ACCORDING to GoodBooks website, their members include a producer for Take That, an NBA basketball player and a professor who invented the synthesizer in his spare time.

The reality is unfortunately a little less exotic: they are in fact four lads from Sevenoaks with a big sense of humour and the ambition to match.

Still in their early 20s, this life-long group of friends have secured an enviable major label deal for their debut album with Columbia Records.

"It was a hard decision to make to go with a major label. We thought we’d just be doing something with an indie record company, but Columbia had been interested in us from the start," said bass player Chris Porter.

"I am glad we didn’t do this when we were 16 or 17 as I don’t think we would have been able to deal with the limelight. It’s quite surreal and great to think you’re with the same company as Bob Dylan and Primal Scream."

Their laid back so-called "lounge-core" brand of melodic rock has been meriting much media interest. Radio One’s Zane Lowe declared their demo as the "best record in the world right now" and NME magazine placed them in the top 10 new bands to watch for this year.

On top of this, they have also taken the Reading and Leeds festivals by storm over the summer.

"That was just incredible. We were in the the new bands tent and were so nervous before we went on at Reading. But it went really well and got a great reception with people singing along to our songs which we did not expect at all."

As he explained, playing such prestigious events was a long way from their teenage gigs at Sevenoaks School.

He says their strong friendship has meant they know each other’s limits in terms of preventing any internal rows.

To their frustration, finding decent local venues proved exceptionally tough, though through perserverance they have gained decent experience of playing around the UK.

Does the name GoodBooks come from their shared love of classic literature, or something far less academic?

"It actually came from TV presenter Holly Willoughby. She was at an awards tour night and she came up to our singer Max and asked if he would pretend he knew her as she was being hassled by a guy.

"Their conversation was only brief but she told him that she thought GoodBooks was a great name for a band, which is what we went with."

Their sound has been further tightened by daily rehearsals at the Gaza Timber Shed in Weald and they are about to head back into the studio to complete their album, due early next year.

In addition to their festival showings they have taken on support with the Dirty Pretty Things and one of pop's friendliest acts, The Magic Numbers.

"We got to know the Numbers just before they were signed and they have been so good to us. They are like our big brothers and sisters really and have been able to offer us plenty of advice. They have invited us on a tour of Spain which should be very messy as it’s sponsored by San Miguel beer!"

Goodbooks play the Tap 'n' Tin in Railway Street, Chatham on Thursday, October 19 with hotly-tipped alternative rock act Fields. Tickets £6. Box office 01634 840006 or see www.wegottickets.com.