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The Brand New Heavies return to Southampton at The Soul Cellar on Saturday, November 7th, a gig that sold out in record time for the venue. The gig was originally announced as a warm-up gig for the November tour in support of their new live album 'Live In London' , although a couple of dates at larger venues, including the London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (Wed Nov 4) have been added.

Jodie Copeland managed to speak with one of the founder members of the band, guitarist Simon Bartholomew.

There have been a few changes to the line up over the years....Why? What's the current line up? N'Dea is back with you again, isn't she?

"The band started as 3 guys literally jamming in a bedroom, we'd worked with a couple of singers before we began recording even. Then we made the 1st album with an English singer, who left!"

"We even toured Italy as an instrumental band. We supported the bass player from Bill Haley & the Comets at one place! Rock Around The Clock! Then someone from delicious vinyl heard our record. They wanted to sign us and re-record the songs with N'Dea on Vocals, which as you know, we did. But N'Dea was signed for a solo LP already, so after 2nd LP with her, Brother Sister, she felt to pursue that unfinished thing. It's been great working with other singers, Siedah Garret, who wrote Man in the Mirror for Michael Jackson and sang the duet I Just Can't Stop Loving U' with him. Also Carleeen Anderson-amazing, but it's fantastic to be with N'D again."

Is Max Beesley still touring live with you?

"Max came and jammed with us recently, but he's pretty busy with his acting career at the moment....... Shame, he's a real laugh!"

How has your music evolved since the Brand New Heavies were born?

"No. Er Yes er How can human beings not be alive and not evolve? I strongly suggest that everyone buys everything we've ever done, listens to it and decides themselves, thus making me a little richer, transcending me from financial de-volution y'all."

Do you still consider yourself as an Acid Jazz band? Aren't genres a bit confusing nowadays?

"Acid Jazz was a joke name for an indie label in reaction to the acid house movement of the time-it became successful and became a category."

"We've never fully associated ourselves with it but it's still going as a label and good luck to them. The musical legacy of the movement of that time can still be heard-there are many new funk bands and a little funky club in every town in the world, which didn't exist at the time-nice legacy, eh!"

You're upcoming tour is in support of the latest album, "Live In London"....can you tell me a bit about that?

"Everything was going so well in the live shows-a geat energy with N'Dea and us back together, we felt it was a good time to record it. Was gonna be a DVD, but ..... The albums out-not sure of the track listing, but it has all the 'hits', n more......."

You're coming to Southampton Soul Cellar towards the beginning of the tour. It's quite a small intimate, venue and I believe tickets for Novembers gig sold out in a venue record time, but you played there before.  Can you tell me a bit about the last time you played? Did you specifically ask to come back ?

"We broke a record!? Tidy! That's the thing about MP3s - u can't break 'em-but you can corrupt them!!!! Was a great show last time-people seeing us for the first time live and looking pleased! We were offered Wembley Arena that night, but were prefer an intimate venue."

Do you have any upcoming shows that you are particularly looking forward to?

"I look forward to all shows really-every one is different. Doesn't matter the size or the hype 'cause people are paying and it's their night out, so give it good and spread the word."

What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

"Jet lag can be tough - It's showtime, you've just come off a long flight and it's 6am at home -fighting the tiredness is nasty. But.... We have an amazing job that we're very grateful for."

Where do you stand on the file sharing debate?

"All I'll briefly on this subject is: If you like a band, pay for their music, or you won't hear them again. Then you'll only get the funded stuff. Trust me there's only so much you'll be able to take."

What can we expect next from the BNH's? Are there any plans for new material?

"Heavy Rhyme Experience II is in the making (See HRE I to get the idea!) PLUS an album of new songs......All in 2010!!!!!"

You're off to the States after the UK tour - how do your American fans compare to the UK ones?

"We got a Number 3 R&B with our first single in US, was only after that UKs ears pricked up. Fans are great everywhere-people having a good time is part of life. Everyone does pretty much the same, just with a different accent!"

Put your favourite heroes of fiction into a band, what would we get?

"Dracula on Bass, The Wolfman on Drums, Hulk shrrrredding that guitar, X-Men on backing vocals, Spiderman on keyboards, Frankenstein-lead vocals!!!!"

Finally, just How heavy are the Brand New Heavies?

"Heavy enough to be here in your fantastic interview world-much appreciation for the support-lets have a coffee after the show!"

The Brand New Heavies play The Soul Cellar, Southampton on Saturday, November 7th. The gig is sold out, but you may be able to get last minute returns by calling the venue on 023 80710648. They return to the South Coast the following week with a trip to Brighton Concorde 2 on Thursday November 12th.