The Deptford four have inked in a healthy tour for their home country. Just about every major city in the U.K. and Ireland is on the schedule, which sees the band starting with a bang in Dublin before tackling universities and theatres across the sea.

Dates stretch into the beginning of the new year, with a good break for the holidays. Several shows have already sold out, prompting the addition of at least one two-night stand, in London.

So, who exactly are Athlete anyway? The band formed a couple years ago in South London with a group of childhood friends. Their debut EP in 2002 made its way onto Jo Whiley’s Record Of The Week list, which helped get the name out there.

Of course, opening for the likes of The Polyphonic Spree, Simian, and Electric Soft Parade doesn’t hurt either.

They are a quintessentially English band, singing about things and scenes familiar to the Brits. But Athlete name The Flaming Lips and Grandaddy as their musical inspirations.

“What we wanted to do was create an album that was completely different to everything else out there,” keyboardist Tim Wanstall said. “When we got signed, we were aware we didn’t fit in with what was hip at the time. We thought that was a positive thing and we still do.

“We’re not looking to be part of any scene. We’d rather start one of our own.”

It looks like that gamble has paid off. The band’s debut album, Vehicles And Animals, released this year, has gotten them nominations for some of Britain’s top music prizes.