THEY met at Kendal College, bonded over a love of The Smiths and now five young talented South Cumbrians are unleashing their summery pop sound on the world with the release of their debut EP.

Female fronted band JAWW are Eve Chatterton (vocals), Adam Wass (guitar), Will Benson (guitar), John Mcarthur (bass/backing vocals) and Will Phillips (drums).

‘Pure Vibes’ features four original tracks, released just as the group finish college and embark on a busy summer of music.

In the short time since forming in 2013 JAWW (the initials of the band’s members before Eve joined) have won attention from American reviewers and enjoyed airplay on the BBC.

They are also set to represent the region in the World Skills competition in November at Birmingham’s NEC, with 10 bands competing for the chance to go on to Brazil.

The group was born in Kendal College when the four boys were playing together in a Strokes tribute band.

“We decided to start a proper band,” explained drummer Will, “and we asked Eve on board because we were all really into The Smiths and we knew she was as well.”

Despite forming over a major shared influence JAWW have since developed their own unique sound – a blend of indie, pop and surf rock.

“I think we have a lot of roots in guitar-driven music but it’s very poppy, what we play,” said Will.

“Before Eve joined the music was a bit too experimental and self-indulgent, but we clicked as a group pretty much from the first time we played together.”

The band certainly had an illustrious start to their performing career – with their first live show a support slot for The Ranband at Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre.

JAWW also played at Kendal’s Moonfest and drew a huge crowd for their recent EP launch in Barrow.

This summer will see them ‘really trying to make things happen’ before the members venture off to university, although Will said they intended to keep the band going next year.

On the band’s Kendal College roots, he said: “It was an absolutely amazing place to study music.

“We recorded the EP there and the equipment was very professional – I haven’t heard many bands at this level with that quality of production.”