Mark Morris (The Bluetones) + The Telephones tickets and listings

Best known as the frontman in The Bluetones, Mark Morriss releases his debut solo album Memory Muscle on June 2, 2008. Getting his hands dirty with his own set of songs has been an inspiring experience for Morriss who started trying them out acoustically at open-mic nights in London way back in 2004: 'I'd just turn up with my guitar, play five or six songs, along with everyone else. I didn't want any special favours, and just enjoyed the experience of stripping things right back down.'

Last year he started recording the material with producer Gordon Mills, enlisting Grammy award winning composer David Arnold along the way. ''We first met on the set of Little Britain, ironically. We were both making a cameo in the same scene, and it was here that I learnt that he really liked the Bluetones' music. In fact it was when he was composing the soundtrack to Independence Day that he first heard Expecting To Fly. I was naturally, incredibly flattered, and never dreamed that I'd ever have the chance to work with him."

Memory Muscle is also balanced with humour. Now in his mid-30s, Morriss clearly revels in the lines from Hazelwood's 'My Autumn's Done Come' - 'Let those 'I don't care days begin'/I'm tired of holding my stomach in.' 'I think a lot of comedians want to be rock 'n' rollers and a lot of songwriters want to do stand up,' says the singer who himself has appeared in episodes of Little Britain and Spaced.' 'Performing these songs as a solo artist over the last few years, I've more often than not found myself feeling stuck somewhere between those two worlds."

Since those early acoustic days however, Mark has now formed his own backing band The Mummys and with the release of Memory Muscle will be hitting the road to share these newly embellished songs with whoever enjoys a persuasive melody and a nifty way with a word. Don’t miss the Derby leg at The Venue.

Support comes from The Telephones. They formed in 2006, and have made a name in Derby supporting the likes of John Power, The Troubadours and Six nation state. They are heading into summer '08 with a set bustling with songs. Bluesy-folk-rock-country-pysch pop tunes, ready to fill your brains with stuff and nonsense, while they give your aching souls the melodies they long for!