EXCITEMENT is mounting for as opportunity knocks for a teenage Runcorn band.

Spilt has been asked to support American punk rock band Fidlar at two major gigs in the UK.

The trio has just signed a recording deal with Anvil Records independent label and has been invited to perform at a punk rock festival in Brazil in the summer.

Self-taught musicians Ronnie Ayres (bass guitar and vocals) , Morgan Molyneux (lead guitar and vocals) and Josh Cunningham (drummer), all 19, are still trying to take it all in.

“We’re buzzing,” said Ronnie, from Hallwood Park. “It’s still not properly settled in yet.

“I just love playing and making music.”

Ronnie and Morgan, from Windmill Hill, met when they were six at Hill View Primary School and became close friends.

They both developed a love of the stage and formed a band at The Heath secondary school.

Performing their own songs, the pair’s raw talent impressed judges at battle of the band competitions.

The lads formed their current trio when they were 15 and have performed in pubs in Runcorn, Liverpool, Manchester and London.

Rehearsing at The Studio on Lacey Street in Widnes, they recorded some demos, downloaded them and sent them to a singer from the band Fidlar.

“We got a message back saying: ‘We don’t normally reply, love your stuff, it’s good’.

“We couldn’t believe it.”

Fidlar has asked the trio to support them at the O2 Forum in London and O2 Ritz in Manchester in July.

“Performing in front of thousands will be the biggest gigs we’ve ever done,” said Ronnie, who studies music technology at The City of Liverpool College.

“It’s not about getting known, we want to get our music known.”

“We’ve written loads of different songs,” said Ronnie.

The band writes all their own material, described as psychedelic grunge infusion.

Morgan, who works at children’s clubs in Runcorn, writes the lyrics.

“We jam and all write the songs together” said Ronnie. “Everyone loves our energy. People say our music sounds like Nirvana and Pink Floyd at the same time.”

New tracks include Catnip, Acid Baby and Facemelter.

Ronnie’s mum Julie said: “I’m really proud of their dedication and commitment to each other and to their music.

“They spent years spent rehearsing, travelling to meet up and play no matter what the weather.

“To see them get to this stage is admirable.”

Tickets are available from Live Nation and Ticketmaster.