INDIE band Circa Waves have only just released their first album - but they're already plotting the follow-up.

 

The Liverpool group released Young Chasers earlier this week, and will be at the Garage a week tonight.

Guitarist Joe Falconer reckons that while singles like T-Shirt Weather and So Long have helped put the band on the map, there's more to come.

"What's nice about the album is that it shows off different sides of the band, and also potential directions for us in the future," he says.

"The album has felt like a milestone because it's a snapshot in time of where you are as a band, but because it was recorded so long ago, in a sense it's slightly outdated.

"So some of the newer songs on there show what's next, and this is the end of chapter one for us."

Formed when Joe and bassist Sam Rourke met singer Kieran Shudall at a music festival in Liverpool a couple of years ago, the group's poppy, wide-eyed and rapid-fire indie has earned them comparisons to plenty of British bands, from the Britpop era onwards.

However, Joe believes there's more of an American slant that fuels his playing.

"There's a lot of comparisons to British bands and I don't see it too much," he adds.

"I can understand being linked to the whole indie thing from 10 years ago, because that was a definite influence on our sound, but we listen to lots of things.

"There's an American influence creeping in there too, I'm a huge fan of Pavement and Dinosaur Jr, so any chance I get to play the guitar in the scruffiest way possible then I will."

Circa Waves have already picked up some plum support slots as well as their own shows, including opening the 2014 NME Tour and touring with the 1975.

They also joined one of the acts that inspired them a decade ago, the Libertines, for some gigs last year.

"Those bands are huge and when you play to crowds that big, you need to be able to fill that space," he adds.

"That's what they do very well - watching the Libertines from the side of the stage was amazing, as we've always been huge fans of them.

"It was like a master class in how to be a rock n' roll band. I saw them when I was really young at the Academy, just before Pete left, and it was one of the best gigs I've ever been to."

It's not all been smooth sailing for the band, as drummer Sian Plummer departed earlier this year, being replaced by one of the band's roadies.

"Colin stepped in and did us all a favour, and has been a great addition to the group," says Joe.

"It was a bit of a stressful time (when Sian left), but you just have to put it behind you and move on.

"It wasn't great for us, but I think that fans who've seen us before will think that we sound better than ever before."

Fans can judge for themselves at the Garage next week, with the band regular visitors to the city now.

"The Scottish fans are always so intense, even more than south of the border," adds the guitarist.

"They've been there since the beginning, too, so things have been building there - they were the most into the band from the earliest stage.

"I love going out in Glasgow too, although something strange always seems to happen.

"We end up in Nice N' Sleazys usually - I always end up talking to some character and getting completely sidetracked.

"Last time we played Glasgow as the first night of the tour and I was determined to not stay out long. I got in about six in the morning..."

Circa Waves, Garage, Thursday April 9, £10, 7pm