ST ALBANS trio Friendly Fires are coming to Liverpool and Manchester this autumn.

The group will play at Korova in Liverpool on Sunday, September 29 and the Manchester Ruby Lounge on Thursday, October 2.

Born of commuter belt boredom and now one of the most exciting new bands in the country, last year, Friendly Fires’ limited seven-inch, Paris, was judged to be the single of the week in both the NME and The Guardian.

They were the first unsigned band to appear on Channel 4’s Transmission show and soon Radio 1 DJs Zane Lowe, Colin Murray and Rob Da Bank became fans.

Now signed to XL, Ed Macfarlane, Edd Gibson and Jack Savidge began life as First Day Back, a Fugazi-inspired hardcore group, but as Friendly Fires they are now an indie band who write songs with an unashamed pop edge.

Influenced by house and electronica, they chose the name Friendly Fires from a song by Factory Records band Section 25.

“We liked it because it didn’t sound either indie or electro,” says Gibson.

“We didn’t want to a ‘The’ band. And it just looked good. But there is no meaning behind it.”

Tickets cost £7 and are on sale now from gigsandtours.com and 0871 230 2646.

For more on Friendly Fires you can visit myspace.com/friendlyfires.