pbarnett@thekmgroup.co.uk

"We're looking forward to playing down in Thanet - they're real people, they get what we are all about, a little bit of the East End, bit of music hall, rocking out, telling it like it is."

Derek Hussey is relishing fronting The Blockheads as they unleash their steaming grooves, fantastic songs and witty, perceptive and social comment lyrics on thousands of fans at the Sound Island Festival at Quex Park, Birchington, on Saturday, July 24.

Regarded by fellow musicians and fans as one of the tightest bands around over more than 30 years, The Blockheads are the perfect vehicle for Derek's songs, co-written with keyboard and guitar maestro Chaz Jankel. The numbers are delivered in a manner similar to punk's poet laureate Ian Dury who founded and fronted the band with such style until his death ten years ago.

Derek has been the full on front man for around nine months now and he said: "I am loving it. How could you fail with this brilliant band kicking along behind you. I look forward to every single gig, and I get a terrific buzz from it.

"I am still learning - I sing Ian's songs with due homage and big respect, and then the band do our more recent numbers, and it all fits in beautifully."

The latest album - Staring Down The Barrel - won huge critical acclaim and it is rated alongside their very best. When you lose such a charismatic frontman as Dury, it leaves a hole that can often never be filled. It is to the band's and Derek's credit that they remain true to their musical roots while moving forward, tackling fresh issues, and remaining an extremely relevant musical force. And a damn fine good time live band too.

The Birchington festival will feature Derek, Chaz, John Turnball on guitar, Norman Watt-Roy on bass, Lee Harris on guitar, Gilad Atzmon on sax and clarinet, and Dylan Howe on drums.

To have called it a day after Dury died, and while there is still so much to offer, would have been so wrong - what a waste, as he would have said.

Ticket information for the Quex Park gig, where the band will support Madness, is available from Margate Winter Gardens on 01843 296111.