guitar.

They took lessons and worked on new songs in each other's houses.

Along the way they recruited former Metro Riot drummer Joe and the band began to take shape.

In April, the addition of Joss made the band complete.

Finally, a regular rehearsal room was needed and in early 2006, they managed to secure a practice space twice a week in the Sir Charles Napier pub, Blackburn.

The band write their own material, their most popular song to date being Czechoslovakia, but they play one cover - Oasis' Bring It On Down.

Their dream is to hit the big time and move out of Blackburn.

"You're got to aim for the top otherwise what's the point?" said Swanny.

"Our goal, like every other new band, is to get signed.

"It's not about making money, it's about doing something you enjoy with your life."

But if they do make it big they're unlikely to forget the friends who helped them in the early days.

The band says they owe huge thanks to local glam punk band The Exorsisters and Paddy Dixon at Reload Studios in Darwen who "took them under their wings".

Listen to The Torrents' latest tracks.

Visit The Torrents' website.