Like The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds, local boys The Fades played their first gig in Richmond – but they are now heading across the Atlantic to promote their latest album, Muvva, I’m A Drunk.

Since forming in 2000, the band – comprising Jonny Barnard (guitarist), Jonny ‘Flash’ Juviler (drums) and Lightfoot brothers Dave (lead singer and guitarist) and James (bassist) – have been championed on Radio 1, 6 Music and Xfm. Muvva, I’m A Drunk has been recorded live in the studio to capture the unruly and adrenaline-fuelled dynamic of their gigs.

Guitarist Dave, who admits there is a bit of sibling rivalry between himself and his older brother James, explains: “It’s not just about the song when you’re performing. I once climbed out of a window during a gig and came back in through the front door. The bouncer wasn't too happy but crowds love that sort of thing, we wanted to try and capture that element. It’s the most real recording we’ve ever done and we love it. No one wants to hear a perfect rendition of the album they’ve bought, it should be more than that.”

James adds: “People were always saying we were better live and we decided we didn’t want to hear that any more. This is warts and all, it’s my favourite album I’ve played on.”

Muvva, I’m A Drunk is The Fades second album proper with a series of EPs and singles also under their belts and they will be promoting it with two shows in New York in November.

According to James, the gigs represent a huge step forward for the band. He says: “I think of all the places in the world that we would really go down brilliantly, it’s New York. It will be really exciting.”

The Fades have done plenty of travelling as a band, having toured with Art Brut and Twickenham’s Mystery Jets, but they are happy to call Richmond home.

“We all grew up round here” says Dave.

“James and I have known Jonny Barnard since we were five and we went to The Vineyard School and Grey Court together. Our first ever performance was in Richmond, at the Bull and Bush [now The Bull] and it is a beautiful place with such a rich musical heritage.”

The Fades play The Fighting Cocks, Kingston, October 29. For tickets email thefades@hotmail. com. Muvva, I’m Drunk is available online from myspace.com/thefades.