Kent-born Nick Heyward’s music career began when he formed Haircut 100 in 1981. The band had four UK top 10 singles – Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl), Fantastic Day, Nobody’s Fool and, their highest charting single, Love Plus One, which reached No.3.

Their debut album Pelican West was a No.1 album. His solo career then began in 1983 with his album North of a Miracle, which reached No.10 in the UK charts.

Nick is currently criss-crossing the country with the 80s Invasion Tour. It features four of the decade’s most memorable acts, Nick, Midge Ure, Big Country and Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot of Curiosity Killed the Cat. This gang of four have combined have record sales of more than 20 million.

I caught up with the nice guy of pop before this weekend's Kent gig...

When I sing Haircut 100’s songs they are still current...

They sound fresh. Every time I sing Fantastic Day it’s fresh for me. I like playing it. But I try and detach myself from the lyrics. Singing that song is bitter sweet.

I was a 15 or 16-year-old and I wanted to play the guitar...

So I locked myself in my bedroom and kept singing to myself over and over. I learnt to play and sing at the same time.

The 1980s stuff is popular now...

You have the 10 years when you wouldn’t listen to it; you’re too close for comfort. Now my daughter listens to 1990s stuff. Or like I suddenly think: I’ve got to watch Sliding Doors. It’s the memories, whether you like it or not.

Midge (Ure) is a great raconteur...

He’s been there at every big moment it feels like in music history, in those pivotal places. Amazing. We didn’t know Big Country so well, but I’ve shared backstages with them now for a few years. And Curiosity Killed the Cat were cool.

I’ve had some great times in and around Medway...

We went on a school trip to Chatham Dockyard back in the 1970s. Me and my mate met some girls and we bought some hats. We dressed up in a sort of Bugsy Malone style and we thought we really looked cool. Unfortunately, the boys in Chatham didn’t seem to agree with us. We went out in Chatham and ended up getting in a fight. I guess we were asking for it really, in those hats.

I had one of the best nights in Chatham...

It was really unexpected. I had a great audience at the little theatre in the High Street, it was in 2004. It was just one of those times when everything goes right and you’re having fun and just connecting with everyone. They were all having fun and so was I. Brilliant.

And I love Pizza Express in Maidstone...

I’m not actually talking about the music there, although I’m sure that’s good too, I’m talking about the pizza. I’ve had some really good evenings there with mates.

I’ve been working on a new album...

We’ve been recording it on my friend’s houseboat, which is about 90 miles from Cuba, it was hot and so relaxed. We used to work in a basement in Fulham together; we never saw any light, so it’s quite a change for us. (Nick’s website describes it as a selection of songs from his first album in 738 years.)

I think of album sleeves first really, I’m quite arty...

I did the Haircut 100s artwork stuff back then. With this album, at the moment the front is a washing line on the boat in Cuba in a dusk setting. I love taking pictures.

DETAILS

The 80s Invasion Tour will be at the Central Theatre in Chatham on Sunday, March 13 at 7.30pm. For tickets priced £32.50 call 01634 338338 or visit www.medwayticketslive.co.uk
For details of Nick’s new album visit nickheyward.com