HE may have been a key figure on The Beautiful South for nearly two decades, but Dave Hemmingway insists there IS life without former frontman Paul Heaton.

The band is back on the road again as The South, with Dave sharing vocal duties with Alison Wheeler.

He said: "Obviously Paul's not there and we have to make up for it in the best way that we can. Paul's out there doing his own thing with Jacqui Abbott and I'm sure there's enough room for both of us in the world to be going out there playing some songs."

Next month they're bring their live show to the Waterside Arts Centre and Dave said the set will be a mix of Beautiful South classics and new material.

Fans can take comfort in the knowledge that despite Heaton's departure to pursue solo projects, the re-formed group hasn't strayed from its musical roots. Heaton's lyrics were intelligent, incisive and witty and a refreshing antidote to lame brained, manufactured pop. We devotees can, apparently, expect more of the same.

Dave said: "With the new songs if we try to do anything different in terms of musical style we'd probably fall on our faces a bit. I think we're best to stick to our strengths which is pop songs, really. Pop songs with intelligent lyrics is what we strive to do. The songs on the new album continue in the same vein."

He worked with Paul Heaton in The Housemartins, playing drums in the indie group that was the forerunner to The Beautiful South. After more than 25 years in the music industry, what are his personal highlights?

Dave said: "I've been very fortunate to be involved in music for that length of time because usually it's quite a fickle and short-lived career. I've been very lucky. The highlight for me personally was playing the main stage at Glastonbury. REM were the headline act and it was just a magical moment and I look back in that with fond memories."

I have a Beautiful South live DVD recorded when they played Delamere Forest and it's a highly entertaining watch, rather like watching a bunch of mates making music and enjoying every second of it. The 54-year-old assures me that this isn't for effect - they all get on well off stage too.

He said the band are also happy to play smaller venues like the Waterside.

Dave added: "i always felt when we did play the big arenas we weren't necessarily suited to it. With these sort of places I think it makes for a better gig in some cases."

* The South and special guest David Ford play the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale on October 10 at 7.30pm. Anyone interested in booking tickets should call 0161 912 5616 or you can visit watersideartscentre.co.uk.

Please note - this is a standing event.