Aggressive stabs at teenage growing pains – isolation, paranoia, frustration, lost love and a longing for acceptance, feelings that can be identified by anyone growing up in modern-day Britain – all wrapped up in an explosion of guitars, bass and drums.

The Spitfires are a Watford-based trio who are about to embark on their second tour to promote their latest single, I’m Holdin’ On.

If you take a listen and find yourself being transported back to your The Jam records in the 1970s you wouldn’t be far off the mark as the boys count the legendary mod band among their heroes.

Not only that but they have done a number of gigs with former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton and have recorded all their singles to date at Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studio in Surrey.

“He’s a lovely fella, Bruce Foxton,“ says 19-year-old Billy Sullivan, from north Watford, who is joined in the band by Matt Johnson, 19, from Abbots Langley and Sam Long, also 19, from Pinner.

“And we couldn’t work anywhere other than Black Barn now, we love it there.“

Of the new single, Billy says: “To me, it’s our best and most unique sounding work yet,“ says Billy. “The sound’s much harsher and beefier than the previous singles and I’m sure it shows a progression.

What’s coming up for The Spitfires after they perform with Bruce Foxton at Oceana early next month?

“More touring and more writing,“ says Billy. “We’ve just got to keep pushing and hope for the best. We’re good enough to get there.“

  • The Spitfires support Bruce Foxton at Oceana, The Parade, Watford on Tuesday, April 8 from 7pm. Details: 01923 239848, oceanaclubs.com/watford