The Vaccines: fame hasn't happened so fast

The Vaccines singer Justin Young played his first show when he was 11, and the band had all been touring for years before they were famous.

The Vaccines singer Justin Young played his first show when he was 11.

The 'Teenage Icon' band appear to have rapidly risen to fame over the last two years, but behind the scenes the whole group - Justin, Arni Arnason, Freddie Cowan and Pete Robertson - have been working hard for years.

Justin told BANG Showbiz: "I wrote my first song and played my first gig when I was 11, and I've been a touring musician since I was 17, so it was six or seven years of touring as a singer and songwriter before anything happened.

"I know it's the same for the others too. Our history starts in people's minds in the summer of 2010, but actually, we first started writing songs together in 2009, and although it seems unbelievably quick... its difficult, it's so hard to talk about. If this many people want to come and watch you play, you're not going to say no!"

Justin said he had no lofty ambitions for the band when it started, and never dreamed of getting further than a small scale tour.

He added: "I never dreamed of this band being anywhere near as big as we are now. When we had our first batch of songs, I just remember thinking it would be good if we could get to the level where we could tour [small venues] Barflys and stuff.

"That was the aim. Now, things are bigger and we don't even get nervous anymore, we just get excited. I have so much faith in what we are doing, I just get excited for people to hear and see it."

The Vaccines will play a special gig at The Devil's Arse in the Peak District in celebration of the birthday of Jack Daniels who started the famous whiskey brand on October 6.

To be in with a chance of winning tickets, visit www.jacksbirthday.co.uk