Blackburn - get ready for The Hoosiers

Tensions within the band led to long-standing bassist Martin Skarendahl leaving and the remaining three members faced with the prospect of coming up with a new album and touring without him.

But, as keyboard player Sam Swallow admits: "We are all really enjoying ourselves. Looking back there were tensions around the band for some time. But when Martin left it was probably the most amicable split ever and we are all still in touch. He will always be a mate."

The Hoosiers come to Blackburn on Wednesday as part of a UK tour showcasing songs from their fourth album The Secret Service.

"It's hard to believe that it's nine years since our first album," said Sam. "We're really proud of the new album. I think the three of us had a pretty clear idea of where we wanted to go with this and we worked together all the way through."

From their early days and hits such as Worried About Ray and Goodbye Mr A, the Hoosiers have always been known for their full on performances and ironic lyrics.

"In spirit I think we're still writing songs from the same place as when we started out," said Sam. "We still love that big fat sound and, if anything, I think the new album is even more guitar driven and we love the result."

We're chatting ahead of the UK tour with the band in Ireland doing a couple of university gigs.

"We've only got two of the new songs in the set at the moment," said Sam. "But that will chance as we've got five days of rehearsals booked ahead of the tour starting.

"It's a real privilege to be able to take out songs on the road after nine years. But now we've got four albums worth of material to go at it gets harder to decide what to leave out."

As well as writing songs for the album Sam and fellow band member, drummer Alan Sharland, have been working on a separate project, a musical based on the Marriage of Figaro.

"It's called the Marriage of Simon which perhaps gives you an indication that it's not that serious," said Sam. "We worked with a writer on the script and we're now looking for a producer so we'll just have to see where that goes."

But for now the band are concentrating on their tour.

"It's just a joy to be going out on stage in front of people who want to hear your music.

"For this tour we've actually got ourselves a tour bus and we'll be travelling all over on that which we haven't done for a while. It's going to be a breeze."

The Hoosiers, King George's Hall, Blackburn, Wednesday, October 28. Details from 0844 847 1664.