THE RIFLES have come a long way since their debut recording Peace & Quiet, put together in their front rooms in Walthamstow in March last year.

They've converted their musical heroes such as Graham Coxon, Madness and Terry Hall into fans, had two chart hits and in the process won the hearts and ears of thousands of fans.

Since their first single released on their own Blow Up label, a groundswell of fans has carried them to number one in the indie charts with second release Repeat Offender.

And their first full album, No Love Lost, released on July 17, is 11 more slices of pop perfection.

Helped by legendary Ian Broudie, whose production skills have tempered the sound of bands like The Zutons, The Subways and The Coral, The Rifles punky live sound instantly draws you in and gets the blood pumping.

Second track Local Boy jangles with the pop nouse of The Smiths, while One Night Stand has a catchy melody filled with blithe observations and witticisms, showcasing lead singer Joel Stoker's eye for everyday detail and storytelling.

If Terry Hall was still writing he might have penned Stoker's take on groupies and celebs in the noughties: "If the NME says you're cool and they really like your style/She'll be down south, Top Ten in her mouth with the blink of an eye/She'll be top draw on the backstage floor til the new band arrives."

Grant Marsh on drums, Rob Pyne on bass and guitarist Luke "Robin Hood" Crowther keep the record's bristling intensity going, and Home Town Blues is the album's stand-out track, smacking of The Specials' Concrete Jungle territory, with its urban alienation, street crime, run-down avenues, drunken arguments and stalking street crime.

Their shouty, bitter, contemptuous style make The Rifles one of the most electric and compelling bands around today.

And the group is renowned for its dynamic and explosive live shows. A recent highlight was an almost show-stopping set at the Camden Crawl where multiple stage-invasions by the band's mushrooming fan brigade nearly resulted in an early end to the night, which was saved only by the efforts of a dutiful tour manager to restore order to the proceedings.

With No Love Lost due for release on July 17, the Rifles have festival appearances lined up throughout the summer, including T in the Park, Oxegen, V Festival and Fuji Rocks.