MERSEY stars The Christians were prime movers in the soul scene that emerged out of England's North West at the end of the 80s. Along with other iconic bands they brought a slicker, sophisticated, soul-flecked sound to the charts at the end of that heady decade. Sophisticated, soul-drenched pop music.

Garry Christian is both the face and the voice of The Christians. Another musical success story to have emerged out of Liverpool in the late Eighties, the band started as an a cappella trio and originally comprised of brothers Garry, Russell, and Roger. In 1986 they were joined by former Yachts and It’s Immaterial frontman Henry Priestman. After recording a handful of singles, Roger Christian left the group to mount a solo career whilst the remaining three members continued on without him.

After a bumpy start, they scored a minor hit with the 1987 single Forgotten Town. A pair of even more successful tracks, Hooverville and Ideal World followed before the Christians issued their self-titled debut LP in late 1987.

The record was a major hit, achieving over a million sales, and soon the group ranked as the UK’s most popular soul act. The follow-up was long in the making, with little more than a 1988 cover of the Isley Brothers’ Harvest for the World to tide fans over. Finally, the album Colour appeared in early 1990, topping the British charts on the strength of the hits Words, I Found Out, and Greenbank Drive. The album and its tracks were also hits internationally, with noteworthy success in Scandinavia, Germany and France.

The harder-edged Happy in Hell charted at number 18 in 1992, although didn’t reach the heights of its predecessor commercially. After releasing a greatest hits album, The Best of the Christians in 1993, the band turned to solo and collaborative work, effectively disbanding.

Fast-forward to the present day and the Christians are back enjoying their everlasting success with a relatively new line-up. This year is the 25th anniversary for the band who are celebrating with a re-release of anniversary albums The Christians and Colour and a brand new album in the pipeline. Showing little signs of slowing up and with their songs remaining as relevant today as ever, The Christians remain a musical tour de force.

Sunday, January 26, Bishop’s Cleeve Tithe barn www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk