Rockers in Pit return

Drink and Drive

GET ready to have your ears bashed because, after more than four years away from the exciting Oldham scene, indie post-punk hopefuls Drink and Drive are back!

The hard-edged rockers and former relentless giggers Drink and Drive - front-man Ben Toft, bassist Ian Keighery, drummer Johnny Hulme and guitarist Chris Ward - were big news in Oldham at the turn of the decade.

Heavily influenced by The Fall, the band had released their 'Bad Times in Summer' EP to decent reviews and were packing local joints out, but for whatever reason, it all seemed to fall flat.

However, they're back now, partly thanks to the coaxing of influential pal Rick Simpson.

The fire and the passion has been rekindled and Saturday, June 18 at Jackson's Pit sees the return of a barnstorming four-piece outfit who are determined to make their mark once again.

Toft, who will now concentrate solely on vocals after ditching his guitar, excitedly told the 'Chronicle': "We're returning for the same reasons as we got together in the beginning really.

"There's a dis-satisfaction among us, a boredom, and just a want to hear something a bit different.

"If it's not there, you go and make the music yourself as far as we're concerned.

"It's great fun being in a band, you get to meet great people and just be massively creative, and I personally like that busyness.

"That motivation is there to create art basically, whether that's musical or visual art.

"We first had conversations last year, but it wasn't really on the horizon for any reason at that point.

"We do get a lot of people asking when we're coming back, so I asked 'Why aren't we doing it?'.

"Life's moved on again, and now it's time to get cracking.

"We've been writing new songs for six or nine months now."

So why was Jackson's Pit chosen for the return of once so-popular local band who have promised to hit the gigging scene hard again as 2016 progresses?

Toft added: "It's always been one of our favourite venues. We love the place, the cellar bar is great.

"We've played there a million times and we love the intimacy of it all.

"It was a no-brainer for our first gig back, we all wanted it to be there.

"We're quite excited about the support on the night too.

"We've tried hard to find a band who will complement us, and it's going to make it a really good night.

"It's going to feel great to be up on stage again, and I've no guitars to worry about this time.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the reaction to the new songs. There will definitely be at least three new tracks.

"We're all really excited."

Check out updated ticket details for the June 18 return on Drink and Drive's Facebook page.

LISTEN to Simon Smedley's exclusive audio interview with Ben Toft from Drink and Drive by finding Simon's Twitter page - @Smedders1966