GROWING up, you’ve got two choices: rebel against your parents and their way of life or embrace it.

Nile Marr, the singer in Manchester band Man Made and the 24-year-old son of The Smiths legend Johnny, chose the latter.

“The incredible people that my dad worked with, that I got to know from being a little child, then all these amazing, creative artists provided me with great inspiration,” said Nile.

“And one thing that you get from it, is you learn how serious you need to be and exactly how hard you have to apply yourself, fully committing your life to the cause, like my dad.

“He had an incredibly busy life, but my parents were always there for me at every turn.

“They were very supportive, always encouraging me at every opportunity to embrace art.

“If your dad’s an electrician, you’d probably expect your children to be able to fix a lamp wouldn’t you?

“So it made sense for me to look at music, but I knew I was a ‘music lifer’ early on.

“I definitely think, though, that the age of the rock star has gone, and if you’re an indie offspring, then all that you learn now is from musicians is the work ethic.”

Man Made provided the support for Johnny Marr’s last British tour, and this month the trio release their eagerly awaited debut work, TV Broke My Brain.

The theme of the album is new technology and its increasing role in our lives.

Nile said: “It’s not a judgement, it’s about asking the questions about your relationship with technology.

“For me, the most valuable experiences in my life have been face-to-face, real, analogue interactions.

“I wanted to be John Martyn – still do – so I’d take my guitar to school, duck out of the last lesson early and get on the next train to London.

“I’d get changed on the train, restring my guitars, and then off I’d go to a tiny venue somewhere in the capital. And I’d do that three or four times a week.”

Marr moved to America at the tender age of 14, and when he landed in the Pacific Northwest it opened a door to new bands, fresh sounds and a new outlook on life.

“I call that time in my life the sponge years, and that’s where we found Man Made’s punk roots,” he added.

“Moving to Portland changed completely how I wanted to work and how I wanted to make music.

“That meant taking the notion from American punk bands like Fugazi and Black Flag that you get in the van and you do it, and drive and just keep driving.”

He added: “As a kid it just blew my mind, and I thought this is it now for the rest of my life.”

In Manchester, Man Made are at the heart of a collaborative community scene of artists, musicians, filmmakers and promoters.

Passionate about not denying youngsters the opportunity to see their favourite bands in licensed premises, the trio started booking their own shows.

They also supported charities and activists, supporting refugees and homeless people and often donating their merchandise money from the shows.

“I call them Man Made events,” said Nile.

“You can help a good cause, you’re supporting an independent venue, kids can go in and get to appreciate art.”

Man Made, Gullivers, Manchester. Saturday, April 16. Details from 0161 819 2970