Lawson compare themselves to 'real band' U2

Lawson like to compare themselves to U2 because they are a "real band."

The 'While She Was Mine' hitmakers play their own instruments and write their own songs, so they feel calling them a boy band is unfair.

When asked who they compare themselves to, the band's Joel Peat exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "U2. They're a proper playing band playing pop music. Even though they're rocking out and stuff, it's still pop music at the end of the day."

Lawson - which also includes Adam Pitts, Andy Brown and Ryan Fletcher - have supported a variety of acts including Will Young and Bruce Springsteen, and are now confident in their ability to rock a crowd.

Adam said: "We're a band. We can rock out even though we play quite poppy music, but when we do a live show, it's a rock show."

Lawson were originally called The Grove, but changed their name in honour of Doctor Lawson, the man treated Andy, 25, after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was just 19 years old.

Andy confessed he still suffers as a result, adding: "I'm deaf in one ear. The only really worry is that I really have to protect my good ear 'cause if I damage that then I'll be deaf by the time I'm 40."