FUN Lovin’ Criminal frontman and award-winning BBC radio DJ Huey Morgan talks to JAYNE BENNETT about the new project which sees him playing Gloucester’s Guildhall this March.

GLOUCESTER is gearing up for what could be the gig of the year, as Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan brings his friends ‘The New Yorkers’ to the Guildhall as part of their ‘March in your Face’ tour of more intimate venues next month.

The tour follows on from album ‘Say it to my Face’, which was released last year to critical acclaim.

The sound is still effortlessly cool and unquestionably Huey, but these days the influences are garnered from all sorts of musical genres, ranging from Funk and Blues right through to Roots and Country Huey is justifiably enthusiastic about the tour. "I wanted to explore my musical education, and the FLC was a completely different animal," he says.

"I am playing with my boys, and this project is grounded and borne out of a mutual respect for each other."

The New Yorkers comprise Chris Scianni (guitar); King (bass); and Frank Benbini (drums, and also a fellow ‘Criminal); Danny Clinch (harmonica) and together they form a kind of musicians’ ‘supergroup’ in their own right.

"The songs were all written about four years ago, and at the time we didn’t really expect any of them to be recorded. It was just me hanging out with a few friends.

"But when we did the show at Bush Hall in London last year we really blew the roof of the place. That’s why we’re out on the road again now.

"When we’re out there on stage it’s amazing, and we all interact with the audience. We play for the people, not to the people.

"These guys are my best friends and there’s such magic in that."

So does this mean that Huey is giving up on the TV work, now that he’s rediscovered the joy of music all over again?

"I like doing lots of different things; I’m an author of three books now and have just finished a screen play, as well as all the other stuff - I’m not sure that people want to see much more of my ‘plastic’ smile!.

"Actually it was my Radio Shows on the BBC that made me want to go out and do this. It’s such a blast - anyone who has been to one of the shows can tell you that."

And of course Huey has played in Gloucester before "It’s one of those unique places with a very special vibe; I love playing there and really looking forward to taking my boys."

Huey and the New Yorkers play Gloucester Guildhall March 14. For tickets and more information visit www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall