Swindon's fastest rising young alternative rock band Any Day Now recently chatted to BBC Wiltshire about their success.

Read our interview.

Teen emo punk rockers Any Day Now from Cricklade are arguably the most exciting band to emerge from the Swindon music scene in 2003.

The quintet, who have been together for a year and only began gigging in March have experienced near-religious devotion from fans at the numerous high-profile gigs they have played in the town over recent months.

The average age of the band is 18 but the songwriting and musical ability evidenced in songs such as live favourite 'Distant You' and the meaty techno-rock of 'Information Calling' wouldn't shame Cave In or Funeral For A Friend.

ADN's Rob Barrow at BBC Wiltshire's Battle of the Bands in July 2003

Any Day now first came to BBC Wiltshire's attention following their outrageously entertaining performance at our Battle of the Bands 2003 event at The Furnace in July.

Since then they have gone on to release their debut four track EP 'Cute Doesn't Count' and support the likes of Rufio and This Girl. Along the way they have attracted an army of (predominantly female) fans to make them the envy of every local band.

Recently we spoke to drummer Johno Fisher, vocalist Rob Barrow and guitarist Dave Durban to find out more about the phenomenal success of Any Day Now.

Where did the Any Day Now story begin?

Rob: About a year ago at a party...
Johno: Got drunk, decided to form a band!
Rob: We knew each other played instruments so we decided to jam out.
Johno: I've known Dave my whole life. We've always been trying to start a band. This one worked straight away.
Dave: I knew Rob from college, he was like "oh I can sing", I was like "oh I can play guitar!" and it went from there. We wrote a song straight away...
Rob: And we just fell into the style right there.

How would you describe your music?

Rob: Fast, fun, jumpy, it's rock, it's British.
Dave: Emo punk.
Johno: It's nuts. It's crazy.
Rob: Punk rock spunky monkey lovin' juice. Jivin'!
Johno: Punk with a bit more of an attitude.
Rob: I don't think there's another band like us at all in Swindon, maybe thats why we pull a crowd.
Johno: We work really hard on all our songs and
mix everything up and put it in a bowl.
Rob: A musical bowl!
Dave: We never set out to be emo or punk. We don't try to write a song in a certain style.

You've only played 15 gigs so far but have picked up a lot of fans

Rob: The Battle of the Bands was probably the first gig where we had a huge reaction and our last gig at the Furnace...
Dave: Salty Taste of Punk...
Rob: ...was pretty much sold out - 350 people.
Johno: It was gobsmacking!
Rob: Everyone was singing all the songs and stuff, it was amazing.
Johno: Hit me like a bullet that did.
Rob: We've been lucky to play with people like Rufio and This Girl at The Furnace in front of a lot of people.
Rob: I walk through town and people say hello. People come down to the gigs from Birmingham, South Wales, Cheltenham, it's pretty mad.

You seem to have quite a lot of female fans too, why do you think that is?

Johno: Could be Rob's ravishing looks and angelic voice!
Rob: It's funny stuff. They are very young though!
Johno: At the last gig they were all trying to grab Rob's crotch!
Rob: They only looked about 12. I was thinking 'this is illegal!' I wasn't even doing anything!
Dave: We wouldn't get half as many people along if it wasn't the all-ages gigs that The Furnace put on.

Why do you think there is this buzz about the band?

Dave: I think it's because we're the same as the people who come along to the gigs, same age. They can identify with us.
Rob: The music is in your face and fun.
Dave: We write songs we want to listen to. If we want to listen, then hopefully they are going to want to listen.

What's been your most memorable moment in 2003?

Dave: For me, the Rufio gig.
Rob: Lots of little things, I was at work the other day and someone came up and asked me to sign their skateboard!
Johno: I've had my photo taken in town with somebody!
Rob: It's crazy stuff!

What's your gameplan?

Johno: We've just got to work our asses off really. If we can do it in Swindon... its going to take a lot longer in other places but we can do it.
Rob: After the gig at Area 51 on 19th December - take some time out of Swindon for a couple of months and not play till late March. We're going to record a new EP in February.
Dave: We need a tour.
Johno: Tim From Yankee Boy Promotions is going to set up a tour for us.
Rob: There you go. Newsflash! Our biggest priority is getting out of Swindon.
Dave: And we're desperate for a manager!

Any Day Now play The Ice Bar on Bridge Street in Swindon on Monday 15th December and Area 51 (formerly Fitness 2000) in Stratton, Swindon on Friday 19th December with Kickout, British Beef and Full Fat Milk.