WHEN Three Men Gone Mad played their last gig in 1992 they were described as 10 years ahead of their time. Now nearly a decade on they're back to put the record straight.

Playing Blackburn's newest venue, The North Bar, this week the trio of singer/guitarist Jason Wood, bassist Duncan Mitchell and drummer Stuart Caswell want to finish what they started.

At the turn of the nineties they made a name for themselves by putting out two 12 inch singles on their own Mad Music, label.

Both won critical acclaim, their first release You Try, made its way into John Peel's 1991 festive 50, whilst the second a double A side was made single of the week at radio stations across Europe.

But with their only support coming from a local businessman and without a distribution deal, or the backing of a major label they found impossible to get their music out.

As the Rave scene swept across the nation and the pin-up popstars snapped up the best deals the lads parted ways to work on other projects but they never laid the band to rest.

Wood better known as Woody said: "We never really split up, we simply went to lunch for nine years."

Then with a smile in the direction of his bassist added: "And Duncan ate the most."

Describing their sound as carrying the energy of The Clash, the depth of Joy Division and the rhythm of Talking Heads, they've retained their original set list.

Woody said: "We never had any doubts about the material, the songs were always good, it just took us a couple of rehearsals to get back in the swing of things."

Now older and wiser and with more experience of the industry the lads believe they're better equipped to hit their target.

Following Thursday night's show the trio plan to return to the studio to start recording.

Caswell said: "Our ultimate goal is to record the album and do the songs justice."

Three Men Gone Mad play The North Bar, Blackburn, on Thursday night with admission £3 on the door.