THERE was a time in the mid 1990s when you couldn’t avoid a live gig from Outsiders UK.

The rock band from Pendle was one of the hardest working bands on the circuit - in one momentous year they chalked up a staggering 286 live shows alone.

Support slots on national tours by the likes of Saxon, Nazareth and the Sensational Alex Harvey Band cemented their position as one of the best live bands around.

They released three albums with moderate success - their songs often gaining plenty of airplay on the Friday Rock Show and other heavy rock stations. But by 1998 family and business commitments saw the band calling time on touring and recording.

But now, Outsiders UK are back with a new album Everything’s Gone Vintage.

And tomorrow night they will be playing live at the Grand in Clitheroe supporting rising blues rock guitarist Laurence Jones.

Lead singer and main songwriter Adrian ‘Mel’ Melling has been amazed at the reaction to the band’s return.

“The album has been number 10 in the Radio Caroline charts for the past couple of weeks which we never expected,” he said. “We are getting some really good interest at the moment.”

Mel along with Chris ‘Biff’ Hartley and Liam McCartan on guitars and vocals, bassist Matt Pawson and drummer Peat Hicks tentatively started writing together 18 months ago.

“It just felt right,” said Mel, “and eventually we had a collection of songs which we were really happy with.”

The album was recorded at Hilltown Studios in Colne which Mel’s son Mat runs.

“We didn’t worry about it being trendy or fitting into any fashion,” said Mel. “We’ve always had a classic rock sound and I think that’s why people really love the album. There aren’t that many bands doing what we do out there. It’s what we are all about.

“It’s classic, guitar-driven rock and I think people are also taken with the lyrics.”

“But we have all been surprised at how positive the response has been. To find ourselves in the same chart as the likes of Neil Young and the Jesus and Mary Chain is amazing - and we’ve got tons more new songs which we haven’t recorded.

“We’re now looking at doing some more gigs and possibly a few festivals this summer.”

Everything’s Gone Vintage is available on Mel’s Planet Records label from the band’s website www.theoutsidersuk.com. Tickets for the band’s show at Clitheroe Grand tomorrow night are available from Mel on 07882 809056