THE story of the Dub Pistols reads like the script for a movie about the perils of the music business.

Born in the hedonistic days of the late Nineties, the band led by maverick DJ and producer Barry Adamson soon attracted the attention of music legend Jimmy Iovine with their sound combining reggae, ska and serving up working class belligerence.

A massive record deal followed with Geffen Records – and the Dub Pistols lived out every rock and roll cliché before the excess caught up with them, the music scene changed and they found themselves without a deal and without any money.

Now the band are celebrating their 20th anniversary including a date at King George’s Hall, Blackburn next Thursday.

And Barry Adamson has no regrets or second thoughts over what might have been.

“It’s rock and roll, that’s what it’s supposed to be like,” he said. “I always say we’ve made a career out of being successfully unsuccessful.”

But in spite of the vagaries of the music business and their own self destructive tendencies, the Dub Pistols have become one of the most popular live bands particularly at festivals with their energy-filled shows.

“We’ve had six albums and we’re still going after 20 years,” said Barry. “I think if we’d have had the monstrous success early on we would have just imploded. We don’t need that Wall Street lifestyle, it’s about enjoying ourselves and making music.”

Summoning the spirit of Sandinista-era Clash and combining it with reggae rhythms and dance beats, the Dub Pistols have been championed by the likes of the Happy Mondays and the Specials.

“We don’t compromise in any way with our music,” said Barry, who is also a successful DJ and who has worked on soundtracks for films and computer games.

“We have built our fanbase largely through our live shows. It’s honest and true and it’s the way that bands used to do it. We don’t have a massive publicity machine behind us, we just get out there and do it.

The Dub Pistols have been regulars at the Beat-Herder Festival in the Ribble Valley and will be returning there this summer.

“For me Beat-Herder is without doubt one of the best festivals in the UK,” said Barry.

“The whole vibe about the festival is great, and it hasn’t really had the recognition it deserves.”

For all their ups and downs, the music still drives Barry and his cohorts.

“If only and could have is the story of most bands really,” he said. “The important thing is to remember why you wanted to do it in the first place and enjoy it. If you have lost that feeling and enjoyment then you should just walk away from it.

“But for us, it’s what we were always meant to do. We like to party and it’s been one long party.”

The Dub Pistols, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Thursday, March 9. Details from 0844 847 1664