A BAND of talented teenagers have been tipped for the top and labelled the next big thing on the music scene.
Hardly Heroes launched their first five-track EP at Virgin Megastores, when 200 fans turned out to a show.
Despite their increasing success the modest teenagers are keeping it all in perspective.
Portsmouth lads Luke Usher, Sam Malone, Dave Evans and Sam Harris have only just finished their GCSEs and say they are taking their music careers one step at a time.
Rhythm guitarist Sam, 16, said: 'It is really good. But you have to be realistic – we're just pleased people like the music.'
The band, who formed only last summer while they were studying at Miltoncross School, have already been impressing music top-dogs across the area.
They won a radio competition that saw them play alongside American star Li'l Chris in front of 8,000 people at Gunwharf Quays last winter.
And they beat 10,000 entrants to scoop the top spot at the under-17s Live and Unsigned best band of 2007 competition this year.
Now the lads have taken a trip to London to meet with a top record producer who is promising big things.
And with the release of their first EP the future is looking bright.
Proud mum Lorraine Malone, who has been on hand to help out whenever she can, said: 'They have done so well – none of us can really believe it.
'It has all been a bit of a whirlwind and things are moving on and happening really quickly – obviously we are all really excited.
'Their fan base keeps growing and the future certainly looks bright. We couldn't believe it when a record company got in touch.
'But at the same time they are really lovely people who are just polite and nice and deserve this success.
'I certainly think if the past year is anything to go by we haven't heard the last from Hardly Heroes.'