One of the most popular bands of the 90s, The Bluetones were always mentioned as part of Britpop, but were never part of the fist-pumping stadium-rocking scene.

They split in 2011 and frontman Mark Morriss went solo, producing a string of albums.

But their fans wouldn’t let them stay parted. Now four years after reforming, its as if they never went away. Morris was playing solo gigs when each band member individually got in touch with him and asked if they could play alongside him.

They played some venues without calling themselves The Bluetones and they went so well that they decided to get back together in 2015.

“I said, ‘why don’t we do this lads and see if anyone is interested’ and we have kept at it,” he says down the line from his garden in not-so-rock’n’roll Tunbridge Wells.

The tour includes some major venues such as Leicester’s de Montfort Hall, The Shepherd’s Bush Empire and the 02 Ritz in Manchester as well as Carlisle’s more intimate Old Fire Station.

They have just re-released vinyl albums of The Singles and Science and Nature, the next step is to produce new music - but they are anxious.

They are aware that it will have to live up to the standard of what has gone before.

“We have just started to think about it,” says Morriss slowly.

“Who does a good record 10 years after their last one? There might be a couple of exceptions.

“We like our body of work as it is. It would be a shame to have an unwanted step-child.”

That body of work includes 13 Top 40 singles and three Top 10 albums. Their debut album Expecting To Fly made it to No1 and went platinum, while the single Slight Return made it to No2, followed by Top 10 hits Cut Some Rug, Marblehead Johnson and Solomon Bites the Worm.

Morriss is still working as a solo artist and has just produced his fourth album Look Up, but there is a distinct possibility of new Bluetones songs and even an album in the not too distant future.

“We have been playing together for the past four years and it is only natural that we are starting to jam and try new stuff out,” he reveals.

“Things are starting to pop up, but we are under no pressure to do anything and spoil our own legacy.

“We don’t tire of playing our songs.

“We had a period when we weren’t doing anything at all and now we value giving people a good time and new memories.”

As well as his gardening, Morriss admits that the band has slowed down and doesn’t live such a rock-n’ roll lifestyle.

After-gig parties these days usually involve a crossword and a cuppa.

“We do the cryptic crosswords in the broadsheets and start them in the afternoon,” he explains.

“For our riders, we ask for a fridge magnet of the place we’re at and postcards with stamps. It’s good to receive something nice through the letterbox.”

n The Bluetones, Old Fire Station, Carlisle, November 1. For tickets, go to www.oldfirestation.carlisle.city or call 01228 598596