OASIS, Snow Patrol, Squeeze, Mike and the Mechanics, Jools Holland's Big Band and Supergrass - fair to say the extended congregation of The Jar Family is quite a collection.

The five singer-songwriters from Hartlepool who formed the band around 18 months ago have now grown to an eight-piece and have some real musical clout behind them.

Max Bianco, Al Devon, Richie Docherty, Dali and Chris Hooks were regulars in and around the Hartlepool music scene when they decided to combine their talents.

Since then they've been joined by Keith Wilkinson – South Shields-born who spent 12 years as the bassist in Squeeze – and added Kez Edwards and James Clarke to their brethren.

“Me and Hooksy have been in bands and we split and did solo stuff around the town – The Causeway, The Nursery, The Studio and the like,'' said Dali.

“Max, Al and Richie, I didn't know them. There was a battle of the bands competition, I made it to the final, Hooksy did as well. That's really how we all met up.

“Someone phones and asks if you can do a gig somewhere, you go and do it and there's no money involved. You make them money as friends come along and we got sick of it so set up open nights ourselves.

“Al's father is our manager and he has plenty of contacts in the music industry. We sat in his front room, played for him and he loved the sound.

“He took us on, got us some gigs in Cambridge, and we did a few festivals – Stockton live and the like.

“Then we found a company who helped us to get mainstream gigs, we played in London and there was a fella there who was an advisor for Snow Patrol. He gave us a report of what do to. We took his ideas on board and helped each other.''

And then came the extra first extra member.

“We were introduced to Keith,'' added Dali. “He came to the camp in Cambridge we were at – a big barn converted into a rehearsal room and showed us harmonies and some ideas and he loved us. We got on well and he wanted to bring his bass - we could hardly say no!

“He is the brains behind us, we write the songs and he listens, plays and starts working on it as a collective.

“Then he does his homework, comes back with new ideas. He pulls us all together in a way and adds some stature to the name.''

Wilkinson, formerly with Jools Holland, got Paul Carrack to play on the new album when the band were recording in Cornwall. John Cornfield, who has produced Oasis and Razorlight among others, mixed the debut album.

Their first single, Poolie Strut, carries a Hartlepool twang. Like Cast carry a Scouse tone, so The Jar Family can pay homage to their home and the video was shot in the town.

“We are all proud of our roots, we know our background,'' he added. “We never forget where we are from no matter what we do. I will still go to the same pubs and have the same mates.''

• The Jar Family play at The Town Hall on December 10, with all proceeds going to the Hartlepool Hospice, and a limited number of tickets remain. Their debut album is available on itunes, with traditional formats to follow.