WITH a little charm and a lot of style, the Bluetones swiftly became one of many Britpop darlings during the mid 90s.

Ten years on from their number one album, Expecting to Fly, a lot may have changed. Yet frontman Mark Morriss is in chipper form at the prospect of releasing new solo material.

And what better way to test it out than with a gig in his soon-to-be hometown of Tunbridge Wells, at the forum where his band have previously played two storming gigs.

Their live shows have always been savoured by their loyal fanbase which has ensured that the group survived way beyond the vast majority of their contemporaries.

"I have some good memories of playing in Tunbridge, so it should be a really good night," explained Mark as he prepares to make a move out of his London home.

"I’ve always got some songs on the go and two or three years back I produce a few demos of my own under the name Fi Lo Beddow. That was actually the name I wanted to call the Bluetones, but I was outvoted- so much for democracy!

"I didn’t want to tour under my own name- it just felt a bit stark and exposed- and always allows me to feels as if I can bring in other people to it. My brother Scott is still playing bass with me on it though- he’s the best."

It appears the Bluetones frontman has tired a little of life in the city after spending most of his 35 years there. While it’s been the traditional mecca for most bands to head to in order to make it in the business, the capital appears to have an un-nerving capacity to churn bands out in conveyor belt fashion. It’s little ownder that Mark is seeking some respite.

"I just fancied a change of lifestyle and was in danger of falling out of love with London. I’d seen the property programme which said Tunbridge Wells was one of the best places to live and that influenced me. I fear that my role will become Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells!"

After his group’s humble origins in Hounslow, coming to Kent may seem somewhat glamorous. Back in the early 90s the group’s shared house knitted them into a tight unit and they launched themselves confidently at the height of the Britpop scene.

With a strong nod to the Stone Roses their chiming melodies quickly gained them a big following on the indie circuit.

Their chart-topping album spawned several hit singles including top ten Slight Return (only beaten to the top spot by one hit wonders Spaceman X) and the similarly high charting Cut Some Rug.

"It all seems pretty surreal looking back on it - we hadn’t planned for it and being at number one was a bit scary. We just saw ourselves as a little band doing our own thing quietly in our own corner. To have mass attention wasn’t at all expected," he reflects on the state of affairs within their camp.

Unfortunately for them, last year’s self-titled Bluetones album released via Cooking Vinyl onyl just about scraped the top 100 chart placings despite some strong critical reviews. It’s not something that’s going to lose any sleep over.

"Things are at a managable level for us now and we believe we made a really good album last year- there was no money for it so we just ended up doing it in people’s offices and the good news is there will be another record next year."

Though the tag Britpop surivors may seem a little cliched- that’s definitely what they are. To have emerged out of the other side of myriad musical shifts over the past few years is no mean feat.

So if there’s any justice Mark’s Kent gig will offer a warm welcome to his new home.

Mark Morriss plays the Tunbridge Wells Forum on Saturday, August 11. Tickets are £7. Box office 08712 777101.