Toploader front man talks about this week’s Wrexham gig

Oct 26 2011 by Carmella de Lucia, Chester Chronicle

ELEVEN years ago their cover of the classic tune 'Dancing in the Moonlight' was on every radio station and was the song that was stuck in everyone's heads. Instantly recognisable from its opening bars, it was the song that Toploader have always been remembered for.

But now as the Eastbourne four-piece make their return to music after a six year hiatus, they're turning away from the pop infused melodies of first album 'Onka's Big Moka' in favour of a brand new edgy rock sound - a far cry from what their fans are used to.

As the band prepare to showcase their new album, the guitar-heavy 'Only Human' with a UK tour which includes a stop off at Wrexham's Central Station this weekend, lead singer Joseph Washbourn thinks they are more creative now than they've ever been.

"We've had about six years break to do different things and we feel so much more creative," he says. "When we split, I went over to Los Angeles on my own and just wrote constantly - it was just nice to have a break.

"I wrote hundreds of songs, some of which are what's ended up on the new album. It's definitely a more grown up sound than 'Onka's Big Moka' and we're really pleased with it," he adds. "There is more depth to us now, we're more edgy but we still sound like us so I think the people who bought 'Onka's Big Moka' will like this, and hopefully we'll attract new fans too."

The album is also, according to Joseph, extremely autobiographical and is inspired by the band's experiences in dealing with their split in 2004.

"It does deal with the mistakes we made and how we came through it. We've worked really hard and we did just want to be sure we had a good album to come back with," he explains. "This time for us it's more about the music - we are more focused and it's just so good to be back together. We weren't even in the same room for six years but now we're like kids again - it's just nice."

And though one band member, Julian Deane, decided not to rejoin the band, Toplaoder as a four-piece couldn't be more thrilled to be back making music, even if they don't reach the dizzy heights of success that their first album brought.

"'Onka's Big Moka' was just a mental album - we were lucky it was so successful but 'Only Human' has given us a new lease of life that we're just so proud of," Joseph says. "'Dancing in the Moonlight', as great as it was for us, was shoved down people's throats a bit and was very commercial - this is much more what we're all about."

* Toploader will be performing at Wrexham's Central Station this Saturday (October 29) from 6pm. Tickets cost £15 and can be bought by calling 0870 444 5556 or by visiting http://www.centralstationvenue.com/toploader/